As a developer/designer I often times find myself trying to find ways to generate ideas for design. Whether it be for graphics, layout, color schemes or even writing code to tackle a new problem, sometimes the dreaded creative block sets in. So what is it that I do to help spur the creative juices flowing? I will give a list of things I have done in the past, things I current do and things I have been thinking of trying. Hopefully you will find this list helpful.

1. Gallery & Design Sites
   These sites are nothing but a collection of great designs (most of the time) that can really inspire the creative process. Here are a few that I visit now and again, and in no particular order of importance.
   • http://www.templatesfeed.com
   • http://www.noupe.com/design/101-css-techniques-of-all-time-part-1.html
   • http://www.ndesign-studio.com/
   • http://bestwebgallery.com/
   • http://www.webdesignerwall.com/
   • http://cssmania.com/
   • http://cssremix.com/
   • http://www.cssdrive.com/
2. Nature
   I am lucky to live close to the Rocky Mountains, so it is rather simple to get away on a Saturday afternoon and take a drive through some absolutely amazing country. Spring and autumn are full of amazing colors in the mountains and provide a great way to get away from the hustle of daily routine, while providing great inspiration. Don’t live close to mountains? How about taking a drive or bike ride around a local lake, or any other outdoorsy place. If you are city bound and cannot get out to the country side, take a trip through a local botanical garden. An aquarium can also provide spectacular sites that may help generate some great creative ideas as well.
3. Architecture
   Go visit historical building around town to get inspired by that of old. Or checkout some modern architectural designs for inspiration of creating a good flowing layout. Museums can also help in this area - you can get some classic color schemes from studying relics of the past, color schemes that aren’t in common use today, but when used wisely can create a great design.
4. Libraries

   Take a trip to the local library and peruse some books. It may be a travel book full of great photos from a foreign country that inspires you, or it may a book about art, technology, science. It may even very well be that the people you encounter can give you an idea for a design - libraries are full of colorful people, children, punks, goths, grand-parents. It could be the library building itself.

5. People

   As mentioned in the Library section, watching people can bring about a creative idea. People are absolutely amazing, and simply sitting at a local coffee shop and observing them may very well stir something. You find all types of people, from all walks of life everyday, creating a diverse field of inspiration that you can leverage to stir up the creativeness.

While not lengthy or all inclusive, these are somethings I have done, still do or have thought to do to help the creative process. If you have something that you do to help jumpstart your creative juices, drop a comment and share it for others to read.

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