1. Design Websites & Platforms
- Behance: Explore projects from top designers across various fields, from graphic design to motion graphics.
- Dribbble: A hub for design portfolios and creative ideas, focusing on digital design, web design, and user interfaces.
- Pinterest: An excellent tool for gathering mood boards and finding inspiration for almost any creative field.
- Awwwards: Showcases award-winning websites, offering inspiration for web design trends, layouts, and UX.
- Designspiration: A curated source of images that allows you to browse by colour and style.
2. Social Media
- Instagram: Follow designers, studios, and hashtags (like #graphic design, #uxdesign) for daily design inspiration.
- YouTube: Many designers and artists share creative processes, tutorials, and project breakdowns.
3. Books & Magazines
- Design Books: Books by authors like Ellen Lupton, Debbie Millman, and Chip Kidd are filled with design theory and practical inspiration.
- Magazines: Publications like Communication Arts, Eye Magazine, and Creative Review showcase the latest trends and innovative projects.
4. Nature & Urban Exploration
- Nature is a fantastic source for colour schemes, patterns, and textures. Urban exploration offers architectural inspiration and typographic insights (from signs, murals, etc.).
5. Museums & Galleries
- Art, history, and design museums often have exhibits that inspire new perspectives or colour palettes. Many museums also have online collections to browse.
6. Brand Websites
- Brand New: This site reviews rebrands and logos from major companies, which can be great for learning about trends in corporate design.
- Packaging of the World: Explore packaging design ideas, especially if you’re into product or branding design.
7. Design Blogs & Publications
- Smashing Magazine: Articles about UX/UI design trends, web development, and best practices.
- Medium: Follow design-related publications like UX Collective or The Design Blog for insights from industry professionals.
8. Daily Objects & Vintage Collections
- Everyday objects, packaging, and vintage design styles (like old book covers, posters, or ads) are wonderful for retro inspiration.
9. Travel & Culture
- Different cultures offer unique aesthetics, symbols, patterns, and colour use, which can broaden design perspectives.
10. Online Courses & Workshops
- Platforms like Skillshare, Domestika, and MasterClass provide design courses taught by professionals. They’re useful for learning new techniques and sparking ideas through new skills.
By diversifying your inspiration sources, you’ll find unique elements to incorporate into your own work. Let me know if you need more on any specific area!
