Every designer hits creative blocks. Whether you’re staring at a blank piece of paper or endlessly adjusting a logo that just doesn’t feel right, it’s easy to feel like inspiration has dried up. But creativity isn’t just a mystical spark, it’s something you can cultivate. From revisiting classic design books to browsing curated digital platforms or simply stepping away from your screen, there are plenty of ways to reignite your imagination. Here’s a practical guide to finding design inspiration, even when the ideas just won’t come.

Resources

Books are powerful, but the internet offers an equally rich and dynamic well of inspiration, especially when time is short. Platforms like Awwwards curate the world’s best website designs, offering daily highlights of cutting-edge user interfaces, scroll animations, and creative interactivity. It’s perfect for seeing what’s trending in digital design, particularly in UX/UI.

For branding and identity work, World Brand Design Society showcases beautifully executed logos, packaging, and brand systems from all over the world. Brand New, run by UnderConsideration, provides in-depth commentary on brand redesigns, letting you explore the thinking behind identity transformations. Similarly, BP&O (Branding, Packaging & Opinion) offers high-quality case studies that blend visuals with thoughtful critique, making it a go-to for strategy-led inspiration.

Behance and Dribbble are classic platforms worth revisiting with a fresh lens. Use advanced search filters to hone in on branding, motion, or typography and follow designers who are exploring new trends. If you’re interested in packaging, The Dieline is a leader in showcasing sustainable, creative, and boundary-pushing work. For minimalist inspiration and elegant UI layouts, Landbook and One Page Love are excellent resources, often overlooked in mainstream design circles.

Trend Hunting

Designspiration, Pinterest, and Identity Designed are also fantastic for moodboarding and trend-hunting. The real secret, though, is consistency. Visiting a few of these sites each week not only keeps you visually sharp but exposes you to evolving industry standards and aesthetics, making your own work stronger and more relevant.

If you’re looking to stay current with trends, websites like Design Week, Creative Bloq, Muzli, and Brandingmag regularly publish design news, case studies, and trend roundups. Set a few alerts or add them to your reading routine to keep your finger on the pulse.

The Empty Page

No matter how many resources you have, there will be days when ideas just refuse to flow. When that happens, the most powerful thing you can do is step away. Literally. Get up from your desk. Go for a walk, make a coffee, or run an errand. The brain needs time and space to form new connections, and that won’t happen while staring at the same screen for hours. Often, inspiration strikes when we’re not trying so hard, while people-watching at a café, noticing patterns in street signage, or even observing the contrast of typefaces on shop windows.

Another trick is to take your phone and go on a quick “design safari.” Photograph anything that catches your eye: tiled floors, graffiti, product packaging, even the symmetry of traffic signs. Later, revisit those images and sketch or build a moodboard from them. You’ll often find that the colours, shapes, or concepts you stumbled upon naturally make their way into your work.

Sometimes, it also helps to look through old projects, not for critique, but for rediscovery. Revisit something you made six months or a year ago. What worked? What would you do differently today? Let your past work be a stepping stone, not a barrier.

If you’re still feeling stuck, talk it out. Share your ideas with a colleague or friend. Verbalizing half-formed thoughts often brings clarity, and others may offer perspectives you hadn’t considered. Creativity thrives in conversation just as much as solitude.

Inspiration Is a Practice

The truth is, inspiration isn’t something you passively wait for, it’s something you practice. The more you expose yourself to great work, challenge your assumptions, and step outside your usual creative process, the more naturally new ideas will come. Use design books to build your foundation. Use websites to stay connected to what’s possible. And when things don’t click, trust that stepping away is often the smartest step forward.

Ready to see how that creative spark turns into real results? Explore our case studies to discover how we’ve helped brands bring their ideas to life.