It’s easy to let the creative juices cool off during the summer, what with all the sun and sand and vacation time. So how about a day or two of intensive inspiration therapy? Conventions can be a great way to put some fire under your well-tanned bum. You meet like-minded colleagues, hash out the latest and greatest in web design–and heck, you might even learn something. So take your graphic design education to the next level this summer. Here’s where you can start:

1. An Event Apart – multiple cities and dates

An intense, two-day learning session for “passionate practitioners of standards-based web design.” Designers, developers, code-lovers, and usability nerds alike will be all over this one as it tours across the country through the summer and fall.

2. CSS Summit – July 28th, online

Can’t afford the travel or just can’t bear to leave the beach? Tune in for the one-day CSS Summit on July 28^th. This virtual seminar brings together some of the Web’s most notable experts in Cascading Style Sheets to discuss topics like developing for iPhone and CSS3 Animation.

3. Front-End Design Conference – July 23rd, St. Petersburg, FL

Fronted by an impressive all-female panel of experts, this conference was created for “anyone interested in front-end design to spend a day learning and hanging out with a bunch of like-minded peeps.” Cram in topics like Principles of iPhone UI Design and the Art of Self Branding by day, enjoy the Florida coast when it’s over.

*And one to watch out for next year: HOW Design Conference

HOW just wrapped up in Denver, but this is certainly one you want to have on your radar next summer. It’s a mega-conference including expert speakers, vendors, studio tours, and workshops.

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