Are You A Designer? Here is What You Should Know About The Tumblr Revival

Main Image courtesy of Filmora.

“Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated.” - Paul Rand

If you are a designer this Tumblr revival can be super beneficial. You will first want to know what Tumblr is. Tumblr is a social networking and microblogging platform that is currently one of the top 10 websites in the US. It was founded by David Karp in 2007 and allows users to share any kind of content, and gives users complete page customization, unlike other social networking apps on the market.

Tumblr is also very versatile, there are a few ways Tumblr can be used, which are:

• Social Networking - you can connect with different users to exchange messages, share posts, etc.
• Micro blogging - what it was originally launched as and still is one of the purposes today - the perfect place to start a simple blog or express yourself - you can follow other bloggers and share their posts
• Search Engine - you can use Tumblr as a search engine to find unique and creative talent - there are lots of artistic media you can find based on your search of pop culture, memes, music, gifs, etc.

You can use Tumblr in any combination of all three, or only use it in one way. It is really up to you on how you decide to use the functions of Tumblr to your best advantage.

There are also multiple types of posts users can share on Tumblr which are—text posts, quote posts, chat posts, link posts, photo posts, video posts, and audio posts. Once these posts are created, users can publish them right away, post them to their queue, schedule it for later, save it as a draft, or post it privately so only you have access to it.

If you do decide to use Tumblr, you will want to be aware of some of the terminology used on Tumblr such as:

• Reblogging - this is similar to retweeting on Twitter - you can reblog a post as is or add your own commentary - generally this is how users respond to posts - most users reblog more than they create posts 
• Notes - when someone reblogs or likes your post it is called a note - the amount of notes is displayed under a post
• Asks - one of the several features that allows users to communicate with each other - every blog has an “Ask” box which allows users to send in questions or comments - users can respond either privately or publicly to the ask
• Submit - photos and links can be shared through the “Submit” button since they cannot be shared through the “Ask” button
• Hashtags - similar to tagging on other social media sites, they can be as long as you want, can include spaces, are written beneath a post, and can be used to organize posts

What To Know About Who Uses Tumblr

As a designer it can be beneficial to know the main audience that uses Tumblr, that way you can target your designs accordingly. Tumblr is a free site that is open to anyone to use, so it is super important to target the right audience when deciding to use Tumblr to showcase your designs. 

Tumblr is more popular among the younger generations, and it is currently used as of 2020 by 10% of 15-25 year olds and 11% of 26-35 year olds. However, the reach towards the older generations is not as vast. As of 2020, the percentage of 36-45 year olds using the site was 6%, the percentage of 46-55 year olds 5%, and the percentage of 56+ year olds 3%. 

Importance of Tumblr For Designers

It is important to note that Tumblr can be used for business, and can be utilized by designers to get their designs more views. This is because Tumblr is a great place for creators to find an audience for their content. Some of the best ways to use Tumblr for business include:

• Using it as a Website
• Advertising on Tumblr - three main ways which are sponsored posts, sponsored video posts, and sponsored day
• Checking the trending topics
• Knowing about the Tumblr community

Tumblr For Business

There are certain pros and cons to using Tumblr for business. If you are a designer it is important to note these key aspects of this platform when deciding to share your work on the site. This is because Tumblr can be a powerful marketing tool used to connect your work to customers and potential clients, however there are drawbacks to be aware of. 

Some of the pros of using Tumblr for business include:

• You can engage with the younger generations
• You can use visual media
• You can build a website

While the cons of using Tumblr include:

• The audience is declining 
• It is not as prevalent as other social media platforms
• It is tough to engage older generations

Understanding the pros and cons of using Tumblr for business can help you determine what the best course of action is for your business. As a designer you will want to get as many people as possible to view your work. Utilizing Tumblr to showcase your work could be a way for you to target the audience you want.

You can also use Tumblr to gather insights into your audience and cater your work towards the Tumblr community. Keep in mind these couple points about the Tumblr community—most of the community are young users, the community is very supportive, there are fandoms everywhere, and influencers are important. Understanding the Tumblr community can give you an edge to make sure your work is seen by the right audience. This will allow you to find your niche and determine where the best fit is for your personal brand. 

Check out this helpful guide on how to use Tumblr for marketing.

Conclusion

Just like any other social networking platform Tumblr is a great place to show off your designs and get people to view and engage with your work. Using Tumblr to your advantage is essential if you want the right audience to view your work.

The current Tumblr revival is something you should be aware of since it can give you further reach with the younger generations. As a designer, Tumblr allows you to customize your page completely to match your brand and get people more interested in your designs. Keep in mind, you should adopt a personality on your page, make sure it is relatable, and be genuine—this way the Tumblr community will respect you.

Take advantage of the fact that Tumblr allows for a massive amount of creativity and keep this in mind when creating your personal brand.