Where do you find balance in the chaos?
Last Friday, we shared a handful of ways to get inspired and exercise your design skills. If you missed out, click here to scroll through last week's picks.
For this week's finds, we reached out to you on Instagram to ask you how you find balance in times of stress. We think balance is something we could all use a little more of in our days, especially during this time.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed given everything going on, but we want to remind you that it's OK to take time for yourself. In fact, you should. Take some deep breaths, stretch it out, listen to some good tunes—whatever helps you stay balanced, we hope you find something in this week's list to keep it going.
Without further ado, here are this week's Futur's Finds:
This week’s assignment
If you worked on the previous two assignments—a poster design from Blank Poster and a randomly generated prompt from Designercize—why not include one of these personal projects in your portfolio? Whether you've been meaning to build your portfolio or freshen it up with recent work, take this week to do it! And if you want to learn how to neatly package your work and share your process, check out The Complete Case Study.
Take a relaxing scroll
- Check out @thebohemianbookshelf on Instagram for constant book reviews, recommendations, and an English garden aesthetic that'll calm you as you look for your next great read.
Balance the day
- Download the Balance app and start meditating your way. Balance lets you completely personalize your meditation experience based on your previous meditation experiences, goals, and challenges. Thanks, Steven, for this recommendation!
- Our friend, Shakeel, encourages us all to take a step away from the computer and give the tree pose a try. Practice this one with a few deep breaths.
Move your body
- Alo Moves is offering two weeks free to new app subscribers. Get access to online yoga, barre, and pilates classes, meditations, HIIT workouts, and more.
- Train like an athlete with Athlean X, the 6-week program that will totally transform your body. Thanks, Jeremy, for this suggestion that's guaranteed to make us sweat!
Book of the week
- Book of Ideas by Radim Malinic - "An outpouring of what one creative director and designer has discovered from many years working in the strange and endlessly fascinating world of the creative industry." Thanks, Miguel for this suggestion!
Pick up a new skill
- Need to build a website for your business? Webflow is now offering free e-commerce plans for all business owners. Browse through a variety of free templates and tips from the Webflow team to get started.
- ...And if you're new to Webflow, check out the Webflow Masterclass from Flux Academy. Our good friend and Webflow wizard, Ran Segall, created this course so you can build beautiful websites from scratch in no time. Get 25% off the Webflow Masterclass with the code FRIENDS-OF-FUTUR.
Mockups and more
- If you design logos or identity systems, check out The Logo Package. This tool is used to export every possible iteration of your logo. And through the entire month of April, you can save 25% when you use the code home at checkout.
- Download our virtual backgrounds and host your next Zoom meeting at The Futur HQ! Virtually step into livestream studio 2, the infamous poster room, the podcast sofa, or Chris's office.
What to watch
Sit back and relax with these picks:
- Some Good News is a new YouTube series hosted by The Office's John Krasinski. He highlights only good news from around the world, plus includes some special guests, to bring a little more positivity to your day.
- Abstract on Netflix is the series that was literally made for us. Follow along famous designers from all industries to see how design impacts our everyday lives. Thanks, Kunal, for this suggestion!
- Love cats? Then you'll love this YouTube channel dedicated entirely to adorably stubborn felines: Impressed Cat Video.
Listen while you work
Music we’re loving:
- The latest and sixth album by The Strokes, The New Abnormal, is probably unlike any Strokes album before it—but in a really good way. The British indie rock band steps into their second decade together with slower melodies, a little more wisdom, and feelings of pure nostalgia.
- Check out Boiler Room on YouTube for livestreams and uploads of upbeat, 'dancefloor therapy' from a variety of independent DJs and artists.
Podcasts we recommend:
- If you listened to our podcast episode with Kathryn Dyer and loved the vulnerability of the conversation, give the Can't Tell You Everything podcast with Kathryn and Karl Zoltan a listen.
- Videographer Tom Noske has just recently launched his podcast, Reel Life. Tune in for all things filmmaking and photography related, as well as open and candid conversations on topics all creatives might find interesting. Thanks to Arif for this suggestion!
Meals to try this week
These easy, go-to meals contain ingredients you might already have at home:
- Breakfast - Don't wait until Taco Tuesday to make these delicious Scrambled Egg Tacos!
- Lunch - Nourish your body with essential macronutrients in this comforting Masala Chickpea Buddha Bowl.
- Dinner - The ultimate comfort food: Shepherd's Pie Made Easy
And finally, a quote to keep in mind throughout the week
"My point is, life is about balance. The good and the bad. The highs and the lows. The piña and the colada.”
— Ellen Degeneres