The idea well (part 1)

I currently work in not one, but two creative fields - advertising (as a copywriter) and art. So clearly, it would be (double) career suicide for me to run out of ideas.

Personally, I agree with those who suggest the best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. I like to have my head to be constantly full of stuff (which may go some way toward explaining why I'm not able to sleep!) and my wall at work is regularly updated with my latest flash-in-the-pan interests.

Currently it features sea slugs, lips, a giant rubber duck, gemma ward, a slow loris, audrey kawasaki, a couple of quotes, an owl and electron micrographs of plant cells.

It looks like this:



Most of the creatives I work with are also interested in and curious about almost everything. We're all pack rats - we collect ideas and images and information and postcards and pencils and toys and stickers and magnets.

I thought I'd write a series of post showcasing some of the places I've found inspirational.

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) has a very simple mission statement: 'spreading ideas'.

Here's what they have to say about themselves:

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

Visit TED and you can hear all kinds of experts to talk for 3-30 minutes on topics as diverse as:
• How do ants know what to do?
• How to survive a nuclear attack
• Where does creativity hide?
• How photography connects us.
• Sliced bread and other marketing delights
• Three things to know before you ski to the North Pole
• Why do crack dealers still live with their mums?
• Do schools kill creativity?
• How blogs are building a friendlier world
• What can we learn from spaghetti sauce?

You can also get their podcasts for free through i-tunes. Well worth a visit.

xxx scarlett