Relating to my earlier post on finding design inspiration, I’d like to recommend a source that I’ve been frequenting lately.  TED conferences are an amalgam of revolutionary thought.  The conference acronym stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and is held throughout the world with each speaker challenged to give the “talk of their lives” in 18 minutes.  These videos are recorded, compiled, and delivered in a clean, easily-navigable and informative website format at Ted.com . 

The inspiring talks range from discussions on the psychology and sociology of spaghetti sauce to the way we learn, and what makes us happy.  Some of my favorite speakers include the author, sociologist, and amusing critic of design, Don Norman, as well as Malcolm Gladwell and his discussion of spaghetti sauce, Howard Moskowitz, and the nature of choice.  Both speak about how our perceptions and past experience shape what we expect, as opposed to what we really want, and how it’s all related to design, and in our case, website design .

Technology is also a central theme of the TED experience.  There are many talks about the history of technology, the current state of our digital existence, and what tomorrow could possibly have in store for us.  The creators of popular social media heavyweights like Twitter and Second Life have spoken about the theory and evolution of bringing their ideas to fruition.  Inventors from around the world speak with passion and determination of creative mashups and new technology.

These discussions throw open the doors to parallel tangents and avenues of inspiration.  They question why things are, and how they became this way.  The food for thought found here is plentiful and can easily become the seeds you expand from for your next website design inspiration.

Clarissa
Internet Marketing Group Blog

Other Topics of Interest:

• Cedar Rapids Website Design