10 Instagram Accounts to Follow for Design Inspiration

I started keeping inspiration notebooks when I was a product design student at San Francisco State. Not to date myself too much, but at the time, social media was really only used to determine whether or not you were fighting with your friends that week based on their latest Top 8.

I keep up these inspiration notebooks because I think they help me to see how trends—and my tastes—change. However, for every-day bursts of inspiration, I turn to Instagram. The “saved” and “collections” tabs were a game changer, putting the ease of Pinterest to keep things organized with the wide variety of images from Instagram.

When I speak at universities, I suggest they use this feature liberally. Save anything that catches your eye, then go back through and notice the similarities. Use these patterns and opinions that you may not even know you have to be inspired and as the stepping stones towards your latest design. And follow the Instagram link wormhole to find new accounts that can offer a broader array of viewpoints. Explore.

For the last two years, I’ve actively curated my Instagram feed, and I’ve used the saved tab to understand where my current aesthetic eye is. I encourage every creative (and non-creatives!) to do the same, but if you need a starting place, below you’ll find 10 of my top Instagram accounts.

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10 Top Instagram Accounts for Interior Design

@maryevansartist

London artist Mary Evans uses art, as she says in herwebsite’ sabout-me , to “synthesize elements of my African background with the European culture of my experience.” This background results in beautifully simplistic, yet powerful, silhouettes. I love the depth of her work, and I’m always excited to see new pieces go up.@Malia_mu

Malia Mu Designs’ “Knots to Inspire” are more than gorgeous contemporary home décor (and I assume they feel like clouds)—they’re created with sensory play in mind. Childhood sensory play advocacy plus day-dream-inducing photos and the cutest little babymodelsmeans I spend more time than I should admit going through the @malia_mu feed. (*AND* maker-mama extraordinaire gave birth to her third child less than a month ago. #bosslady)
More Top Instagram Accounts: Instagram Auctions Allow Artists to Enact Change @chiomaaaaaa

I first saw ChiomaEbinama’s work when she took over the @thisisintern—a Manchester-based magazine—account in March. The above image captivated me, and I’ve been a fan of hers ever since. If you’re in the NYC area and would like to see her work in person, her first solo exhibition will be on display July 11-28, 2018 at 250 Broome Street. @_papercreations

I can’t be the only one who wishes to be organized enough to bullet journal, but product design student Viktoria’s layouts take it to a whole new level. Each post looks so effortless with her journal laying upon off-white linen, sprigs of foliage, and the soft water-color of her illustrations a pop against the white pages. For me, at least, the @_papercreations account brings about a sense of calm. @bystaceyjones

There’s just something about “traditional” craft used for a contemporary aesthetic, and Stacey Jones’ embroidery is above and beyond. The British textile artist describes her work as “exploring life throughthread ” which comes to life through bold patterns and bright colors. What’s more: 10 percent of every sale from her Etsy page goes towards cancer charity organization Sarcoma UK.Artists Take Action: How One Maker Started A Movement@niche_interiors

You may have seen Niche Interiors before—the San Francisco-based residential interior design studio has been featured in Domino Magazine, Modern Luxury Silicon Valley, and Elle Décor in recent months. Lead by Principal Designer Jennifer Jones, LEED AP, Associate ASID, @niche_interiors showcases contemporary luxury in perfectly-lit shots without falling into the habit of showcasing the same aesthetic repeatedly. @levi_higgs

As archivist and social media pro for the jewelry brand David Webb, as well as all-around design and art geek, Levi Higg’s page is full of pictures from museums, beautifully shot architecture, and the most stunning jewels you won’t believe someone is allowed to breathe around—much less hold for an Instagram post.@nataschamadeiski

Italian Natascha Madeiski (who now lives and teaches architecture in the United Kingdom) is the definition of multi-disciplinary; her works span architecture, lighting, furniture, and now ceramics. Her page shows a range of her designs, but my favorites are from her Now And Then collection which mixes porcelain with brass utensils in a new and exciting way. @kmb_artist

Katie Marie Bruce is a print, sculpture, and textile artist; in particular, I’m in awe of her use of engraving. Her Instagram page shows the time, detail, and light hand needed to produce such precise pieces of art. There’s so much to see in such a small frame that I find myself scouring the same photos over and over, noticing new details every time. @hernamewascharlie

Enjoy a jaw-dropping interior and bold patterns of texture, color, and motifs? @hernamewascharlie gives followers a nearly Wes Anderson- esque look at spaces and places. Her eye for detail is fantastic. There’s no way you can follow her account and not start to notice the minute details in the world around you that makes life magical.

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