[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This article is the third of a three part series entitled “How to Stay Connected and Relevant in the Digital Age of Design?” and is featured on MarketScale AEC

Social media influencing isn’t an official science (yet). But it is undeniable that brands and individuals have cultivated enormous followings that change buyer behaviors and consumer demand. The phenomenon of the “social media influencer” is just as important to the AEC industry.

The majority of architects still don’t see marketing as a hugely important part of their business, according to Archipreneur. And it starts at the top. Many principals don’t prioritize or even take the marketing of their firm into account. The result? Some of the best architecture firms are flying way below the radar.

Having an authentic presence on social media is directly tied to better recruiting, increased sales, and differentiation from the competition.

There is a newer school of thought that centers around social media platforms, Instagram especially, being “required reading” for design professionals. It makes sense – a visual medium that shows the most up to date interiors in the most idyllic light is bound to attract eyeballs (and clicks). The visual nature of Instagram can feel like it was made for the A&D industry at times.

To pay homage to the individuals who are setting the pace and influencing the masses (one post at a time), we’ve compiled a list of names to keep an eye on in a number of categories relevant to the AEC market. We scoured the internet – read more “Top 10” lists than we care to admit (don’t believe us? Check the footnotes for a few of them), interviewed dozens of industry professionals, and eventually landed on the following list:[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

A “Not So Definitive” Ranking of Social Media Influencers for the Architecture and Design World:

Interior Design

Whether it is sketches in their free time, unexpected shapes in unexpected places, or materials that you’ve never seen matched together – these designers are using Instagram to tell their own unique design stories, which is why they made our list.

Trendsetter: Dana Tomic Hughes, Yellowtrace

Location: Sydney, Austrailia

Instagram Followers: 2.2K + 149k, respectively

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJLzOwAz33/?taken-by=dana.tomic.hughes

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhtoAWgB-eF/?taken-by=dana.tomic.hughes

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhmVLyhgz3h/?taken-by=dana.tomic.hughes

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnvv337jE_i/?taken-by=yellowtrace

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnn79Nwg730/?taken-by=yellowtrace

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmx1zaRDC_Z/?taken-by=yellowtrace

Thought Leader: Cindy Allen, Interior Design Magazine

Location: New York, NY

Instagram Followers: 15.6K + 1.3M, respectively

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnqMsgflt5-/?taken-by=thecindygram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnT8DRcFDZ2/?taken-by=thecindygram

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn4dJ01AGpf/?taken-by=interiordesignmag

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnbWMCbgPu0/?taken-by=interiordesignmag[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Disruptor: Sarah Sherman Samuel

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Instagram Followers: 221K

[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”36505,36506,36507,36508″ img_size=”full” title=”Sarah Sherman Samuel”][vc_column_text]

Furniture + Industrial Design

It isn’t all about colors and textures. Very often, spaces are defined by the furniture within them. This section of the list focuses on the “makers” of the world and how their brands stand for curating great design and solving complex problems in simple, beautiful ways.

Trendsetter: Buzzispace

Location: Antwerp, Belgium

Instagram Followers: 9.4K

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlqjYoxAU0s/?taken-by=buzzispace

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjFFj7AgZGs/?taken-by=buzzispace

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgOWjRehA8r/?taken-by=buzzispace[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Thought Leader: Design Bunker

Location: London, England

Instagram Followers: 421K

[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”36497,36498,36499,36500″ img_size=”full” title=”Design Bunker”][vc_column_text]

Disruptor: KEM Studio

Location: Kansas City, MO

Instagram Followers: 1K

[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”36501,36502,36503,36504″ img_size=”full” title=”KEM Studio”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Commercial Architecture

Photographing a beautifully designed interior isn’t nearly as hard as capturing the essence of exterior architecture. These three architects do a masterful job of balancing the inside and outside of spaces in a way that inspires.

Trendsetter: Alexander Gorlin Architects

Location: New York, NY

Instagram Followers: 7.4K

[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”36450,36448,36447,36445″ img_size=”full” title=”Alexander Gorlin Architects”][vc_column_text]

Thought Leader: Bob Borson

Location: Dallas, TX

Instagram Followers: 16.8K

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm3ZILCBCn8/?taken-by=bobborson

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgHV7oQBRf7/?taken-by=bobborson[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Disruptor: Lee Mindel

Location: New York, NY

Instagram Followers: 25.3K[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”36437,36438,36439,36440″ img_size=”full” title=”Lee Mindel”][vc_column_text]

Technology in Design

Technology threatens nearly every industry in one way or another, and interior design is no different. These three tech companies are pushing the envelope and democratizing design for the masses. Along the way, they’re using social media to mobilize a tribe of people who appreciate great design.

Trendsetter: Hutch

Location: Culver City, CA

Instagram Followers: 43.8K

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkYZgj8jbMk/?taken-by=hutchapp

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjA0QhEDmf_/?taken-by=hutchapp

Thought Leader: Houzz

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Instagram Followers: 475K

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHIRVglnrb/?taken-by=houzz

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl8TrRJlTBO/?taken-by=houzz

Disruptor: Home Polish

Location: New York, NY

Instagram Followers: 1.8M

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bly379UgVOb/?taken-by=homepolish

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnPCVi7galY/?taken-by=homepolish

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Is this list comprehensive? Absolutely not. This isn’t the list of accounts with the most followers or flashiest brands (check the footnotes of this article if you’re interested in that list).

Influence can change faster than design itself. But if you’re an AEC professional looking to stay on top of your game, this list is a great starting point to make sure you have your finger on the pulse of architecture and design.

Footnotes:

Independent.co – Why Instagram Has Become a Vital Tool for Interior Designers

Dezeen – 10 Architects You Need to Follow on Instagram

Curbed – 10 Must Follow Architects on Instagram

Medium – The Ultimate List of Interior Design Influencers

Forbes – Top Influencers of Home Architecture and Design

Influence Digest – Top 20 Interior Design Influencers on Social Media

Architectural Digest – 26 Must-Follow Designers and Architects on Instagram

Klear – Top 10 Architecture Influencers

ArchDaily – 25 Architecture Instagram Feeds to Follow Now

The Next Web – How Architecture is Changing Interior Design

Inc – The Disruptive Future of Interior Design is Here[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]