Where do I get inspiration for the design of my dissertation?
You can distinguish yourself through the layout of a dissertation. A neatly formatted dissertation will leave a good impression regardless, but by adding a slightly unexpected twist to the layout, you can surprise readers and grab their attention. To gain inspiration for the layout, you can of course look at the dissertations of fellow PhD candidates, but you usually won't find original ideas there. Therefore, we offer a few tips here for finding inspiration for the design of your thesis.
Bookcase
Although e-readers are on the rise, you surely still have many books on your shelves. Stand in front of your bookshelf and look at which books you find visually appealing or pleasant to read. Take photos of these books and send them to your graphic designer. Together, you can use elements from these for the layout of the dissertation. If you do not have any books at home, look at magazines or visit the library.
Social media
Pinterest, Instagram, or even Facebook—on social media, beautiful images are everywhere. When you see a beautiful image, save it immediately. This way, you create an archive; see if there is a common denominator and use that as inspiration for your dissertation.
The shopping street
Besides the digital world, you can also find plenty of inspiration on the street. The next time you walk through a shopping street, pay attention to the billboards, shop windows, or even the flyers being handed out. If you see something beautiful, take a photo of it and add it to your 'inspiration archive'.
Museum
Spend a day at a nearby museum. This is not only good for relaxation but also serves as inspiration for the design of a dissertation. Which style appeals to you most: Bauhaus, Baroque, Cubism, or Rococo? Let your designer know which style suits your taste. Based on this, you can determine the cover design, for example, as well as the feel (modern, classic) of the dissertation's interior.
Look around you
These are, of course, examples from which you can draw inspiration. The core of the story: look around you, because inspiration for the layout of your dissertation can be found everywhere. Take a look outside the academic world and into everyday life.
