You don't need to be a computer expert or design whiz to learn how to get the most out of digital design and your computer. Create your own typography, touch up your photos with a professional touch, and learn the ins and outs of Photoshop.
Here's a roundup of tips and tools that can help you if you're just getting started in digital design or need a resource to help refresh your memory.
Design
Find inspiration for web design by checking out Best Web Gallery's constant stream of new visually compelling sites from all over the world. You can also submit your finished site to the gallery.
Logo design inspiration from top notch designers in the industry in this gallery site.
9 Essential Principles for Good Web Design
PSDTUTS consolidates the top 9 design principles for web design with great visual examples and clear explanations of the design elements.
The Open Source Web Design Tool Box
Features 100 web design templates, sources, tools, and resources that you can modify and build off of.
Photoshop Tutorials and Brushes
Photoshop tutorials at it's best along with lots of great tutorials on design and photo manipulation techniques.
45 Photo Editing Tutorials for Photoshop
Vandelay shows off 45 different photo techniques you can use in Photoshop from pop art to how to replace a background.
Photoshop Brushes at Departika
I love the stylized and edgy brushes made by Departika that can be used for your photo projects to scrapbooking.
Photoshop Brushes at Brusheezy
Featuring tons of different Photoshop brushes, Brusheezy has a great selection for different kinds of brushes from grunge art to pretty foliage plants.
Free Stock Photos and Art
Every Stock Photo - Free Stock Photos
Every Stock Photo is a search engine that indexes millions of freely licensed photos so you can find what you need in just one search. You can view each photos license to see if it works for you to use.
Freerange - Free Stock Vector Images
Join for a free membership to have access to free stock images that you can use in commercial or personal projects.
Vecteezy - Free Vector Graphics
Vecteezy is an index of free vector graphics made by some of the best artists. Just preview and download the artwork you like and donate to the artist directly via Paypal if you really like their work.
Color Trends and Palettes
Color Wheel and Color Theory for the Web
This site has basic explanations of color theory, the color wheel, and using color in web design with lots of links to various resources.
A color resource that monitors color trends. Users can submit their own favorite colors and others can rate them. There are also lots of great features on colors on the Colour Lovers blog.
Adobe Labs launched it's own color community with updated listings on the highest rated color palettes. It's an easy site to navigate for quick color inspiration.
Typography
This German site consolidated the best 35 free fonts available on the web, featuring beautiful classic and modern typefaces.
How To Design Your Own Font
I Love Typography shows you how to design and create your own font using special software and goes through the entire step-by-step process.
Make Your Own Handwriting Font
Create a digital font from your own handwriting for just $9. It's a great way to add your own personal touch to your digital design projects.
