It never fails to amaze me that some people are reluctant to believe that good design is often less costly than bad design. Of course, I don't just mean the overall cost of the services and product, but also the return on investment.
Take simple window graphics, for instance. If you hire a Designer, the cost for the actual design is usually based on industry standard pricing guidelines, and fluctuates slightly based on the competency of the Designer. In most cases, however, the price for the actual design falls in a very specific range. The cost for fabricating and installing the window graphics is also more or less a fixed cost. Only varying slightly depending on the vendor. Some vendors offer design services for
free. Beware, the cost of those services can sometimes be hidden in the total cost. Plus, the designers they have on staff are typically not the best designers in town. (
My apologies to sign vendors, but in my experience it's true.) Most of my examples of bad window graphics are from the websites of sign companies.
In any case, these photo examples of beautifully designed window graphics versus very poorly designed window graphics clearly show which is the better investment. Poorly designed graphics can actually hurt a business in the long run. Which would you want for your business? See my point? I'll say it again, the price of good design often costs less than bad design.
The material and construction of metal venetian office blinds was my inspiration for a restaurant entrance sign.
The edge of my laptop's monitor served as my inspiration for construction of a fabric awning frame.
The translucent material of a ballpoint pen inspired some of my translucent sign letters. 
Lastly, the translucent cutting mat with printed surface served as my inspiration for a custom, translucent, matte finish ADA elevator floor level indicator.
Inspiration can be found anywhere and everywhere. You just have to be open to finding it.
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