Finding Fresh Web Design Inspiration Beyond the Usual
In this article, Elwyn shares practical tips for web designers looking for unique sources of creativity.
Discover unexpected places to spark your web design creativity
We’ve all been there. You’re stuck in the same routine, looking at competitors’ websites and wondering if there’s anything fresh left to try.
It’s frustrating.
But the good news is that inspiration doesn’t always come from the usual suspects. Some of my best ideas have come from the most random places. I’m talking about gaming interfaces, physical spaces, and even TV menus. The trick is to start looking sideways and notice the details that might otherwise pass you by.
Finding ideas in apps and software
Modern apps and software interfaces are packed with design inspiration. These tools are all about clear communication, fluid transitions, and keeping users engaged, so they’re brilliant examples of interaction done right.
For example, I once spotted a layout while my eight-year-old son was playing a video game on the PS5 that ended up being the foundation for a completely original website design. When you take a moment to look beyond the obvious, you’ll start to see how these interfaces create balance, emphasise key elements, and make navigation intuitive. They should because, after all, they cost so damn much to design.
"If you’ve been a web designer for years and you’re starting to feel like you’re churning out the same effects again and again, step back and look for inspiration outside the industry."
– Elwyn Davies, Pixelhaze Academy
Exploring gaming interfaces
Video games are another goldmine for design ideas. Their interfaces aren’t just thrown together—they’re carefully crafted to guide attention, evoke emotion, and create seamless user experiences.
As hinted to above, I came across a brilliant asymmetrical layout in a game interface recently, which I adapted into a mobile-responsive design that felt completely fresh. There’s something about how these games handle user engagement that can translate well into web design.
Learning from social media
Social media platforms are experts at grabbing attention. Think about how quickly Instagram Stories or tweets pull you in. It’s all about making an impact in those first few seconds. Now, imagine applying that same principle to a landing page. By focusing on delivering a clear and compelling message right at the start, you’ll keep users hooked and guide them where they need to go.
"A web designer using TV interfaces or game menu design as inspiration is a bit like a commercial videographer watching the lastest Hollywood blockbuster for ideas; a 1:1 duplication will never work, but there are creative gems in just about any form of media. Dig these ideas up and recraft them to fit seamlessly in your next project."
– Elwyn Davies, Pixelhaze Academy
Drawing from the physical world
Sometimes the best ideas come from stepping away from the screen entirely. Look around at how signage, billboards, or even architectural layouts work. These physical designs often have to communicate big ideas quickly and clearly, which is something we can take into our web projects. I’ve seen some incredible web layouts that started as sketches of storefront displays or event banners.
Here’s a previous video demonstrating how Brutalism has become popular in web design:
Technology and entertainment interfaces
Even the everyday technology we use can offer surprising inspiration. Take a look at how smart TVs or streaming platforms design their menus. These interfaces are all about simplicity, flow, and making the user feel in control. They handle transitions and highlight selections in ways that can be easily adapted to create intuitive website designs.
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Why borrowing concepts makes sense
Game development and software design often have huge teams and equally large budgets behind them. Instead of a handful of people tweaking ideas, you’ll find entire departments refining every detail. As web designers, we don’t always have the luxury of those resources, so borrowing some of these ideas is a no-brainer.
Take what works, adapt it for your own projects, and make it fit your audience. It’s a clever way to improve your designs without needing a massive team or budget.
Takeaway notes
Explore apps and digital tools for fresh layouts and design principles.
Look at gaming interfaces to learn about guiding user attention and creating emotional responses.
Notice how social platforms capture attention quickly and apply those ideas to your web designs.
Use physical world inspiration to bring new perspectives into your digital projects.
Pay attention to technology and entertainment interfaces for lessons on navigation and flow.
Wrapping up
Creativity isn’t about copying what’s already out there but connecting dots from unexpected places. By stepping outside your comfort zone and looking for inspiration in apps, games, or even your local surroundings, you’ll find yourself building websites that feel fresh, engaging, and completely unique.
And Don’t Forget
join the Pixelhaze Academy for free: https://pixelhaze.academy/membership and explore our resources to help you create something amazing without breaking the bank.
Cheers,
Elwyn
