The other day I wrote about creating with my hands outside of my computer, and after I posted about it – I thought about making a little series about Finding Inspiration. So today is part two of helping you find inspiration and help you create the things that you want to create without having Facebook or other stupid things get in the way.

Lately it’s hard for me to find the motivation I need to complete the projects I’ve been working on. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ll listen to Madeon‘s latest album and get bummed at how he is 5 years younger then me and his music is lightyears beyond mine, or if it’s the place I live just confining my brain. When I was on a trip to New York recently – I got that kick of inspiration I’ve been looking for, not really for music because I really didn’t want to spend all my time making music, but just on other things – like design, and writing – creative things that keep my brain working in that area. So possibly it has something to do with the place I live or maybe that I just need to get out more in Alaska. The snow is melting – so now I have no excuse to get out now.

To help me get motivated in my creative endeavors – I’ve been scouring the internet looking for ways to get myself motivated where I am now. I don’t have the money to go to cool places every month or travel the world right now – so I’m stuck.

I’ve compiled several links split into several categories for myself and you guys. Some of these links are articles that may not be relevant to you in your creative process right now…but I’m sure you can take something away from them either way. The links are sites I visit every couple of days – if not every day. I also added my Spotify profile at the bottom – because music is a direct link to our brain and it helps us find creativity sometimes without even looking for it.

- MUSIC -

• A Producer’s Guide To Overcoming Writers Block
• Soundworks Collection
• DJ Tech Tools
• Audio Tuts+
• Create Digital Music

Hit the jump for more links in different categories…
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Finding inspiration has gotten easier and easier to do thanks to the internet. I have several websites I visit for when I am in need of tapping into my creative side…one being Designspiration, which is my go to place for when I need to come up with a design. Just the other day I scrolled through the thousands of images – with a sketchbook and pencil by my side – waiting to see something that gave me an idea. Another site I visit is Pinterest. That might be a no brainer for some of you. Unlike Designspiration – which is strictly just design inspired visuals – Pinterest is dedicated to everything that someone might find worthy of saving or finding. The last one (not really, but just to keep this post short) – I have a Feedly. I wrote about looking for a Google Reader substitute a while ago and Feedly was my website of choice. For those of you who don’t know what a RSS Reader is – it’s basically a place where you can store all of your favorite blog/website’s happenings all in one tab. No more need for 50 tabs open at the top of your browser. It’s not a necessity, but it sure does make blogging and finding inspiration easier for people like me who do it everyday.

Today as I was still waking up – I got on my phone like I always do just to see what I missed in the night. I opened up my Feedly app and flipped through some posts from the last several days – and one really struck my fancy. “How To Make a Media Console For Under $100” on the DIY / Design / Housekeeping site Apartment Therapy. I’m not really a craftsmen by any means, I mean, I’ve made desks for an old job once…but I was an assistant…I’ve never really made anything with my hands by myself. And I don’t mean designs or music either…I’m talking about woodworking and carpentry – real material objects.

Just looking at the image came off to me as easy and cheap (two things I’m fans of) – and the end product looked really great. Why not do this? It doesn’t take years of experience in carpentry and power tools to know how to make this. This was all before I even clicked the link to actually read the article…and to my surprise there was even a video to accompany the picture.

I love the idea of making things with my hands…I always have, but I’ve never really thought about going out and actually making something other then a jewelry box or a Pinewood Derby Car for Awana. Then I started looking around my room and realized the opportunity to create other pieces of furniture that I’ve been thinking about buying…but why the heck would I buy it…when I can have the satisfaction of saying “I made that.” Just thinking about the potential to create actual physical objects – other then what’s inside a computer – really makes my creative juices flow.

I’ve always said to myself I need to get out from under the umbrella of my computer and go out and create or just do, but the computer and it’s abundance of knowledge is addicting. So…hopefully within the next several weeks I can find time to make something. Whether it’s the TV stand above or a desk, I will update on here how the fuel for my creativity is going, and when I finally getting around to making something – I will take pictures of my progress and post them.

Like the always say – it’s easier to say then do, but I feel like making my thoughts public – gives me more of a reason to do it – because if I don’t – I’m not the only one that see’s it as a failure.

So here goes nothing.

///Steven

Specific architecture has a way of drifting me off and into a daydream. I don’t have to be there to be put in this trance…it’s mostly the pictures that does it for me. Makes me feel warm and inspired just by picturing myself walking down these halls. The architects at Bates Masi have made a fantastic building – dubbed Genius Loci, an architectural term meaning “spirit of the place.” Located about two hours outside NYC this location screams summer for me, even though it’s probably pretty rough in the winter.

I’ve never been to Montauk, New York, but after seeing these pictures and the ones below…I’m surprised I haven’t. The only downside to living there is it is on the tip of a peninsula – and to drive anywhere would be hectic. But that’s just one downside…I think if I lived here I could look past that.

Check out more pictures after the break…

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I’ve posted about DesignersMX before when they just started to get popular. Back then it was a place for designers to create a mix and make beautiful artwork to accompany it, creating a very inspiring website filled with awesome music and design.

Now they’ve upgraded their look and expanded the website for the better. Instead of just mixes they’ve made it like a Designspiration or Pinterest where you can post inspiring books, design, and videos. Oh, and probably one of my favorite things is they’ve integrated Spotify into the mixes – which can suck for the songs that aren’t on Spotify that people listen to, but it’s a cost I’ll have to pay.

It’s definitely a new way to grab some inspiration if you’re in need of it.

Request an invite here.

///Steven

(sorry about all the lines)
A lot of people think that being up in Alaska there’s not a whole lot going on and the music scene is non-existent. Not true. Alaska has tried to wrestle with the big dog cities and by doing that – we have a lot of cool stuff going on. I wish I could go to everything that happens up here, but I just can’t.

One thing that I’m for sure going to is Lavoy‘s CD release show for their new album “Bearly Merry” at the Bear Tooth‘s First Tap – this thursday. I have had it on my calendar ever since I found out about it while in the lower 48.  I’m very excited for this show and the new album.

If you don’t know who Lavoy is – which I’m sure some of you that aren’t from Alaska haven’t had the pleasure to have your ears listen to the beauty, Lavoy is a rough tough band of scoundrels born and raised in Alaska. Haha. Ok, a little too much…got carried away…but really that’s not far off. They all do live in Alaska…and even though their exterior is soft and cuddly…they are very passionate about the music they make and their belief in God.

They’re latest album, We Met In The Arts, was “more raw” then their debut album, Said The Quiet Hands, which is more electronically influenced. They’re new album “Bearly Merry” is a good combination of both albums together.

Here’s a new song called “Smile”…

Yes please. The first thing you notice is the bass. Great crisp tone with Ryan Monson (who designed the artwork for ‘Music To Drive To‘ last year) slapping dat bass with Kipp Riley keeping the beat with the kick. Sean Riley, has this really cool phaser effect or whatever it is on his guitar for the striking chords you hear (he has really cool vintage gear that gives him great tone), and then Tyrell Tompkins’ voice comes in soothing and refreshing your ears from years of letting yourself listen to bad music.

They have a lot of experience combining elements of different genres into their songs. Which is a good way to go, seeing as now they’re able to do anything they want and all of us fans are ok with it and expect it, and love them even more for trying new things.

If you want to hear more – come out to February’s First Tap at the Bear Tooth where Lavoy will be releasing their new CD and playing old and new songs. And sorry to the Under-21 crowd, but this is for 21+, which I know sucks, but you’ll get your chance I promise. We all used to be there. It sucks, but one day…

I recently got to sit down with the frontman of Lavoy, Tyrell, to talk about the new album, the recording process, and the future. Read the interview and get a special Lavoy mix after the jump…

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[via LIMITEDHYPE]

I love watch the sculpting process of the car. So much detail. I would probably mistake it as a real one and try to open the door…then screw it up. I could probably just watch a video of them sculpting it out…like a timelapse with added b-roll in there…someone make it happen. I need this.

///Steven

I like Instagram. I’m actually kind of addicted to it. I don’t take pictures everyday…even though it would be a good practice to get in to, but I check my Instagram feed basically everyday. It’s fun. As much as I love film photography, it kills me to not be out taking pictures with my old Pentax camera, handed down by my dad, everyday – that’s why Instagram is a nice substitute. You don’t get the whole “What’s this picture gonna look like?” feeling (which is basically the reason we shoot on film right?), because you know exactly what your sharing, but the filters are very impressive and fun to play around with.

This infograph shows us the combination of film and camera that makes our beloved instagram filters so gosh darn cool.

[via Flavorwire via 1000 memories (who have a cool blog post walking you through the infograph step-by-step)]

Here’s a hi-def version from Jeannie Jeannie.

And one more thing – real quick – another reason I love Instagram is because it’s like a scrapbook on my phone. I can go back and relive memories / places / feelings in seconds. It’s nostalgia, really. You can do that on your phone, but if you’re like me, there’s too many photos on my camera roll. I’ve put all the pics I’ve taken that I feel the need to share on my profile.

You can follow me on my Instagram adventures here.

Also here’s facebook and twitter links to follow us…

///Steven

Branding anything can be a long process. Branding 10,000 somethings can be an even longer process…but so far it looks like Nicole Meyer has it under control. She’s taking one Minnesota Lake a day and creating a logo for it.

“Should only take a little over 27 years to hit ‘em all. Stay tuned and enjoy!”

 This puts a 365 project to shame. Not to discourage you from doing a 365…if you’re thinking about it…definitely do it…no question. #Fo’realz

[via Fubiz]

She has tons more on the Branding 10,000 Lakes site that are just gorgeous to peruse through. Follow her on twitter and designspiration.

Follow us too…only if you want…we’re not gonna pressure you into anything…

///Steven

A direct quote from Marc John’s bio:
“I like to create absurd situations, by combining things together that don’t belong, or imagine what inanimate objects would say if they could speak. For instance, the pen I am using to write this draft would probably say: “I’m tired. Can we stop for a bit?” Or perhaps it would say: “I can’t believe you’re making me write this. This is rubbish. Signing cheques would be more inspiring than this.” These are the things I think about. I think about a lot of things. I think about thinking. Don’t try it though, it’s not worth it.”

That’s just a sample of the genuine humor displayed throughout the rest of his biography, as well as in his perfectly simply artwork. He also has great penmanship.

Check him out: www.marcjohns.com

-J

I know I’ve written about Designers.MX before, but I have to post this.

Michael Eades runs a blog called Yewknee, and he made this mix thats so good I can’t take my ears off of it. He added a description in the mix “Music to work to. Keep your eye on the prize.” Is this Yewknee’s submission to the “Music To [verb] To” project? Maybe.

But either way…check it out…It’s definitely worth pushing play. Then head over to Yewknee.com for some inspiration.

CHECK OUT THE MIX HERE

And Designers.MX – just one quick idea – you should bundle all of the mix songs together on iTunes as a compilation. It would be a lot easier for me to buy them all. Just a thought.

Most of you should know that I love mixes…and I love good design. Put the 2 together…and you get Designers.MX.

The guys who created it, Blake and Josh, are asking the top designers to make them a mix and the artwork for it. I haven’t turned on my iTunes in the last couple of days because I’ve had this running in the background.

Check it out and leave your thoughts below.

Currently I’m listening to Daydreaming by Yaron Schoen.

[via Luke Michael Hotwagner]

Inspiration is a big deal to me. I mean heck…the tagline for this blog is “A Blog For Inspiration.”

Thats how much I love it. I love sharing it, I love creating it, etc…

So when I see a site that covers all of that…Im a big fan.

Enter Designspiration. Created by Shelby White of Wanken.

“Designspiration is the outcome of my efforts to realize my idea, evolving into a site occupied by a diverse range of inspiration curated by its users. Designspiration or DSPN for short, focuses on the core principles of sharing inspiration and utilizes some great features; like a search function that works like a Swiss army knife, which I will discuss more in the post. Little did I know when starting this project that I would be clocking in more than 1,000 hours over the past ten months.“

He started the site basically the same reason I started TheseOldColors – to share inspiration…

“Since the dawn of the project, I was constantly asking myself, why create another inspiration website?

The answer was simple: I wanted needed to find a way to help fellow students find inspiration. Through talking with other students in the past year at the Art Institute of Seattle, I found that over half of the graphic design students hadn’t heard of image bookmarking sites like FFFFOUND, and had potentially visited Behance no more than a handful of times. Granted, those aren’t the only sites out there, but they are two of the highest regarded. Perhaps even more alarmingly, I noted on multiple occasions that students were stopping by Google images as an inspiration outlet—rather frightening isn’t it?“

Check out the site – then check out the “making of designspiration” post on his blog.

I know this has been around for a while, but I have not seen it so beautifully captured before.  The music of Mogwai definitely doesn’t hurt either.

We Are Here: The Pale Blue Dot – by Carl Sagan (edited by palebluefilms)

-rick.c

Some glimpses into the beautifully filmed period Western.

Director of Photography is the great Roger Deakins.

Starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Rockwell, Jeremy Renner, Zooey Deschanel

Written and Directed by Andrew Dominik

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

[film link here]

-RC

Stumbled across this video on Create Digital Music of Hans Zimmer and this new guy named Diego Stocco working on the Sherlock Holmes score. I’m a big fan of movie scores in general, and anything with Hans Zimmer catches my attention. But really…I focused more on what Diego was doing in the video with his Experibass, which is his own creation.

So I googled him. And found a bunch more videos that are not only interesting but inspiring.

For example:

He also makes a bunch more soundscapes with “instruments” such as a burning piano (literally…it was on fire), lightbulbs, a washer, a stapler, and a typewriter.

Diego has an interesting mind set towards making music. He doesn’t just make the sounds we hear from the computer or with real instruments but creates his own instruments and processes them through pro tools. Sometimes the sounds are raw and unprocessed – which is different too – You don’t see that much now-a-days. Usually a producer will add reverb here or delay there, but with Diego’s music – what you hear is what he made.

Check out his website for more videos and music: dieggostocco.com

More “out-of-the-box” composers to listen to…

-BT // check out his release “This Binary Universe” and the DVD with short films, each put to one of his songs. He makes his own software and likes to circuit bend alot, which is amazing if you do it right.

-Tyler Bates // composer of such films as Watchmen, 300, and The Day The Earth Stood Still. He uses a nice blend of orchestration and electronics in his scores, and he uses some interesting toys.