Many designers rely on a handful of platforms like Dribbble, Behance, and Pinterest for design references. However, these sources only cover about 20% of their needs, often falling short in showcasing animations, providing access to original files, or displaying the evolution of designs over time. To address this gap, an extensive investigation into over 50 design reference platforms has revealed that Dribbble and Behance are just the tip of the iceberg.
Among the standout platforms is Mobbin, which offers video recordings of user flows rather than static screenshots. With over 500,000 screenshots from more than 1,000 mobile applications, it provides insights into how transitions work between screens and how UI elements react in real time. This tool is frequently used by teams at companies like Airbnb, Pinterest, and Uber. It allows designers to copy and paste images directly into Figma, making it easier to analyze and understand design patterns. However, its focus is mainly on mobile applications, which may not suit everyone, and it comes at a price of $12 per month.
Screen Gallery is another notable service, uniquely oriented towards mobile applications from Russia and the CIS. It features thousands of screenshots categorized by user flows, UX patterns, and UI elements. This platform is essential for designers working for Russian-speaking audiences, as it illustrates how local apps like Yandex and Sber tackle common design challenges. Screen Gallery also offers video recordings of user flows and is updated daily, but it has a smaller collection compared to Mobbin and is priced at 500 rubles per month.
For those looking for a comprehensive resource that includes emails and internal interfaces, SaaSFrame stands out. It covers a wide range of onboarding emails and UI patterns, allowing designers to visualize the entire customer journey, from registration to email communication. While it has fewer examples than Mobbin, it provides downloadable Figma files for deeper analysis at a cost of $14 monthly.
Awwwards is recognized as the premier award in web design, showcasing the best designs globally. Winning an Awwward places a project on an international pedestal, recognizing creativity, usability, and content. Though it features many concept-driven sites that may not translate to commercial projects, it offers valuable insights into top-tier web design practices.
Muzli, a Chrome extension that transforms the new tab into a design-focused page, delivers fresh inspiration with every browser window opened. It aggregates content from over 160 sources, making it a convenient tool for designers looking to stay updated without actively searching for references.
Refero joins the list with over 100,000 high-resolution screenshots of web and iOS interfaces, providing a wealth of resources for designers seeking visual references.
The shift towards these platforms signifies a growing demand for more interactive, detailed, and contextually rich design references, pushing traditional platforms to evolve or risk becoming obsolete. This trend could reshape the competitive landscape, compelling existing services to enhance their offerings to retain users.
Informational material. 18+.
