Before Creativity: Inspiration as a Micro Foundation for Action*

Creative, robust, and “moody” theories of action seek to modify a traditional voluntarism by attending to perception (broadly considered). Consolidating these theories as variants of an aesthetic sociology, I consider inspiration as one of the earliest stages in a larger theory of social action. Inspiration is narrower than creativity—it does not depend on audience recognition or valuation—but it offers a window into the prior dynamics of receptivity and anticipation. Close empirical study is possible. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with fashion designers, I analyze the spatial and material infrastructure of inspiration. I show how designers engage with space and materiality in their work, as well as how they utilize artistic license to tweak existing runway designs. I conclude with possibilities for future research and argue for the role of inspiration as a micro foundation of action.