Here are my very favorite design sites, listed in no particular order. These are the sites that I go to when I need to be inspired, when I want to know what is going on in the world of design and advertising, and when I just need something fun to do. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

CSS Zen Garden

http://www.csszengarden.com/

If you are using or learning CSS, this site is a must for your bookmark toolbar. The idea behind the Zen Garden is that CSS is powerful enough to completely change the look of a website — even if the html code remains the same. The site invites designers to take the sample HTML code, and using only CSS, to create an original website design. The results are inspiring. There are hundreds of designs available for viewing on Zen Garden, and you can view additional submissions on David Shea’s website. On top of the inspirational designs, CSS Zen Garden offers CSS resources and guides. For those looking to learn how the magic of CSS really works, the CSS code for each design is available for download, making it easy to see what is going on behind the scenes.

Worth 1000

http://www.worth1000.com/

Worth 1000 started as a website to showcase Photoshop skills. Today, Worth 1000 hosts competitions in Photoshop, Photography, Multimedia and Text— although, I still enjoy the Photoshop section the  most. Browse through thousands of examples of how far you can really go when editing with Photoshop. The talent and creativity showcased on this website is remarkable, and it always fires up my creative juices.

Communication Arts

http://www.commarts.com/

Communication Arts is full of the latest news in packaging design, print design, web design and advertising. It’s a great place to stay up-to-date on who’s who and what’s happening in the industry. Communication Arts is also a fantastic to network by searching for design-related jobs or posting your resume and portfolio samples.

The FWA

http://www.thefwa.com/

Hit a creative road block? Look no further. The FWA (Favourite Website Awards) is a showcase of over 2,700 award-winning websites. It is an incredible collection of artfully original concepts and designs. There is something for everyone here, but be careful — it won’t take long to get addicted.

Cold Hard Flash

http://coldhardflash.com/

Cold Hard Flash is dedicated to everything Flash-related. Here you’ll find the latest Flash cartoons, Flash advertisements, Flash news, and a very active forum where you can find Flash advice, tips, events, etc. Cartoons anyone?