Pinterest has exploded in popularity since its launch three years ago, and is now the fastest-growing platform for online content sharing. It's achieved this success by combining social networking with powerful, inspirational imagery. Even global brands such as Topshop, Uniqlo, Pegueot and others recognize Pinterest's unique amalgamation of passionate consumer interaction and appealing aesthetics.
Designers can take advantage of Pinterest as a fantastic source of inspiration, too. However, it isn't easy to find accounts that consistently upload high-quality, design-focused pins. That's why we've handpicked a selection of some of the best Pinterest users and boards to follow, including everything from modern art to magazine covers and typography.
See also: 8 Apps to Beautify Your Pinterest Quotes
This list doesn't necessarily include the best known Pinterest users, or even your own favorites, so leave your recommendations in the comments below.
Packaging Of The World on Pinterest
Brandon Lesley is a creative director, designer and photographer who describes himself as a "music nerd and documenter of fine design." With more than 600,000 followers, nearly 16,000 pins and 14 boards, he boasts a superb collection of inspiring design and lifestyle images.
The Graphic Design and Typography board is particularly brilliant, with more than 10,000 pins and featuring a variety of beautiful artwork and illustrations.
CSA on Pinterest
Design Quixotic is the alias of art director and designer Thea Kennedy, who uses Pinterest as a source of personal and professional inspiration. Of particular interest are the Typography and Identity boards, which are crammed with gorgeous imagery.
However, it's her more unique boards that catch the eye, including wax seals, anchors, stamps and labels. With more than 2 million folks following her 73 boards, Kennedy's taste in design has proved popular, and it's not hard to see why.
Steve Simpson on Pinterest
Danny Blanton is a creative director and an avid collector of beautiful typography inspiration. His Typography board alone features more than 4,000 pins, with artwork ranging from logos, skateboards and signage to illustrations, typefaces and hand-drawn lettering. It's a feast for the eyes.
His Art & Illustration and Product boards are also well worth checking out.
Joel Felix on Pinterest
Daniel Bear Hunley is a self-described "branding guy, internet junkie and trend watcher," with more than 1.6 million followers, interested in a unique sense of southern style. Spread over 39 boards, there is a wealth of gorgeous imagery from branding, prints, packaging, illustrations and more.
However, for many designers it will be the Typography & Lettering board that catches the eye.
Jeff Rogers on Pinterest
Paula Cevasco is a designer and creative-minded "seeker of new, fun, fashionable and exciting stuff." With an incredible 64,000 pins, there is something here for everyone — fashion design, interiors, photography craft and more, curated across 33 boards.
Of particular interest are the Graphic Design, Typography and Web Design boards, boasting more than 10,000 pins between them and bursting with quality artwork and inspiration.
Michael Mahaffey on Pinterest
Maia McDonald is a graphic designer, "all-around visual nerd" and avid Pinterest user, with more than 1.8 million followers enthralled with her sense of style. McDonald's 46 boards cover everything that inspires her, including fashion, crafts, photography, interiors, books and more.
The Artwork and Illustrations board, with more than 1,400 pins, is the most enjoyable, with a fantastic mix of contemporary pieces.
Ramotion on Pinterest
Inspiration Feed has more than 100 boards and nearly 10,000 pins, jam-packed with eye-watering examples of beautiful design, fashion and architecture. Igor Ovsyannykov, who is also the creator of Inspiration Feed's companion website, runs the Pinterest account.
The Logos and Illustration boards are wonderful, with an abundance of inspirational gems.
Colin Johnson on Pinterest
Ruslan Mashkov is a unique addition to this list, as it's a Pinterest account run by a couple, with interests including design, fashion, typography and food. With nearly 500,000 followers, they've proved they have an eye for design, all of which are showcased on their (delightfully alphabetized) 119 boards. Inspiration abounds in their Magazine Covers and Typography boards, filled with modern, unique artwork from across the world.
Stephen Hart on Pinterest
Daniel Nelson is a graphic designer and founder of From Up North, a design blog focusing on inspiring and promoting fellow creatives from all over the world. His 35 boards are full of inspiring imagery, from movie posters, illustrations, web design, editorial layouts, icons and much more.
If you love typography, then you should follow his Typography board, which includes more than 800 pins of exquisite artwork.
Lindsay Letters on Pinterest
Kristina Miletieva is a Bulgaria-based designer who loves color, and it certainly shows on her Pinterest account. She pins a gorgeous array of bright, inspiring imagery covering everything from interiors, product design, architecture, style and much more.
Three boards that designers will particularly enjoy are Inspiration, Illustration & Art and Typophilia. The Inspiration board is packed with beautifully presented quotes and, with 1,400 pins, you can lose yourself in them.
Walter Hansen on Pinterest
Chad Syme is an art director, designer and photographer with an enthusiasm for technology and a "killer taste" in design. With more than 600,000 followers (including Oprah Winfrey), Syme has proven he has an exceptional eye for all types of art and style, such as architecture, fashion and furniture.
His Graphic Design and Logos & Branded Collateral boards are especially inspiring, showcasing work in a variety of media.
Carolyn Gavin on Pinterest
With a passion for graphic design and print, Kayla Meyer brings her interest to the fore with 31 boards melting together design, illustration, cards, branding, packaging, branding, fashion and style. Things get super cute on her Owls & Whales board, and the Prints & Artwork board provides endless inspiration with a quality mix of vector and hand-drawn work.
Misha Jers on Pinterest
Liz Cook is a designer who describes herself as a "thinker, schemer and collector." She enjoys "putting ideas into action," and her fabulous selection of inspirational imagery can certainly help anyone do just that.
Even though Cook only has 20 boards, each is filled with quality content trending toward the quirky, with vintage artwork and design. The Identity Work and Nice Type boards are worth perusing for their fine selections of inspiration.
Yairon Martinez on Pinterest
Mike Dew is a freelance designer as well as a "creative problem solver and strategic thinker." He's also one of the most-followed men on Pinterest, with more than 3.5 million followers. He collects beautiful ideas and inspiration for both personal and professional interests, and shares them with the world.
There's an eclectic mix of design, art and style imagery, with the Design board being particularly interesting for featuring more than 1,400 pins. The Badgography and Typography boards are fantastic as well.
Markwald & Neusitzer Kommunikations Design on Pinterest
Rebecca Williams is a graphic designer, artist and "creative soul with a love of design, art and couture." She has more than 70 boards chock-full of inspiring design.
Williams is an avid pinner, having more than 18,000 pins. The most compelling boards include Experimental Inspirations, Collage and Portfolio Presentation Ideas. However, it's the Branding & Identity board that really stands out, with 2,000+ pins of high-quality, inspirational content.
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Image: Flickr, mkhmarketing