50 Things that inspire me as a designer

Here are 50 things—some obvious, some a little more peculiar—that shape my creative world.

I’ve been wanting to share a list like this for a while. Not just because I love reading other people’s (yes, I’m a fan of quirky lists and fun roundups), but because I truly believe that what inspires you says a lot about who you are.

Here are 50 things—some obvious, some a little more peculiar—that shape my creative world. They’re not ranked by importance, but rather arranged like a casual walk through my mind: scents, books, characters, places, textures, memories, tiny details you might otherwise overlook...

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed taking the time to write it.
And if, by the end, you feel inspired to write your own list—I’d love to read it.

• Dreams.
  Keeping a dream journal helps me remember them—and even more so if, like me, you're a lucid dreamer. The creatures that show up, the scenes, textures, even a single line of dialogue... it’s all fuel for the waking world.

• Solitude.
  Often underrated, but I find it essential for introspection and creativity.

• Lighting a scented candle while I work.
  I use different brands, but just watching the flame flicker or hearing the wick crackle in silence helps me focus. Ever stared into a candle for a full minute? Try it!

• Making a hot or cold drink, leaving my phone aside, and fully tuning in to the aroma and flavor. A tiny ritual of self-care.

• Walking.
  The ancient philosophers were right—walking clears the mind. Even if it's on a treadmill, it helps me think, and often, ideas start pouring in mid-step.

• Spending time in nature.
  If, like me, you live in the city, a park still counts. The colors and forms in plants and animals never cease to amaze me.

• Tending to my plants.
  Taking time to observe how they grow and care for them is inspiring in every possible sense.

• The Moon.
  I’ve followed its phases for a long time and love learning about its symbolism across cultures. I also simply enjoy watching it from my balcony or anywhere quiet.

• Music.
  Though I’m a big fan of Rock & Roll—which definitely inspires me—I often listen to ambient sounds like rain, waterfalls, or birdsong from deep forests to help me focus and unwind.

• A musical go-to for magical vibes: Blackmore’s Night.

• Symbolism.
  Like mythology, I love exploring symbols, decoding them, and discovering how they influence the unconscious.

• Archetypes (C. Jung) and how they apply to creative work of all kinds.

• Tarot and oracle cards.
  Mysticism is definitely one of my creative muses.

• Learning about Fibonacci sequences and the golden ratio—and applying them to everyday things.
  Like a sunflower’s spiral, the structure of a shell, a green leaf, or the layout of a painting...

• Textures.
  Wool, paper, fabric, stones... I love surrounding myself with a variety of surfaces and taking time to truly notice them.

• Buying yarns and fabrics—especially hand-dyed ones—even if I don’t know what I’ll use them for yet.
  Maybe not the most wallet-friendly habit, but having them nearby always sparks ideas.

• Always exploring new techniques within a familiar craft.
  For example, expanding my embroidery skills by trying new mediums like paper or photos.

• Edward Gorey (illustrator).
  If you don’t know him and enjoy the dark and macabre, go look him up!

• Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington.
  Are they my two favorite painters? Absolutely.

• Tiffany-style design.
  I’m obsessed with stained glass work. I’ve found a couple of second-hand Tiffany lamps over the years, and they truly steal the show in my home—including my own gaze.

• Art Nouveau.

• Vintage posters.
  Especially the work of Alphonse Mucha.

• Architecture.
  Particularly Modernisme—the style that Barcelona is so full of—and, of course, the work of Antoni Gaudí.

• Edinburgh.
  Probably my favorite city in the world (though I haven’t seen them all). I fell in love with the Old Town, and I have a few prints by a local artist that bring that magic home.

• The Middle Ages.
  I’m fascinated by this period. Many of my patterns draw inspiration from illuminated manuscripts.

• Mythological creatures.
  I love learning about them across different cultures, and I’m amazed at how similar some of them are despite being worlds apart.

• All things 19th century.
  I’m obsessed with Victorian art and literature, as well as the Renaissance.

• Oscar Wilde.
  Irreverent, brilliant. His words always light a spark.

• Walden, by H.D. Thoreau.
  We haven’t exchanged book recommendations yet—but this gem had to make the list.

• “Movie lines.”
  Or book quotes. Whenever a line speaks to me, I jot it down. Eventually, it always finds a place—in my life or in a design.

• Having a comfort series.
  The kind of show you return to over and over—even as background noise. Mine is Gilmore Girls.

• The Harry Potter series.
  One day I might tell you how it all started with Harry. No surprise here—it had to be on the list.

• The work of MinaLima.
  The Harry Potter universe wouldn’t be the same without this brilliant graphic design duo.

• Retro video games and pixel art.
  I’ve always been fascinated by the visual style of classic games. Pixel art—with all its graphic limitations—is pure beauty to me. The connection with cross-stitch is obvious!

• Noticing fonts and lettering I love—and also the ones I really don’t.
  I try to understand why, imagine where I’d use them, and whether they suit the context where I found them.

• The color wheel.
  Especially when I’m stuck. Thinking about complementary colors, trying new combinations, or browsing Pantone palettes on Pinterest always helps.

• Following fellow makers on Instagram and soaking up their originality and creativity.

• Also, tuning out the things that don’t nourish me.
  There’s so much visual noise on social media—it’s okay to scroll past or unplug.

• Reading.
  Honestly, there’s no better way to train your imagination. I’d love to share book recs soon—and I’d love to hear yours too!

• Exploring fashion trends from the ‘80s and ‘90s—and reflecting on how everything comes back around.

• My cats.
  Of course they had to be here. They’re, without a doubt, one of my biggest sources of inspiration.

• Revisiting my favorite paintings.
  One of them is The Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich. I’d love to create a little digital gallery/museum to collect pieces that move me.

• Spending hours digging through antique and vintage shops.
  Especially when I stumble upon tiny treasures like old scissors, pincushions, or desk trinkets.

• Everyday conversations and little anecdotes.
  I often find more inspiration in the ordinary.

• They say we’re the average of the five people we surround ourselves with.
  That’s why I choose to be around unique, inspiring, and creative souls.

• Embracing the chaos.
  Yep—sometimes a messy corner, a misplaced scrap of fabric, or a forgotten box ends up unlocking a whole new idea.

• Leaving projects unfinished.
  Creative processes don’t have to be linear. Coming back to something weeks later often gives me a new perspective.

• Staying amazed.
  I try not to lose the ability to be in awe. Getting caught up in the beauty of something—no matter how many times I’ve seen it—is what keeps me going.

• Remembering why I started, and sharing what I do.
  It all came from a quiet, personal place. And knowing there’s someone out there interpreting my designs with their own hands still moves me deeply.

• Feeling part of a tradition.
  Even if my designs are digital, I like to think I’m stitching the way our grandmothers did—with patience, with intention, and with heart.

Thank you for being here and for being part of this little corner of the world.
I'd love to know what you think. Would you add anything to this list?
Is there a point you'd like me to dive deeper into? I'm all ears in the comments. 🖤

Warmly,
Marta