Designarchy Vol. 18
Why Designarchy?
Because inspiration and creativity can’t truly be governed, we creatives often face time and feedback constraints that keep us from fully embracing the freedom of true artistry. Yet, the process inside our minds — the split-second decisions about which direction to take and what to create, guided by instincts we can’t fully explain — is a black box no company culture can ever own or control. Since this mysterious process forms the foundation of everything we do as designers, I wanted to honor it by changing the list’s name as a reminder.
Your deliverables are the product of your inner mind, which feeds your taste and craft. Elevate those, and you elevate your abilities. All the software in the world won’t improve your taste.
Pro tip: use the cmd + f to find the inspiration you need faster. For example: “Portfolio inspiration”
1. Mona — Hotel website direction
Kicking off this week with excellent examples and inspiration for art direction that is firm, concise, and consistent. Mona is a hotel located in Psirri — Athens’ most vibrant neighborhood.
The website gives Renaissance vibes, framed in a modern hotel frame—anything from the photography direction, the copywriting, the hotel location, accessories, and filters. Regardless of whether you like it, it's the consistency and sharpness of the message that communicates well here.
2. Arc Browser — Values Article
One of my favorite texts of all time. The article is about the values and principles that guide the work culture at The Browser Company, a group of people working to make the internet feel more like home.
Amazing inspiration for founders and product and design folks, as simple and honest metaphors work best to explain who we are, and what we are trying to build. It is no surprise that this company’s product feels like magic.
3. Fear Of God — Fashion website
Fear of God is a luxury fashion brand founded in 2013 by Jerry Lorenzo. Based in Los Angeles, it’s known for its minimal, elevated streetwear aesthetic that blends high-end tailoring with casual, everyday wear.
The website has a super polished, high-value, minimal, and confident approach which I always appreciate.
4. How to start a movement — Derek Sivers’s Ted Talk
Derek Sivers is an American entrepreneur, author, and former musician, best known for founding CD Baby in 1998.
Sivers illustrates how movements begin and gain momentum. He emphasizes that while the initiator is crucial, it’s the first follower who transforms an individual into a leader by demonstrating the courage to follow and showing others how to join. This act of following is an underestimated form of leadership.
Awesome form of inspiration and an example of ‘The Tipping Point’, which is very important to product people.
5. Whitewall — Publication
Whitewall.art is an online platform that delves into the latest trends and stories across art, fashion, design, and lifestyle. It offers insights into contemporary art exhibitions, haute couture collections, and design innovations.
6. ‘Ok, Bye’ — Poster by Geoff McFeridge
Graphic designer and visual artist Geoff McFetridge created this striking poster in 2015 to advertise the play “Okay, Bye” performed by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois. As with many of McFetridge’s designs, the poster uses bold colors and simple forms to communicate a visual riddle. Two pairs of black shoes distinguish the owners of the intertwined red legs that dominate the composition, but the gradient tones of the curving lines make it impossible to decide conclusively if the viewer is looking at one or two bodies.
7. Photographer of the month — William Eggleston
William Eggleston (born July 27, 1939) is a renowned American photographer widely regarded as a pioneer in elevating color photography to fine art. His groundbreaking work helped redefine the art world’s perception of color photography, traditionally associated with commercial and amateur uses, rather than serious artistic expression.
8. LOEHR — Furniture and Objects
LOEHR is a label of furniture and objects from Berlin, Germany. Founded by three brothers, David, Leon, and Julian, it is a brand built upon the values of kinship. The product collection, informed by architectural categories and methods, develops with the intent to create uncompromising and better spaces for living, working, and being.
The website is a pure delight, clean, with high-quality assets and photos, pushes to see and explore but to rush by stretching good assets and having a good sense of story and direction. beautiful.
9. Grod — Online collections
Grod is a website for like-minded people, passionate about design, gadgets & home supply. Curated everyday essentials, far from fast fashion and trends, long-lasting and minimal aesthetics.
Easy inspiration for high-quality, minimal websites in the eCommerce space.
10. Hannah Lee — Portfolio
Finish off with Hannah Lee, a brand and graphic designer based in Toronto. Her website stands out in simplicity, positive direction, and even a cute shop for calendars and posters.
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, inspiration, and resource banks. Scroll back and now really look.
I hope you found this useful, Let me know in the comments.
-SH
Bonus
