One of the important factors in creating new designs is the source of inspiration. Creating new design i.e. realizing new forms, structures, products etc.Involves observation, recording and analysis of visul information which is gathered from anywhere and everywhere around us. This visual information obtained provides a Starting point for designing.
It is very good practice to always a sketch book to make a quick on the spot note of the visual observation for one’s reference only which could be of use later. This is so because for some design as an intuitive whereas for most it emanates from a predetermined idea.
Design sources can be broadly classified into the following categories:

1. Materials Used
Whilst working with materials there can be change to discover or a new idea may emerge through Permutation and combinations and this could be starting point for design.
E.g.: wax modeling-playing around with jeweler’s wax.

2. History and Art Eras
Art period like Medieval, Egyptian, Baroque, Art Nouveau and Deco are some influences which are rich in inspiration. By re-interpreting this into different styles one ends up in a highly original style. A lot of ideas can be drawn from jewellery, architecture, sculpture, painting, vases, textile patterns, calligraphy and various artifacts and thus fuse conservative and contemporary ideas.

3. Nature of Natural Factors
Nature provides a major and inexhaustible source of ideas. This includes the different varieties of flowers animal’s shells insect’s birds and other forms of life in the world of nature. Observing nature in all its varied forms can lead to a very strong base of ideas. One can also from abstract designs from nature wherein interesting parts are combined and altered to create a new from or depiction of the original.

4. Symbolic Sources
This includes zodiac signs fraternal emblems, religious symbols organization signs occupational symbols monograms and geometrical sources (angles, triangles etc.)

5. Themes and Concepts
A designer often wishes to encapsulate a strong commitment to a concepts or a theme in his/her jewellery design.E.g-Environmental issues, a political statement, social factors etc.
Remember, catalogues, books, photographs and visits to jewellery stores, exhibitions and museums are some other sources of information.