Beyond the classroom, studio and office, designers come alive onstage as they share what inspires them to be creative. 

With the motto “Ideas Worth Spreading,” Technology Entertainment Design (TED) talks are devoted to the exchange of ideas with creatives all around the world. Started in 1984, this non-profit hosts talks on a diversity of topics, including art, design, science, business and international issues.

Besides attending the conference in person, anyone can watch the talks online in over 100 languages. Through TED conferences and TEDx talks hosted by smaller communities and colleges, TED talks have created a new way to share ideas and better the world.

These talks will inspire you to paint outside the lines and take your creativity to the next level. 

1. Marian Bantjes: Intricate Beauty by Design 

Magazine cover designed by Bantjes presented at the TED talk. (Karina Floriani, Pinterest)

By using unconventional materials and following her heart instead of strategy, Bantjes redefines her job description from “graphic designer” to “graphic artist.” She says that having your individuality show in your works might be heresy to some designers, but it allowed her to create a brand that other designers admire greatly.

2. Thomas Heatherwick: Building the Seed Cathedral

Heatherwick reimagines the ordinary and elevates it to the extraordinary. By combining architecture, engineering and design, Heatherwick introduces new ways to shape everything from buses to sculpture to hospitals. The talk focuses on the Seed Cathedral - a bio-inspired pavilion that defies gravity. 

3. Hamish Jolly: A Shark-Deterrent Wetsuit (And It’s Not What You Think) 

An avid Australian surfer, Jolly wanted to invent something to keep surfers safe from sharks in the water. Along with friends and a team of scientists, Jolly designed a wetsuit with stripes and colors to deter sharks from approaching surfers. 

4. Alastair Parvin: Architecture for the People by the People 

As an architect, Parvin explains that designers should look beyond designing skyscrapers and office buildings and should instead focus on empowering average citizens with the tools to be great designers. With his passion project, WikiHouse, just about anyone, anywhere, can build a house. 

5. Theo Jansen: My Creations, A New Form of Life 

Jansen explains how he takes lifeless everyday objects, such as plastic tubes and bottles, and creates sculptures with movement and life of their

Jansen's beach "creations." (Marjan van Oers, Pinterest)

6. Jacek Utko: Can Design Save Newspapers? 

A Polish newspaper designer believes print publications can be saved if we put more focus on the overall design of newspapers. He believes the front page needs to embody the publications' brand in a more graphic, eye-catching way. Just like eating with your eyes first, Ukto believes reading with your eyes is the key to a successful newspaper.

7. Emily Pilloton: Teaching Design for Change 

Pilloton explains how design can revolutionize poor communities. She created a design-build class called Studio H to inspire high schoolers to push the boundaries and change their lives with creativity. 

Reach Staff Reporter Katherine Flynn here.