ILLUSTRATION AND ARTICLE BY KATY D.
Whether you prefer working alone or in a team, design is always a collaborative process between designers of the past and designers of the future. As designers, we take inspiration from past developments and bring them into our work. From staying on top of current trends to keeping up with technological advancements, our conversations about design help push our work forward. And most of these conversations are happening online.
Not only do these conversations happen in the classroom and on social media, but you can also get insight from other designers on blogs. These are places outside of Pinterest where you can get information directly from those in the industry, and they can provide a deeper analysis compared to what you can get from visual moodboarding.
Here are some blogs to help you dig deeper into design.
Typewolf
If you’re a typography enthusiast or just someone interested in finding new and unique typefaces, you may want to check out Typewolf. Although the blog isn’t updated regularly, there are still some insightful posts you can read through. Additionally, you can find typeface recommendations to inspire your next project. You can also sign up for their email newsletter to receive regular updates and insights about typography.
The Inspiration Grid
Looking for inspiration outside of graphic design? The Inspiration Grid is an online magazine showcasing talent worldwide. Not limited to only graphic designers, they also showcase art, illustration, typography, photography, architecture, fashion, and more.
Creative Bloq
Creative Bloq is a website that provides daily design news, reviews, how-to tutorials, and much more. It’s a great source of news, advice, and inspiration for creative professionals who want to keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and brush up on fundamental design principles. One of the best things about Creative Bloq is that it’s not limited to graphic designers alone. It also features useful content for digital and traditional artists, 3D and VFX artists, illustrators, and crafters.
Abduzeedo
Abduzeedo, also known as ‘abdz,’ is a renowned publication consisting of a team of writers who share informative articles on various topics like 3D, branding, editorial design, graphic design, illustration, typography, and UI/UX. The platform also offers tutorials. After initially starting as a personal blog, it has now become one of the most popular inspiration platforms in the world, attracting more than a hundred thousand readers daily and nearly three million readers a month.
Adobe Creative Cloud Blog
Are you an avid user of Adobe products and software? If so, then you may be interested to know that Adobe has a blog called the Adobe Creative Cloud Blog. This blog is a must-read for anyone who uses Adobe products. It features in-depth tutorials on how to use the various programs and tools to create stunning designs. You can read about updates to Adobe’s products and company, industry trends and research, insights into the future of work, and graphic design events. However, if you are new to Adobe software, some of the articles might be a bit technical. Give it a go and see if you like it!
AIGA: Eye on Design
Are you interested in the connection between design and culture? Look no further than AIGA: Eye on Design. This platform covers a diverse range of topics such as graphic design, branding, books, magazines, illustration, digital design, typography, interviews, how-to’s, and articles that delve into the social and cultural impact of design on society. AIGA: Eye on Design strives to publish insightful articles from a wide perspective with a strong focus on inclusion and diversity.
Identity Designed
Are you interested in exploring the world of identity design? If yes, then you must check out Identity Designed, a blog dedicated to identity design enthusiasts. The platform was established in 2010 and is available in both website and book formats. It features hundreds of projects from various studios all across the globe. Moreover, if you have an identity project of your own, you can contact them and submit it for review.
AdWeek
AdWeek is a renowned publication that has been publishing since 1979. It is a leading source of information on branding and marketing. The publication covers advertising from different angles, including the creative aspect of business, new advertising campaigns, client and agency relationships, global advertising, and much more. AdWeek has covered significant topics such as advertising in the rise of the internet, changes in cable television, and much more.
The Dieline
Do you have a passion for package design? If so, you might be interested in The Dieline. This platform was founded in 2007 and has since become the go-to source for packaging and consumer brands. It supports the advancement of package design and serves not only package designers and brands, but also brand designers, agencies, suppliers, sustainability experts, students, and packaging manufacturers.
AdAge
AdAge, formerly known as Advertising Age until 2017, is a publication that has been in existence since 1930. It analyzes and documents news related to marketing and media. As one of the longest-running and biggest publications in the marketing and media industries, AdAge is widely considered to be an influential source of news and information. It is often the primary source of news for those involved in the advertising industry.