How to Survive the Black Hole of Vimeo Inspiration
Like everything in life, it's good to have some balance.
You should keep a finger on the pulse of the industry. But we have all been there. You start watching the Staff Picks and then each video by one mographer, then another and then another until your eyes start bleeding and you have no hope that you'll ever be able to create half of what everyone else is creating. Before you know it, you're considering changing careers to be an accountant.
To prevent such a tragedy, all you need is a strategy.
1. Stop with the Vimeo binge sessions
I like how Sean McCabe & Ben Toalson put it.
"Don't quench the spark of motivation by dumping a bucket of inspiration on it."
- on the seanwes podcast - episode 116
2. Be intentional about who you are watching
Flashing a million images in front of your eyes doesn't do you much good. Instead, choose one motion designer or film maker or one art director ect. and take a day (or several days if they've done a lot) and go through their work.
I don't mean all day, just don't watch other people's work. The point here is to focus.
Study their work. Look at all the details. Really dive in.
3. Follow Curated Lists
If you want to know where to find some of the best videos so that you're not spending half a day on Vimeo, these guys are excellent curators to follow.
Implementing some focus on how you keep up with the great work designers are putting out there will help keep your sanity. You'll have a greater understanding of the people you admire. And you'll have more energy to make your own great work.