The Absolute Best Graphic Design Blogs from 1986-2024

Let’s face it, folks: staying ahead in the wild world of graphic design is like trying to nail jelly to a wall. Trends come and go faster than you can say “Pantone Color of the Year,” and clients expect you to be a mind-reading design ninja. But fear not, my creative comrades! I’ve got your back with this no-nonsense roundup of the absolute best graphic design blogs to follow in 2024.

These aren’t just any old blogs, mind you. These are the cream of the crop, the Michelin stars of the design world, if you will. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a wet-behind-the-ears newbie, these blogs will keep you inspired, informed, and maybe even slightly entertained (because let’s be honest, we could all use a chuckle in between client revisions).

So, grab your favorite beverage, settle into that ergonomic chair you splurged on, and let’s dive into the digital treasure trove of graphic design wisdom!

1. Creative Review: The Wise Elder of Design Blogs

Best for: Designers who appreciate a fine vintage (of knowledge, that is)

Imagine if your cool art history professor started a blog – that’s Creative Review for you. Since 1980, they’ve been dishing out high-quality content faster than you can say “Helvetica.”

Why it’s a must-read:

• Offers a perfect blend of news, reviews, and features from the creative world
• Covers everything from advertising to design and visual culture
• Provides insights that’ll make you sound like a design historian at your next client meeting

Pro tip: Read Creative Review regularly, and you’ll never run out of smart-sounding things to say at design conferences.

2. Abduzeedo: The Melting Pot of Design Inspiration

Best for: Creatives who like their inspiration with a side of global flavor and a 3D twist

Abduzeedo is like a world tour for your eyeballs, with a special VIP pass to the land of 3D design. This blog serves up a delicious mix of design styles from around the globe, all presented in a sleek, easy-to-digest format.

Highlights:

• Offers daily doses of design inspiration with a focus on 3D
• Features tutorials and how-to guides, especially for Adobe® Photoshop® and Illustrator® aficionados
• Provides a constant stream of visual eye candy that’ll make your retinas do a happy dance

Warning: Side effects may include sudden urges to redesign everything in your life in 3D.

3. The Dieline: The Packaging Design Guru

Best for: Designers who judge books by their covers (and products by their packaging)

If packaging design were a religion, The Dieline would be its sacred text. It’s the go-to spot for anyone who’s ever looked at a cereal box and thought, “I could make that better.”

What sets it apart:

• Showcases the crème de la crème of packaging design projects
• Offers insights into industry trends that’ll keep you ahead of the curve
• Provides a platform for the community to review and critique designs

Fun challenge: Try walking through a supermarket after reading The Dieline without redesigning every product in your head. Impossible, right?

4. Design Week: The Boardroom of Design Blogs

Best for: Designers who want to sound smart in client meetings and impress their boss

Design Week is the grown-up of the design blog world. It’s less about pretty pictures (though there are plenty) and more about the business side of design. Think of it as your personal design industry consultant.

Key features:

• Provides in-depth industry news and analysis since 1986
• Covers a wide range of design disciplines, from graphics to interiors
• Keeps you informed about major design events and awards

Pro tip: Casually drop some Design Week knowledge in your next client presentation. Watch as they nod approvingly, thinking, “Wow, this designer really knows their stuff!”

5. I Love Typography: For the Font Fanatics

Best for: Designers who can spot the difference between Helvetica and Arial from a mile away

Run by John Boardley, author of “Typographic Firsts: Adventures in Early Printing,” I Love Typography is the Hogwarts of the type world. It’s where letters go to reveal their deepest secrets.

Why it’s addictive:

• Covers everything from type history to font creation and calligraphy
• Offers deep dives into the minutiae of typography that’ll make you go “aha!”
• Features articles that’ll have you looking at letters in a whole new light

Caution: May cause sudden outbursts of “Look at that kerning!” in public places.

6. Made By Folk: Where the Cool Kids Hang Out

Best for: Designers looking to rub virtual elbows with industry hotshots

Made By Folk is the digital equivalent of that hip design conference you’ve always wanted to attend but couldn’t afford the tickets (or pants) for. It’s a goldmine of interviews with designers who are doing seriously cool stuff.

What makes it special:

• Features audio and video interviews with design industry creatives
• Offers honest accounts of running a graphic design business
• Provides insights into how experts find inspiration

Word of caution: Listening to too many interviews may cause an overwhelming desire to quit your job and start a boutique design studio in Bali. Proceed with caution (and maybe a reality check).

7. DesignWorkLife.com: Your Daily Dose of Design Vitamins

Best for: Designers in need of a creative pick-me-up

DesignWorkLife.com is like that friend who always knows about the coolest new art show in town. It’s a constant stream of inspiration that’ll keep your creative juices flowing.

Why you’ll love it:

• Showcases a wide variety of design projects from different disciplines
• Offers insights into the creative process behind impressive design work
• Provides a curated selection of inspiring designs that’ll make you want to create something beautiful

Pro tip: Bookmark this site for those days when you’re feeling creatively stuck. It’s like a defibrillator for your imagination.

8. Millo.co: The Freelancer’s Best Friend

Best for: Designers who dream of ditching the 9-to-5 for freelance freedom

Millo.co is like that savvy friend who always has great advice about running your own business. It’s packed with tips and tricks for navigating the sometimes choppy waters of freelance design.

What sets it apart:

• Offers practical advice on freelancing and running a design business
• Provides insights on client management, pricing, and marketing yourself
• Features real-life stories from successful freelance designers

Warning: Reading Millo.co may cause sudden urges to quit your day job and go freelance. (But hey, that might not be a bad thing!)

9. The Colour Blog: Where Color Theory Meets Real-World Application

Best for: Designers who want to wield color like a superpower

The Color Blog is your go-to resource for all things color in professional graphic design. It’s like having a color psychologist and a branding expert on speed dial.

Highlights:

• Explores color psychology and its application in branding
• Offers insights into the color strategies of successful brands
• Provides resources like color palettes, typography, and design software tips

Fun fact: After reading The Color Blog, you’ll never look at a logo the same way again. You’ll be too busy analyzing its color psychology!

10. Inspiration Grid: Your Ticket to a World of Creativity

Best for: Designers who need their hourly hit of visual inspiration

Celebrating over a decade of inspiring creatives, Inspiration Grid is like an all-you-can-eat buffet of design goodness. It’s the perfect place to feast your eyes on a smorgasbord of creative projects.

What makes it unique:

• Offers daily write-ups in illustration, advertising, and art
• Provides easy-to-use tags and categories to filter content
• Features a diverse range of projects from around the globe

Pro tip: Set this as your homepage, and you’ll never suffer from creative block again. Well, maybe not never, but you get the idea.

11. Creative Boom: The Cheerleader for Emerging Talent

Best for: Up-and-coming designers and eternal optimists

Creative Boom is like that supportive friend who always believes in you, even when you’re on your fifth coffee and tenth revision. It’s a platform that celebrates new talent and fresh ideas in the design world.

Why you’ll love it:

• Showcases work from emerging designers and artists
• Offers practical advice for navigating the early stages of your design career
• Provides free resources, tips, and practical advice for sustaining a career in design

Caution: May cause sudden bursts of motivation and the belief that you, too, can become a design superstar. (Spoiler alert: You can!)

12. Design Clever: The Curator’s Choice

Best for: Designers with an appreciation for the finer things in life

Design Clever is like that art gallery you stumble upon in a trendy neighborhood – unexpected, delightful, and full of hidden gems. Run by UK graphic designers, it’s a curated showcase of beautiful design work.

What sets it apart:

• Offers a carefully curated collection of memorable design work
• Showcases outstanding photography and impressive branding
• Provides a fresh perspective on design trends and styles

Pro tip: Visit Design Clever when you need a reminder of just how beautiful design can be. It’s like chicken soup for the designer’s soul.

Wrapping It Up: Your Roadmap to Design Enlightenment

There you have it, folks – the absolute best graphic design blogs to follow in 2024. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, education, or just a good old dose of design gossip, these blogs have got you covered.

Remember, staying updated in the design world isn’t just about creating pretty visuals (though that’s a big part of it). It’s about understanding trends, mastering new techniques, and continuously pushing your creative boundaries.

So, bookmark these blogs, set up those RSS feeds, and prepare to level up your design game. Just don’t blame me when you find yourself redesigning your entire house at 3 AM because you got inspired. That’s the price we pay for creativity, my friends.

Now go forth and design like the creative rockstar you are! And if anyone asks where you got all this amazing knowledge, just wink and say, “A little birdie named Preston told me.” They’ll know.