WILD INSPIRATION SOURCES
Form. Color. Composition. Pattern. As designers, we’re trained to spot these elements around us.
Our designers find inspiration in the wildest places. Here are a few that surprised us in the best way:
EVERY DAY MOMENTS
REIMAGINED
- Bubbles From Washing Dishes
- The Last Sip Of Coffee
- Insects
- Shadows On The Sidewalk
Bubbles From Washing Dishes
"You’d never guess… the patterns formed on some bubbles when washing the dishes. We can always find a new way of looking at things we experience every day."
– Emily Robinson
Designer, United Kingdom
The Last Sip Of Coffee
"The last sip of coffee that didn’t get finished. It creates a beautiful texture in the mug—something many of us see every morning."
– Liselotte Flu
Concept Designer, Netherlands
Insects
"Insects. What started as an unlikely inspiration became one of my go-to sources because of their imperfect patterns and unique color combinations."
– Courtney Walker
Lead Studio Designer, USA
Shadows On The Sidewalk
"The shadows on the sidewalk make unexpected shapes and movement that we can learn a lot from. "
– Sarah Mullinax
Visual Merchandising & Photography Manager, USA
SURFACES SHAPED
BY TIME
- A Rusted Factory Wall
- Crackled Lines in Tarmac
- Walls
A Rusted Factory Wall
"An old, rusted factory wall. The textures, colors, and decay told such a strong story of gritty, industrial design."
– James Drake
Graphic Designer, United Kingdom
Crackled Lines in Tarmac
"Crackled weathered lines in tarmac. It’s a naturally occurring pattern and I find myself looking to mimic it in designs."
– Beth Cragg
Designer, United Kingdom
Walls
"I’ve always had a fascination with walls, and they’ve often been a starting point for textures, color palettes, and composition in my creative processes. I’m especially drawn to surfaces that show age and history like old stone and crumbling plaster covered in moss and vines, vintage wallpaper and peeling paint, and even layers of graffiti and weathered posters. There’s something compelling about the way time tells a story."
– Lexi Hare
Studio Designer, USA
DRIVEN BY
MOTION
- Amusement Parks
- Freight Containers
- A Gravel Road
- Taking Off In An Airplane
Amusement Parks
"Amusement parks… a very commercialized concept that’s full of excitement, unexpected shapes, and more."
– Rikki Kong
Concept Designer, China
Freight Containers
"Containers from freight ships— they’re very common, and I was drawn to the colors they usually come in."
– Anne Wagemaker
Concept Designer, Netherlands
A Gravel Road
"Gravel on an old road. What did it show me? The path of travel, and the familiarity of a well-worn path."
– Lindsey Foster
Custom Project Designer, USA
Taking Off In An Airplane
"That moment when you take off on a plane and reach the right altitude where you can relax, I love to observe the topography below—where land and water meet to form stunning shapes, tones, and textures."
– Naveen Borkar
Senior Studio Designer, India
FUEL YOUR
CREATIVE FIRE
We asked Interface’s design experts to share how they keep ideas flowing. This guide distills their insights into practical tips you can revisit anytime.