design tavern

As a design blogger and student of architecture/design I am on the constant search for new and innovative products, designs and also the people behind them!

I should have done this a while ago, but today I finally went out of my way to create my blogroll and links page and I thought it would be worth while sharing it with you!

Before I begin, If you don’t already use a reader, I’m personally using google reader which is pretty solid.

Why would I want to use Google Reader?

The amount of information on the web is rapidly increasing. Google Reader helps you keep up with it all by organizing and managing all the content you’re interested in. Instead of continuously checking your favorite sites for updates, you can let Google Reader do it for you. From news sites to your friends’ blogs, Google Reader helps you keep up-to-date with all the online information that matters most to you.

All you need is a google account, and away you go…!

… I have developed my own little DesignTavern built Directory – It is comprised of a list of blogs and sites that I regularly visit! and certainly think are worth while checking!

Keeping up to date with the latest news is important and it’s amazing what you pick up even if you scan through a few articles every day – these are the blogs and sites that inspire my design thinking..

(image via DeclanTM on Flickr)

Design Blogs And Communities directory list #1 – 21/12/2008
(all screenshots were taken at this date)

2modern design Talk

“We provide a wide-range of views and commentary focused on contemporary design. Contributors to the blog are designers, manufacturers, editors, retailers, architects and consumers. Some contributors enjoy a large spectrum of the modern lifestyle, others are focused on specific niches or topics like: modern lighting, contemporary art, innovative architecture, etc. Some of us spend most of their time at tradeshows, viewing the latest designs, others spend their time in a studio in overalls and paint. The common denominator is that this carefully selected group of individuals weave a special fabric we call the 2Modern Design Talk blog.”

A great starting point, 2modern Design Talk has a wide range of design products in their store and also on their blog – It has everything you might think of from storage units to fashion, books to outdoor music. 2modern has a bit of everything.

Apartment Therapy

“Saving the world, one room at a time”
A home and interior design site – Dedicated to decking out your home with the latest furnishings and products – A great place for inspiration if you’re thinking of re-decorating or just looking to jazz up your nest.

Better Living Through Design

“Better Living Through Design is an online resource for people interested in great design.”
Better Living Through Design is a great place to check out if you’re looking for gifts for friends, family (and YOURSELF!) All that is featured on the site is for sale – a bit of a one stop shop for the design orientated!

Cool Hunting

“Cool Hunting is a daily update on ideas and products in the intersection of art, design, culture and technology, and features weekly videos that get an inside look at the people who create them..” a collection of “stuff we like” from writers and users – great for finding the fun and quirky stuff that lurks the internet.

Core 77

“Since 1995 Core77.com has served a devoted global audience of industrial designers ranging from students through seasoned professionals. Core77 publishes articles, discussion forums, an extensive event calendar, hosts portfolios, job listings, a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services. Core77 provides a gathering point for designers and enthusiasts alike by producing design competitions, lecture series, parties, and exhibits.”

Core 77 has it all going on, on top of being a blog they also have their own little community – They are involved in everything you might think of revolving around design – It was my first port of call when looking for blogging inspiration. They have their own in house competitions, a job seeker page and all you could think of!

Daily Serving

“DailyServing was conceived as a central site for art lovers to visit daily to find resources and updates on happenings within the Contemporary Arts. Designed to be a dynamic source of information sharing, directly leading to countless sources of exciting information about our daily features, DS is revolutionizing how art lovers interact with and receive arts information.”

Daily Serving Is my source for keeping up to date with contemporary art (and design) they have all the goings on in the art world along with interviews, articles and reviews.

Design Addict

“..your resource for modern, post-modern and contemporary design of the 20th-21st centuries where you’ll find information on designers and producers, on furniture, lighting, dinnerware and accessories.

Design Addict is the leading design portal online, targeting the international community of design professionals and private consumers. Founded in 1998, Design Addict has witnessed brilliant rise during the past years. Thanks to its permanent wish to respond in the best possible way to users’ expectations, Design Addict has succeeded in imposing itself as the undeniable international leader of information websites in the field of product design.”

Another well established, big fish, design blog – The team over at design addict can boast forums, blog, shop and not to mention a huge readership.

Design Milk

“Design Milk is not a retail shop, nor do we sell anything from this website. We try to direct you to a website with every post, so that you can inquire directly.”

On top of the blog-front (which brings readers great art and design products from around the world) Design Milk also have an extensive Design Directory which is chockers with links for artists, designers and everything you can think of in the creative field.

Design Mind

“..Design Mind; Our mission is to share the best in form and function that the design world has to offer. We believe that in this mass production society, providing alternative ways to express oneself contributes to an aesthetically oriented culture. We encourage you to always look closely and critically with an eye toward the uncommon.”

The gang over at Design Mind has a lot of great content on display; but one would particularly hit Design Mind when looking for unique gifts, specifically jewelry! (A jewelry designer is behind the scenes) check it out!

Design Verb

“Designverb covers elements in design that excite, inspire, captivate, and rattle our goofy creative minds through curious and refreshing finds in art, design, technology, food, culture, experiences, lifestyles, entertainment, and all the other mind-provoking ideas that come with it!”

Aaron from Design Verb always has a bit of fun on display – Usually some interesting videos he’s found via youtube.

Dezeen

Time says of Dezeen: “This online magazine provides an in-depth look at the latest news from top designers and architects around the world.” Not only “top” designers and architects, we’d like to add.

A real mover and shaker, Dezeen is one of the leading sites when it comes to design, it’s rapid growth is a good indication of the quality of products shown – dezeen.com is now pushing 1.75 million viewers since late 2006!

Inhabitat

Inhabitat.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

The hippies of the design world; the Inhabitat team are big on eco design; they’re a great source for green thinking and ideas. They also have a shop worth visiting for all your tree hugging needs!

Mochatini

“Mochatini is an eco-friendly design blog about interior and exterior spaces. Spaces that are contemporary, creative, handmade, budget conscious and personalized. Mochatini supports green, eco-friendly, sustainable design and living practices.”

Mochatini is compiled by the lovely Manvi, “a creative entrepreneur and blogger dedicated to improving the human quality of life through good design.” Manvi’s site has a great collection of home knick knacks – and some great interior design news, opinion and she also runs some fun competitions!

The Design Files

“The Design Files is a collection of creative people, places and products from Melbourne and beyond. I update daily, and interview some of Australia’s most talented designers, artists and creative professionals every week.”

I love to check in at the Design Files often, although Melbourne specific it also has some great interviews and articles worth checking out. It’s also got a nice personal touch as Lucy the author will often go out and take her own photos rather than recycling what is already on the net.

I think that’s enough to keep you going a little while and hopefully widen your design reading – over the next few weeks I hope to expand the list and am I looking to put together my own little Design Directory – Where artists, designers, architects, bloggers and all creative professionals can submit their site and services. This is just a portion of the blogs I have in my google reader (I read a lot of articles..!)

If you would like your blog to get a mention or you know a site worth sharing, please flick me an email ! and ill look to including it in the next directory post! remember, I’m at admin@designtavern.com!