To design... Options

[FoxLucky]

"Design is a response to social change"

I've been hooked on the myspace/graphics, so much that I had to have Photoshop!! I've never taken a web graphics class in my life, but I feel like I have a touch for it, even though I'm just starting out...
After looking at designs, I think sometimes "wow, how did they do that?"
So I guess I'm asking, what is the inspiration?? And after you've gotten that inspiration, how do you turn it into your own style?? How do you put a grasp on your ideas and weave into digital images... I still haven't the faintest clue on how to take the ideas I have in my head and convert them to the beautiful images on Photoshop. What steps is it that you do to design?? How do you always know what you are doing?? Where did you start??
Any opinions appreciated...

*Thanks*

Brittany

[*mona lisa*]

Creating your own style is difficult. I've had so many ideas I've put down on paper or even just from my mind, but I can't present it well. It's disappointing, especially when you see someone else portraying the same or a similar idea/theme very well. You become envious.

You mentioned digital art but what technique do you work best with? Painting, sketching, line art, vectors, etc.? If you're not sure, browse around and try different genres and techniques to see what you're most comfortable with.

I think an important part of the process is to know that things take time. You'll most likely not be perfectly happy with what you make on the first try and you learn new ways of doing things and refining your technique until you ARE satisfied. Just let your ideas flow. Practice a lot. Even if you're not going to publish it; it's great to do something just for practice so you know what methods work best for you.