12 Most Inspired Online Resources for Creative Juice

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Creativity is becoming increasingly important to business success today — it is what inspires innovation. In today’s competitive business landscape, it is widely agreed that an innovative mindset is paramount if one wants to survive and prosper in the global economy. Laggards will die.

“Design thinking” is also important and what has propelled some of the most successful business stories of the last couple of decades, yet few people understand or appreciate its significance. With today’s tight education budgets, art and other creative programs are usually the first to go in our schools. MBA programs have the means but don’t teach it. Rather than working together as a society to develop our abilities in this area, we are actually diminishing the very skills that are critical for sustainable success in a future that is only becoming more competitive.

So nurturing your creative spirit only makes sense. It is pleasurable, fulfilling AND business smart. As a creative director, there are several resources that I utilize to help fuel my passion but I believe others can benefit from them too — no matter what your profession. To make a mark in today’s world, we should all start thinking of ourselves as working in creative fields.

Following, in no particular order, are some of my go-to online resources for creative inspiration. Just click on each title to be whisked away to a world full of creative juice that will make your eyes pop and your brain explode. And there’s nothing wrong with that at all.

1. Big Think

Lots of big ideas here — science & tech, future, arts & culture, business & economics, belief… you name it. So put on your existential angst and hop on over to this site!

2. My Modern Met

Great creative juice — stunning photographs that will take you to new places, amazing art that will challenge your point of view, and wonderful design that will make you see things in a new light.

3. Design Festival

From discussions on positive/negative space, typography, and color to the latest, greatest web themes, this site discusses everything “design.”

4. Good

So much “good” stuff here — from design, business and architectural issues — from new ways of farming to sustainable flip-flops — this site has it all!

5. Branding Magazine

Cool stuff on today’s hot media projects from the hottest brands: posters, packaging, interactive… you name it!

6. 99U

“Insights on making ideas happen” — like their slogan says, a behind the scenes peek at how creative people and businesses of all types do what they do. Videos too!

7. Fast Company — Co.CREATE, Co.EXIST, Co.DESIGN

Three sites, each with a wide variety of interesting posts on creativity of all types, technology and the world around us, and design (product design, mostly).

8. @issue

“The online journal of business and design” — I’ve been reading the print version for years, but this is an excellent online resource for how design directly contributes to business success. Interviews with top executives and case histories convincingly bring the message home.

9. Taxi

Food, fashion, art, books, technology — you name it — lots of inspiration here that will get ideas bouncing out of your head.

10. FontShop

This site will keep you ahead of the curve on the newest typestyles (OK, fonts!) and you’ll be appreciating the art of typography in no time!

11. PSFK

“Inspiring creative business” — Fascinating selection of articles here on design, media and technology and how business use them all to do breakout work.

12. ARTBoom

Sections dedicated to architecture, painting, cinema, music, photography, sculpting and design. What more do you need? Get over to this site now and share your best finds so the rest of us can enjoy them!

Bonus: The Great Discontent

In depth features of some of the leading creative thinkers working today. Learn from the best and be inspired!

I hope these resources will inspire you and help enhance your own creativity — be your own go-to resources when you need a little spark. Exploring and exposing yourself to creative work on a regular basis loosens the mind, so it starts producing more of its own creative thoughts. No matter what line of work you’re in, your business will benefit.

What favorite creative online resources of your own didn’t make this list? Please let us know in the comments section below — I know there are plenty of others and I can’t wait to check out your best finds!

Featured image courtesy of justDONQUE licensed via Creative Commons.

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Article by Paul Biedermann

Paul Biedermann

http://www.redesign2.com/

Paul Biedermann is Creative Director/Owner of re:DESIGN and Managing Partner/Editor-in-Chief of 12 Most. re:DESIGN specializes in Strategic Design, Branding, Visual Content Marketing and Communications. Creating brands of distinction for profitable market advantage, he intersects smart design with visual business strategies that reach, engage, and inspire people to action. Paul is Co-Host of the popular online chat, My Book Club, hosting best-selling business authors and serves on the Board of Directors of the Social Media Association. He began his career at ABC Broadcasting before moving to a design agency that created innovative campaigns for ESPN and then becoming Art Director for NFL Properties. As Creative Director for The McGraw-Hill Companies, Paul spearheaded projects for such leading brands as Standard & Poor’s, BusinessWeek, J.D. Power and Associates, Architectural Record, and McGraw-Hill Education.