What do you do when you know how something is supposed to look, but you can't show it to anyone else?
@ElectricKeet I initially was thinking more of the former, but, I mean, both?
@kelseyhusky Try approaching it obliquely, perhaps? Can you show what it does *not* look like? Could you find the polar opposite of whatever it is, and say "Imagine this, inside out, upside down and backwards: only *more* so"?
Or if there are several examples of things which are each not what you want to share, but each of which displays some aspect of it, in terms of structure or tone or style: could you assemble a sum that builds off of those parts? "Not these, but it would belong here."
@Momentrabbit well, I can try that. There are texture and general... forms, i guess that I can try and crib, but they all pull from such different visual styles that mashing them together would devolve the whole design into chaos, I think.
@kelseyhusky At worst, it may not work. But you might get a few strong elements that tell you "This, this and this - they are *definitely* parts." And then you can use those as a base to start iterating from. "If this, what else?"
Additionally - try different media, too. If you're overwhelmed with the complexity of describing something visual, explore the other senses. Sounds, texture, smells. Maybe there's another grounding element in how something feels? Another way of sneaking up on it. 💜
@kelseyhusky Can't show because of lack of sufficient means of communication (can't draw or describe it) or because it's too personal or secret?