#instagood

As designers, we like pretty pictures. We also like cool computer applications. That’s why we enjoy a little iPhone App called Instagram, which was just awarded the prize of iPhone App of the Year. Instagram allows iPhone users to take, edit and share photographs. Hashtags attach key words to photographs to make them easily searchable. This feature, similar to the hashtag system used by Twitter, is important considering there are over 200 million photographs floating around in the digital universe that Instagram has created.

Think for a second about the concept of free image sharing. Some savvy companies have certainly seen the potential in this idea. It’s free advertising! Let’s take a look at Starbucks, for example. Starbucks has over 90,000 followers on Instagram. In other words, every time Starbucks posts a photograph, that photograph pops up on the computer screen of 90,000 potential customers. Not only that, but Starbucks also encourages users to attach the Starbucks hashtag (#Starbucks) to any photograph in which a Starbucks beverage appears. Bravo, Starbucks. Let the consumers do the advertising for you. No wonder brands around the world are jumping on this bandwagon.

Take a look at this website to see more examples of the ways various brands are using Instagram. While we’re on the subject, why don’t you share a few photographs with us?