look beyond the obvious. When looking at objects, we tend not to get much past the surface--"that's an interesting mask;there's an old book." But the designer must look deeper. Put words on what you see. What, exactly, makes the mask interesting? What colors say artistic? What kind of shape says traditional? What texture? What lines? Pay attention to sensual qualities like sound, smell, touch, and the intangibles of history, culture, and tradition.