It's long been used for software and geek exchanges. Now furniture and accessories makers are using Creative Commons to help distribute their ideas. Some are small like the makers on Ponoko. And then there are the more established designers like Ronen Kadushin who are getting into the mix.

http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/product-plans/free

http://www.ronen-kadushin.com/Open_Design.asp

Whenever you're looking for something to dress up the kitchen, a light accent might do the trick. The cast iron wrench is created by a group in Takaoka, Japan.

If you are a do it yourselfer (if the word even exists), then you like dressing things up. The black, drab camera straps can be a drain on the eyes — and the perfect project.

We love the idea of being able to build almost anything you want. The DIY society has changed the landscape of hobby building.

This is one of the easiest ways we've seen to build a Steadycam using an ordinary tripod and a Manfrotto clamp.

Steadycam DIY from softdistortion on Vimeo.

If you are wondering how exactly most graphic designs are created, this video is for you.

The Design Process from Steve Haslip on Vimeo.

We always have problems choosing colors with our designs. The issue is the matching the first color selection. Kuler has a community section that allows you to pick and submit color pallettes.

Have you ever thought of just taking off and leaving everything behind? This might be what you need to stay creative.

http://staynomad.com/

Dwell magazine's June 2009 issue is on small spaces. The slideshow illustrates that you can do a lot with tiny spaces if you are designing a new home.

http://www.dwell.com/slideshows/The-Best-of-Small-Spaces.html

 

It's hard to understand the process of one art director compared to another. The Society of Publication Designers created a blog aptly named "The Process". There's an amazing series of articles that follow the development of a story's design. The piece is for Wired and features Charlie Kaufman for his movie Synecdoche, New York.