I believe that in order to be a successful designer you need to be inspired by life in general.  I am moved by the beautiful things in life.  Yes, I know that is a rather generic answer but I think beauty and inspiration can happen anywhere; therefore it’s impossible to pin it on one specific thing.  It could be anything from a person, place or thing to a brief moment or cherished memory that moves you to create.  Inspiration can come from something you seek out or from something you never anticipated.

One of the things that inspires me is my desire to succeed.  When I’m passionate about something I put more effort, more time, basically more of myself into it.  It’s this desire to be the best that keeps me pushing myself.  I know what I’m capable of and I don’t want to settle for less than that.

Another thing that inspires me is the successful work of others.  I know good design when I see it and when I do it inspires me to try to do work at a higher level.  I’ll often visit The Eisner or the Milwaukee Art Museum when I feel I’m in need of recharging my creative juices.  Sometimes just going for a run by the lake or blasting a soccer ball into the metal goals on Lincoln Memorial Drive is enough to clear my head and help me think more clearly. 

As a designer I don’t necessarily want to be pushed towards one specific style, however I must acknowledge the styles of art that I feel influence me creatively.  I seem to be drawn towards styles of art that break things down into their most simplistic parts such as Bauhaus, DeStijl, and American Pop Art.  I like art and design that isn’t complicated, design that does what it needs to and nothing more, design that is simplistic, almost to the point of being mechanical.  Some of this I believe comes from studying engineering for two years.  However, I feel it comes even more from growing up in a family that owns a metal fabrication business.  If my designs lean themselves towards a mechanical feeling, this is undoubtedly the source of that style.

Other forms of art such as music and film also inspire me.  I don’t think these mediums specifically affect my style, however they affect me on a personal level to deal with things in life and clear my head.  I think music and film can have an almost therapeutic effect on a person, help you momentarily escape from reality.  Sometimes escaping from reality is the best way to come up with a creative thought.

Finally, I feel inspired by the fact that I can have an impact on society.  I hope someday that my work will have a profound effect on people.  Design has the power to change people’s minds and influence decisions.  I like the fact that I can have that kind of responsibility and importance.