I learned over at Samantha Warren’s BadAssIdeas.com about the Designer’s Resource Toolbox. Being completely inspired by this, I put together my own Designer’s Toolbox. Samantha’s article can tell you how to shop for toolbox items, how to collect found objects and implement these unique pieces into your work so that your designs are fresh and original. She includes a link to a tutorial by Natalie Jost on creating original digital textures using photos, scans and patterns.

I’ve taken my toolbox idea a little bit further and you can get really creative with this sort of thing too. For myself, I went and dug out one of my dad’s old toolboxes.  I included found objects from around my home and office. I didn’t go on a shopping or sight seeing expedition (which would also be nice)  but instead I collected bits of sea glass, postcards I’ve collected, notebooks, postage stamps and other various things I’ve had hanging around.  Although these items are rather random, I  just couldn’t part with them. I think every artist or designer studio must have little samplings of keepsakes in it, so why not collect them up and make a resource toolbox for yourself too.  Find yourself a really special box and paint the outside of it.  Make it really personal. I know, every time I open my toolbox it makes me happy and it has never failed to inspire me in some way.

I thought this was a great way to include the both the digital world and the offline world in one’s work. Just another example of living with art and design.

Cheers!

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