Confessions of the Creatively Obsessed: How Event Profs Spark Big Ideas

By: 360DG Design & Development Team

Let’s be honest, sometimes the only thing we’re creatively curating is which pastry belongs on the breakfast buffet. But when it’s time to actually bust out the big ideas (you know, the ones that make the client gasp in a good way), where do we go for a real hit of creative inspiration? According to our team of event experts, the answer is: just about anywhere.

From Pinterest black holes to back porch brainstorming, moody color palettes to themed restaurant bathrooms (seriously), we’re pulling back the curtain on how we find inspiration, because great ideas are better when they’re shared, not hoarded.

The Usual Suspects (and Then Some)

Let’s not pretend we don’t all have a Pinterest problem. It’s the OG idea vortex. “Pinterest is my gal,” one 360DG Design & Development Manager (DDM) admitted. But she’s not alone. Nearly every DDM listed it as their first stop for everything from centerpiece shots, entrance ideas, or just a good old-fashioned scroll session—because you never know when creative inspiration will strike.

But don’t stop there. We’re also into:

• Instagram, especially when it’s showing off the latest from luxury hotels, interior design feeds, and high-concept restaurant décor.
• Industry events and associations like MPI and ILEA. Their local events are goldmines for fresh ideas, smart trends, and practical takeaways that spark smart, strategic creativity.
• PartySlate, because sometimes the algorithm does know what you need before you do.
• Anthropologie catalogs and coffee table books that feel way too expensive until you realize they double as a mood board.
• And of course, travel, because inspiration lives in a Tokyo alleyway just as much as it does on your hometown bar’s back patio.

Pro tip from one of our own: Check out local vendor ‘new inventory’ pages. You never know what neon velvet sofa might kick off your next concept.

Creative Event Ideas (Stolen from Nearly Everywhere)

Let’s talk sources that always deliver when we’re in need of instant creative inspiration. Some of our ride-or-dies include:

• DesignLoveFest for quirky, polished visuals.
• White Lotus (yep, the popular TV series) for lush, moody, and downright steamy tropical vibes.
• Something Vintage and Lauryn Prattes on Instagram for gorgeous, real-world event styling.
• El Encanto and Los Portales (yes, those are restaurants in Rosarito, and yes, their Instas will make you rethink your color schemes).

We’re big fans of going hyper-local. Try pulling ideas straight from the city, the venue, even the weird little art piece in the hotel lobby. If your event doesn’t feel like where it is, what’s the point? Also, step outside once in a while. Turns out nature, porches, and aimlessly strolling the event grounds can be surprisingly inspiring.

The Process? There Isn’t Just One.

Some start with a theme. Others lead with a color palette. A few brave souls admit they just start searching “statement bar” and spiral from there.

But here’s how it often goes:

1. Start with the vibe (tropical luxe, desert disco, après-ski-meets-drag brunch—no judgment).
2. Build a mood board, even if it’s messy. Especially if it’s messy.
3. Identify one hero moment, like a lounge vignette, killer entry, or custom backdrop.
4. Reverse engineer the rest from that anchor piece.

Many of us start by locking in one central element such as a custom bar, a showpiece floral, even just the right linen, and then build around it. And if you’ve ever gone searching for a simple, charming little linen and somehow ended up 47 pins deep in metallic fringe walls and ostrich-feather chandeliers…yep! You’re doing it right. 

When You’re Stuck (and the Mood Board Is Laughing at You)

Creative block? It happens. Here’s what we ask ourselves to shake loose the ideas:

• What’s the venue saying to me (besides “Oof, this carpet was installed in 2003”)?
• Have we done something like this before that we can tweak instead of toss?
• Is this even the part I’m stuck on or am I trying to force something that’s not working?

And sometimes it’s not about the questions, it’s about stepping out for a brisk walk. Or trying out a fresh playlist. Or texting your team chat with “How awful is this?” until someone sends a spark that turns into the flame.

Hit a wall? Go do a site visit. Stand in the space and talk through the layout with your team. There’s nothing like seeing it IRL to shake off screen fatigue.

Final Advice from the Collective Brain Trust

Feeling creatively fried? Here’s our get-unstuck plan:

• Take a break. Go outside. Touch grass. Stare at your ceiling. (One planner swears by site visits; another swears by naps.)
• Set the mood. That means playlists, tidy workspaces, turning off Teams notifications for 90 minutes, and letting your brain play.
• Start small. Pick one element to build around. A bar. A floral. A lounge chair so dramatic it refuses to be sat on, demands spotlighting, and probably travels with an entourage.
• Talk to your team. Toss your half-baked idea into the group chat and let the hive mind do its thing.
• Revisit the basics. Budget, audience, seasonality, venue, vibe. Sometimes creativity isn’t about adding more, it’s about getting clearer on the constraints.

And if all else fails? Let your brain breathe, then come back with fresh eyes, less second-guessing, and a renewed sense of creative inspiration. Don’t force it, but don’t fear the blank page either.

Need more creative event ideas or want to peek at how we’ve brought wild concepts to life across the country? Check out our Decor Concepts page for real-world inspiration, sample themes, and a peek inside our collective brain. Spoiler alert: it’s just as stylish as it is strategic.

Now go forth and create something that makes the client gasp—in a good way.