Design Monthly Vol. 3
I save a bunch of things each month that I find inspiring for some reason, and I like organized lists, so I figured I’ll share those lists and maybe help someone out of a creative block.
But more importantly, I am trying to push an old idea that inspiration is everywhere if you look with the right mindset. Being a product designer does not mean you can’t draw from architecture, graphic design, or type design. It also does not mean that you can’t draw ideas and inspiration for your project by reading articles, brand stories, or even tweets.
*Pro tip: use the cmd + f to search for inspiration you need faster. For example: “Portfolio inspiration”
1. Spring in Tokyo photography
Starting with an easy one, Daiki Hosaka’s short series of photos display a beautiful Tokyo. The grainy look with high-definition colors looks great. I can only imagine what campaigns, functional use, and more these can help make.
2. Article — Remote collaboration research
This research article by Bubbles is a good morning read. Take a look at the difficulties that remote workers face (and maybe you can relate to). Looks like the problem is still unsolved, but Bubbles is surely trying to.
3. Bran case study — Walkie Talkie
This short brand presentation by Koto studio hits the inspiration target, Fit for Gen Z, an alive and kicking brand that is laid out nicely on the screen. Amazing job done. I was reading this morning about Maximalism (the opposite of Minimalism as an approach) and this looks like a nice subtle use of it.
4. Studio landing page — Pudding Studio
This Studio website by Pudding Studio displays great messaging, a clear and bold website, and a great showcase of their main project, TextNow.
Read their project milestones and get inspired by awesome copywriting.
One of the designers in the studio is Nenad Grujicic, his portfolio is an example of many years of design, finding a creative style and displaying it with confidence.
5. Unsplash brand case study
Ever wondered who designed the brands for these large, for-all companies and how? Mackey Saturday Studio gives a glance inside their process of designing the new Unsplash brand identity and visuals. I love the layout and the copy, very inspiring for thinking processes.
6. Photography — Kristi Tuvi
Kristi Tuvi is a Tallinn based freelance editorial photographer. She does an amazing job of producing timeless feel photos and brings out emotions of mystery, confidence, and a ‘taste for more’ in her work. Simply scroll for inspiration.
7. Article — The age of the app is over
The people behind my favorite browser, Arc, write one of the most inspiring articles I read this year. An important piece for designers and product folks.
The article talks about our current situation and how we think differently than the reality we have. It takes as a metaphor our work desks, Not perfectly tidy but still it looks like everything is in its space (for us at least). It’s an important article for those who build things because it focuses us back on how people actually work and live, and how different it might be from how we plan to build things and in what way.
8. TV series — Wu-Tang: An American Saga
I know that it sounds weird that a TV series about a rap and hip-hop group from the 90' would inspire design work, but it actually does.
This Hulu TV series is produced by RZA, an original group member, and besides showing the truly inspiring story of the Wu-Tang Clan, and their amazing music and process from rags to riches,
It also does an amazing job displaying Bobby Diggs's (Ashton Sanders) thinking process.
Similar to how designers’ minds run during work, episode 6 in season 2 gives a look inside Bobby’s mind and his internal conversation. I like how different forms of the art end up in the same self-conversation.
9. Product — Pay Later hits Apple and Airbnb
As someone who worked on BNPL (buy now pay later) products, I can see how this is an important business (and design) decision to help more clients reach your services.
Two main companies making this a reality are Apple and AirBnb. View their execution for this opportunity and expect others to follow further. New design trend?
10. Type Foundry index
If you reached this far, here’s a treat — this website will show you an extensive list of Type companies for download and purchase of amazing fonts for your next project. You’re welcome.
Summing up
If you just scrolled past this list and said “There’s nothing here that helps and ignites creativity”, you need to adjust your curiosity. These links offer hundreds of sub-links, more references, additional work, more inspiration, and resource banks. Scroll back and now really look.
Hope you found this useful, let me know in the comments.
-SH
Bonus:
