Pets in design: How animals inspire our creativity
A remarkable 51% of UK adults own a pet, highlighting the deep bond between humans and animals.
Since the beginning of time, people have found artistic inspiration from animals, especially pets.
Examples of this can be seen dating back to prehistoric cave paintings made from natural pigments, all the way to Frida Kahlo’s surrealist oil paintings in the 19th century and beyond.
Although we have an undeniable connection to animals, we haven’t yet mastered the ability to talk with them, so how do animals inspire our creativity?
Self Portrait with Monkeys by Frida Kahlo, 1943
The mundane every day
There are countless little moments we share with our pets each day – many we often don’t even think twice about. Yet, these simple interactions can be a powerful source of inspiration, exemplifying how animals inspire our creativity.
Whether it’s playing fetch with your dog or a game of hide-and-seek with a reptile, engaging with pets not only strengthens our bond with them but also sparks imagination, problem-solving skills, and productivity.
In fact, research from the National Library of Medicines found that surgeons who regularly play video games make 37% fewer errors during surgery, pointing towards how play enhances our cognitive function. While most of us are not surgeons, and pets are certainly different from video games, this highlights how play can influence our creative outputs.
At Leopard Co, pets of all shapes and sizes are part of our DNA. So, when we had the opportunity to launch Earth Animal in the UK, we couldn’t have been more excited!
For an impactful multi-channel launch to promote Earth Animal’s Chews to Make a Difference initiative, we married our media outreach and influencer partnership skills together for maximum exposure. Each influencer, carefully chosen for their alignment with Earth Animal’s core values, received a package of No-Hide® Chews to introduce them to the brand and share their experience with their audience.
These small interactions became creative storytelling opportunities. Through their shared experiences, influencers showcased how even the simplest pet-related moments can spark joy, connection, and inspiration in our daily lives.With over 40 influencers the campaign totaled a combined reach of over 500,000 and achieved over 50 pieces of coverage across press and social media.
Earth Animal No-Hide® Chews
Even something as routine as walking your four-legged friend can help lower stress, improve overall health, and boost mental clarity. Some of the best ideas strike at the most unexpected moments, making a leisurely walk the perfect time to let creativity flow freely.
So, the next time you head out for a stroll, embrace the opportunity to clear your mind - you never know what inspiration might come your way.
Historic symbolic importance
As we’ve mentioned, animals and pets have inspired creatives throughout history, but their significance often goes beyond their physical form. Animals have historically been used to convey complex emotions, values, and cultural identities, making them powerful symbols in both art and design.
For instance, dogs depicted in 18th-century portraits often symbolised loyalty, while horses were commonly associated with wealth and status. These symbolic meanings have carried over into modern branding too.
Take Lloyds Bank, for example. Its iconic black horse is widely recognised as a symbol of strength and stability. Interestingly, the horse was not originally Lloyds’ emblem; it was inherited by the new owners from Barnetts, Hoares & Co when Lloyds took over the bank, replacing their original beehive logo. The horse’s regardant (looking-back) stance is often interpreted as a symbol of vigilance, an ideal trait for a financial institution.
The black horse has had a lasting impact on Lloyds’ brand identity. In 2015, to mark the bank’s 250th anniversary, Lloyds reintroduced the iconic horse after temporarily replacing it with a series of ‘For the Journey’ illustrations. This serves as a perfect example of how animals inspire our creativity; not just in art and storytelling, but in branding and visual identity, carrying deep historical significance into the modern world.
Lloyds Bank 250th Anniversary Ad
The imagination runs wild
As we all know, creative minds have been enamoured with animals since the beginning of time - not just in their real-world presence but also in the endless possibilities they represent in our imagination. From the humble goldfish to the majestic presence of a dragon, animals-both real and fantastical-offer an infinite source of inspiration.
One of the greatest gifts animals provide us with is the ability to see the world through a lens of wonder; an ability often dulled by adulthood’s routine and logic. As children, we imagine animals speaking, embarking on adventures, or possessing magical powers. This playfulness fuels creativity, encouraging designers, artists, and storytellers to break free from convention and think in fresh, innovative ways.
By reconnecting with that sense of wonder, we can rediscover the joy of ideation. Whether it’s sketching a cat-inspired pattern, designing an owl-themed brand, or conceptualising a futuristic robotic pet, animals remind us that creativity is not about limits but about boundless possibilities.
Smaug – The Hobbit
Their impact on wellbeing
Research shows that 72% of pet owners believe spending time with their furry companions is helping reduce stress and improving wellbeing. Lower levels of stress and higher levels of wellbeing significantly enhance a person's creative potential, allowing them to generate innovative ideas and solutions more readily.
At Leopard Co, we understand how animals inspire our creativity firsthand, which is one of the reasons we are a dog-friendly office. We celebrate the positive impact pets have on our wellbeing and creativity every day. What’s more, our furry companions get a little bit of fuss.
Animals have been a source of creative inspiration for centuries, shaping everything from art and storytelling to branding and design. Whether consciously or subconsciously, they influence our thoughts, behaviours, and the way we express ourselves.
From something as simple as taking a dog for a walk to imagining the next great fantasy epic, our connection to animals' fuels creativity in countless ways.
So, the next time you find yourself in a creative rut, look to your pets. Make a fuss of them, play with them, or take them outside. You might be surprised at the inspiration they bring.
Want to learn more about how we design with pets in mind?
Visit our pet page or get in touch at hello@leopardco.com.
Lillie – our resident fuss handler