I get it. When we start a new project, the first thing we do is look for inspiration. We want to see what is out there, what fits the project’s goals, and what can spark new ideas. And just to be clear, I am not talking about finding a site to copy.
What I usually do is look for images, layouts, and styles that help me define the look and feel of a project. Inspiration can come in stages, and it does not always have to be design related. Sometimes I just fill my mind with ideas about anything like photography, packaging, interiors, or even nature. I let those ideas sit for a while, and eventually, like magic, inspiration starts to rise.
For me, the first week of a project is crucial. Even if I do not move a single pixel, my brain is already working, absorbing, and connecting things. I act like a sponge, collecting ideas, fonts, colors, layouts, photos, patterns, and styles.
My Go-To Tool for Inspiration: Pinterest
One of my favorite tools at this early stage is Pinterest. I start by creating a board with the project name and pin anything that catches my eye, from fonts to color palettes. It does not matter if I add 10 pins or 100. I just keep collecting. Over time, everything starts to take shape naturally.
Once I feel I have enough, I create a more curated inspiration board in Figma. That is where I start narrowing things down to what really fits the project. Then I move on to researching actual websites to see what is happening out there and how competitors approach similar ideas.
Here are some of my favorite sites for web design inspiration and how I use them:
Landbook
Packed with great website designs. You can filter by categories and explore tons of layouts. I usually pay for the Pro plan because it lets me see the mobile versions and refine searches with more detail. The free version is fine to start, but the filters are limited
Awwwards
https://www.awwwards.com/
This one is a classic. I check it almost daily. Not all the featured websites are practical for real projects since many are showpieces, but you can always find something interesting. Some are clean, others are wild, and that is exactly the point: pure inspiration.
CSS Design Awards
https://www.cssdesignawards.com
Similar to Awwwards but more focused on CSS effects and interactions. I like to visit it when I am looking for creative motion ideas or unique transitions.
One Page Love
https://onepagelove.com/
A great source for single-page website inspiration. You can filter by industry or even by sections like hero, about, or footer. It is perfect when you want to focus on a specific part of a page.
Site of Sites
https://www.siteofsites.co/
This one features creative and bold designs, often with large typography and experimental layouts. It is great when you want to break your usual patterns and try something new.
Unsection
https://unsection.com/
They organize designs by sections, which makes it easy to find specific inspiration like headers, pricing blocks, or footers. Clean interface, well-filtered, and worth bookmarking.
Godly
https://godly.website/
Focused on animation and interaction. It shows live previews of websites, so you can see how elements move and behave. It is not the cleanest layout to browse, but the gems you will find there are worth it.
Let’s Talk About Fonts
Fonts can make or break a design. Choosing the right typeface and pairing it well is an undervalued skill that every designer should develop. I keep a Pinterest board just for fonts and another list in Notion with combinations I find online. You never know when one of those will come in handy.
Here are some of my go-to sources for font inspiration:
Fonts in Use
https://fontsinuse.com/
A great resource to see how fonts are used in real-world projects like websites, magazines, and ads. It also shows you the font pairings.
Typewolf
https://www.typewolf.com/recommendations
One of the best for seeing recommended pairings. It often includes links to the fonts and even suggests similar alternatives.
Dirtyline Studio
https://dirtylinestudio.com/
They offer both free and paid fonts. I like browsing their catalog for fresh ideas and unique typefaces that stand out.
Future Fonts
https://www.futurefonts.com/
A curated collection of creative and experimental fonts from independent designers. Perfect when you want something less traditional.
Awwwards Free Fonts Section
https://www.awwwards.com/awwwards/collections/free-fonts/
A hidden gem inside Awwwards. They have a page dedicated to free fonts, some of which are surprisingly good and open-source. Others link to premium versions, but it is a great place to start if you are exploring options within a budget.
Final Thoughts
That is it for today’s article. I hope this list helps you find inspiration for your next project.
I visit most of these sites every day, even when I am not working on a new design. It helps me stay sharp and aware of what is being created in the wild. Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to keep your eyes open.
What about you? What is your favorite place to find inspiration when starting a new project?