For me the keys to design are cross-pollination, observation and curiosity. Inspiration comes from becoming very good at keeping several problems on the back of my mind, and actively being aware that anything I'm looking at, whether I'm walking down the street, using an everyday object, watching a movie, etc, etc, could be the solution to one of those problems. In this manner, I don't look for inspirational materials, inspiration comes to me.
For me the keys to design are cross-pollination, observation and curiosity. Inspiration comes from becoming very good at keeping several problems on the back of my mind, and actively being aware that anything I'm looking at, whether I'm walking down the street, using an everyday object, watching a movie, etc, etc, could be the solution to one of those problems. In this manner, I don't look for inspirational materials, inspiration comes to me.