Unlike the controversial atmospheric electrical phenomena known as ball lightening, which can exist in a vacuum, design is married to commerce, and thus cannot. Being visually versed and technically proficient isnât enough to create successful engaging design. It demands that we draw upon history, pop culture, advertising, psychology, and a whole arsenal of non-design things to arm and inform our work. The best way to stock up is to get away from the computer and go out and live your life. Have some laughs, take a road trip, make out with babes, barf on the subway platform and throw something off a roof. Whatever it takes. Go out there, punch life in the neck, and steal its wallet.