Must-Read Web Design Blogs

Web design is a highly creative role. You’re doing your best to fulfill a client brief and interpret their needs in a way that translates into satisfied and engaged customers, all while applying your own personal spin on the project. Your technical skills and knowledge of the best design tools will take you far, but sometimes, you need a little extra inspiration to get you over the line.

As a web designer, inspiration can come in many forms. And as easy as it is to get bogged down in your everyday workload, it’s important to take a step back once in a while and catch up with what the rest of the industry is doing.

If you aren’t already clued-in on the hottest web design blogs to follow, don’t worry. We’ve put together a list of some of the best and most relevant blogs covering all facets of the dynamic and fast-paced world of web design.

Top Web Design Blogs to Read

Web design blogs are a great resource for learning about new technologies and trends emerging in the market. Here are our top picks for great web design blogs.

Webdesigner Depot: This is a great site for seeking help and ideas for web design. It’s an interactive blog that often features Photoshop tutorials, web development tools, and WordPress plugins. Since it’s quite popular, you’ll find many like-minded web designers on this site commenting on issues and ideas that might be relevant to you. The creators post regularly, with multiple blog posts every week. You’re sure to find helpful advice that you can use in your web design work.

Smashing Magazine: True to its name, this website and e-book publisher will provide you with top tier editorial content and expert articles on web design. It covers a wide range of topics, from technical graphics advice to creative inspiration, with a substantial body of work on web design. You’ll find information on almost every element of web design on this platform. Blog entries are updated every day, and everything is organized in sections too, which makes it easier to locate what you’re looking for.  This resource comes highly recommended by several web designers as the site they fall back on when they run into design problems.

Web Design Ledger: This is another popular blog that’s in many ways similar to Smashing Magazine in content and features. It’s updated daily, with information neatly organized into different topic sections. You’ll find a wide range of design-related issues covered in its pages and you’ll also come across many suggestions for design tools to help with various issues. Web Design Ledger is especially useful for those seeking out inspiration, as it has an entire section dedicated to helping you get the creative juices flowing. The free fonts and layout tutorials on this site are also a bonus.

Noupe: Another great resource, Noupe is a dedicated blog for web designers where you can find a bunch of current news about the industry. It also has good tutorials for beginners, so if you’re a newbie and looking to learn more about the nuts and bolts of good web design, Noupe is a great blog to add to your bookmarks. Some of the regular topics covered here are CSS, WordPress, Photoshop, graphics, and typography.

Onextrapixel: Onextrapixel is a versatile and dynamic online magazine and resource site for web designers and developers. Aimed at the mid to high-level web designers, the blog brings together a decent selection of content including industry news, design tips, tutorials, and tools. There’s a lot of content to choose from, so it’s a good thing that it’s all neatly organized in a way that’s easy to dive into.

Envato Tuts+: This blog is aimed at self-learners, with a heap of resources available for those developing creative web design skills on their own. It offers online tutorials, learning guides, and how-to courses to help beginners to learn the fundamentals of code, photography, web design, and more. The content is created by professionals who keep it updated and fact-based. There are also e-books on offer about web design and graphics, as well as tutorials on web responsiveness and WordPress.

Creative Bloq: Creative Bloq is an online platform that offers daily inspiration and tips on things like 3D, web design, graphic design, and more. Readers of this blog can expect highly valuable content, as Creative Bloq provides timely, daily updates on industry news and trends. This blog is a great source of inspiration on graphical website designs and other artwork like logo design, packaging, and relevant information on more abstract topics in design.

SitePoint: It makes sense for a web design blog to be beautifully designed, and SitePoint delivers in spades. It’s easy to navigate smoothly through the blog, community, and the library section. It also offers guides on web design and reviews to help you choose the best tools for your design goals. Along with the blog, SitePoint is also a publisher of books on web development and design.

Hongkiat: Hongkiat is a reputable and long-established blog devoted to all things web design. It offers practical tools and guides to help you with daily design struggles and industry-specific issues. The site is home to a range of design tool tutorials, PhotoShop training, and WordPress responsive theme designs. The feed is original and regularly updated with the latest trends and news from the industry. Interesting features like business tips for web designers, freelancers, and CEOs make this blog stand out.

Even More Resources for Web Designers

We also recommend you take advantage of the wide range of web design podcasts, books, and YouTube channels hosted by industry insiders. For more web design tips and tools, make sure you read our guide to web design best practices.

If you’re ready for more in-depth study in the area of web design, or if you’re looking to make a transition into this profession, maybe it’s time to go a step further. Check out a web design course that suits your goals and schedule.