DesignSnack and NiceStylesheet - Two up-and-coming Design Showcases

Practically everyone in web design (especially CSS based web design) knows what design showcases are (like CSS Mania) - and can even name a few. If not, then that’s ok - I’ll explain.

Design showcases are web sites that feature other websites for their design. Often, the showcases are powered by it’s viewers. Meaning, visitors vote on the web sites featured on the showcase. If the web site does well on the voting, then it wins an award.
Obviously, designers want to win these awards to prove they’re good at design work.
(if you want to get a feel for what design showcases are like: here’s a good list. Thx RandomJabber)

If you have done anything with design showcases, then you’ve probably heard of DesignSnack (a part of the Open Source Design Network). I personally have been involved with DesignSnack since July 8, 2007 and am currently (as of 10.13.07) ranked fifth (Check out my profile).

As you can tell from my involvement, I really like design snack and get a lot out of it. Through DesignSnack I have stumbled upon two great blogs: RandomJabber and Pingable. Furthermore, I have grown in my design knowledge. If that’s not enough, then just wait - the rewards of DesignSnack are getting even sweeter.

This winter DesignSnack shall be adding many new exciting features.

When I do have the time in the near future, probably this winter, I will be adding a lot more functionality to the points system. Namely a monthly point competition for prizes, point trade-ins for free advertising, username changes, etc. and other fun stuff to make the Design Snack experience more fun.
-Justin Scheetz, DesignSnack.com

I don’t know about you, but as a long time member of DesignSnack, I am very excited to see these improvements come to fruition.

While we’re talking about design showcases, I want to mention another design showcase: NiceStylesheet

NiceStylesheet is a CSS design showcase initiated by Deron Sizemore (RandomJabber.com). Deron will be officially launching NiceStylesheet in about one week.

As of now, we don’t know too much about it - except this screenshot:

In the past, Deron has put out some great work, teaming up with Blogtrepreneur and even getting featured on Smashing Magazine’s Best of September 2007 List.

Based on his past work, his blog, and what little info we have, NiceStylesheet looks very promising and I am very excited to see where it is going.