Design inspiration can come from anywhere, but sometimes, it’s not always easy to find the right spark when you need it. Whether you’re a graphic designer, web developer, or product designer, you need a constant flow of fresh ideas to stay ahead of the curve. Thankfully, there are countless resources and platforms available to help you find inspiration, from online communities to nature and beyond. Below are some of the best places to look when you’re in search of design inspiration.
Where Can I Get Some?
1. Design Communities and Platforms
Behance
Behance is one of the most popular platforms for discovering high-quality design work from all around the world. Designers use Behance to showcase their portfolios, which cover a wide range of disciplines, including graphic design, branding, illustration, web design, and more. It’s a great place to see innovative and cutting-edge projects, and you can even follow specific designers or industries that match your interests.
Dribbble
Dribbble is another excellent platform for discovering design work. What makes Dribbble unique is that it allows designers to post “shots”—small pieces of work, such as a logo, an icon set, or a user interface element. You can browse thousands of shots to find inspiration for all sorts of projects. It’s especially helpful for UI/UX designers who are looking for visual design ideas, typography inspiration, or design elements for apps and websites.
Awwwards
Awwwards is dedicated to showcasing the best web design in the world. It’s a fantastic resource if you’re looking for inspiration for web and digital experiences. The site features award-winning websites, chosen based on creativity, design, and user experience. Browsing through Awwwards will expose you to the latest design trends and best practices, especially for web designers and developers.
Designspiration
Designspiration is like Pinterest, but with a strong focus on design. You can use it to search for specific design styles or color schemes and build your own curated mood board. It’s a fantastic way to organize your inspiration, whether you’re working on a brand identity project, website redesign, or even an illustration series. With its clean and simple interface, Designspiration is easy to navigate and use.
2. Social Media Platforms
Instagram
Instagram has quickly become a hub for visual content creators, including designers. With its focus on images and short videos, Instagram is a perfect platform for discovering design inspiration. By following design influencers, agencies, and specific design hashtags (like #graphicdesign, #branding, #typography, or #uxdesign), you’ll have a constant stream of fresh, creative ideas flowing through your feed.
Pinterest
Pinterest is an endless source of inspiration, and it’s perfect for curating visuals you find inspiring. You can search for almost anything—logos, web design layouts, color palettes, photography, and even interior design—and pin your favorites to your boards. Pinterest is especially useful for finding ideas across a wide range of creative disciplines, whether you’re designing digital products, packaging, or even creative art.
Reddit
Reddit hosts several design-focused subreddits like r/Design, r/graphic_design, and r/UXDesign, where designers share their work, discuss trends, and exchange ideas. These communities are not just about showcasing work but also about engaging in conversations and getting feedback from fellow designers. Reddit is a fantastic place to discover lesser-known or up-and-coming designers and discuss new design trends or challenges.
3. Blogs and Design Websites
Smashing Magazine
Smashing Magazine is a leading resource for web designers and developers, offering design inspiration alongside helpful tutorials, articles, and tools. They regularly feature roundups of the best design work, including web design, typography, and interface design, making it a great source for inspiration. If you’re a web designer or UI/UX designer, Smashing Magazine should be part of your go-to reading list.
Creative Bloq
Creative Bloq features articles on a wide range of design topics, from graphic design to UI/UX, web development, and digital art. It’s a fantastic source for the latest design trends, inspirational galleries, and resources. Creative Bloq’s “Inspiration” section is especially helpful when you’re looking for examples of design work to kick-start your own creative process.
The Dieline
For those interested in packaging design, The Dieline is a must-visit site. It’s a highly respected platform showcasing the best in packaging design across industries. Whether you’re creating consumer products, food packaging, or luxury items, you’ll find cutting-edge packaging concepts and ideas that can serve as inspiration for your own work.
4. Books and Magazines
Books
Design books are a timeless source of inspiration, often diving deep into specific design styles or philosophies. Titles like “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon and “The Elements of User Experience” by Jesse James Garrett offer both inspiration and practical guidance. For visual inspiration, books like “Logo Design Love” and “Graphic Design Thinking” can provide insights into design history, trends, and creative processes.
Magazines
Design-focused magazines like Eye Magazine, Print Magazine, and Communication Arts offer a curated selection of outstanding design projects. These publications regularly showcase fresh, high-quality work from professional designers around the world, along with interviews, essays, and critiques that can provide deeper insight into the design process.
5. Nature and the Physical World
Sometimes, the best source of inspiration is simply stepping outside. Nature, architecture, art, and even the everyday objects around you can spark creativity. For example:
- Nature: The colors, textures, and patterns in the natural world (think of a sunset, forest, or ocean) can inspire new design color palettes, shapes, or layouts.
- Architecture: The geometry and structure of buildings and urban landscapes often influence web and graphic design, helping to create clean lines, grids, and balanced compositions.
- Art: Museums and galleries are full of timeless works of art that can inform color choices, typography, and composition. For a more contemporary approach, street art and graffiti can offer bold, unconventional ideas.
6. Personal Projects and Experimentation
Sometimes the best design inspiration comes from within. If you’re stuck in a creative rut, try experimenting with new techniques or tools. Start a side project or design something just for fun—without any client or deadline pressure. Play with new software, try out different design styles, or take on creative challenges like redesigning a logo for a brand you love, or building a website layout just to practice.
Experimenting with different ideas in a low-pressure environment can spark new ways of thinking and inspire innovative solutions for your current work.
7. Conferences and Events
Attending design conferences, workshops, and events can be a great way to get fresh inspiration and meet other designers. Events like Adobe MAX, AIGA Design Conference, and UX Design Conferences bring together leading designers, educators, and innovators from around the world to discuss new trends, share their work, and provide hands-on sessions. These events are also an excellent way to network and collaborate with other creatives.
Conclusion
Design inspiration is everywhere, but knowing where to look can make all the difference. From online communities and platforms like Behance and Dribbble, to social media, books, nature, and personal experimentation, the opportunities for creative fuel are limitless. By diversifying where you find your inspiration, you’ll keep your designs fresh, innovative, and ahead of the curve. Whether you’re designing for print, digital platforms, or products, keep exploring new sources of inspiration to maintain your creative momentum.
