cryptic sea on imagination

     "… I can't stress how important using real reference photos in art/design is. I know a lot of artists who refuse to do this and only use their "imagination" to dream up environments and other graphic elements, but really isn't your imagination just referencing things you've already seen? It's hard enough not to easily fall into video game cliche visuals in level design. Having real world references that you can pick and choose from is something that I think will give your game more life and actually inspire you more then referencing other games/making it all up yourself."

     - cryptic sea.