- Rebecca Tomasis
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Standing out on social media isn’t easy, especially when every feed is packed with endless content competing for attention. Amid the endless stream of photos, videos, and text, stunning social media graphics can help your content stand out. Whether you’re promoting a product, engaging with your audience, or building your brand presence, visual elements play a crucial role in resonating with your audience.
This article will walk you through everything from understanding social media graphics to actionable steps for creating them. By the end, you’ll have the confidence and graphic design tools needed to craft visuals that engage, inform, and captivate your audience.
Create posts that stop thumbs in their tracks with our easy-to-edit social media templates. Tailor the layouts to fit your look and feel, then post with confidence. It’s the smart way to stay fresh accross all your channels.
What are social media graphics?
Social media graphics are visual designs specifically created for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. These graphics range from simple images with bold text overlays to intricate visual compositions that tell a story.
Designing social media graphics isn’t just about making things look good. They need to serve a purpose, whether that’s promoting a sale, building brand awareness, or driving traffic to your website. No matter the intent, they’re often the first element to catch a viewer’s eye. This makes them a critical aspect of successful social media strategies.
What sets a good social media graphic apart is its design. A great graphic is visually striking, easy to understand, and aligns with your branding message. It should capture attention quickly, while effectively communicating its purpose.
How to design social media graphics in 8 steps
01. Define your objective and audience
Before you start designing, ask yourself, “What do I want this graphic to achieve?” Clarifying the purpose of your graphic is a foundational step. Are you building awareness for a new product? Promoting a limited-time offer? Encouraging your followers to visit your website? Once you identify your goal, think about who you’re designing for. Is it busy professionals, local parents, or young creatives? Zeroing in on your audience helps tailor the design’s tone, colors, and content.
Explore creative ways to enhance your social media profiles with these guides:
02. Choose a design platform
Choosing the right platform to create your social media graphics is just as important as the content itself. Design platforms like Wixel make it easy to design vibrant visuals for Instagram or clean, professional designs for LinkedIn. The tool you choose should align with your needs, offering templates and tools that cater to the specific dimensions and styles of different social platforms. This ensures your graphics look polished and make the right impact, no matter where they’re shared.
03. Start with a template and dimensions
Templates can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re not sure where to start. Many design platforms offer customizable social media templates that suit different themes and tones. Select a design that aligns with your brand and objective, then tweak it. But if your vision doesn’t match a pre-set template, creating from scratch offers full creative freedom. Set up your canvas, and ensure it matches the platform’s dimensions, to avoid resizing struggles later.
Getting the dimensions right is key to polished designs. Each platform has specific social media image sizes to ensure visuals display properly. Incorrect sizes can lead to distorted or cropped images, compromising your message. For example, Instagram uses a 1:1 ratio for posts, while Facebook cover photos need a wide rectangle. Always check the latest size requirements to maintain quality and make an impact.
Level up your content with these social media templates from Wixel for your next post:
04. Incorporate your brand elements
Your graphic should reflect your brand’s identity. Incorporating consistent fonts, colors, and logos makes it recognizable. For example, when designing for a fitness brand that uses bold red tones and industrial-like fonts, bringing these elements into all graphics builds trust and familiarity. But don’t just add in elements for consistency. Be intentional. Ensure every font size, color placement, and logo match the tone of your message.
05. Use high-quality images and graphics
A blurry photo or pixelated icon can spoil an otherwise excellent design. Use high-quality visuals to maintain professionalism. Platforms like Wixel provide crisp, curated images that won’t download into disappointing low resolutions. If using your own photos, ensure they’re clear, well-lit, and relevant to your message. Learn how to edit photos by adjusting brightness, contrast, or cropping to focus on key elements. Avoid clutter—minimality often creates greater impact when paired with intentional imagery.
06. Optimize your text and font
Text is there to guide, not overwhelm. Keep your message concise and easy to read at a glance. Instead of fitting in everything you want to say, highlight the most essential points. Use hierarchy to direct attention, like bolding key information. Avoid overcrowding your design with too much text; it dilutes your message and distracts from important visuals.
The font you choose plays a crucial role in setting the tone of your design. A clean, modern sans-serif font can evoke simplicity and professionalism, while a decorative or script font could convey creativity or elegance. Consider the purpose and audience of your project when selecting a font, ensuring it aligns with the message you want to communicate. Additionally, ensure readability by using appropriate sizes and avoiding overly intricate or hard-to-read typefaces. The right font ensures your content is accessible and visually appealing.
Discover what is typography and learn how it transforms the way we communicate visually.
07. Add a call-to-action (if applicable)
Effective social media graphics not only catch attention, but also encourage the audience to take action. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “RSVP Today,” or “Learn More,” adding a clear call-to-action guides your audience toward their next step. Make sure it’s concise, relevant to your graphic’s purpose, and visually distinct.
08. Download and export in the right format
Your graphic isn’t finished until it’s optimized for upload. Download your file in a format suited to its platform. For still images, JPG or PNG are ideal. For animated reels, MP4 works best. Pay attention to file sizes too. Large designs that take too long to load can lose viewers before they have a chance to engage.
Tips to design social media graphics
While designing may seem intuitive, applying key principles can take your designs to the next level. Here are some actionable tips:
Choose a cohesive color palette
Using a consistent color palette not only enhances aesthetics, but also reinforces brand identity. According to color theory, selecting three to five complementary colors can create harmony and balance in your design. Make sure these colors align with the mood or purpose of your graphic. A vibrant palette may work for promotions, while muted tones create a more professional look.
Try using a color palette generator to effortlessly create and refine a cohesive set of colors for your design.
Pair fonts wisely
Typography plays a critical role in social media graphics. Stick to one or two complementary fonts to maintain balance. For example, use a bold, legible font for headlines and a lighter serif font for supporting text.
Emphasize readability
Ensure your text is large enough to be read on all screen sizes. To improve contrast, use high-contrast text against its background. For example, light-colored text will stand out better against a darker background design.
Add hierarchy in design
Guide your audience’s attention by designing with visual hierarchy in mind. Make the most important elements, such as headers or call-to-action text, larger or bolder. Secondary information, like subheadings or supporting text, can be smaller and less prominent.
Test and refine
Before posting, preview your graphic across various devices. Check for alignment issues, clarity of text, and composition. Simple refinements can make the difference between an effective graphic and one that misses the mark.
Social media graphics FAQ
Can I use stock images every time?
While stock images can elevate your content, creating custom visuals or using original photography helps your graphics stand out and feel authentic to your brand.