Must-Bookmark Resources for Inspiration Every Designer Needs

Web design is more than just making a site look good — it’s about crafting a functional and beautiful experience that meets the site owner’s goals. To stay at the top of their game, designers need to evolve and keep their creative juices flowing constantly. A crucial part of this growth is building what’s called visual literacy. In this article, we’re diving into why visual literacy matters for designers and sharing some top resources to help you develop it.

The Importance of Visual Literacy for Designers

Visual literacy is all about seeing and understanding different styles, techniques, and trends in the design world. It keeps you updated with the latest innovations and approaches, giving you the tools to create unique and contemporary projects. One of the best ways to build visual literacy is by studying the work of other designers. Regularly checking out professional designs helps you learn new things, see how others use color and composition, and find inspiration for your own work.

But don’t just stick to online resources — get out there! Visiting exhibitions, museums, and galleries can be a fantastic way to see works from different eras and cultures, giving you fresh perspectives and new ideas.

The Designer-Researcher Mindset

Reading books, magazines, and interesting articles about design is another great way to expand your horizons. Design literature is full of insights about famous designers, classic projects, working methods, and industry trends. Plus, reading about related fields of art or science can provide unexpected and useful design insights. Keeping up with design research is just as important as staying creatively inspired.

Top Resources for Building Visual Literacy

Online Platforms with Examples of Work 

1. Behance, Dribbble, and Pinterest: These platforms showcase a wide range of design projects from around the world, perfect for staying on top of industry trends.

Alternative Websites

2. Savee.it: Like Pinterest but specifically for creatives, featuring high-quality images.

3. Designspiration.com: A great alternative to Google Images, with the ability to sort by color.

4. Archivepdf.net: This site stands out with scans from trendy design magazines.

Social Networks and Forums

5. Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit: These platforms have countless groups and communities where designers share work and feedback, perfect for finding your tribe.

Design Books

6. Examples include “Change by Design” by Tim Brown and “The Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman. These books offer deep dives into design thinking and practices.

Popular Resource

7. Awwwards: Known and loved by designers at all levels for its showcase of top-notch websites.

Design Inspiration Platforms

1. Landbook

Dive into a treasure trove of top-notch landing pages. Perfect for grabbing layout ideas and seeing the latest trends in action.

2. Muzli

A super handy Chrome extension that delivers daily design inspiration right to your browser. It’s like having a daily dose of creative juice!

3. Pentagram

Check out the stunning portfolio of the legendary design studio Pentagram. Their work is neatly categorized, making it easy to find specific projects.

4. Curated Design

This site organizes a ton of website designs into categories. Great for finding the perfect reference for whatever you’re working on.

5. Mobbin

Need mobile app design inspiration? Mobbin’s got you covered with a huge collection of mobile UI/UX examples, sorted by app type.

6. Brutalist websites 

Explore the edgy world of brutalist web design. If you’re into unconventional and bold designs, this is your go-to spot.

Design Portfolio and Showcase Sites 

7.  Cargo

Offering a wide array of customizable templates, Cargo is perfect for building creative websites and portfolios that stand out.

8. Readymag

Get inspired by creative projects built with Readymag. This platform is ideal for designing web publications and dynamic landing pages.

9. Siteinspire

 A curated gallery of high-quality web designs. Browse by style, type, or subject to find exactly what you need.

10. Httpster

Showcasing stylish and offbeat websites, Httpster is perfect for discovering unique and boundary-pushing web designs.

11. Commerce Cream

Focused on the best-designed e-commerce sites, especially mobile versions. Great for seeing effective layouts in action.

12. One Page Love

Check out beautifully crafted one-page websites. See real examples and explore different styles and layouts.

13. SaaS Landing Page

A curated gallery of SaaS product landing pages. Search by color scheme and platform type to find the perfect inspiration.

14. Ads of the World

Dive into a world of creative ads from around the globe. An excellent resource for inspiration and building mood boards.

These platforms are goldmines for designers looking to stay ahead of the curve, find new ideas, and explore diverse styles and techniques.

For more tips and resources, visit craftwork.design.

Happy designing, guys!