10 Places For Design Inspiration

Changing your surroundings is the easiest way to find new perspective on old ideas and common emotions. Sometimes you won’t even realize exactly how much you’ve absorbed until you return home. These ten locations from around the world offer a different type of travel experience than the more popular places most tourists are likely to visit nearby.

Chongqing, Sischuan, China

Photo

Photo

History. Chongqing is said to be the semi-mythical State of Ba that the Ba people supposedly established during the eleventh century BCE. By 316 BCE, however, it had been overrun by the State of Qin. The Qin emperor ordered a new city to be constructed, which was called Jiang and Chu Prefecture. In 2005 Chinese tourist authorities began development of an attraction to be known as &38220;Ladies’ Town” in the Shuangqiao District. The town’s motto will be: &38220;Ladies Can Never Be Wrong, and Gentlemen Should Never Refuse Ladies’ Requests.” The project is expected to be completed in 2008-2010. Deuce Bigalow would be proud.

Getting there. Flights available from all over the world but they aren’t cheap. Flights to China usually average anywhere from $1500 to $3000 for a round trip flight. However, every now and then you’ll find can’t-miss-deals for as low as $800 roundtrip!

Natural inspiration. Do the Bamboo Forests look familiar? That’s because they were used as the backdrop for key scenes in the movie House of Flying Daggers.

Why it will inspire? Fantasy. You know you want to do it…pretend you’re a great samurai warrior fighting off your enemies in a field of bamboo. If not come here and you’ll find plenty of other people whispering battle cries under their breath!

 

 

El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina

Photo

Photo

History. Mostly located in Argentina (and partly in Chile), Patagonia comprises the Andes mountains to the west and south, and plateau and low plains to the east. The name Patagonia comes from the word patagon used by Magellan to describe the native people who his expedition thought to be giants. It used to be considered remote and exotic, now that a huge brand of clothing and gear bears it’s name, it’s anything but.

Getting there. Cheap flights and frequent available from the Americas.

Natural inspiration. Ice. The Los Glaciares National Park (pictured above) draws a healthy stream of tourists to the area from around the world.

Why it will inspire? Negative Space. Let your imagination wander as you gaze upon the great ice formations jutting out against the spansive horizon and you’ll see all kinds of shapes that might inspire new ideas.