We’ve all heard of writer’s block, but have you ever heard of creative blocks? Working in an industry that is constantly growing and changing, we as creatives have to learn to adjust and adapt to the current trends, techniques, and technology. But what happens when you’re simply in a rut and think you’ve used all your good ideas? The NMCO creatives are here to help you out of your creative block! Read more about where the NMCO creatives find inspiration.
Inspiration for Bold Leaders and Clients
Lucky Gonzalez
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Lucky’s Inspiration is found through…
- Reading or learning from others who have been doing this longer/better than me.
- Tons of commercials and advertisements.
- Music.
- Past experiences where I can learn from things that didn’t work or things that can be improved upon.
- Listening to people’s needs.
Tina Ballew
Founder & Chief Creative Officer
Steph’s Inspiration is found through…
- Music videos & commercials
- Books
“When it comes to business, I’m usually inspired by the clients we work with or by other creative industry leaders like Chris Do from The Futur or Made by James. One of my favorite resources is Run Studio Run by Eli Altman, which helps speak to professional creatives about operating a studio. It’s an easy read and insightful. I’m also reading The E Myth by Michael E Gerber, which isn’t directed at studios or agencies but has a lot of great info on process development and growing a business. ”
Inspiration for Film and photography
Aaron Walterscheid
Video Specialist & Cinematographer
Aaron’s Inspiration is found through…
- ShotDeck – cinematic image database
- Watching movies, TV, and commercials
- Observing real life
“Looking at references from other media is always great of course, but I think it’s equally important to spend time outdoors, experience the real world, and notice how your perception is affected by different environments.”
Ryan M. Robson
Video Specialist & Photographer
Ryan’s Inspiration is found through…
- Thrift stores
- Vintage bookstores
- Old Electronic Shops
“I find when I’m stuck it always helps to look back. I love looking at old product boxes and labels, sometimes I’ll thrift old electronics because their packaging always have such unique colors, natural weathering and patinas. Vintage photography and color prints, textured papers and technicolor film scans. I love the idea of the work I’m doing to feel that at some point it was a physical object, print, or texture that’s been scanned.”
Inspiration for Graphic Design and Motion Graphics
Dana Apodaca
Senior Graphic Designer & Art Director
Dana’s Inspiration is found through…
- Going on walks in my neighborhood
- Looking at clothing & fashion (check out some of my favorite creators below!)
- Matty Bovan – @babbym
- Elena Velez- @elenavelez
- Charles Jeffrey Loverboy- @charlesjeffreyloverboy
“I love to observe how different people take inspiration and apply it to their specific craft. Like how a fashion designer and a watercolorist can look at the same flower, but will create completely different works of art. When I feel stuck I try to notice what I like about something (a movie, a sunset, anything at all) and consider an unconventional way to incorporate it into my work. “
Jenna Dunlap
Graphic Designer
Jenna’s Inspiration is found through…
- Looking at other designers/studio portfolios (check out some of my favorite creatives below!)
- Searching for tutorials (check out some of my favorite creators below!)
- Real life
“I find when I’m stuck it always helps to look back. I love looking at old product boxes and labels, sometimes I’ll thrift old electronics because their packaging always have such unique colors, natural weathering and patinas. Vintage photography and color prints, textured papers and technicolor film scans. I love the idea of the work I’m doing to feel that at some point it was a physical object, print, or texture that’s been scanned.”
Inspiration for Web Development and Digital Design
Anna Kat Hollis
Senior Web Developer
AnnaKat’s Inspiration is found through…
- Museums of any kind (art ones are good, but I feel like I almost get more inspired after a science museum)
- Reading (check out some of my favorite web content, books, and authors!)
- working with my hands
“Being in a digital space all the time makes me realize how important it is to interact with the real world. It’s easy to just look at things related to the stuff I create at NMCO, but the best inspiration always from a place that I least expect it – like making simple zines or going to an aquarium helps me approach my work from a unique perspective.”
Blanca Martinez
Digital Designer
Blanca’s Inspiration is found through…
- Local artists
- www.awwwards.com
- www.siteinspire.com
“Depending on what project I am stuck on I will approach inspiration differently. For new digital projects I will regularly scroll through Pinterest or visit local galleries to see what artists are creating and gain inspiration from that. For web projects I like to reference website award sites to see what the latest functionality is being used and being awarded for, I think this is a great way to bring captivation web design to Las Cruces!”
Inspiration for Project Management & Studio Operation
Stephanie Hawkins
Studio Manager
Stephanie’s Inspiration is found through…
- Road Trips
- Talking to strangers
“I love to explore the things that make place – the people, the stories, the experiences. The best way to do this, for me, is go without agenda or expectation, uncover the little things that make a place and see a side of it that might not make it to a billboard.”
Steph Preciado-Shelton
Studio Director
Steph’s Inspiration is found through…
- Nature
- Other artists
“My happy place is roaming an open path amongst the yuccas and agave plants looking for strange formed plants or heart rocks. I love the textures of the skeletons left behind once a cactus or cholla die. I like to use natural forms in metal casting or draw from life. For leadership inspiration, I like Brene Brown’s book, Dare to Lead. She emphasizes the importance of being able to be vulnerable to be able to build trust and show courage. Another leader I look to is Simon Sinek and he emphasizes the importance of communicating the ‘why’ or purpose to inspire action and product. For project organization, an Excel sheet does just fine!”
We believe in creative thinking to approach challenges and reframing them into possibilities. Our NMCO creatives find inspiration through different means, which helps us overcome any hurdles we may come across in a project. Be sure to try out some of our techniques the next time you’re stuck in a creative slump!
