13 Best Graphic Design Communities (Free & Paid) To Join In 2024
The value of great graphic design communities is hard to quantify—kind of like the value of great design itself. But if graphic design is your passion, joining a community is a perfect way to network, seek out (and give back!) inspiration, and invest in your long-term success.
For any graphic designers looking to stand out in the industry, here are some great graphic design communities to join.
Best Graphic Design Communities 2024 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best graphic design communities I think are worth joining in 2024:
- AIGA — For professional designers and advocates
- Graphic Design Forum — For discussions on graphic design
- Reddit Graphic Design — For community-based design discussions
- CreativePro — For creative professionals seeking tips and tools
- Behance — For showcasing creative work
- Dribbble — For designers to share and get feedback
- 99designs — For finding freelance design work
- LogoLounge — For logo design inspiration and networking
- Design Buddies — For networking with fellow design enthusiasts
- Graphic Design Forums — For UK-based design discussions
- Dieline — For packaging design inspiration
- Creative Market — For buying and selling creative assets
- Steam Group Graphic Design — For gamers interested in graphic design
Find more details about each community below.
The 13 Best Graphic Design Communities
1. AIGA — For professional designers and advocates
AIGA is a professional association dedicated to advancing design as a respected craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force.
- Audience: Professional designers and design advocates
- Membership Cost: Starts from $50 to $500 annually
- Platform: Website and events
Why Join:
AIGA is a vital community for designers seeking to advance their skills, network with other professionals, and stay informed about industry trends. The association hosts numerous events, including conferences, workshops, and webinars, providing valuable learning and networking opportunities. Joining AIGA connects you with a vast network of professionals, helping you to stay inspired and informed in the fast-paced field of design.
2. Graphic Design Forum — For discussions on graphic design
Graphic Design Forum is an online community where graphic designers can discuss industry trends, seek advice, and share their work.
- Audience: Graphic designers of all experience levels
- Membership Cost: Free with paid options available
- Platform: Online forum
Why Join:
Graphic Design Forum is an excellent resource for designers looking to engage with peers, gain insights, and solve design challenges. The forum allows members to ask questions, share experiences, and receive constructive feedback on their work. It stands out due to its active and supportive community, making it a go-to place for continuous learning and professional development in graphic design.
3. Reddit Graphic Design — For community-based design discussions
Reddit Graphic Design is a subreddit where designers can participate in interactive discussions, share their projects, and find inspiration. It is a vibrant community with a diverse range of topics related to graphic design.
- Audience: Graphic designers and design enthusiasts
- Size: 2M+ members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Reddit
Why Join:
Reddit Graphic Design is a platform for designers to engage with a large and diverse community. It is particularly valuable for those seeking real-time feedback, inspiration, and industry news. The subreddit is known for its active participation and wide variety of topics, a valuable resource for staying updated and connected in the world of graphic design.
4. CreativePro — For creative professionals seeking tips and tools
CreativePro is an online resource offering articles, tutorials, and tools for creative professionals. It covers a broad range of topics from graphic design to photography.
- Audience: Graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers
- Membership Cost: Free access with premium content available
- Platform: Website, Events, Facebook, and LinkedIn
Why Join:
CreativePro is a comprehensive design resource for creative professionals looking to improve their design career, and skills and stay updated with industry trends. Joining CreativePro gives access to a wealth of knowledge and tools that keep you competitive in the industry.
5. Behance — For showcasing creative work
Behance is an online platform where creative professionals can showcase their portfolios, discover new work, and connect with collaborators.
- Audience: Creative professionals including designers, illustrators, photographers, and more
- Size: 50M + members
- Membership Cost: Free with premium features available
- Platform: Website
Why Join:
Behance is an essential platform for creative professionals looking to display their work to a global audience. It offers an opportunity to gain visibility, receive feedback, and connect with other creatives and potential clients.
6. Dribbble — For designers to share and get feedback
Dribbble is a community where designers can share their projects, get feedback, and discover creative work. It is widely used by designers to showcase their portfolios and find inspiration.
- Audience: Designers, illustrators, and creative professionals
- Size: 1.5M+ members
- Membership Cost: Free with premium features available
- Platform: Website and mobile app
Why Join:
Dribbble is a vibrant community for designers and is known for its high-quality content and active user base, making it an excellent place to find inspiration and improve your design skills. Joining Dribbble can help you build a professional portfolio, connect with other designers, and potentially attract clients and job opportunities.
7. 99designs — For finding freelance design work
99designs is an online platform where designers can find freelance work by participating in design contests or working directly with clients on projects.
- Audience: Freelance designers and clients seeking design services
- Size: 1.4M members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Website
Why Join:
99designs offers numerous opportunities to participate in design contests, providing a chance to showcase your skills and win clients. It also allows for direct client-designer collaboration, making it easier to secure consistent work. For freelancers, 99designs offers a structured and accessible way to grow their business and gain exposure in the design industry.
8. LogoLounge — For logo design inspiration and networking
LogoLounge is a community resource for logo designers, offering a comprehensive database of logo designs, articles, and networking opportunities.
- Audience: Logo designers and branding professionals
- Membership Cost: $100 annually
- Platform: Website
Why Join:
LogoLounge allows members to explore a wide range of design styles and trends. Additionally, it offers opportunities for networking with other designers and accessing exclusive content. Joining LogoLounge helps you stay ahead in the logo design field and connect with like-minded professionals.
9. Design Buddies — For networking with fellow design enthusiasts
Design Buddies is an online community focused on networking and professional development for design enthusiasts. It offers events, mentorship, and a supportive environment for growth.
- Audience: Design enthusiasts and professionals across various fields
- Size: 70,000+ members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Website and Discord
Why Join:
Design Buddies provides a supportive environment where members can participate in events, seek advice, and collaborate on projects. Joining Design Buddies allows you to connect with a diverse group of design professionals, gain insights from experienced mentors, and enhance your skills through community-driven learning.
10. Graphic Design Forums — For UK-based design discussions
Graphic Design Forums is an online community for graphic designers based in the UK, offering a platform for discussions, advice, and industry news.
- Audience: Graphic designers in the UK
- Size: 29,000+ members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Online forum
Why Join:
Graphic Design Forums is a valuable resource for designers looking to engage with peers in the UK. The forum provides a space for discussing local industry trends, sharing experiences, and seeking advice. It stands out for its focus on the UK market, making it particularly relevant for designers working in or targeting this region.
11. Dieline — For packaging design inspiration
The Dieline is an online platform dedicated to showcasing packaging design, offering inspiration and industry news for packaging professionals.
- Audience: Packaging designers and branding professionals
- Membership Cost: Free with paid options available
- Platform: Website
Why Join:
The Dieline is a premier resource for packaging designers seeking inspiration and industry insights. The platform features a curated selection of innovative packaging designs, along with articles and interviews with industry leaders. Joining The Dieline community allows you to stay updated on the latest trends, find creative inspiration, and connect with other packaging design professionals.
12. Creative Market — For buying and selling creative assets
Creative Market is an online marketplace where designers can buy and sell design assets, including fonts, graphics, templates, and more.
- Audience: Designers, illustrators, and other creative professionals
- Size: 1M+ members
- Membership Cost: Free to join, with costs for purchasing assets
- Platform: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter
Why Join:
Creative Market offers a wide variety of products, a valuable resource for finding the tools you need to enhance your work. For sellers, it provides an opportunity to reach a large audience and generate income from their designs. Joining Creative Market helps you streamline your creative process and monetize your skills effectively.
13. Steam Group Graphic Design — For gamers interested in graphic design
The Steam Group Graphic Design is a community where gamers with an interest in graphic design can share their work, seek feedback, and discuss design topics.
- Audience: Gamers with an interest in graphic design
- Size: 2,000+ members
- Membership Cost: Free
- Platform: Steam
Why Join:
The Steam Group Graphic Design offers a unique blend of gaming and design, making it an ideal community for gamers who are passionate about graphic design. Joining this community allows you to combine your interests in gaming and design, connect with others who share these passions, and improve your design skills in a supportive environment.
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