Why Your Creative Ideas Aren’t as Original as You Think—and How to Fix It

On Being Inspired, Not Imitating: The Fine Line Between Influence and Originality

Do you also find it hard to be or feel original?

There’s a fine line between being inspired and imitating—between influence and originality.

It feels as though there’s this constant chase for inspiration. Scrolling, saving, pinning, curating moodboards like there’s no tomorrow. And why not? There’s a whole world of visuals out there waiting to be discovered. But where does the inspiration end and your creative voice begin?

It’s a tricky line, especially in fashion and beauty where trends come and go at the speed of light. One minute, it’s all ‘90s minimalism, and then, everyone’s channeling Y2K again. As creatives, we’re constantly absorbing these visual cues, but staying original in a sea of sameness? That’s a whole other skill.

It feels like we’re all being served the same stimuli now. Every feed, every moodboard—it’s all coming from the same pool of trending images, the latest viral shoot, that one campaign everyone saved. Before, inspiration was more organic. Now, the algorithm has flattened those experiences, and originality feels harder to grasp.

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The Struggle: Finding Your Voice in a World of Lookalikes

Let me paint the scene—You see an incredible campaign—sharp, edgy, that perfect blend of moody lighting and rich colours—and you think, I want to make something like that. And then… so does everyone else.

Pretty soon, your feed’s flooded with nearly identical shoots, each one a remix of the last. And suddenly, your original “inspiration” has turned into imitation without you even realising it.

The thing is, originality doesn’t mean avoiding inspiration. It means knowing where to draw the line. It’s okay to borrow a colour palette, a mood, a pose. But if you’re just reworking someone else’s vision, what are you actually bringing to the table? This is the constant creative challenge—to take in the world around you and filter it through your own perspective.

The Pivot: From Passive Inspiration to Active Creation

What changed things for me was getting analytical. Instead of passively scrolling through feeds, I started taking a more intentional approach:

If I save an image, I ask myself, What exactly am I drawn to? Is it the colour scheme? The composition? The styling? The model? Breaking it down this way forces me to pinpoint what I actually like rather than just absorbing the whole aesthetic blindly.

Once you understand what it is that excites you, you can start building on that—mixing it with other influences, blending it with your own ideas, pushing it in a new direction. The goal isn’t to recreate; it’s to reimagine.

Influence Over Originality

When you stop trying to replicate someone else’s style, you make room for your own quirks to shine. Maybe you’re drawn to textures that aren’t trendy, or color schemes that clash, or an aesthetic that doesn’t fit the polished “fashion” mold. Good. Lean into that. I’ve found that my most unique work happens when I give myself permission to be a little weird—to explore combinations that don’t make sense until they do.

Originality isn’t about creating in a vacuum. It’s about taking the bits and pieces that resonate with you and turning them into something unmistakably yours. It’s about finding what lights you up and letting that guide you, rather than just chasing what’s popular.

An Example: A Look At My Own Influences

Lately, I’ve been saving a lot of reds and pinks—strong colours I wouldn’t normally gravitate towards. After weeks of self-analysis, I thought I’d finally cracked my personal taste. But then I asked myself those questions: What exactly is drawing me to this imagery? Is it just what’s trending on my feed, or is there something more to it?

Take the two images above—I’ve seen them time and time again, an algorithm’s top hit. So, what is it about them? To me, it’s the simple styling and pared-down colour palettes, yet they all feel powerful. Simplicity is power, and perhaps this is an art direction style I’ll explore when my next product assortment comes through.

Okay—so what about these two? I’ve placed them together because of their tonality, but I take something different from each. The first is striking. There’s something about macro photography—it evokes a truly personal response. Up close, vivid, closer than the human eye can get. It’s immersive, intimate. This image sets a mood within a broader series, almost like a “filler” image that adds depth—something I often overlook in my own campaigns. Note to self: take more of those.

And the second? The lighting is impeccable. The dark gradient meets speckled pink shadows—it’s stunning. But it is trending. I think it’s the darkness that really pulls your eye to the subject. I also love the playful composition and food styling. It’s these tiny details, like the specks of pink dust, that really elevate an image—often missed by beginners. Yet they’re often what make an image truly stand out.

After some reflection, I realised all of this also it ties back to my obsession with colour. While I usually prefer subtle, layered tonalities over loud, “look-at-me” luxury, maybe my love for colour runs deeper than I thought. It’s not about the vibrancy itself but about a well-balanced palette, the beauty of a considered image.

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I’ve also noticed another pattern in the images I’m drawn to lately—powerful, sultry shots with a hint of nostalgia. It’s not what I’d typically describe as my style, which leans more minimalistic, but maybe it’s not always about my own taste. These images inspire me, and they empower me, too. And as an art director, versatility is key. Perhaps these pins are perfect seeds for my next client’s campaign.

The Takeaway: Be Inspired, But Make it Yours

So, here’s my advice: keep collecting inspiration, but don’t let it drown out your voice. Question why you’re drawn to certain visuals. Make connections that only make sense to you. Trust that your taste, your eye, your perspective—that’s what makes your work interesting. Because at the end of the day, anyone can recreate a look, but only you can bring your vision to life.

Let yourself be inspired, but make sure it’s still your hand on the wheel. After all, trends come and go, but a unique perspective? That’s timeless.

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If you’re interested in reading about my personal struggles with this—you might like:

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