Image courtesy of www.lovedsgn.com

I’ve been bad. Very bad. It’s almost been one month since my last blog post.

It’s ironic that one of my most recent posts is titled “Interludes in Your Creative Business” being that I’m swimming in a nice collection of work lately and find myself without any free time. Hence, the lack of blog posts. That and the one year mark from the big day is fast approaching. Juggling a job I’m very passionate about, wedding planning, and life in general can be quite a lot to undertake. Sure, I’ll be fine, but there are definitely aspects of my regular schedule that have been a bit neglected… such as blogging.

So, it’s high time I posted! I figured I’d post about my latest fixation; designer social networking sites – LoveDsgn, Forrst, and Dribbble to be exact. I really like the idea of sharing snippets/screenshots of work with design peers and the camaraderie involved, critiques from those with a trained eye, as well as the social aspect of making friends in the field on a bit more of a personal level. Sharing your work with the world via your website’s portfolio page is one thing, but to share it, specifically, with a large group of designers who you respect is another. In return, you get a glimpse into what others in your field are currently working on — before and/or after the final is complete. Exchanging valuable feedback with your design peers on aspects of the work that may have slipped through the cracks or could just use a bit of improving or editing – kerning, color, composition, font choices, etc.

It’s a bit reminiscent of the community I enjoyed with my senior portfolio class in college. I always looked forward to working in the studio with my classmates. If I ever needed a break, I could step away from my work, walk around, observe the inspiring work others were creating, partake in interesting discussions about the work, get valuable insight and critique regarding my current project… It was quite inspiring. I miss that.

So, the basic concept behind all three communities appeals to me in a major way. I am currently a member of lovedsgn.com, though each of the sites listed above seem like fantastic communities to be a part of. Lovedsgn.com focuses on typography, but users are welcome to share snippets of design and illustration work as well as text copy submissions for feedback as well. I’m enjoying it A LOT. The community is currently in beta and is still relatively small, but it is growing. I’m excited to see where it goes!

If you are interested in joining lovedsgn.com, there’s an open invitation for those who are passionate about design and typography. Fill out this form for consideration. My experience, so far, has been one that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a place to converse with other designers about their work.

What are your thoughts on online design communities? Are you a member of one? What has your experience been like?

*UPDATE: Now that the site is public, you can view my LoveDsgn profile by clicking here.

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