Striking a balance b/w relevance & authenticity.

INSPIRATION is the starting point of every project. If you are not accustomed to sourcing inspiration it could seem like an intimidating task. But that’s ok, we are here to show you otherwise.

Truth is — inspiration is all around us.

In this visual culture we live in, we cycle through aesthetic trends very quickly. Staying relevant is important, however, staying authentic always wins in the long run. Especially when you are investing in a rebranding project, you want the visuals and brand elements to last long enough to keep returning and expanding your investment in your brand.

Here are some of our tips to strike that delicate balance between relevance and authenticity:

Before you take your research online to common inspiration sourcing places like Pinterest, look around your environment. What are some key patterns you notice in your personal taste? Maybe you are someone who likes warm tones (think wood floors, ivory linens) or maybe you are someone who loves cool tones (brushed nickel, black marble). What are the colours, textures and tones that make you come alive?

Often when we are sourcing inspiration, we are looking to call in a new chapter or experience, but like that style of dress we keep purchasing decade after decade, there are some elements of our personal taste that are authentic to us and just don’t go away. You want to identify what those elements are for you so those markers of your authenticity are woven into the bigger picture.

Sourcing fresh inspiration helps you to position yourself in your market. Identify whose style you appreciate and try to zero in on why you love their imagery. What is calling to you about it? The more you can identify the themes, the more you can research specific references. If you are an Instagram user, make that save button your best friend. Save as the inspiration comes to you. This way, you won’t have to spend hours scrolling for it. Pinterest could be fun in doses, but as a creative studio often presented the same reference images by folks who go straight to Pinterest to search, we suggest you don’t rely on it alone. Don’t forget about books, magazines, films, music videos… the world is your oyster!

The goal is to be inspired by the elements of many references so you can look to create something unique!

When it comes to observing your references and identifying how they can be woven together, that’s where we are happy to come in! Even if searching for inspiration is not an activity you do in your everyday life, we encourage you to explore this with an open heart. Much like making a vision board, it allows you to set a deeper intention for your shoot and bring an element of your vision to the creative collaboration.

Happy creative researching!

With love,

Liana

HAVEN founder