Creative Sites For Inspiration

Creative web design inspirations can be found in many places: in the latest trends in technology, the creative designs of talented artists, at the work of other web designers.

Study what makes their designs successful.  Use that knowledge to create something original and beautiful. Architecture can inspire as the principles of design, layout, and functionality are often applicable to web design.

Websites For Inspiration

Inspiration for web design comes from many different sources: art, pop culture, fashion, technology and nature. 

For example, inspiration might come from studying the color palettes used in a favorite painting, fashion magazine photos, watching the latest trends in web design and studying the patterns and textures of nature.

Success stories shared by other web designers can be very inspirational. Those who have achieved success in the industry have much to offer aspiring web designers.

Best Websites For Inspiration

Follow influencers on social media. Network with industry experts and watch for any creative ideas they may share. Look at your competitors.  Analyze competitor sites and study what works for them and what could be enhanced. 

Keep up to date by following industry blogs and news about the latest trends and developments in your field to get inspiration. 

Check out design galleries such as Awwwards and CSS Design Awards to find the latest innovative sites. Create your own Pinterest board using inspiring images, illustrations, color palettes and typography to come up with new ideas. 

Sometimes all you need is a break from the creative process to gain a new perspective. Step away and do something unrelated to your project. Take a walk, exercise, dance, listen to music, read a book or watch a movie. You may be surprised when a new idea or a different way of looking at your project may suddenly appear.

Read some design books to get inspired. Learn more about the elements of web design. Talk to your target audience to understand their needs and wants. Discuss your ideas and get feedback from other creatives.

This will help you create a site that appeals to them.

Creative Inspiration

Occasionally it is helpful to look beyond website architecture to find web composition. 

For example, take a nature walk and observe the beauty of the outdoors or visit an art museum or gallery and appreciate the art of others. 

Try a new hobby, read a good book and let your imagination run wild. Brainstorm ideas with friends or family. Listen to music and let the sounds spark new ideas. 

Take a class or workshop in something you’ve never done before. 

Jot down ideas in a journal and include magazines images that inspire you. Take a break and do something relaxing.

Design Inspiration Sites

Research popular inspiration sites and study the components they have. Notice the type of content that is typically featured on these sites, the design elements and layout.

Think about the type of content that you want to feature: travel photography, art or design projects. 

Brainstorm ideas for how to organize the content from your field. Think about the type of navigation structure that best suits the content. Decide on the type of typography, a color palette, icons and other design elements that will be used for the site.

Visualize how the content will be organized by creating a wireframe or mockup of the design so that users may interact with the site. When you are ready,  launch the site and start promoting it. Share it on social media and other platforms to help drive more traffic to the site.

Illustration Inspiration Sites

Illustration can be used to create visually stimulating web designs that draw the user's attention and inspire them to stay on the website, provide visual cues about the content and evoke emotion and create an aesthetic that reflects the brand identity of the website.

inspiration for creating a website

  1. Research and Analysis: Identifying the target audience and gathering information about the industry, competitors, and user needs.

During the research and analysis stage, it's important to identify the target audience for the website, which can include factors such as demographics, location, interests, and pain points. This information can be gathered through market research, surveys, and user interviews. Additionally, researching the industry and the competition can provide valuable insights into what is currently being offered, what is successful, and what gaps exist in the market. Knowing your user needs and industry trends is critical to creating a website that will meet the needs of your target audience and be successful in the industry.

  1. Conceptualization: Developing a concept or theme for the website and creating a design brief.

During the conceptualization stage, a concept or theme for the website is developed, which will guide the overall design and messaging of the site. This concept should align with the goals of the website and the target audience. A design brief is also created which outlines the goals, target audience, style, and functionality of the website. This design brief serves as a roadmap for the design and development process, and helps ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the project's vision and direction.

The conceptualization stage is an important step in the website development process as it helps to identify the key message of the website, set the tone and style, and create a consistent visual language throughout the site. A well-developed concept and design brief can help ensure that the website effectively communicates its message and meets the needs of the target audience.

  1. Sketching and Wireframing: Creating rough sketches and wireframes to plan the layout, navigation, and functionality of the website.

During the sketching and wireframing stage, rough sketches and wireframes of the website layout, navigation, and functionality are created. These sketches and wireframes serve as a visual guide for the website design and development process, and help to plan the structure and organization of the website's content.

Sketching is a quick and simple way to explore different design concepts and layout options, and to experiment with different ideas. Wireframing takes this a step further, by creating a more detailed visual representation of the website's layout and functionality, including elements such as the header, footer, main navigation, and content areas. Wireframes are usually created in a more simplified manner, with only basic shapes and lines, to focus on the layout, navigation, and functionality.

The sketching and wireframing stage is an important step in the website development process because it helps to plan the overall structure of the website and ensure that it is easy to navigate, which is essential for user experience. It also helps identify potential issues or areas for improvement before the design and development stages.

  1. Design and Development: Using the sketches and wireframes as a guide, creating the visual design and developing the website using appropriate technologies.

During the design and development stage, the visual design of the website is created using the sketches and wireframes as a guide. This includes elements such as colors, typography, imagery, and overall aesthetic. The design should align with the concept and design brief established in the conceptualization stage, and should be visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Once the visual design is complete, the website is then developed using appropriate technologies. This typically includes a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the front-end, and a programming language such as PHP, Ruby, or Python for the back-end. The choice of technologies will depend on the requirements of the website, such as its size, complexity, and scalability.

The design and development stage is a crucial step in the website development process because it brings the website to life and makes it functional. The design should be visually appealing and user-friendly, and the website should be developed using appropriate technologies that meet the needs of the website and ensure that it is fast, secure, and easy to maintain.

  1. Testing and Optimization: Testing the website for usability and functionality, and making any necessary adjustments or optimizations.

During the testing and optimization stage, the website is thoroughly tested for usability and functionality. This includes testing for issues such as broken links, load time, and compatibility with different browsers and devices. User testing is also conducted to gather feedback on the website's overall user experience and usability, which can be used to identify areas for improvement.

Once testing is complete, any necessary adjustments or optimizations are made to the website. This can include fixing bugs and errors, improving the website's performance, and making changes to the design or functionality based on user feedback.

The testing and optimization stage is an important step in the website development process because it ensures that the website is fully functional and user-friendly before it is launched. By thoroughly testing the website and making any necessary adjustments or optimizations, it can ensure that the website is of high quality and meet the needs of the target audience.

  1. Launch and Maintenance: Launching the website and implementing a maintenance plan to ensure that the website is up-to-date and functional.

The launch and maintenance stage is the final step in the website development process, it involves launching the website and making it live for the public. Once the website is live, it's essential to implement a maintenance plan to ensure that the website remains up-to-date and functional. This includes tasks such as software updates, security patches, backups, monitoring website performance and user feedback, and making any necessary adjustments or improvements.

A maintenance plan should also include regular testing of the website's functionality and usability, and making any necessary updates or changes based on user feedback. This will ensure that the website continues to meet the needs of the target audience and remains competitive in the industry.

Maintenance is an ongoing process that is essential for the success of a website. By regularly maintaining the website, it can help to ensure that the website remains secure, up-to-date, and functional, which is important for both the website's users and its continued success.

Illustrations help the website and make it easier to navigate. 

Illustrations can be used to explain complex processes or to demonstrate a certain product feature and/or to create a unique style for a website, making it stand out from the competition.