Building on last month’s article, 3 Ways to Refresh Your Creative Edge, I’ve put together a toolkit of go-to design resources I have used over the years or have heard other Designers using. Whether you’re looking for some design program tricks or need to source high-quality assets, these sites and creators should be on your radar.
DESIGN TIPS & TRICKS
TikTok has quietly become one of the best places to pick up niche, bite-sized design tutorials. If you want to quickly level up your Adobe skills, add these accounts to your follow:
STOCK PHOTOS/GRAPHICS (free options)
When shooting custom product imagery isn't an option, having reliable stock sites is crucial for realistic mockups and supporting graphics. These three sites offer high-resolution, free-to-use imagery to help you save time:
TYPOGRAPHY
If you don’t have access to Adobe Fonts, don’t worry. You can find a world of standard and unique typefaces on these websites:
COLOR PICKER
If you're overwhelmed when it comes time to choosing a color or colors for your project, give these websites a try. They help streamline the process by providing curated color palettes.
INSPIRATION
I have covered finding inspiration back in 2020, but it’s time for an update. Here are some websites I have recently learned about from other Designers:
I would love to know what resources you find yourself turning to?
IMPORTANT NOTE: When using any creative sources, make sure you read their License Agreements to avoid potential copyright infringement. I covered this back in 2021 in my article, How To Avoid Copyright Infringement, if you’re interested in learning more.
Jessica is the Art Director at PromoCorner and has been in the promotional products industry since 2010. With a degree in Graphic Design, she has been working in Marketing since 2006 creating advertising of all sizes; from social posts to billboards. Jessica shares her passion for design in her monthly blog, Designer Patch. She can be reached at
jessica@promocorner.com.