New York City is the world hub of many industries, including the design industry. Creative people are everywhere. If you have been home making DYI projects and crafts for yourself, family or friends or even selling them, It’s helpful to get out in the world to see what other people are doing and making. Chances are, along with having a fun vacation, you will come home with a plethora of new ideas and techniques for your own creations. You will find lots of guides to the general tourist attractions, but here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time there as an artist.
- Visit the high end shopping districts of 5th Ave and Madison Ave. Look around at what is trending in categories that interest you. Check out prices. Things won’t be on shelves in several stores if they are not selling. It may teach you about what you could be charging for your own creations.
- Check out the Chelsea Market. It is full of quaint little shops with wildly creative offerings. You could come away from there with lots of ideas.
- People watch. See what people are wearing. You will find more creativity per sq mile than any other place on the planet. Ride the subway and trains and keep your eyes open. Even go to spas and salons of people that look like your target customer group.
- Talk to people who are selling items you like to make. Ask them about their ideas and their process and they may be kind enough to share information about the sources of their materials.
- Go to craft stores or places that sell building materials, both new and used. You may find amazing raw materials to use in your own crafts. If it is something that you can’t get at home, have it shipped. It will make your offering more unique for your area.
- Check out items from the street vendors. NYC is full of starving artists and ones that make quite a good living, selling their wares from the streets. Ideas will about there.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. New Yorkers are much more friendly than advertised. If you are polite to them, they will be polite right back.
- Exchange contact information with other creative people. Chances are you will make a few good friends and some business contacts for the future.
Have fun on your trip and absorbing the creativity of NY. If you are a DYI artist that sells your wares. Your trip is even tax deductible!
