I received a magazine from Vauxhall a couple of days ago and loved some of the images in it. I tore them out as I reminder that it was about time I updated my design scrap book. I have been keeping a scrap book of design bits for about 15 years. I am in no way a prolific collector hence I am just reaching the end of my second book but every now and again I will see something in a magazine, a greeting card, a leaflet etc that I like and will keep it to put in my scrapbook. When my design magazine shelf gets overloaded they go to the guillotine too. Sometimes I don’t even like the piece that I stick in the book, but there is an aspect of it that could be a useful reference, maybe the text is tipped at an angle or enclosed in a shape.
I thought you might find it interesting how design and illustration has changed over my scrapbook years. These are some of the first pages from my first book.
Notice below the Walkman ad, I thought this was great at the time (now I feel really old!). I think this must have been circa 1995. I remember futura was one of the “IN” fonts around then too.
My latest scrap book definitely looks different, some of it obviously down to changing fashion but I guess also to my changing taste.
Scrapbooks are a great source of inspiration. In effect you create your own graphic design book.
Do you collect anything or make scrapbooks to inspire your work?
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12 Comments
I never got an idea to maintain a scrapbook, always believed that I get everything on Internet.. You got my mind changed after this post.. I am going to have one now on.. I decided to divide it into sections, coz lots of local ads are impressive but nowhere found on internet.. moreover will help me to brushup if any new client comes with an untouched product by designers..
I hoard – you never know what might come in handy for inspiration later.
Needless to say, my study looks like a bomb hit it
I do like Matt does – hoard. I also keep a scrapbook of people cut out of magazines because it comes in handy when I want an example of a particular posture as a guide when I’m drawing a person. I’ve been keeping the people scrapbook (I call it my Rogues Gallery) for more than ten years.
Santosh I’m glad you are going to give it a try – maybe after a while you could post your scrap book to your blog too.
Matt, thanks for leaving a comment, my office looks like your study
Hi Tracey, I like your ideas of the people book I had never thought of doing that. There used to be some really old fashioned books that you could buy that had people in different poses but I don’t know if you can get them any more.
It was very interesting to see your scrapbooks evolution. I once had an idea to start such a scrapbook, but somehow didn’t follow it. Perhaps I should give it a try.
Tara, would you like to participate in my group writing project on Inspiration? You’ve already got this article ready, I can simply add this entry to my list, if you like. I’m sure many people would find this source of inspiration (scrapbook) helpful. Let me know, please.
Hi Vivien
Give it a try, it doesn’t have to be quick each of mine have taken 7.5 years each
It would be great if you would like to include this article in your inspiration project. I will see if I can think of anything else too. I am currently artworking some smoke alarm packaging which I am not finding inspiring at all, but they pay the bills and I have some logos to work on tomorrow.
WoW – 7.5 years each! That’s admirable!
Good luck with your client project. I know some of them can be quite uninspiring. Perhaps you can write a post afterwards: “How to get through an uninspiring client project” to inspire others
My group project deadline is May 17. If you find time for another inspirational entry, just let me know. Otherwise, I’ll include this post to my list. Thank you.
“Perhaps you can write a post afterwards: “How to get through an uninspiring client project” to inspire others” – mmmm… not a good idea as diversionary tactics like blogging are my approach.
I have another post that may interest you too
http://www.graphicdesignblog.co.uk/so-what-do-you-do-when-your-stuck/
a beautifully titled post even if I do say so my self
That one is a useful post as well, but I think I prefer this – the most recent one
no problem, thanks for considering the scrap book post
This post reminds me to my previous experience. During my college years, I received order of scrap books. Collecting magazines, splinting up the ads, combining them. I found it is very interesting. I definitely agree with your quote:
“Scrapbooks are a great source of inspiration. In effect you create your own graphic design book” so, keep up the good work. Regards.