Keeping Up with the Kreatives
Because Pinterest shouldn't be your "inspiration site"
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering: how do creatives keep up with EVERYTHING in the design world? I mean, we have trends, case studies, new brand launches, AI experiments, IG posts, business models, cultural shifts, awards, new studios, industry drama, and just general creative evolution… Yes, it’s overwhelming. And yes, you’re not alone.
Honestly, I’ve been that person. Especially if you’re working in-house or freelancing on the side, your attention gets pulled in so many directions, and staying informed can feel like a full-time job.
That’s why I built a little routine — a small digital habit that doesn’t just help me stay current, but gives me inspiration, teaches me how top agencies work, and helps me make better decisions in my own creative projects.
It's like having a living moodboard, strategy deck, and competitive benchmark that updates itself weekly.
TL;DR: This post is not just a list of websites. It’s my entire mindset, framework, and my actual go-to links. Whether you’re a junior designer, strategist, creative director, or solo entrepreneur — I hope there’s something here that can sharpen even more your edge.
First, you have to understand: The rule of intentional curiosity
Let me preface with this: you don’t have to read everything to be informed. I mean, if you have time, you do you! But what matters more is knowing where to look, how to skim for insights, and when to go deep.
That’s how I treat design news — as a way to:
Find inspiration for current and future projects
Understand decision-making behind creative work
Spot strategic shifts in how agencies or brands communicate/showcase their work
Stay sharp as a creative working in a constantly evolving ecosystem
I organize my sources into categories (I use Raindrop, but you can literally use any bookmark tool):
🔍 Case studies & strategy
🗞️ Design news
💬 Industry opinions
🏆 Awards & events
🎨 Playground (fun, experiments, random)
I run through them like my own mini news circuit — some I check daily, others weekly, others monthly. It’s not overwhelming if you treat it like brushing your creative teeth: quick, intentional, consistent.
Let’s go.
🔍 Case studies & strategy
These are the goldmines. When I want to understand why something was made, how the team approached it, or the business/strategy behind a campaign or rebrand — I go here.
BP&O (Branding, Packaging & Opinion)
In-depth reviews and analyses of branding and packaging work. It’s strategic, visual, and explains design decisions clearly. A must-readCommarts (Communication Arts)
One of the oldest creative publications. Their case studies are rich in background and processTransform Magazine
Focuses on rebrands, especially in corporate sectors. Great to understand business alignment.Mindsparkle Mag (Design)
Clean case studies with beautiful visuals. Less on strategy, more on art direction.Design Made in Germany
(Not because I’m living in Germany lol) Especially great for European projects with deep process descriptions.
How I use this category: When I’m planning a case study write-up or helping a client reframe their brand, I dive into these for structure, strategy talk, and visual benchmarks.
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🗞️ Design news
For the what’s new, who did what, and what just launched category:
It’s Nice That
Culture meets design. Covers launches, profiles, and cultural trends. Always fresh.The Brand Identity
Great source for clean documentation of recent branding work. Includes credits, type choices, etc.Creative Boom
More inclusive and accessible than other outlets. Great for emerging creatives and culture pieces.Dezeen / Design Week / Creative Review
Design media veterans. Focus ranges from interiors to graphics to motion to business.TypeRoom
For type lovers. Covers foundries, fonts, typographic branding.
How I use this category: I check these weekly, sometimes daily. They’re my radar for new trends, client pitches, and visual benchmarks.
💬 Industry opinions
These are for when you want to hear what top minds are thinking — from design ethics to business model innovation.
Eye on Design (AIGA)
Big ideas, written beautifully. Topics like labor, identity, creativity, culture.Design Observer
Long-form critiques and reflections. Great for slowing down and thinking deeper.Jury Report Archives (D&AD, Cannes Lions, ADC)
Sometimes overlooked, these jury breakdowns share why work won. Learn what jurors value.LinkedIn/Instagram BUT curated
I follow creative directors, strategists, and agency founders. Best way to stay in-the-know without the fluff.
How I use this category: To sharpen how I speak about my work, or prep for interviews and pitches. Reading how others explain creative decisions teaches you to talk like a strategist.
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🏆 Awards & events
For when you need a dose of what's considered great right now:
Awwwards (for digital design)
Dig through winners, finalists, and shortlists — they’re full of learnings, not just pretty pictures.
How I use this category: I look for pattern recognition. What aesthetics are winning? What case studies are structured well? What tone of voice is trending in copy?
🎨 Playground (fun, experiments, random)
This is where I go to explore beyond the polished portfolios.
I’ve been using this not only for inspiration but also to save in collections random finds from my phone/Mac. So far, it’s becoming my fav on this section.
Are.na collections
Curated visual research and references. A lot of designers use it to archive inspiration. BUT, it can be tricky finding the collections, so in your search bar, just type whatever you are looking for + are.na (it will populate top results)Sedition Art
Digital art for collectors. A good pulse check on visual experimentation.Open Processing
Creative coding playground. Inspires motion design and generative visuals.New AI Tools – (Pick one) The Rundown AI or Future Tools AI
I received daily updates from the Rundown to my inbox. They index tools and experiments.
How I use this category: When I’m stuck creatively or want to play with new formats or technologies, I spend time here.
How I use all this, without getting overwhelmed?
Pin tabs to your browser. I have a “THE AM L☻☻P” folder where I open 5-6 tabs every few days.
Skim headlines – if it’s visual, scroll fast. If it’s process-based, read deeper.
Save case studies in Notion or Cosmos if they relate to something I’m working on.
Create swipe files – screenshot good layouts, copy ideas, prompts, or brand strategies, and add them into my Figma Saves.
Share and remix – I turn what I find into my own Substack posts, brand references, or presentations.
Follow trends mindfully – Not everything trending is worth following. Choose what aligns with your values, clients, or direction.
Batch explore – If you're too busy one week, block an hour every other week to catch up and reset your radar.
To wrap it up
Design is not just about taste. It’s about awareness. The more you absorb (the thinking, execution, failures, trends, and patterns) the more equipped you are to make smarter creative decisions.
Use this list to build your own creative radar. Don’t wait for news to find you — go out and curate your own feed.
Keep a curious mindset, evolve your inputs as your projects change, and remember: you don’t need to know everything — just enough to ask better questions, lead stronger, and create bolder.
Bookmark, read, save, and share. And if you found this post useful, consider subscribing. I’ll be sharing more of my systems, libraries, Figma files, and breakdowns to help you grow as a creative, without the fluff.
Until next time!
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