6 Tips on Using Pinterest as a Research Tool
Costume design & fashion design are amazing creative fields.
We as designers get to let our imagination run free and then see it come to life. What they don’t tell you is how much research and brainstorming goes into each and every design. Behind every design, specifically historical designs, there are hours of research.
One of my favorite tools to gather and organize research is Pinterest. It is a great platform for visual references and inspiration. It’s basically a virtual mood board and research binder.
Here are a couple tips on how to make the most out of your Pinterest research. Most of these tips are aimed at researchers looking up historical fashion but they can be applied to any type of research.
1.Start Broad, Then Narrow It Down
When searching on Pinterest sometimes being too specific isn’t always the most efficient way to find an image, especially if you are looking for a historical piece. I like to start a bit more broad than what I’m looking for and then add on descriptors from there. For example, I’ll start with “1970s dresses” and then after looking at the results I add in words to help narrow my search. Using the suggested add ons can be helpful as well because they are already part of Pinterest’s algorithm.
2. When you find an image that you like, scroll down and look through “More Like This”.
The “More Like This” section of Pinterest is a huge time saver! You really just have to find that first image that can lead you to a plethora of images in the same vein as that first image. If you find one good 1940s photo, there are likely more in the “More Like This” section. Usually those images are also from similar sources, which can be helpful for accuracy.
3. Check the image description for relevant information
If looking for vintage stuff, check the description for a year that the image was taken. A lot of images can be modern interpretations of vintage looks. If you are using images for research, then you want to make sure they are historically accurate. However, if you are just using them for inspiration or for creating a mood board then the year is less important.
Additionally, you might find the name of the designer in the description. You can use their name to look up other garments they’ve designed.
Sometimes the description says something that completely contradicts the image! If that happens you might need to find that image from a different source.
4. Use the description box to make notes for yourself
When I need to make a note to myself about what I like about an image or what character I have in mind, I like to make a little note in the description box when I add it to my board. For example, “For Anita” or “Love shape”. I don’t necessarily get rid of the existing description (though you can) but add it on to the end so that I can keep any important information from the description I need.
5. Google search images first
Sometimes you just can’t find what you’re looking for because of the search algorithm. When that happens I like to search on Google for what I’m looking for and then look for images that are sourced from Pinterest. It seems like you can be more specific with your Google searches. Of course anything find you on Google can be added to your Pinterest board regardless of whether it is sourced from Pinterest or not.
6. Words to use
Looking for clothing from decades past? Use words like “vintage” and “pattern”. Sewing patterns are a great way to know the fashion trends of a specific year. Magazines are also a great source for trends specific to certain year.
I use Pinterest almost every single day. It is my go to app. The same basic principles can be applied to creating mood boards as well. When I approach a project I usually have one board that is purely inspirational images (colors, textures, vibes, etc.) and another that is historical/concrete research (images of outfits, garments, patterns, evidence of fashion trends, etc.).
I hope this helps anyone who is embarking on some fashion research!
Stay Creative!
Annie