By Sarah-Jean Murray
Most of the time during a job search is spent on waiting. Specifically, waiting on that phone call asking you to come in for an interview, asking you follow-up questions on your resume or the best scenario, offering you a job. I find it hard to be patient during this waiting game. I check my phone too frequently, I refresh my email one thousand times a day, I fidget, I daydream. I imagine all the wonderful things that will happen when I get that job offer phone call and then I crash back down to reality. This truly is the worst part of the job search. I try to take my mind off the waiting by applying to more jobs, however most of the postings I’ve already looked at or applied to so that usually ends in more disappointment.
So I force myself to stay busy and keep my head in the game. I watch tutorials, sketch in illustrator, update my portfolio, read design articles and work on internship projects. I try to inspire myself on a daily basis to keep on going and stop wasting time. I do a craft, I try a new recipe or go to the library. I try to keep my mind alert and avoid procrastination and laziness (not always effective). Where am I going with this you ask? Well, I thought I would share some of the websites I use to inspire me. This ranges on a daily basis as I noted above, so I’ll share some design related sites.
Smashing Magazine - If you’re a web designer, or aspiring to be, this is a great website. A lot of the articles offer helpful tips and tricks for coding and web design. Looking for mobile and responsive design? Smashing has that too. It’s a great way to keep your web design skills sharp and keep on top of any new technology coming out. They also frequently have freebies like wallpapers, icons, templates and wordpress themes. Who doesn’t love free design goodies? It’s smashing!
AIGA – This site has a bunch of things rolled into one. Hopefully if you’re involved in design, you’ve heard of AIGA. If you haven’t, I feel bad for you son. AIGA’s website is a great resource for any designer whether you’re a professional or a student. They offer design inspiration as well as job postings from around the country. If you visit the Tools & Resources tab, there is a list of, well, tools and resources to get you started. Also members get exclusive benefits like their awesome Design Salary Survey, member portfolios and discounts on events and competitions.
Designspiration – Exactly what it sounds like. Inspirational design. Design to inspire the designer in you, etc. etc. It’s basically a never ending scrolling page full of images to peak your interest. You can choose specific tags like Typography or Packaging on the left sidebar. Also, they recently added a job posting section, which is always a good thing.
Behance – A great place if you need a quick online portfolio. Even better if you just want to browse. This is one of the top places to see other designer’s work (and ooh and aah over it). There are some really talented designers that showcase their work here and I love seeing the variety and creativity of the individual designers. You can browse using several different tags or filters or just use the recommended Search & Explore and Creatives To Follow links. Also, job board.
BOOOOOOOM! - Another image inspiration site, although I recently discovered this one. This is a bit more general and expands past simply design to photography, music and art. There are several pieces that have caught my attention already and cause moments of pause and reflection. If you’re looking for something weird, strange and beautiful, this is the place. There are also several links to interviews and information about the blog posters if you wish to see that.
The Dieline - This is a packaging design showcase website. It features some of the best, brightest and greatest packaging designs from students, professionals, freelancers, everyone and everybody. There is never a time where I don’t see a design that completely blows me away both in creativity and execution. Obviously you can browse my specific tags such materials used in the packaging or which industry the packaging was designed for. You can also browse competitions and spotlights that the Dieline has organized and even enter your packaging design to be showcased.
Typography Daily – As the name would suggest, this website is devoted mainly to typography. A lot of the images show type being used in new and interesting ways in furniture as well as in typography posters, print layouts, etc. One of the best sites to get those creative juices flowing and open your mind to the creative possibilities that typography offers.
Outside – No, this is not a website. This the world around you. Sometimes it’s best to step away from whatever project you’re working on and take a moment. Really open your eyes to the environment around you and the interaction between you and nature. I promise this isn’t some hippie rant, this is just encouragement to seek inspiration wherever you feel comfortable. Maybe it’s digging into a good book, maybe it’s painting or gardening. Looking at pretty pictures on the internet is great but sometimes the real world is better.
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