Top 10 sites to check for design inspiration

Posted by: pressplaymedia on: November 6, 2007

• In: Inspiration | Starting a website | Useful Links | Web Design | Web design resources
• 3 Comments

When I’m creating or redesigning a website, I usually take some time to crawl around the web and seek out sites that fit in the same category for ideas, or just check out the newest sites on various top-lists for innovative approaches. Besides checking out my favourite designers’ portfolios for latest creations, these are the bookmarks that never let me down:

My top 10 sites for inspiration

I’m pretty confident you’ll bookmark at least a few of these, as they are awesome resources for cool new websites:

1. TheFWA

The Favourite Website Awards (web awards at the cutting edge) is my primary source for finding new web design techniques, and modern / abstract design ideas.

2. DopeAwards

A great resource for cool flash sites, which are sorted in four groups: Dynamic, Original, Professional and Effort.

3. BestWebGallery

A nicely designed site listing nice designs.. What more can you want?

4. TheBestDesigns

A good resource for interesting CSS and Flash sites.

5. WebsiteDesignAwards

Regularly updated site for progressive CSS and Flash designed websites.

6. CSS-Designed

Daily updated gallery showcasing beautiful CSS designed websites.

7. CSS Artillery

Another showcase of inspirational CSS-based sites.

8. LightOnDark

I love dark designs and this site is all about those! A feast for my darker side if you will..

9. FaveUp

A very nice site, not only listing cool CSS and Flash sites, but other designs like logos and business cards as well, a useful resource indeed.

10. TemplateMonster

Although I never base my designs off templates, the designers at TemplateMonster have a touch for keeping things clean and simple, so I check out their new designs from time to time

And then some

Other inspirational sites I check out often:

– WebCreme
– DesignSnips
– CSS Zen Garden
– DesignCharts
– DesignInEurope
– DesignMeltdown
– Xhilarate
– DesignSnack
– ScreenFluent
– PurePleasureDesign Blog
– TheWebAward Highest Rated
– CSS Elite
– WakeUpGallery
– Kool Sites @ Kirupa

The last one is a plug for Kirupa.com, one of my favourite resources for tutorials, their forums have a great community of designers, so I usually check out their favourites too.

That’s it for now..

With these links you should be able to find some pretty awesome sites for fresh ideas. But remember, professional designers don’t have to look for inspiration outside, they just have to look inside 😉

Happy browsing!

And if you think a great site is missing on my list, let me know by leaving comments / feedback!

Tags: design inspiration, useful webdesign links, Web Design, Website tips