Inspiration: Six Instagram Accounts: Season 2 Episode 6
Dawn and Katie discuss three Instagram accounts each that inspire their design practices.
Dawn leads off the discussion by recommending @Amytropolis, which is Amy DuFault’s Instagram account. According to Amy’s Instagram profile, she is a “Storyteller & consultant on regenerative textile systems. I 💙 natural dyeing. Chief communicator @botanicalcolors @senewenglandfibershed amydufault.com.” And on her website, she writes, “Today, you can find me co-running the Southeastern New England Fibershed, learning a whole heck of a lot as to how to keep carbon in the ground, creating a digestible dialogue with farmers about climate change, and creating a regional supply chain that supports Massachusetts and Rhode Island textile businesses.” Dawn follows @Amytroplis for Amy’s dedication to sustainable textile practices.
Katie begins her list of inspirational Instagram accounts with @accidentallywesandersen. Katie learned of the account from Wally Koval’s book by the same name. If you’re familiar with Wes Andersen’s films, you’ll recognize a related aesthetic in this Instagram feed that includes wonderfully photographed real-life locations that are reminiscent of Wes Andersen’s visual sensibility. Many follow the feed as a travelogue; for Katie, it’s more of an archilogue. She follows it for the architecture, design, color, composition, and whimsy of the imagery.
Next, Dawn cites @SeaChangeProject as an inspiration. In their Instagram profile, they note, “We are a media advocacy organization dedicated to exploring and documenting #TheGreatAfricanSeaforest and #ForestsoftheSea.” Dawn follows them for the gorgeous photography and the inspiration these images bring to her design work.
Katie continues by recommending @pietoudolf, the Instagram account of Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf. Known for designing vast public spaces, like New York’s High Line, Oudolf works primarily with perennials and grasses. Katie admires his painterly approach that results in landscapes that exhibit orchestrated wildness — sometimes juxtaposed against more formal elements like trimmed hedges — which capture interest across the seasons and years.
Dawn’s final selection is @Voutsa, which is artist and designer George Venson’s Instagram account. According to the Voutsa website, “Founded in 2013, we are a vivacious design studio with ever-evolving textile and product lines. Situated between the history of art, the decorative arts, and modern manufacturing methods, our aim is to research and develop fresh ideas for print and product design.” Dawn follows this feed because Voutsa wallpapers and fabrics are unlike any in the market. Masterful.
Katie wraps up the episode by recommending the inspirational paintings (and words) of @tgirardart, which is Theresa Girard’s Instagram account. Theresa is an abstract painter and art workshop facilitator/coach. Find her website here. For Katie, many of Theresa’s paintings evoke colorful landscapes or aerial views, beautifully composed, organic, and free.
