Where do you go for inspiration?

I usually do the same, browse template sites, or look at other sites relevent to the market for which I'm currently designing a site.

I usually browse on the internet for free templates or even premium once but I get bored easily. So, what I do is I try to make my own design.

I like looking through stock photo sites and website design contests. You will see some pretty amazing things that will change your thinking about web limitations. The photographers at some of these stock photo sites also come up with some really neat conceptual pictures that may flip a switch for you.

Sometimes to templatemonster and sometimes I accidentally get one but it always helps me maintaining my creativity.

Cheers

I listen to music, take a walk and talk to friends and then mix those up and see what i get. My latest project is a complete redo of www.juggleitall.org but that is not done yet, i am trying to get contact forms to work, Any ideas?

ms2134 - ask in another topic about your contact forms. The right person will be more likely to see it in it's on topic.

Lately I've been using Elements of Design too get ideas for specific problems such as comment forms. I also surf for pages similar to the one I'm working on and see what others have done with the same content (I work for a University and most universities have similar website structures and content, at least at the front end).

I've also been inspired by other forms of graphic design, such as Art Nouveau posters and retro 70's TV graphics.

Hello,
Websites or books are untill useless if you have not will power so increase your will power, confidence these things by which you can inspired.

i dont go anywhere, i have corner (i call it my silence corner) in my office..and when i am not able to think of anything or i am short of idea i go to that area, and surprisingly it works!!! dont laugh its real!

I find that when I sometimes seek inspiration, that I have a hard time pinpointing a direction. It seems that when I just look around me, the answer is usually right in front of you. Kind of like the reason some comedians are so funny, is due to the fact that they take usual every day events or peoples responses and relate it back in a personal way. Hope this helps.

the best inspiration is outside in the world

Css play co.uk
you will find above allot of menu examples, layouts, boxes and more.

I like to visit my favorite blogs, and notice how the design enhances the reading experience. I also like to visit a few of the more dynamic sites, like kurzweilai.net, where they have some cool gadgets that you can go through. For me, looking at a design means less if there is not real content that goes with that design; I need to see how design and content fit together to learn what will work for me.

I just type in search engine and
find a good and fancy sites.

I remember one time viewing this list of award winners in web design. It was some formal competition. So I began clicking on the winners to see their sites. And while I wasn't a fan of all of them, it was good to see what was considered top dog among professionals. I like to keep that in mind when working on my own site, so you could call it a form of inspiration.

I usually visit templatemonster to get some ideas but as I scanned this thread, I found many interesting websites like design meltdown, the FWA and etc.. Thanks guys..

I think checking website competitions is a great idea, that way you can see what the professionals think is good quality. I remember looking to one set of results one time and a Harry Potter site was among the top rankings, for one of the later movies. It looked appealing, but it is less functional for a non-movie promotion site. So it's good to take a look but also see what each design should and should not be used for.

I used to like cssvault.com 0_0

Since I'm a fan of art exhibits anyway, I think that I would really enjoy viewing the winners of various online competitions for the best site designs...thanks for that mention! That way you get the best of the best, and you can learn a thing or two about effective design for business.

I also keep a list of websites that I come across, that may not intrigue me, but get me thinking about their design elements. You know, you come across so many different websites per day, just by chance and by clicking links, that's it's good to track that for any of the good finds.

Lately I've been keeping an eye out for good artwork, not necessarily of graphic design. I keep framed posters up on my walls to inspire me, and I look to artwork to see what about it gives the viewing experience a special quality. Eventually I'll want to design my own artwork for my site, but I'm still trying to decide what would capture its personality, because any visual sets a tone one way or another.

I also get my idea from this site templatemonster.com, but having a unique and natural art talent we can do more. What I need now is a peace of mind to focus and be creative on my designs.

I'm also visiting template sites and leading web design agencies portfolios to get ideas. Then i browse stock photo websites for conceptual ideas.

Nice music, literature, and lots of live communication bring really fantastic design ideas!

These are all great suggestions...and yes, creativity that is not necessarily visual is an excellent source of inspiration. Whenever I'm writing, I use music to keep the creativity flowing, and I go outdoors to stay engaged with what's happening outside too. Music can do wonders for the brain, helping you focus, carry with a certain mood, or come up with new ideas.

For me music is a massive source of inspiration. Being a writer (a bad one at that) I find film soundtracks often help. Without doubt the best for simply going off in your own world has to be Cliff Martinez. His soundtrack to Solaris has got me through many a creative block!

Yeah, soundtracks are good too. Especially really moody ones. I seem to remember that Solaris had a pretty eerie soundtrack...I'll have to check it out again. But yeah, that's great that it got you through a block! Just goes to show how you need to try different angles at getting the creativity flowing again.

TemplateMonster.com
I search for a good template and reproduce it with small changes.

I go Templatemonster.com for inspiration. and also I search in google to see any other web design company or any template design company to see what they do.

For inspiration I go http://thebrandbuilder.blogspot.com/

As for me I often use just people around me

I haven't used any of the links you provided,
but I do browse at templatemonster and occasionally browse
Joomla templates as well. But I mostly get my design inspiration from photos. like the ones on deviantart.com

I usually google graphics and stuff, but yeah I go on some of the websites people have site like http://www.cssvault.com/ and http://accessites.org/site/

CSS zen garden is really cool. Personally i couldn't create those designs, they're really amazing works of art.

I try to take inspiration from the real world and think about what the client wants too.

it's very easy for to get inspiration. I just go to nature and relax

I'm new here, so I don't know if someone else has posted this but I like http://sixrevisions.com/ ...not only does it have plenty of examples of great looking sites, there are lots of tips and tutorials too.

I like to refer to books, movies, art, template galleries, and so forth.

But when it comes right down to it, the web is TOO BIG to find all the great designs out there that appeal to me. SO what I do is keep folder, saving all the great pages I come across. Then every now and then I revisit that folder to recall those unique sites that made a lasting impression on me. It's like creating my own library.

I used to sit down for an hour or so in the toilet to let my busy head enter some deeper alpha brainwaves. Then all the finest inspirations rejoice my mind and allow me to see things in clarities. I changed this habit some time later into a more decent way, such as sitting properly in meditation in a cozy room

I use to see other pages, or blogs that can inspires me. Or just go out and walking, the outside always has something to show you!

i like to go to those site that are simple and more interesting topics that can read. :)and those are my inspiration.

My suggestion is to use Template Monster is the best resource for flash templates Flash Mint.

I normally just google "web design" and take a look through a few portfolios of the best companies.

This thread is one cool and informative post, it's loaded with so much places to get ideas for.

Though I like to browse the net for a flash of ideas and I also love colors too, simpler the better.

Thanks for sharing this.

Soh Tanaka's http://www.designbombs.com/ is one of my favorite galleries for inspiration. Not only is it a very clever design itself, it has some wonderful work displayed. Also you cannot forget CSS Zen Garden.

sometimes when i was bored i create my own design but i want it to be more in my creation...

Blues

most often I do a google search.if am not satisfied with it.I try template monster.but I believe they best way is to take inspiration from various sources around you.

I also prefer www.ccvaults.com. It is quite user friendly.

{links removed}

I go to

drupal.org - of course! So many leads to develop my drupal site

-and-
{links removed}

I usually do the daily routine of fresh ideas at www.smashingmagazine.com

I usually get ideas from Templatemonster com and bestwebsiteawards com as well

yes template monster is the very good website

I go for forums and sites the offer website templates and some sites that are similar to what kind of site I'm creating.

-----------------------------------------

I agree , the http://www.templatemonster.com/ is very good idea!

For graphics inspiration You could look at http://www.deviantart.com/

no definite destination site for inspiration...its the roll over through different sites....thats how I derive my inspiration

deviant art is good inspiration for me.

For anything art design based I go to FWA, they have some fantastic work

Deviant Art is a great inspiration to me, but sometimes just regular everyday things inspire me to design things

Old books of any category.They mostly have those elaborate curvy designs which motivates and inspires one to even produce modern days quality work.
These are the best motivators and resource bank for anyone out there trying to make their output attractive.

for my design inspiration i always check the templatemonster and other website design site

I go to google,visit sites,observe,take a nap,munch on my favorite food,talk to a friend,see advertisements on the road side and then start with my designs.Sounds a bit weird but this is the way I work

For inspiration I use web development companies. They know what is popular what people like, so i trust them an get ideas from them.

Thanks for the link Meg...I go to different sites and see what they've done, and what works for them, and I take that and change it to work for me.
{links removed}

Posters on buses and trains are another. I don't just actively look online for inspiration really. I like your this site cssbeauty.com/

{links removed}

billboards! and cssremix

Devian art , Templatemonster, wordpress free themes are my inspiration sources.

For offline sources of inspiration, I've often found that doing other forms of design really helps me get ideas for web projects. Lately I've been working on some photo books using MixBook. This has helped me get out of a huge design rut (I was starting to think I wasn't good at design anymore!), and I've started working on some designs for an upcoming project.

I just take a walk around our neighborhood with my dog. It clears my head and the fresh air does me good.

I like looking through stock photo sites and website design contests. You will see some pretty amazing things that will change your thinking about web limitations. The photographers at some of these stock photo sites also come up with some really neat conceptual pictures that may flip a switch for you.

{links removed}

I just take a good stroll in the woods near my house:)
thats the best inspiration!

Creative mind can create as many things as it can think. As per my experience my inspires are good stuffs, Holdings, advertisements, and the other public posters. This is the best way for designing. You can also make conceptual design like if you are making school sit you have to put cartoon character in it.

there are many interesting things and sources of inspiration on deviantart

Well, i was born inspired but if I want more inspiration then I search on google.

sarenarichard, what key-words?))

webdesign inspiration, inspiring graphics, webdesign ideas.....so this is how i reach several sites.

for making website template i use mostinstpired.com in this i go through many design and create new concept ..

for funny website i go to www.crazywoods.com

i inspire myself with my own designs.. Yeah i take a look sometimes to my saved links which i got accidentally during surfing

I usually prefer search engines mainly Google and i study on my own.On google you can get many of information and solutions on your doubts

When ever i go for designing a website , i close my eyes and try to capture the most beautiful pics of nature

where do I go for inspiration? I probably would listen to some good music first, then, I browse the web. just browse and not think of anything. if something interests me that's the time I get to work and try to apply the things I've seen while browsing [if there is any].

New and fresh thoughts, my inspiration is my goal, whenever i beat it.

Obviously stuff does catch my eye on sites i visit, but most of the inspiration i get is from being out and about, sometimes in furniture stores etc, i'll see some colours that work well on cushions or something so i'll take a pic on my phone and look at it later to try em out. Posters on buses and trains are another. I don't just actively look online for inspiration really.

Inspiration for making a site? Well I non stop browse the internet, or sometimes look outside my house to look for something beautiful to put in it.

Thanks for your help.......

Nice disquisition guys, Right My inspiration is my goal .

When I am stuck with some project I just go out and enjoy the nature. While taking photos a inspiration comes. When get back to home I just sit on my desk and start sketching with simple HB pencil, fist starting with no idea just letting my subconsciousness to draw and then everything is already done.... you will surprise what your subconsciousness can do.

I'm a bit like DaveyBoy, motorbikes have neat colour schemes, and in print - junk mail can give some neat ideas, after all their job is to attract your attention and make you read straight away. Buses also, bus stops (they have posters on the sides of them), taxis and bill boards and even television adverts.

hi, I believe different people get inspiration from different things or sometimes from their role modal.
For me, books are the real source of inspiration.

hi,
i like facebook so i got something inspiration on google.

i usually use http://www.thebestdesigns.com/

for me best Google i try to find on Google after that i think about weakness of design then i try to redesign

i get idea from google

I check in template monster.com for good and inspirational graphics.

For myself,, go to the beach or go to a more beautiful scenery of place, so inspiration is easier to come out. Or is quite some light music again.

I'M very like go to online.this is very use method.

i use this website for website design mostinspried.com

Templates Monster & Themeforest is a great place to get inspiration. Check em out!

I got something inspired from google,so many updates and good things in google..I always swithched to it...Thanks for google..

It depends on your interest. For example someone who is interested in making money from their blogs through AdSense or affiliate program that pretty much write about whatever is hot and makes money.

Still others are blogs just to pass time, or is it something they enjoy doing. Topics would choose him.

If writing is something you do not like it then post on the blog would tedius little. Only the brain storm that likes to write. For example, if someone tells me to write about biology and Shakespeare. I like to write more about the biology

for inspiration i go to my friends website
because i am making website on themes and he started his website on themes 4 years ago
i go to his site and see his work and try to learn from him the techniques he use for SEO and get jealous of his daily visitors

I take a look at templatemonster.com and themeforest.net

I tend to rotate between Template Monster and Sitepoint. Logo Pond is also good for logo inspiration.

Hmm actually staring a Bezier screen saver for a very long time really helps me

nadlzgraphics, smashing magzine and some more popular blog which you can also search it on google by the name of inspiration.

I always like It mostly depend on the project. Usually I try to visit a couple of related sites and than I get some Idea what I want to do.

Someone who is interested in making money from their blogs through AdSense or affiliate program that pretty much write about whatever is hot and makes money.

I turned to certkiller.me for inspiration.

I am a spur-of-the-moment type of a person. So when I feel stress or our of focus I tend to search anything under the sun. Pictures of any kind that is. I usually go for colorful pictures and from Google I'd go with the images site and from there I browse.

I personally like to go to art and photography exhibits, or look at art websites and art college brochures...they are usually very unique and inspire me to learn photoshop.

aha what you said

When I go out I see wonderful natural combos in them, also I go out to the beach and mountains in the weekends.

I go to the places where my mind relaxes & seems to be peaceful so that I can concentrate well.

For my web design inspiration I usually go go http://www.smashingmagazine.com/
I kind of like this as well.
http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/

The only reason I posted that link is because I do not want my websites to end on up on his site. That would be embarrassing.

I go out and see nature for inspiration! There's nothing else that has what nature brings.

I often read a web book and watch the computer to go for my inspiration!

No I can't share any links for but when I need any design things then I prefer, supposed wordpress then find from google if joomla to same also. by the way I like template monster finally.

I go to template monster and google using the keywords- website inspiration or best website design samples.

hmm nice and thanks for sharing. went through them slightly. seem like good stuff.

This is exactly what I was looking for!

New and fresh thoughts, my inspiration is my goal.

I go to artists websites, it inspires me a lot!

deviantART – a gallery for all types of artwork, ispires me whe i am in stuck.

Thanks for sharing these information sites. before this I have never used any reference website. usually. I take inspiration from any website by searching on a engines.

Inspiration is accidental phenomenon[url=http://www.obostore.com]obostore[/url]

Hi i prefer internet blogs for inspiration.

I just search on the internet every day, not especially for web design but just looking at websites, and if i see a nice design i write it down, so i could use some parts of it, not steel but just rebuild

speakingtree is my online inspirational resource.

Having an inspiration for web designing will surely give your design a very nice result.In Helsinki Finland i seen many of web designer ,content management and other cloud stuff at http://www.m-files.com/ are performing very well for their job and it seem that having a inspiration and goal can give a good result.

Well, I initially got inspiration from my teacher in university. He was quite good at web designing. I remember he created some sites (though just for test purposes), but it looked so good. I was quite impressed and then started working very hard on web designing.

And thankfully, now I'm quite better at web designing

for Website samples i mostly visit templatemonster.com and for logos i visit boxedart.com. You will get nice templates from there.

Take some time off, give it a chill, I always like taking a walk sometimes to have a chat with friends, let off my mind for a while or get to my small studio and think of how i can make another hit, the next time i get back, i have a better perspective.

I search modern responsive websites. Then I will get an idea.

I search modern responsive websites. Then I will get an idea.

Go to my teacher sometimes

If i need to make a company website i look at the competition and then i do something similar but much different ! (hard to say heh)

If i need to make a company website i look at the competition and then i do something similar but much different ! (hard to say heh)

I also prefers and browses templatemonster.com for the design ideas.

Being a writer I find film soundtracks often help. Without doubt the best for simply going off in your own world has to be Cliff Martinez. His soundtrack to Solaris has got me through many a creative block!

I will go wix to get inspiration, there are so many excellent templates, some of them are really beautiful and practical.

And, templatemonster is also a good place for us to get inspiration

I often look through templatemonster.com for different ideas. Lots of junk on there, but some good stuff.

On the site devian art, you can find a lot of really interesting concept, of course, most of them are not cut for css, but there are people for an incredible imagination. Really good inspiration

Well, I always go on google and type the business niche in google search box and check others websites to get a better idea for design, navigation, etc.

I found ideas from different places. It depends on my client's demand.

My family is my best inspiration source but when i am designing a web then my web teacher will my inspiration.

I probably would listen to some good music first, then, I browse the web. just browse and not think of anything. if something interests me that's the time I get to work and try to apply the things I've seen while browsing. I use to see other pages, or blogs that can inspires me.

To build website, i keenly check with usability, accessibility, with ease of navigation sites. I refer themeforest, awwwards, etc. search in google with "inspirational web templates" with your relevant category

I just got a document on my pc... Whenever i'm browsing the internet and i'm like... wow that's a nice website i'm copying it in the document... Maybe i will use it later for one off my designs

People Watching at the Mall. I love eating at food courts, but not always for the food – I go so I can people watch. Looking at people from different places and hearing different languages reminds me what a small part of the world I am, and how few of the people I know. It inspires me to get out and connect with more people, and sometimes seeing people younger and older than me gets me thinking about my life.

Web design depot's pretty good! Otherwise I just look at competitors and see where they're lacking and make up for that there.

I think templatemonster is a great place to explore for the modern and latest web design templates.

I typically just search for design inspiration using Google. I also use Deviantart from time to time.

I tend to rotate between Template Monster and Site point. Logo Pond is also good for logo inspiration.

I go for a walk or travel and be one with nature, that is were most of my inspiration comes from.

I listed all my fave web design sites, then I create from scratch, and try to mimic their styles.

Find out here how to gain inspiration in order to undertake different styles of painting by reading this article. With a paint brush in hand.
just go for nature.its really inspiration for you.

For inspiration nothing is better than Google and Bing. I search daily inspirational content from Google.

Thanks for your document

Inspiration should be sought on the streets among people, not in Google.