Well the OP was referring to inspiration and style not killer systems & combat. I would say that Panpiper has a good process for building if you want a good overview. Regarding inspiration I use google images for whatever I am modeling. There are always good Lego builds as well as scale-models and fan-art. I crop them in Paint and print out different angles of my subject for reference. Back of the envelope sketches are good for working ideas out quickly.
Doing original designs I start with getting a clear idea of my goals. (Looks vs efficiency. Combat or mining) I always have a color palette in mind when I start. I prefer a skeleton over a wire frame because you are less committed to your original shape. I don't usually over-plan. I like to be able to respond to new ideas as I go. I use the golden mean to obtain pleasing proportions and the Fibonacci number series to get shapes that are found in Nature. I always have a color palette in mind when I start. I don't use the same build technique each time so that I avoid ruts.
A Groove is a Grave with open ends.
