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Just like writers face writer’s block, designers can also feel stuck, lacking inspiration and ideas … the dreaded creative block. This block can be very frustrating, especially when you’re staring at a blank screen with a looming deadline. So what do you do when the struggle is real? Check out these 3 places where you can find design inspiration!

1. Get outside
   Getting out in nature forces you to get outside of the office environment you’re normally in – sitting at your desk, staring at your monitor – and gives you immediate access to the beauty in nature. A change of scenery can be refreshing for your mind, and out of nowhere, something can strike you. New things are in front of you to look at and think about. Plus, who doesn’t love some fresh air?
   
   There are also many spiritual ideas that can be expressed through metaphors in nature. Being outside reminds us of God’s beautiful creation with the trees, flowers, plants and water all around us. It’s one of the most original and purest forms of inspiration. And physiologically, there are many creative and mental benefits to exercise, so getting out and moving around is good for your body. It helps your mental state and makes you more alert.
   
   
2. Blogs and websites
   One reason we love to explore design blogs and websites is to check out other people’s work and see what else is being created. You can see the behind-the-scenes magic of how other creative work has been developed, which is so helpful because it informs your process and can give you ideas for how to get started. You can also get inspiration from how other designers use different techniques or applications in their work and try them out in your own designs, making them your own.
   
   Here are some of our favorite blogs and websites to check out:
   1. Sidebar.io – This is a daily email feed with links to design articles. It helps with inspiration, keeps you on top of trends and provides tutorials for ongoing education. We’d recommend it for both graphic design and web design/development.
   2. UnderConsideration.com/BrandNew – This daily blog features reviews of corporate identities and fantastic design for smaller boutique brands. The Brand New Conference is one of our favorites to attend each year (more on that later). This blog for designers is a direct extension of that awesome conference.
   3. UnderConsideration.com/fpo – This is another Under Consideration blog, but this one is for all things print.
   4. Awwwards.com – This site showcases the latest trends in web design and development. And you can filter for exactly what you’re looking for (for example: color palettes).
   5. Canva design blog – This blog is a great entry-level point for non-designers. Plus, we love Canva for the Church!
   6. List of design resources – This resource is great for non-designers or design beginners and includes everything from photo sources and color resources to typeface resources and design tools/communities.
      
      
3. Conferences and workshops
   As often as we can, we like to attend conferences and workshops to learn from experts, hear speakers, meet other designers and come back fueled with inspiration and ideas.
   
   Here are some of our favorites that we’ve attended or have heard great things about:
   1. Brand New Conference – for graphic designers
   2. How Design Live – for graphic designers
   3. AIGA Design Conference (hosted by the American Institute of Graphic Arts) – for graphic designers
   4. STORY Gatherings – for anyone wanting to improve their creative storytelling skills