7 Documentaries to Ignite the Inner Creativity in a Graphic Designer

People seek creative inspiration and motivation from various sources for their line of work. Artistic divisions, especially, require a constant feed from myriad creative sources to strike something brilliant in their mind. It is about constantly rediscovering yourself and finding something new to put out in the world. From reading books to watching movies to discussing with friends to visiting places, anything at any point in time can strike the creative nerve.

As for Graphic Designers, a deeply creative, aesthetic, and imagination-friendly field of work, creative inspiration, or the need to seek it, lurks around the corner.

With that in mind, here’s a list of 10 documentaries (& docuseries) that every Graphic Designer should watch to fuel their creative nerve. Outside of that, these documentaries are also thoroughly entertaining to watch. Here is the list.

1. Abstract: The Art of Design – This is a documentary series, currently streaming on Netflix, that highlights the work and lives of various artists in the field of design. From Christoph Niemann, a German-American illustrator and children’s book author, to Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield, to stage designer and Tony and Olivier Award winner Es Devlin, to architect Bjarke Ingels, to automotive designer Ralph Giles, and Graphic Designer Paula Scher, the first season of the show covered all of them.

The second season delved into the life of Israeli-American bio-architect Neri Oxman as well as the costume designer Ruth Carter, among many others.

The show delves deep into what goes into a particular work of design. The ideas that shaped these fine designers’ works, and how they seek inspiration from daily life. Created by former WIRED editor-in-chief Scott Dadich, this documentary series will truly be a thrilling, delightful, and yet informative watch for every Graphic Designer.

1. The Toys That Made Us – It is an American documentary series created by Brian Volk-Weiss that delves into the many minds behind our iconic toy lines. From Mattel to Hasbro to Kenner Products, several big toy companies have been behind the iconic toy lines that we all grew up with. But this docuseries highlights each of those toy lines, the creators behind them, how they came up with them, the financial hurdles they may have faced, and the rise and fall of many of them.

From Star Wars to He-Man to Barbie to G.I. Joe to Star Trek and Transformers to Power Rangers and My Little Pony, the three seasons of the series highlighted many such iconic toy product lines. There is a S4 and S5 announced for the future. The product lines shortlisted for those seasons are Nerf, Pokémon, Hot Wheels, and Ghostbusters, among others.

1. High Score – It is a documentary series, also available on Netflix, created by France Costrel. This series traces the history of classic video games. Similar to “The Toys That Made Us,” High Score also features insights from the makers and innovators of video games instead of toys. Interviews with the creation team behind a video game, stories from the early days of each video game, be it the introduction of Nintendo in America after the 1983 crash, or the creation of fighting games such as Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter II.

While it’s a no-brainer that video game enthusiasts will definitely love this, it is a series that has a lot of learning and inspiration for Graphic Designers. Each video game is a work of art, and Graphic Designers are at the helm of things to make a video game look as lively as possible.

Even during the pre-Internet days, designers managed to create really attractive and appealing video games for the masses. Modern-day Graphic Designers, with the aid of so much advanced technology, can learn a lot about how to solve issues and make better products.

1. The Andy Warhol Diaries – Created by American filmmaker Andrew Rossi, The Andy Warhol Diaries is an American documentary series that simulates the notoriously famous pop artist’s narration of its own diary entries. For the uninitiated, Andy Warhol is one of the most renowned and celebrated artists and filmmakers of the modern era. Active during the second half of the 20th century, Warhol was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement. He is most widely renowned for his Marilyn Monroe Diptych and the Campbell’s Soup Can paintings.

The Andy Warhol Diaries is not just a lesson in design work, but one in simulation and the use of AI technology as well. The series uses AI to simulate the late Andy Warhol narrating his own diary entries.

1. Print the Legend – As evident from the name itself, this documentary is about the rise of 3D printing and the next wave of technological innovation. More precisely, the documentary film journals the race for market leadership in 3D printing. The film traces the early days of 3D printing before delving into the growth of the industry and the rise of startup companies like MakerBot, Stratasys, and Formlabs.

The title of the documentary comes from a denouement of the 1962 film, “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” The film also features controversial figures such as Cody Wilson, who is a gun rights activist and crypto-anarchist. He used 3D printing to create ‘wiki weapons’ and the first 3D printed pistol. Also available to watch on Netflix.

1. The Creative Indians – This documentary TV mini series, streaming on Netflix, is focused entirely on India and Indians who have made it big in the world of artistry and creativity. They have pushed the limits and gone beyond the permissible expectations of a normal Indian household. Thus, they served as inspiration to the more than a billion people residing in the country. But it’s not just a tale of inspiration, motivation, courage, and craft. It is also a story about their struggles and overcoming of odds to find success in the face of hardships. From chefs to actors to comedians to filmmakers and fashion designers, India’s most notable imaginative minds share their journeys.But more importantly, from a designer (specifically Graphic Design) point of view, this show offers life lessons in artistry and creativity that can open up the mind of a designer like never before. It can push them to pursue avenues that they might have been too scared to pursue before. It can give them direction and live examples in these ultra-successful Indians that they, too, can achieve their design dreams. Also, the way the show is shot, and the paintings, art, and photography done in this series will surely catch the eye of a Graphic Designer and mesmerize them, to say the very least. One of the title posters very appropriately features the picture of the great late actor Irrfan Khan, with a pair of hands superimposed over it. It looks like Irrfan Khan’s face is performing Namaz. It is a brilliant show of creativity right in the poster itself.

1. Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal, and Greed – Very few American artists have brought such joy and bliss to millions of people worldwide as an art instructor as Bob Ross has in his lifetime. From his military days as an 18-year-old to becoming a painter watched by millions, Bob Ross has lived a complete and fulfilling life. This biographic documentary film, also available on Netflix, offers a look into the life and career of Bob Ross. But the film doesn’t just stop there. It also delves deep into the business empire Bob Ross built, and the battle for it. It cast a shadow over his happy memories.

The film, vivid with colors, images, visuals, and artwork, is a must-watch for every practising and aspiring Graphic Designer. The film also acts as a premonition that even all the fame, money, and love in the world can’t stop someone from facing darkness in the future.