After the start of the Inspiration Database, the most natural thing for me was to write a tutorial explaining to the people coming here for the first time, how to use this powerful tool.

Now, to everyone that already read the great book "The Principles of Beautiful Web Design" the idea for this site will be familiar. Creating a morgue file for your projects and gathering inspiration from other sites, is an important step that allows you to keep your style up to date (and hopefully stop you from using those web 2.0 reflections so often). But enough talking let's get to business. 

1. Testing your skills

First of all, Inspiration Database don't accept everything. We will put on the stage only the nice sites that we think can give a good example. Then, the users can rate your design,.. and you can see how they like it. And last, but not least, you can receive comments on your entry, so you will get feedback from real professionals and not as usual, your mother/cousin/sister/angry client with using IE5 and images turned off.

2. The "Bookmark" button

For me, this is probably one of the most important feature on the site. Wit this button you can save the sites you like and come back and explore them later. 

3. Arrange your bookmarks

You can neatly arrange your bookmarks in a database named for your needs. 

For example, You can create different database for different projects, and this way discuss it with colleagues. 

4. Keep your privacy

Don't want the other to be able to access your database? Simply set a password by clicking on the small padlock icon and Inspiration Database will keep the bores away. 

5. Really,.. what can i use Inspiration Database for?

Tough crow, ah? Still not convinced? 

You can use inspiration database to create your own portfolio. Even if not all your sites are accepted you can still upload your own images on the site (visible only in your private database).

You can ask your clients to create a morgue of sites that they like so you can get to know what they like. 

You can share your databases with your colleagues to discuss certain problems on a project.

YOU CAN HAVE FUN!

Posted on October 08, 2009