Expert Design Tips For Your Social Media Images

Not only that but “the relationship between brands and color hinges on the perceived appropriateness of the color being used for the particular brand.“ When choosing color themes for image components such as text or graphics, you need to consider your brand. She explains: “They have an established color palette that they stick to for their Instagram images. Like Headspace, it’s important to determine your color palette for: Typefaces and text overlays Borders Subjects of images Graphics and illustrations Image backgrounds Rather than a distracting crayon box of colors, choose a palette that works for your brand personality and tone. Hootsuite production designer Brenda Wisniowski explains: “When using text in social media images, ensure it is clear and concise. Wisniowski adds: “It’s also important to commit to a typeface and use it consistently across your social media images.” Again, brand consistency is key. Another design tip for using text in your social media images is to make sure that when you’re laying text over a photo, the photo doesn’t have too many small details. They share relevant information alongside simple, yet on-brand images. Some other ways brands use text in their social media images include: Sharing contest information Quotes and inspirational sayings Hours or store addresses Statistics and facts Promotions and sales information Highlights of product features Make space your friend “Less is more”—a proverb that’s especially true when it comes to social media images. Consider why you are sharing your image to social media, and what your key message is. A brand who uses negative space well in their social media images is Bench Accounting.

Author: Dara Fontein / Source: Hootsuite Social Media Management

You already know that images and visuals make your content more
shareable on social media. But you can’t just add any photo to your
posts and hope for the best.

Low-quality, blurry, or poorly edited images simply won’t cut
it. To make sure your social media strategy is being enhanced
instead of dragged down by your visuals, we consulted Hootsuite
designers Jocelyn Aarnoutse and Brenda Wisniowski for some expert
tips.

Design tips for highly shareable social media
images

Choose color carefully

Color can either make or break your marketing efforts.
Researchers found that 90
percent of snap judgments made about a product can be based on
color alone. Not only that but “the relationship
between brands and color hinges on the perceived
appropriateness of the color being used for the particular
brand.“

When choosing color themes for image components such as text or
graphics, you need to consider your brand. For best results, align
colors with your brand guidelines and voice.

For example, if you are a light-hearted, inspirational, and
creative brand, using bright and cheerful colors is appropriate. If
your brand is for rugged and outdoorsy types, you might want to
choose an earthier palette to convey this.

Hootsuite graphic designer Jocelyn Aarnoutse explains: “When you
first go to a brand’s Instagram page, for example, you’re judging
it based on the entire grid. You aren’t looking at individual
images as much as you are seeing the overall look and feel of the
page. Make sure this immediately conveys the tone and visuals of
your brand.”

She adds, “With the purpose of creating a cohesive look and feel
in mind, if you use Instagram filters you should make sure you are
using the same filter for all of your photos.”

Headspace’s
Instagram is a favorite of hers because of their strategic use
of color. She explains: “They have an established color palette
that they stick to for their Instagram images. This not only makes
their account visually pleasing but helps create a cohesiveness
that is woven through their page.”

Headspace is a meditation and mindfulness app, and their
Instagram color scheme reflects this calming brand
characteristic.