Back in art school, sculptor William Daley gave a talk about his work. Someone asked where he got his ideas.

He dropped a line I still think about:

Some of us chuckled. We knew his sculptures were inspired by symbols and shapes created thousands of years ago: simple, elegant, and geometric. (We also knew his humor.) By the time those ancient influences moved through Daley’s hands, the work had become unmistakably his own.

His comment stayed with me because every artist, at every level, borrows from others. But Daley was talking about more than copying. He was talking about seeing — and more than that, discerning.

Design works the same way. You don’t have to be an artist to create something beautiful and clear. You just have to train your eye to see, and to discern, like one.

Here are 5 shortcuts to build that skill:

• Start with simple shapes
• Limit your color palette
• Choose no more than two fonts
• Borrow compositions or layouts you admire
• Use templates as scaffolding, not shortcuts

Each of these helps you practice discernment. Bit by bit, you’ll develop your sense of balance, proportion, and clarity.

So here’s your invitation this week: Look around you with a designer’s eye. See how patterns repeat. Notice what feels balanced. Consider what you may borrow to remix into your own work.

The more you look, the more confident you’ll feel. And before long, you’ll stop saying, “There’s no way I could do that.”

Steal Like an Artist​
Austin Kleon’s book, Steal Like an Artist, is a modern classic on creative borrowing. Kleon’s advice is simple but powerful: follow what excites you, keep a “swipe file” of things you love, and build your own style from the bits and pieces that resonate.
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If this week’s theme sparks something for you, this little book is the perfect companion. You may also want to check out Kleon’s popular Substack newsletter.

A visual time capsule of 20th-century design

Design historian Matt Lamont has spent over a decade building a collection of 20th-century visual culture. His project, Design Reviewed, gives designers, researchers, and creatives online access to thousands of printed artifacts, all organized by decade.

Each item also exists physically in Lamont’s UK studio in Bradford, West Yorkshire. It’s a living archive that keeps design history visible, inspiring new work from the roots of the past. Go browse and get inspired!

Talk, don’t type

If you’ve ever wished writing felt easier, try talking instead. I’ve been using Wispr Flow, the AI-to-speech translation software for months now, and it’s completely changed the way I write.

Instead of typing, I dictate my thoughts while holding down a single key. The output is more accurate than other tools I’ve tried (and there have been many). I use it for brainstorming ideas, creating outlines and first drafts, and even answering emails. It works in every application I’ve ever needed it for.

It’s saved me hours (and more than a few cramped fingers) and helped me capture ideas while they’re still fresh, and in my personal voice (literally!). It’s free for 2,000 words/week, or by subscription. This link gets you your first subscription month free (a $15 value).

This wraps another Solo Field Notes. Thanks for coming along.

Whether you’re remixing what inspires you, stealing like an artist, exploring design history, or speaking your ideas out loud — it all builds to one thing:

The more you notice, the more original you become.

Until next week: Stay small. Play big.

Terri

P.S. When you’re ready for more, here are a few resources from the Solo Business School:

• Download the free Solo Business Canvas​
• Explore Content Velocity, my course on creating quality content with AI support
• Browse the Resource Hub for tools I recommend

Want to send a question or comment? Please do — I read (and respond to) my email.

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Authority By Design is a registered trademark, and Content Velocity and Working Solo are trademarks, of Make International LLC. Issue #083.