Mini Ideation Exercise

Pick Your Path: Ideas, Research & Inspiration

The Challenge

Before you start making your project, spend some time looking at work that interests you. Your goal is not to copy someone else's work. Instead, look for ideas, styles, colours, shapes, techniques and approaches that might inspire your own project.

Choose the path that best fits your project. You can change paths or explore more than one.

Path 1 — Character / Illustration

Explore

ArtStation

Search for

Character designCreature designIllustrationConcept artCostume design

Try this

Find 5 characters or illustrations that you like.
For each one, write one short sentence: "I like this because..."
Think about: shape, colour, personality, clothing, pose, style, detail.
Then ask: What ideas could I take from this without copying it?

Path 2 — Logo / Branding

Explore

Behance Dribbble

Search for

Logo designBrandingBrand identityTypographyPackaging

Try this

Find 5 designs that interest you.
For each one, write: "I like this because..."
Then choose 3 words that describe the type of design you are drawn to (e.g. Simple — Bold — Playful).

Path 3 — Poster / Print

Explore

Behance Dribbble

Search for

Poster designMagazine designEditorial designTypographyExperimental design

Try this

Find 5 designs that catch your attention.
For each one, ask: What did I notice first?
Look at: type, colour, images, size, composition, contrast, empty space.
Then ask: What makes this design interesting?

Path 4 — Web / Digital

Explore

Awwwards Behance

Search for

Website designUI designInteractive designDigital experiences

Try this

Find 3 websites or digital projects that interest you.
For each one, answer: What do I notice first? What do I like about it? What makes it different?
Then ask: Is there an idea here that I could try in my own project?

Path 5 — Something Else

Explore

Behance ArtStation Dribbble

Search for

Photography3DAnimationFashionPackagingSculptureIllustrationExperimental artMotionAnything else you are curious about

Try this

Find 10 things that make you stop and look.
Then look at your collection and ask: What do these things have in common?
Write down 3 things you notice about your own interests.

Pinterest Option

You can also use Pinterest for any type of project. Collect 20 images related to your idea, then look for patterns. Maybe you keep choosing similar colours, certain shapes, minimal designs, strange characters, bold typography, handmade textures, or dark or bright imagery.

Ask yourself: What am I consistently drawn to?

Look Closer

When you find something you really like, stop and look at it for a few minutes. Ask yourself:

What do I like?
Why do I like it?
How did the designer or artist create that effect?
Could I try something similar in my own way?

What to Share

Bring your research to class. Show:

5–10 examples of work that interests you
A few notes about what you like
3–5 words that describe your interests
One question or idea you want to explore

Finish with: “What if I tried...”

You don't need to have your whole project figured out yet. The goal is to look, notice, collect ideas and start exploring.