There are goodies on here that non-creatives can use too! I’ve been wanting to write a post like this for a while, as sometimes I find there is a lack of helpful posts for designers & creatives alike, with resources and sites to help you out and inspire you. If you guys dig it, I’ll be sure to post some more! But I’ve been compiling this list over a couple of weeks, to make it chocca with goodies to get you sorted.
The cost to start something today is zero. There is nothing stopping you from creating a magazine, a book, a blog, a how-to guide, the list goes on. All you have to do is have a gem of an idea, and you’re away. Wether you’re a designer, a blogger, a photographer, a writer, anything… Hopefully there’s at least one thing on this list that appeals to you & gets you inspired to create something, or maybe it’s just a tool to help you out. You may have heard of some of the links before, as there are a few big companies in there, but it never fails to surprise me how many people have never heard of a couple of these dudes!
There are a couple of sites with resources that you do pay for, but the quality of what they offer is second to none. If you don’t feel like busting out the credit card, just enter ‘free’ into the search and go for your life! You’d be surprised how many free fonts/photos etc some of them have…
1 // LOST TYPE CO-OP – A font resource, they have a pretty sweet range, and they are all on a pay-what-you-want basis, so it’s up to you how much you pay them! You can even put in $0 if you want them for free…
2 // NANAMEE – Stock photography/vector website. Their range is a bit cooler/more contemporary than some of the stuff you might find on iStock etc. (pic below)
3 // YOU WORK FOR THEM – Font goodness! The sister to Nanamee. This is my new go-to site for buying fonts.
4 // BLURB – Blurb is an online self publishing tool, they’re probably one of the best out there. The possibilities are endless with what you could do, they have HEAPS of sizes/options. Photo books, portfolios, you name it. I go crazy just thinking of the possibilities.
5 // MAGCLOUD – We use MagCloud to print 16HOURS, it’s very similar to Blurb, but the stock & size options are more magazine based, as opposed to the heavier stock & hardcover options that Blurb offer. They’re prices are pretty good, and they’ve just introduced a smaller digest size!
6 // DINPATTERN – Totally free patterns, to use personally or commercially, for the web or screen! (There is a fee for using them in print, but hey, go for your life on your blog/website!)
7 // MOO – These guys are pretty massive, so if you’re a designer chances are you would have heard of them, but for those that haven’t, check em! They print business cards, postcards & stickers. Their prices are pretty good too, the only thing that kills it for non US peeps is the shipping. My business cards are from Moo & the quality of their work is top notch!
8 // THE NOUN PROJECT– I’ve only recently found this beauty, it’s a resource for free public icons, some have copyright restrictions on them, but the majority are available for use wherever/however you want! Awesome! (pic below)
9 // ZAZZLE – I haven’t brought anything from these guys before, but they do have a massive range of things you can customsie, from t-shirts to stickers to folders… and more.
10 // BITTBOXX – One of the better resources for high res images + design goodies.
11 // THE INVOICE MACHINE – An awesome online invoicing tool, I swear by it! Super easy to use, customisable templates, & heaps more. The thing I love about it is that with it being a website you can access it anywhere, so you’re not restricted to access just on your own computer. (pic below)
12 // CARGO – It still surprises me how many creatives have never heard of Cargo… It’s a creative publishing platform, I use it for my portfolio website, and it’s awesome! Super easy to use, lots of templates, customisable CSS + heaps more. Check it.
And that’s the 12! Enjoy. Get inspired + make things.
*The header image was used with a photo/illustration that I got of Nanamee for free! So yep, they’re free digs are rad too! Of course these free photos etc have copyright restrictions, so PLEASE read them & respect them.
T W E L V E B Y O N E 
Great post Sian π
Nice one! I like when you same this type of goss π
share not same eeeeep Lion’s got crazy auto correct!
Fantastic resources! I’m always looking for fonts / images for projects so it’s great to have them all in one place. Question for you – where did you learn to code? I’m looking for a course and really struggling to find one. Any tips on resources for that side of things? xx
Woo hoo! Glad they’ll be helpfull… I learnt to code while I was studying design, but I’ve kept going on the side with it since then, just picking things up + learning online. Check out this site for some tips & tricks, http://www.dontfeartheinternet.com x
Just found your blog. This is a great post – thanks for sharing!
SUCH a good post! So helpful π Popped a link to this on my post today. Everyone needs to know about these sweet resources!
New to your blog and I’m SO happy I found it! I’m currently in school for Graphic Design and love getting inside tips and info like this! Great resources…
Sian, this post is amazing. You had me at ’12 Things: Creative Resources’. Loved it! I learnt a lot and have bookmarked a heap, so thanks for sharing lovely. x
Thanks dudes! Sometimes designers/creatives keep all these goodies to themselves, but I figured I’d share the love and spread the goodness! π
Awesome post lovely! Going to look through these links now – thanks for sharing xx
This is so useful! Thank you! π
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