Where to Find Design Inspiration

Whether you’re just starting out or have been blogging for a while, you may be looking for where to find design inspiration. For me sometimes, developing creative blog graphics can be a struggle. If you’re new, you may not even know how to start the process. If you’ve been around the block, you may discover things are getting a bit stale.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed or fall into a rut in a creative profession like blogging. Taking some time to peruse visual sources and do some research may just be the key to providing you with a boost of creativity and optimism.

Where To Find Design Inspiration

Once you start to look for the inspiration, you will start to see places everywhere you look. In fact, it could become second nature. What you focus on, appears. As you bring your attention to the fact you are looking for the insiration, it will come to you. TO help you get started, read on to learn just where to find design inspiration for your blog.

Similar Blogs

The first place to begin may be with blogs in your niche. Seeing what others are doing in their design can provide you with a slew of ideas. Just be sure to add your own unique touch to your designs, as mirroring the design of another is counterproductive and unoriginal. Viewing the work of others can also give you some ideas of what not to do. You’ll get a feel for the kinds of colors and imagery that are being used and which authors seem to be using them most effectively.

Note that I am NOT saying that you should copy anything from anyone’s site directly! No. No. No. Visit other sites and get an IDEA of what they are doing and see what you like.

Pinterest

Pinterest is the social media site that has imagery as its foundation. You probably already know what a time suck this treasure trove can be, which is just proof of how effective visual images can be. Search for terms like “blog header” or “blog graphics” to produce a ton of ideas to fuel your imagination. This is a great way to keep up with design trends, as well. A visit to Pinterest should be a regular part of your evolving design process.

Designers

A perfect place to get design inspiration for your blog is by checking out the work of professional designers. Graphic design professionals almost always have a portfolio of their work on their website. You can do a Google search to find designers that do blog work or look at your favorite blogs. Often, you’ll find the credit of the designer at the bottom of the page. While the techniques of the pros are probably beyond your skill level, you can modify ideas you love in a way that is within your abilities.

Magazines

Check out both print magazines and ones online for ways in which design is being used in various formats. It’s true that print and digital techniques often differ; however, you may be able to draw on some fantastic color combinations, layouts or headlines found within real, hands-on pages. There are also plenty of design-specific digital magazines that can guide you on the latest trends in web design, along with tried and true foundations. Some names to look for include Smashing Magazine, and NewAtlas.

As a completely off-topic idea, looking at magazines is a GREAT place to discover headlines for blog posts and emails! The nxt time you are are the magazine rack, look for a magazine in your niche and look at the headlines. I bet you can easily get at least 5 great headlines! (See 5 Ways To Find Great Articles & Blog Post Topics for more info).

Enjoy your search for design inspiration with these resources. There’s no end to design ideas. Sometimes you just need a spark to move you in the right direction.