As a UI/UX designer, I've realized one thing — you don't need to do everything from scratch. The internet is full of resources that can boost creativity, save hours, and turn an okay design into something that makes people say, "Wow, this is clean."

Here's a list I've personally curated and constantly updated over time. Whether you're a beginner still figuring out the Figma auto-layouts or a seasoned designer managing client work and side projects, these tools are gold.

Colors That Speak

Because a good color palette can literally change the vibe of your entire product.

  • Coolors — The OG color palette generator. A designer's comfort blanket.
  • Color Hunt — Curated palettes by designers around the world. Pastel, bold, retro — you'll find them all.
  • Adobe Color — Perfect for color harmony nerds (like me).
  • Khroma — AI-generated palettes based on your taste. Scarily accurate.

Fonts That Don't Disappoint

Typography isn't just text — it's voice, mood, and branding rolled into one.

  • Google Fonts — Clean, accessible, and reliable.
  • DaFont — Perfect when you want something fun, quirky, or themed.
  • 1001 Fonts — A goldmine for finding something just a little different.
  • Fontpair — No more guesswork in pairing fonts.
  • Fontshare — Free, stylish, and trending fonts for modern design.

Mockups That Sell the Design

You made the design — now show it off like it belongs in a product launch.

  • LS.graphics — High-quality, premium-feel mockups.
  • Mockup World — Device frames, packaging, posters — you name it.
  • Previewed.app — Want 3D mockups for mobile apps? This one's magic.
  • Frrames — Clean frames for quick previews.
  • UI8 — Full UI kits, mockups, icon sets… great for prototyping and polish.

UI Kits That Speed Things Up

When deadlines are tight but quality can't drop.

  • Figma Community — Free kits, icons, design systems — made by designers for designers.
  • Untitled UI — My fav for keeping things tidy and consistent.
  • MUI — For React devs and design-dev collaboration.
  • Tailwind UI — Beautiful components that translate into real code fast.

Inspiration Boards I Keep Coming Back To

Let's be honest — sometimes, we need a little creative push.

  • Dribbble — Daily eye-candy and concept UI.
  • Behance — Real-world projects, complete with case studies.
  • Mobbin — Actual design patterns from top apps. Game-changer.
  • Pageflows — UX video walkthroughs of top product flows.
  • Landbook — Landing page inspo for every style.

Tools for UX Research & Testing

Good design is backed by good research.

  • Maze — Fast usability tests and data-backed decisions.
  • Hotjar — Heatmaps and session recordings = design clarity.
  • Lookback.io — Live, remote user testing made easy.
  • UX Tools — Tool comparisons, surveys, and helpful blog content.

Wireframing & Prototyping Essentials

Because every great UI starts with messy boxes and lines.

  • Figma — My daily canvas. Collaborative, smart, and always improving.
  • Whimsical — Love it for quick flows, sticky notes, and early-stage ideation.
  • Penpot — An open-source alternative gaining serious traction.
  • Balsamiq — Feels like you're sketching with purpose.

UX Learning Resources I Swear By

Designing isn't a one-time learning gig — it's an ongoing adventure.

  • Interaction Design Foundation — In-depth, well-structured learning.
  • Coursera — University-level UX courses with certificates.
  • UX Planet — Short-form, real-world reads.
  • Smashing Magazine — A treasure trove of practical advice.

Final Thoughts

I've bookmarked, saved, hoarded, and tested hundreds of resources over the years. But these are the ones I keep coming back to — because they work. Whether you're crafting your first case study, building a design system, or just lost in a blank artboard, this toolkit has your back.

Got a favorite resource I missed? Drop it in the comments — I'd love to discover something new!