I've never used forums, where do I begin?

Not sure what to post about? Or are you new to forums? No problem! We've all been a newbie at one point or another. Forums are a great place to hang out, get informed, share ideas and above all get to know your community.

A good place to start is to ask a question or share a great idea to get a conversation going.

See below to learn how to add a forum topic and most importantly how to format.

How do I add a new Forum topic?

• Go to the Forums tab and click "Add a Topic"
• Fill in the details: the discussion title, post text, make sure you fill in the category, add tags if you need them.
• You can add an image or video within the body of your post.
• Attach images, files, PDFs associated with your topic if you need, but you may want to include this stuff in your actual post.
• You can also immediately share your topic on Facebook or Twitter.
• Preview, make adjustments if needed...
• Hit "Add Discussion"

And you're live! An email will be sent to notify you if you have responses. It's important to stay involved in your forum topic if you want it be successful. Be sure to respond often and engage.

Should I format my forum?

Yes! Absolutely. A neat, formatted, concise forum topic is key for engagement. Below are tips on what to do -- along with a diagram for handy reference.

• Make sure your heading is clear and obvious. Ask a question, make a statement, post a discussion.
• Be sure the body of your forum topic is descriptive and easily understood.
• Take a minute & format the body of your forum: hyperlink, bullet, format.
  
• Ask for a call to action. Be specific about what your forum is about. Are you asking a question? Do you want feedback? Be clear what you are looking for: links, information, answers, discussion.

Why would I create a topic?

Adding a topic is a great way to meet other like minded people and/or to expand your horizons. It's also an awesome space to learn more about your current interests and to find more interests. Forums can also be a great place for getting questions answered and finding more resources about the things that interest you.

What are the main forum topics?

General Design Discussion - This forum is for all general discussion about design. News, opinion, questions, and more belong in this space.

DIY & Hacks - All discussion revolving around DIY and hacks go here. Found a great DIY project you want to share? Have a question about a hack you are working on? Add it here!

Share & Tell - Get peer feedback on your portfolio and work here. Offer feedback and tips to other community members about their designs.

Resources & Skill - Looking for specific materials, found a great site, have a tip you want to share or a have question? Discussion around resources, material, skills, etc get posted here.

Special Design Interest - All special interest topics are posted here: furniture, branding, illustration, toy design, green design, and more.

Off Topic Discussion - This is where you can rant and rave! Topics that may not relate directly to design function and process, but affect designers; your community and life as a designer. Let it rip.

Feedback & Announcements - Have a suggestion for the Community site? Want to announce a project you posted? Thought of an idea for how the site can run better? Post it here.

How can I reply to a topic?

See a topic you want to engage in? Click on "Reply to This"and add your reply in the space provided. You can also format your response, add images and files that relate to the topic.

How can I follow along to forum responses?

When you create a forum post you are automatically subscribed via email, if you can unsubscribe by clicking on "Stop Following".

If you are following along with forums but not replying - you can emails when people reply to a topic, click "Follow" at the bottom of a topic page. As above, to stop the emails click "Stop Following".

What are the guidelines in the forums?

Please be civil and respectful. Check out our Community Guidelines for more info.