my (most used) bookmarks

For Color Inspiration: I've had this bookmarked for years and for a while, I rarely ever used it, but nowadays, I use it all the time. Colour Lovers is my go-to website for color pallet ideas for current or upcoming projects. It's a quick and easy way to begin the process of playing around with colors and perfecting the color scheme for your graphics. The website displays a bunch of inspirational photographs of logos or people or landscapes or home decor and they all feature an accompanying set of coordinating colors derived from that photograph. While some are rather boring, some are inventive and unique and you can always tweak and change the colors to fit what you envision. It's a great starting place.

For Art News: Personally, I just stick to the basics when it comes to getting news for the latest gallery openings or design and art related happenings in the LA area. I was told during an Art History class years ago that as designers and artists we have no reason or justification for not being updated on the latest art news. Ever since, the LA Times Art Section is a frequently used bookmark of mine. It's a good way to boost your art education and to be aware of what's going on at local museums and all. 

For Design Inspiration: If you're in any way interested in graphic design, advertising, or art whatsoever, you should already have Designspiration bookmarked by now. It's way better than the Design section of Pinterest will ever be. I check this website an unhealthy amount when I'm feeling in a design rut and can't get my creative juices flowing. Even when I'm totally stoked on a design and am happy with the direction I'm headed, I've gotten a wealth of inspiration from this website. It's filled to the brim with tons of designs, from modern poster designs, to illustrations, to logos, to beautiful product designs, it has a huge array of designs.

For Packaging Design Inspiration: The Dieline is a given and they (almost) never let me down. I just find the work that's put on this website is totally fascinating and I have yet to find another place on the Internet that features the level of design and innovation for packaging design work that this one does.

For Textures: About a year ago when I was taking a Senior-level design course, we went around and shared our favorite Internet tools and resources. Lost and Taken was the one I mentioned, and much to my surprise, I was asked later by SO many graphic designers what the exact website link was. Mind=blown. I thought everyone would have heard of this website. They have a ton of textures, most of which are high enough quality to be used in print designs. They are divided by the category and it's the only website I use on a regular basis when I need reliable textures to incorporate into a design. You are much better off here than browsing Google trying to find an available image that fits what you need and isn't copyrighted.

For Pre-Made Graphics: If you're inexperienced with making graphics, but want to make something semi-homemade, I found that Etsy is the way to go. Search digital graphics, download something that floats your boat, and throw it together with your own poster design or typography, and there you have it. Since most of these graphics have guidelines on their use, I really just throw out this idea and resource when it comes to people wanting to make greeting cards or a gift for a friend or non-widely shared graphics.

For Cheap (Good) Fonts: I'm sure you've heard of this website before because it's blown up recently, but Lost Type Co-Op is phenomenal. One of their offered fonts (all of which are on a donation basis), Klinic Slab, is my go-to typeface for pretty much anything that requires a mass of body text. It's the main typeface for all of my branding and I'm obsessed with it. Not to mention, all of the typefaces offered are beautiful and unique and super trendy.

For Craft Inspiration: My favorite girly turned modern turned trendy design blog, Design Love Fest, is for sure visited more than any other blog on my bookmark list. I love the kind of crafts that she shows, she has free computer wallpapers for DAYS that are absolutely gorgeous, and her home decor tips and DIY projects I love as well. If you're into that kind of thing, check her blog out for sure.

For Reading Blogs: Last, but most importantly, this bookmark I use on the daily. Bloglovin' is the best way to keep up with all the blogs you read, it's super convenient, and lucky for you, I JUST JOINED! It is the easiest tool to find blogs in categories that interest you, it's the best way to never miss out on a new post of your favorite blog, and because of it, you'll no longer have a huge bookmarked list of blogs on your browser's menu.

Be sure to make one (you won't regret it) and click on the button below to follow me!

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