Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
We started this thesis when we during our landscape
architecture studies realised that motivation and
inspiration was an important factor in the creative
process. We often talked about the working process
and sources of inspiration of other designers, and
how they came to their conclusions for a particular
design. We want to get to the bottom of understanding
motivation. What creates an idea? There may be
innumerable elements affecting us. How aware are
we of these affects? A thorough investigation of our
senses to clarify our own basis of ideas is exciting
and also to put this `our own basis´ in relation to our
surroundings. Can we get a broader insight of our
own creative process by studying others?

METHOD
To make an investigation we focused on making
a series of semi-structured interviews in the form
of conversations with landscape architects and
architects. Giving us enough material for a qualitative
study. The topics were how to keep motivated,
inspiration and the creative process. Upon that we
put together a series of workshops trying out methods
and sources of inspiration extracted from the
conversations.

RESULT
Motivation and inspiration origins from a field of
infinite sources and it is important as a landscape
architect to actively engage in the creative process
and that it is beneficial to learn about one’s personal
inspiration and motivation. We find that over
time our awareness expands on the subject and so
does our internal library of references. The more
we engage in work we have interest in, the more
motivated we get to learn, create and evolve within
that field.

DISCUSSION
This process has made us understand the importance
of reflection on the subject of motivation and
inspiration when working as a landscape architect.
Be open at heart. Good methods to be creative
brings a more relaxed relation to the design process.
Try to find your own inspirational sources, and
sometimes question them. Also to cultivate and feed
your inspiration with information on anything you
find interesting.
We realize that this thesis will be with us our entire
working life and we know that if we are inspired and
motivated when we are designing landscapes we are
on the right track and there will be a lot of fun and
really good designs.