resources-for-new-graphic-designers

Resources for new graphic designers. And seasoned ones, too.

Starting out in graphic design can feel intimidating. Besides learning and practicing principles of design, it takes awhile to figure out where to go for raw ingredients. Fonts, photos, tools, inspiration, best practices… This is a list of the sites I like and/or use regularly.

Getting good at stuff

Designers share how they do things—Skillshare

A subscription you can pause at any time grants access to 24,000 classes. An example: I was hired by a school for a brand identity project that included sports mascot design. It’s not a style I’m used to doing, so I took Fraser Davidson’s class to get some tips. Check out all the furrowed brows I made:

sports-logos-by-jessica jonesTypography

Best source for paid fonts—My Fonts

Best source for free fonts—Font Squirrel

How to use typography better—Butterick’s Practical Typography

Examples of fonts in use + pairing recommendations—Typ.io and Type Wolf

type-wolf-screenshot

Color

Color palette ideas—Brand Colors (official palettes of big brands) and Color Hunt

Generate tints and shades of your hex colors—Tinter-Shader

Presentation

Moodboard makers—Adobe Spark, Moodzer

PSD mockup files that will make your flat designs look real—Mr. Mockup, Zippy Pixels, PixedenCreative Market, and Field Office Supply

mr-mockup-free-psd-mockups

Images

The best free high-res stock photo sites—see my list here

You already know the paid ones, I’m sure: iStockPhoto, Shutterstock, Stocksy, Twenty20, etc. Plus Getty Images if you have buckets of money.

Textures to add to illustrations—True Grit Texture Supply

Huge set of line and solid-style icons with adjustable strokes (for purchase)—Icons Mind

700+ line icons (free)—Linea

Design inspiration

The latest high-profile brand identity work—Brand New 

Just what it says it is—Branding, Packaging and Opinion

The best in current package design—The Dieline

Beautiful websites that push the envelope—Site Inspire

package-design-inspiration

Business, the least fun topic in this list

The business tool I use for quotes, invoices and electronic payments— 17 Hats (I think maybe I get credits if you sign up using that link)

Another management tool you could try—AND CO

Videos about money and clients—The Futur

More about money and clients—Ilise Benun’s stuff. I’ve learned things from her books.

Networking

A place to make friends—Creative Mornings. Other people can be very nice and very helpful.