Is use research necessary?

This link provides explanation for the fact that not all projects need user research and that some of the best designs in the world have not come from user studies and analysis.

The beauty of Data Visualization

An interesting talk with Andrew Vande Moore about the most interesting forms of Data Visualization.

Illustration and Painting

Still in the illustration mania:)
Check out these sites:
Illustration Mundo: good resource featuring thousands of professional illustrators. Good for inspiration on a dull day:)
Wet Canvas: Site which gives lots of help, tips and tricks for all sorts of media and art.

On the digital side:
Smashing Magazine: Great magazine with plenty of tutorials for Photoshop, Illustrator and Web design.

Mr. Picasso Head

You can go wild with this thing. Try it out for yourself and don't forget to visit the gallery [www.mrpicassohead.com]

Readymade News

This is an excellent blog full of links on design news and innovations in the world of creativity. I am sure each one of you will find at least one link of interest in all these.
My favourite is this article about how India and China are taking over the design world:)