Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
Some people have what ever it takes to design something and no matter how it is made it achieves the look you want to achieve. I don't have this design creativity. So I copy stuff, more of less. Over time I have gotten somewhat better at design. But I still need to see some piece of furniture to get inspiration. Now days I am able to modify something I see and have it wind up looking acceptable. But I never start "from scratch".

I have a "file of inspiration". I have all the Fine Woodworking design books. I clip pictures out of magazines. I take pictures of things I like. Then when I need to make a chest of drawers I go to the file for inspiration.

If you can't invent the Maloof rocking chair then copy one after someone else invents it and be satisfied.

A trend I am not fond of is slabs of wood and live edges. Personally I don't see much design skill being employed when someone incorporates a shape already in the wood into a simple piece of furniture. But here I know that I am in a modern minority. I'm not that impressed by much modern art of any kind either.