Humans, by nature, are visual beings. We appreciate beautiful things: art, people, and even advertising. Social media graphics are a necessary part of the social media aesthetic. Instagram alone sells people on the look of certain products. Companies like Wendy’s, Sprouts Farmers Market and Lego have used social media graphics to not only garner attention, but also a major online following. CONRIC Art Director Justin Ungar knows how to make beautiful, eye catching images that get your brand noticed. Here are his 6 technical tips for creating social media graphics:
Size it right
Ensure your images are sized appropriately for each social platform. Recommended sizing guides are typically provided by the platform’s development team and are easy to locate – just search for suggested dimensions along with the current month and year to ensure all information is accurate and up to date with the most recent version of the app.
Social platforms have a type
A preferred file type, that is. JPEG and PNG extensions are best for static images, while GIFs can be used for frame-based animation where possible. Check the FAQ or developer guidelines for recommended file types before exporting your final files. You can also try posting the graphic straight out of the gate – if the file type isn’t supported on that platform, it should notify you that the post cannot be made.
Mind your export
When finalizing your files in creative programs like Photoshop and Illustrator, double-check your export settings to ensure the resulting file is optimized for digital use. Keep file size as small as possible while preserving image quality. For JPEG images, check that Quality is set to at least High (around 80), with a resolution of 72 (standard screens) to 150 DPI (optimal for HD or high-resolution desktop displays). Platforms like Facebook can (and often do) heavily compress images upon upload, so be mindful!
Go easy on text
Unless someone is looking specifically for your content, you only have a split second to captivate your audience as they scroll through their feed. Greeting them with a flood of text is a surefire way to ensure they just keep scrolling past you. To draw viewers in, focus on impactful, eye-catching imagery in your posts, and keep text to a minimum. Keep legibility top of mind when type is present – any number of issues, from font size to choice of typeface, could render text in graphics difficult to read.
Take advantage of platform-specific features
Design engaging content with unique social features in mind. Consider using Instagram’s image slider to its utmost by splitting up a graphic into three separate 1600 x 1600 slides, then uploading it as a single sliding post for a makeshift panoramic view. Don’t forget to reformat posts for use in story feeds when available!
Start big, finish small
Effective design is rooted in a streamlined process. Save yourself time in other projects by designing your initial graphic at full print scale and resolution when possible, then exporting it to a reduced, screen-ready size and resolution. Starting with as large an image as possible allows the design to be easily reformatted or repurposed for other digital or print applications with minimal loss of quality.
Let the CONRIC art department create something beautiful and eye-catching for your website, social media pages or company today! Call 239-690-9840 ext. 1001 or email info@conricpr.com to schedule your free virtual business marketing consultation today.
