As a designer who grew up with the internet, I often forget that my final product usually benefits from the time I spend away from the screen. Design tends to lack human-ness when we ignore the extrinsic, more analog parts of the design process.
Not to mention, websites like Behance and Dribbble have made it easier than ever to get a quick jolt of inspiration. Yet, I cannot help but feel that it is important for creatives to step away from the monitor and explore your surroundings every once in a while. For business owners in Houston who need a little design help, inspiration is incredibly abundant.
Traditional Spots for Design Inspiration in Houston
The city’s museum district has 20 museums and institutions that are all within walking (but probably biking) distance of each other. The highly revered Menil Collection might be a good place to start, as it houses an astonishing breadth of work from many well-known artists.
The buildings in which the aforementioned works are housed first opened their doors to the public in 1987 and are excellent examples of timeless design. The Rothko Chapel, as described by a member of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, is an “…intimate, nondenominational sanctuary,” and is visited by around 100 thousand people from different faiths and backgrounds each year. It is a big, silent chamber that is empty, except for some seating and fourteen Mark Rothko paintings hanging on the walls. It is an utterly awe-inspiring space and a great place to brainstorm.
Taking a Modern Twist
I, personally, became interested in graphic design after a several-year-long stint in the graffiti community. I was never very good, but during this period I devoted a good deal of time locating the best murals in Houston.
Later, these would become a major source of inspiration for my design. Houston is home to 12,192 professional artists and thousands more people involved with the arts directly or indirectly. As the population of Houston continues to grow, so does its artist presence, and, therefore, its number of public artworks and murals. They are easy to spot if you know where to look, but in case you have no idea, this post should give you a place to start.
The more well known “Houston is inspired” mural in Market Square is a good jumping off point. If you are looking for something a little more low-key, XL Parts, a mechanic shop and auto parts store that is covered in graffiti murals, at 3000 Crawford St. is one of my personal favorites.
Getting Literal
If you are looking for something a little more on the nose, the Houston Printing Museum is an amazing resource for design inspiration and general design (design-adjacent, perhaps) knowledge. The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is also worth a visit for anyone in need of a creative jumpstart.
We All Need a Little Inspiration
Speaking of inspiration, that happens to be what we do. When it comes to creativity, our philosophy is always that two brains are better than one, and three brains are better than two. We work with our clients to pull out the tactical knowledge they get from working with their customers every day and apply it to the creative process.
For more inspiration, check out the rest of our blogs here. We’re always looking for new partners on the creative journey. Contact us today if you are in need of a creative marketing partner in Houston.
