You have to go in with a very open mind and be prepared to see something as more than what it appears to be.
There was a lesson I learned a long time ago when I was working as a designer at a toy company named AmToy. I made the patterns for My Pet Monster there.
My design director, Elaine Heigl, came in to see my progress. She didn't like any of the hats I had made yet. Sitting on my desk happen to be one of these ponies.
AND, Elaine Heigl also designs for Simplicity now and has a website and blog ... check it out.
Elaine Heigl Designs