As a web designer, your primary task is building outstanding websites that work. As such, it is of utmost importance to keep abreast of the latest design news, tools and trends. But how do you succeed at this?
It’s not easy amassing this kind of knowledge. You have to know the right places to gather the tips and resources. The truth is there are thousands of web design blogs out there, and it becomes a hard task choosing the few that are worth reading.
Time is a valuable resource, and clicking on every link trying to garner the right tips is not a good way of managing time. This is the reason why we decided to create this arsenal of the best design blogs to follow.
Below are 20 blogs that you should subscribe to so you can win big with your design career.
Smashing Magazine
As the name itself suggests, the content on this blog is smashing. This blog is one of the most active sites that emphasize on quality of the content it publishes rather than quantity.
Since the day it was founded, this blog has aimed at providing the most innovative information to developers and web designers. Their articles encompass: web design, graphic design and user experience. However, the content in this blog might be challenging if you are a newbie in the industry. Their content is rather advanced for those starting out. But if you do love challenges, this is one ride you will definitely fall in love with.
Creative Bloq
This blog finds an equilibrium between creativity and inspiration. The blog focuses on web design, digital art, graphic design, 3D design and much more. All its content is tailored to help readers stay on top of the design game.
Material Design Blog
This is a blog that focuses on the best website and theme design materials. Whether it’s information regarding apps, templates or websites, this blog has got your back. You will always find inspiration and new best practices on this blog.
24 Ways
Incepted 12 years ago, 24 ways has become an annual fixture for geeks around the globe. Why annual, you must be wondering! 24 ways, is a blog built around a unique idea. Each year, on the month of December for 24 days, a team of professionals (designers and developers) get together to bring you 24 articles on topics that they deem most important. An amazing way to bring some Christmas cheer, huh.
Designmodo
Resourceful. Is the word I would use to describe this blog. Tailored to embrace both developers and designers to chart the course of their skills. Their content can be lumped in coding, WordPress, freebies, tutorials and many more categories. Did I mention it has a market for user design packs? Cool, right.
Design Shack
Every time I hear design shack, CSS comes to mind. I guess the easiest way to explain this “involuntary action” is the fact that this blog offers sound CSS hacks. Additionally, it offers tips on graphics, user design, html and much more. It is engineered to grow you professionally (designers and developers).
U Creative
U creative is an online community of experts where they exchange ideas, network and discuss issues affecting the creative industry. It helps young designers craft their design skills.
Web Designer Depot
Web designer depot purpose is to share the latest tips, techniques and discoveries in web development and design. Additionally, it covers business-design, apps and freelance. It has grown to be one of the most popular blogs we have around. As a result, it will give you an in-depth understanding of everything that entails web design and development.
Mockplus Blog
This a very comprehensive blog. It tackles content related and comprised of: latest trends, user interface, web design, graphic design and prototyping. In conclusion, it is not only a tutorial based blog. Mockplus itself is a prototyping tool devoted to simplifying complexities on the user interface.
Hacking UI
Hacking UI is a community for creative entrepreneurs, designers and developers. This magazine focuses on interaction design and front end development. By signing up, you become privy to their weekly emails which touch on; technology, front-end development, startups, productivity, design and the occasional inspirational life lesson.
CSS Tricks
CSS is the most preferred web design method that saves time and money while improving user experience. CSS is used to detail the presentation of web page’s markup language. With these in mind, this blog focuses on CSS related topics and tricks. Besides CSS, there is a whole lot of other front end tutorials that you will find here.
Hongkiat
Hongkiat has been a favourite to many since its inception (2007). Whether you are a developer, designer or any other kind of techie, hongkiat has got your back. You will get to learn Html/CSS, Photoshop skills, social media promotion etcetera.
1stwebdesigner
This is a web development blog aimed at furnishing your skills as a web developer. They publish articles covering all aspects of web development, namely; user interface, blogging, social media, graphics and graphic design, programming and much more.
Designm.ag
Designm.ag is a prominent blog for web developers and designers. The site has a blog, a news section and web design job board.
Designrfix
This is one blog that needs to be in your bookmarks if you are a designer. With a daily dose of useful and inspirational articles, you will be much more productive and creative.
Noupe
Noupe’s major goal, is to deliver dynamic and stylish new for web developers and designers. Their topics range from typography, advertising to CSS and JavaScript. This blog is usually updated on a daily basis.
Awwwards
This web design blog is also home to one of the top showcases on the internet. It is full of new material and inspiration that is suitable for both the professional web developers/designer and newbies in the industry.
UX Booth
UX booth is one of the standard resources for user interface professionals. Taking into account all that is important, namely; analytics, interaction design, user experience philosophy, research information, business and content strategy, information architecture, accessibility, and visual design. It is a comprehensive blog.
The Next Web
This is an online leading publishing site, which covers tech advances, cultural and business news. Regardless of the fact that it’s not design focused, they have a section dedicated to development and design that is intrinsic for the professionals in the field.
Treehouse Blog
Treehouse is well known for its amazing platform for people intending to learn coding online. Furthermore, Treehouse has a blog which is quite resourceful for both web and app developers/ designers. They also publish advice for new professionals and inspirational pieces on people who have succeeded.
Conclusion
This is probably a lot to consume in a single day and you will need time to. However, we recommend that you go through all the blogs and see for yourself what they have to offer. Some of them, if not all, will definitely go a long way in helping mold your career in the design industry.
