Whether you are in search of inspiration or other designers to interact with, you can find it on the web. Here are some excellent web sites and pages that will be very helpful and entertaining for your career as a graphic designer.

I just want to take a few minutes to share a more-than-pleasant online ordering experience I’ve had recently. Taking on a new business idea means all new marketing materials and, naturally, business cards were the first item on my list. It’s been awhile since I’ve been through this process and it’s not something I was completely excited about since the last time I ordered cards online, they came back less than satisfactory.

For all of you graphic designers and designer-wannabes out there looking for some poster inspiration, here’s something to get you going. Frank Chimero is a designer who has the simplistic look down pat. His collection of posters bring together different elements of design in such a minimalistic yet effective way that it evokes a rather overwhelming feeling of jealousy. Here’s a closer look at why his simple poster designs are so successful and inspirational:

A truly inspirational artist, Carlo Cruz is known for his amazing photographs in the fashion and advertising world. Fortunately for those of us who can’t get enough, Carlo’s talent is seen in his own photographic series, including his breakdancing shots and now his homeless shots. An ongoing series begun early in 2008, Cruz photographs homeless individuals in California, mostly in downtown LA or Long Beach.

One of the most renown and internationally recognized design firms, Duffy & Partners, recently released a collection of 25 years worth of their logo designs. This incredible collection celebrates the “smart design” for which Duffy & Partners is famous. Included in this collection, you’ll see logos from well-known brands, such as Kardia Health, Shock Doctor, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Thomas E. Wilson Meats, Starbucks Doubleshot, Miller Lite, Toyota Trucks, Diet Coke, and much more. Their refreshing creativity continues to be an inspiration for young designers nation and worldwide.

What better place to get vicious eye-candy bursting with creativity than a graphic designer’s portfolio? In this first installment of our Coolest Graphic Designer Portfolio feature, we list artists and designers boasting of talent in illustrations, fine art, graphic design for flyers, posters and brochures for print, advertising, web design and photography.

We hope you enjoy browsing through their inspiring portfolios as we have! If you know of any graphic designer’s portfolio you find we should include in our list, feel free to let us know!

Once in awhile an artist finds their calling quite by accident. Carlo Cruz has such a story. As a photographer, Carlo works by day in the fields of architecture but by night, Carlo photographs breakdancers.

Jason Gaylor is an artist’s artist. As a freelance designer for web, print, and just about anything else you can think of, Jason goes beyond the design theory and concept work: Jason actually builds digital tools to help other artists.

David Airey is a graphic design artist who specializes in logo design. He has risen to prominence in the last few years due in part to his engaging and creative work and his ability to communicate effectively through his blogs. Featured in this article are just a few of his more recent logo designs.

Hello Lucky is a specialty letterpress printer and design studio based in San Francisco. Hello!Lucky specializes in wedding invitations, greeting cards and personalized stationery. Hello!Lucky boasts a wide range of well-known clients ranging from Anthropologies to Liberty of London.