Connecting Naturally To Design

Lake of the Clouds, Michigan / Lake Superior

In a nutshell, graphic designers create. We live by a digital code. However, in this age fueled by social media and a lightning-fast internet, the most important sources of inspiration are often taken for overlooked.

As we produce more, swipe more, tag more, post more, the connection with our environment and planet drifts quietly away. We see through our screens rather than taking in all that surrounds us. We seem to almost forget that the earth itself has provided us with everything we need to survive: food, water, shelter, oxygen. Visual and artistic inspiration is less basic but also extremely important.

Design is in the details; the details are in the design. Interesting enough, nature provides that for us, as long as we are interested and  know where to look. It may require some exploration, but taking in nature’s beauty has proven to be an extremely worthwhile and beneficial task to undertake.

Take, for instance, a recent trip I took to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with a group of good college friends. As we pushed north, cell service became more sporadic and then was not to be found. Before we finally arrived on the shores of Lake Superior, I’d almost forgotten places like this existed. Serene and quiet, filled with vibrant colors and environment, the elements of design were all around, creating an intricate and beautiful piece for our eyes.

Textures and shapes danced around the campsite as the spaces we built were enveloped in lush foliage and the cool calming sounds of the lake only a few feet from where camp was made. Unified and harmonic, everything around us, from the tallest tree to the smallest pebble of sand was filled with geometry, color, and texture.  The complex beauty of nature proved a vivid reminder that elements of design were all around us. It proved a true place to unwind and absorb everything around us.

This trip was a great reminder that inspiration can come in many forms, and sometimes, the best sources of inspiration are quietly standing strong all around us. All you have to do is lace up your hiking books, pack a tent and cooler and take the adventure for yourself.

Nick Davis