The Calculated Creative

Top Websites for Graphic Design Inspiration and Resources

Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned pro, exploring these sites can take your work to the next level through learning and feedback.

Graphic design websites are invaluable resources for:
- Inspiration
- Learning
- Community

From portfolios to design feedback to industry news, these sites offer tools to boost your skills and expand your creative network.

Behance

Behance is one of the top online platforms for designers to showcase their portfolios and discover new work. Key features:

  • Huge portfolio database to browse for design inspiration - Behance has over 11 million projects covering everything from graphic design, UI/UX, illustration, photography and more. You can get lost for hours browsing the creative portfolios.
  • Ability to follow and connect with designers around the world - The social features allow you to follow top designers and studios to see their latest projects in your feed. You can also appreciate projects, comment on work, and contact creators.
  • Job listings from top companies - Behance has an integrated job board where companies like Google, Apple and agencies post openings. Great for passive job search as a designer.
  • Creative community and discussions - Active forums and community where designers can ask for feedback, discuss industry topics, and find mentors.

Dribbble

Dribbble is a community of designers sharing small snapshots of their work, also known as "shots". Features include:

  • Upload images/GIFs of designs to get feedback - Dribbble is all about uploading Work-In-Progress shots of designs, interfaces, illustrations, and more. The community will give feedback and appreciate your work.
  • Follow and interact with talented designers - Many top designers and agencies use Dribbble to tease upcoming work. You can follow, like, and comment on shots. Designers can build a following and establish their personal brand.
  • Weekly remote design jobs listed - Dribbble has a jobs board updated weekly with full-time and freelance opportunities, mostly focused on UI/product design roles. Great for finding remote design work.
  • Dribbble meetups in cities around the world - Dribbble organizes real-life networking events called "Hangouts" in cities across the globe. Meet other Dribbble designers face-to-face.

Designspiration

Designspiration is a moodboard-style inspiration and bookmarking site for creative professionals. Users can:

  • Create inspiration boards with images, palettes, fonts, etc - Flexible boards let you drag in images, text, colors and more to start organizing ideas and concepts visually. Great for design research and ideation.
  • Follow users and browse thousands of public boards - Get a window into the inspiration and process of other creatives by browsing their public boards. Discover new styles by searching boards by category.
  • Get daily Designspiration emails based on saved preferences - Customizable newsletter delivers fresh design inspiration from profiles and boards you follow, tailored to your interests.
  • Use built-in stock image and icon searches - Easily search millions of free stock photos without leaving the site. Also find quality icons sets. Useful for quickly mocking up concepts.

LogoDesign.net

LogoDesign.net offers logo design tutorials, articles, inspiration, and contests. Some key parts:

  • Learn logo design basics for beginners - LogoDesign.net has a library of tutorials covering logo fundamentals like typography, color theory, branding, and more for designers starting out.
  • Read designer interviews and industry news - Stay in the loop with articles featuring tips from professional logo designers and updates on logo trends and branding.
  • Get feedback by entering logo design contests - Upload your designs to real logo contests and compete to win prizes and recognition. See what logo ideas others submit.
  • Discussion forums to connect with other designers - Forums cover business topics like pricing, contracts, and marketing, as well as design topics like software techniques and critiques.

The Takeaway

These graphic design websites offer invaluable tools and community for designers of all skill levels.

Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned pro, exploring these sites can take your work to the next level through learning, feedback, and connecting with fellow designers around the world.

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