PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AND APPLICATION

Lesson 13: Role of Design in Fashion

Sources of inspiration for designs

Sources of inspiration play an important role in the design process, both in defining the context for new designs and in informing the creation of individual designs. For each artist, the process of finding new inspiration is a journey. Sometimes inspiration can be found on one's doorstep and sometimes one has to travel far and wide to uncover it. Previous designs and other sources of ideas furnish a vocabulary both for thinking about new designs and for describing designs to others. Different sources of inspiration for a textile designer may be as follows:

• Historic and traditional designs: Most designers are inspired from traditional textiles. Indian traditional textiles are characterized by their unique and traditional designs which have strong social, cultural and geographical influences.
• Mythological scenes
• Folk art and ethnic designs
• Nature
• Manmade objects
• Design and fashion magazines
• Paintings
• Cave paintings
• Human emotions
• Sculptures
• Articles of daily Life
• Village scenes
• Rituals, customs and ceremonial scenes
• Architectural designs
• Design library
• Swatch books: collection of fabric swatches, pictures from magazines or newspapers
• Museums
• Fabric stores
• Travel: exposure to new cultures is inspiring in every way; it can be especially stimulating to our sense of style. It gives ideas about different ways people adorn themselves.
• Television
  • Travel shows
  • Fashion channels
• Old and new movies
• Drama and theatre
• Fashion shows
• Different related sites on Internet
• Fashion blogs