Inspiration and Influences
“There are cathedrals everywhere for those with the eyes to see.”
Inspiration is a very personal thing. What inspires you may or may not connect with a peer. Your taste and viewpoint is a reflection of what has inspired and influenced you.
Your travels, your education, and your algorithm all expose you to various new ideas, places, and personas that can subconsciously or consciously inspire your next big piece of work. A single class project my sophomore year of high school changed my perspective on architecture with the introduction of the nonconformist style of Frank Gehry.
We are going to lean into these singular inspirations and influences this week and shape our project around that.
The Challenge Prompt
Your mission: Think about the people, places, or works of art that have shaped your creative voice.
Choose one of these inspirations: someone you admire, a place that changed you, or a piece of art that stuck with you
Reflect on how it influenced the way you create or express yourself
Use that inspiration as a springboard to create something new
Let your final piece reflect both their influence and your unique perspective
Creative Examples to Inspire You
Visual Artists
Reimagine a favorite piece of art in your own style or create a work inspired by an influential artist, movement, or place.
Writers
Write a piece inspired by a writer you admire—mimic their style for a paragraph, then let your voice take over.
Designers
Incorporate design elements from a style or era that inspires you (e.g., Bauhaus, Art Deco) but make it uniquely yours.
Musicians
Remix a song that has inspired you, or compose a piece that evokes the same emotions as a track you love.
Optional Add-On: Reflect of Your Process
After you’ve created your piece, take a moment to reflect:
What was the original source of inspiration, and why does it resonate with you?
How did that influence show up in your creative decisions?
In what ways did your unique voice emerge and shift the direction of the piece?
Did connecting with your inspiration help you better understand your own style?
Closing Encouragement
Inspiration can come from anywhere. A single piece of work can stick to your mind at any moment and dictate your next piece of work—whether you are actively seeking out that inspiration or let it come to you organically. We are choosing a singular piece of inspiration and letting ourselves use that piece to dictate our next project.
When you’re ready, share your piece with the community by tagging @SimplexCreativeClub and using #SimplexChallenge. We’d love to see what inspired you—and where it led.