#MyStyle: If You Lost It, Don't Blame Clickbait

Hashtags and Keywords Can Unlock Design Creativity If You Go Past the Scroll

Edouard Manet, Luncheon on the Grass, 1863

Is blind trend-chasing shallow? Does language matter? Sure and double sure. But creativity starts with experimentation and you can’t decide or describe what you like if you don’t give it a name. Categorization is how we learn (or more precisely, how our brains organize and process information), so I am here to stand up for the lowly hashtag because it helps open doors. Just don’t limit your entire design education to social media. No one should rely on a key word as if it were a “term of art” and stop their exploration there.

Otherwise, in my view, it’s fine to let Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and the like be your gateway to discovering new looks. Frankly, it works. By searching a few hashtags or keywords, you can view a large volume of styles in one place in an incredibly short period of time.

Undeniably buzz phrases like grand millennial, maximalist candy, cottage core, and quiet luxury (all popular hashtags) are oversimplifications, and can …