This post is a part of our Unexpected Sources of Inspiration series where we share how inspiration sometimes comes from the unlikeliest of places. I’m Jason, Head of Design at Plain Sight Ventures, and your friend in the design-nerd world. Feel free to reach out to me at jason@plainsightventures.co if you want to connect about design things or coffee or running or really just anything!
Design inspiration can, and often does, come from anywhere. It could be a magazine in a waiting room or a random consumer site or even a memorable meal. In a world of recycled Dribbble x Pinterest x AI shots, it’s refreshing when the inspiration somehow makes its way to you, rather than you going out and finding it. You cannot always force creativity — sometimes you just need to let it in. In this series, we will explore unexpected sources of inspiration through just getting out there and living.
You cannot always force creativity — sometimes you just need to let it in.
Travel is and has always been a major source of inspiration for me. Different colors, intriguing shapes, and unique characters become design muses that leave an indelible mark on your spirit and soul. By breaking away from your routine and exploring the unknown, you open yourself up to inspiration from afar and let the source right in. And as if by chance, a recent creative block aligned with a trip to one of my favorite places in the world: Japan.
Japan is not just a country…it’s a feeling, a sensibility, a vision of how things could operate, a glimpse into a world seemingly detached from the riggers and patterns of the West. It’s this sensory escape that leads to a creative awakening. The colors, shapes, textures, and lines you encounter are like nothing you've seen before. They spark a whole new level of design thinking that goes beyond the ordinary and piques your curiosity.
Colors in Japan often represent emotions and stories. Think of the striking red Torii gates against the calm backdrop of an emerald green rock garden. These bold and muted colors together tell tales of energy and serenity. Drawing from these hues, designers can add a touch of both modern energy and timeless elegance to their work, while grounding themselves in the basics of color complements.
Japan really has shapes figured out. They seem to blend nature's curves with precise geometry in just the most effortless ways. It’s the graceful lines of traditional woodblock prints alongside the sleek angles of Tokyo's modern architecture and the fusion of these organic and structured shapes that spark fresh design ideas.
Then there's the "wabi-sabi" philosophy that celebrates imperfection. Embracing this, designers can introduce asymmetrical shapes that add authenticity and a sense of life's fleeting beauty to their creations.
Written English characters might not always steal the show in western design, but Japan's calligraphy gives the written word new meaning. The intricate strokes of "kanji" characters and the fluidity of "hiragana" and "katakana" scripts are like a playground for typography lovers. Just like brushstrokes in calligraphy, each character choice carries its own meaning. The dance between bold and delicate, intricate and simple, creates a visual rhythm that speaks volumes. So, when you pick a stroke in Japan, you're not just picking letters – you're picking an emotion and a cultural connection.
Japan's design inspiration isn't just about individual elements. It's about bringing opposites together in harmony. With these elements in unison, a doorway opens to a world where tradition dances with modernity, and simplicity holds hands with sophistication.
In Japan, “ma” is the art of embracing the space between objects, leaving room for imagination. This principle encourages designers to be intentional with their compositions, creating a sense of balance. So maybe that’s the secret to all things…just making space for the unexpected.
By soaking in the unexpected beauty of Japan's design landscape, designers can reshape their creative approach. They can add that touch of balance, that dash of authenticity, and that spark of cultural connection that makes their work truly stand out – much like the captivating spirit of Japan itself.
