1. A great main stream news site. Preferably one that has global coverage.
As a Designer you need to be current with local, national and world developments. Otherwise how can you truly help create solutions to problems if you don’t have a big picture to reference.
Design Droplets recommendations:
Australia – ABC or SBS
England – The BBC
Asia – BBC Asia Pacific
USA – The NY Times
2. A regularly updated gadget and tech site
As a designer keeping up with the latest gadget releases and technologies is important so that you know what tools you can leverage in your designs.
Design Droplets recommendations:
Engadget – using thier RSS stream you can get a constant stream of the latest tech and gadget info
Wired – these guys feature all manner of tech and geeketry on their site. check it!
3. A respected science and technology site
Again keeping up with the latest scientific discoveries will keep you ahead in the design game.
Design Droplets recommendations:
New Scientist – an excellent print publication, their website still features plenty of the latest science buzz to wade through
Scientific America – Plenty of scientific news articles and info.
4. A good Trend forecasting site
Keeping up to date with the latest trends is important for any designer and with the wonder of the internet you can now find out about the latest trend at home and in Timbuktu without too much hassle.
Design Droplets recommendations:
Trend Watching – Free reports on consumer trends from around the world
PSFK – Trends, ideas and inspiration.
5. A Good Business focused site
Staying in touch with whats going on in the business world is important for any designer. Oil dips and your clients profit margins on the newest widget your developing just improved.
Design Droplets recommendations:
Reuters – A global source of business news.
Smart Company – news, information and resource site for Australia’s entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners and business managers.
6. A reliable Industry new site
You’ve got all the other news covered, now you just need to keep up with the design industry.
Design Droplets recommendations:
Core77
7. A design blog that features tips and tricks for design professionals
Well obviously if you are reading this then you already know about the nets best design blog. However there are also a plethora of others you can check out.
Design Droplets recommendations:
Design Sojourn
Design Thinking
Just Creative Design
8. A sector specific site
If you are in a specific sector of the the design Industry, eg: Automotive, then keep up to date with the latest developments in your industry through a site that caters specifically to your industry sector.
Design Droplets recommendations: There is a lot of industry sectors so below is just one example.
Car Design News
9. A good networking site.
While keeping up on all the latest happenings in the world of design you also need to keep up with what your colleges in the industry are up to and keep yourself networked.
Linkedin – a good online networking tool
10. A good humor site or cartoon.
Everything we have listed so far has been mostly at the business end of design and although you probably don’t mind because, like us, you live and breathe design. But occasionally you need some comic relief in your day.
N.C Winters Freelance Freedom – great weekly comic strip following a freelance designer.
LOL Cats – who doesn’t love funny cat photos?
