Social Media Designer

A social media design expert that creates platform-optimized graphics for maximum engagement. This skill combines platform best practices, visual design principles, and content strategy to produce scroll-stopping social media content that drives results.

From Instagram posts to Twitter headers to LinkedIn carousels, this skill ensures your social content looks professional, on-brand, and optimized for each platform's unique requirements.

Core Workflows

Workflow 1: Instagram Content Suite

Define content type

• Feed post (single or carousel)

• Story

• Reel cover

• Highlight cover

• Profile picture

Design feed post

• Dimensions: 1080x1080px (square) or 1080x1350px (portrait)

• Visual hierarchy for quick scanning

• Brand colors and fonts

• On-brand photography or graphics

• Text overlay (readable on mobile)

Create story template

• Dimensions: 1080x1920px

• Safe zones (avoid top/bottom 250px)

• Interactive elements (polls, questions, sliders)

• Swipe-up or link sticker area

• Consistent brand frame

Build content series

• Template for consistency

• Color-coded by category

• Reusable elements

• Variation within system

Workflow 2: LinkedIn Professional Graphics

Choose format

• Single image post: 1200x627px

• Carousel: 1080x1080px per slide

• Article header: 1200x627px

• Company page cover: 1128x191px

• Profile banner: 1584x396px

Design for platform

• Professional, polished aesthetic

• Data-driven content

• Industry-relevant imagery

• Thought leadership focus

• Clear value proposition

Create carousel

• Compelling cover slide

• One idea per slide

• Consistent template

• Strong conclusion/CTA

• Page numbers or progress indicator

Optimize for feed

• Hook in first 2 lines

• Visual supports text

• Professional photography

• Avoid overly promotional

Workflow 3: Twitter/X Visual Content

Design tweet images

• Dimensions: 1200x675px (16:9)

• High contrast for timeline

• Bold, simple message

• Works as thumbnail

• Text readable at small size

Create header image

• Dimensions: 1500x500px

• Brand expression

• Seasonal or campaign updates

• Visual interest, not busy

• Works with profile picture

Design thread graphics

• Consistent style across thread

• Numbered or sequential

• Eye-catching colors

• Quote graphics

• Data visualizations

Workflow 4: Multi-Platform Campaign

Design master concept

• Core message/visual

• Adaptable composition

• Flexible color system

• Reusable elements

Adapt for each platform

• Resize for specs

• Adjust safe zones

• Platform-appropriate tone

• Optimize text size

Create platform variants

• Instagram: 1080x1080px

• Facebook: 1200x630px

• Twitter: 1200x675px

• LinkedIn: 1200x627px

• Pinterest: 1000x1500px

• TikTok: 1080x1920px

Maintain consistency

• Same core message

• Recognizable brand elements

• Adapted, not duplicated

• Platform-native feel

Quick Reference

Action Command/Trigger

Instagram post "Design Instagram post about [topic]"

Story template "Create Instagram story template"

LinkedIn carousel "Design LinkedIn carousel on [topic]"

Twitter graphic "Create Twitter image for [content]"

Multi-platform "Design social campaign for [message]"

Profile graphics "Create social media profile graphics"

Platform Specifications

Instagram

Format Dimensions Aspect Ratio Notes

Feed (square) 1080x1080px 1:1 Most common

Feed (portrait) 1080x1350px 4:5 More feed space

Feed (landscape) 1080x566px 1.91:1 Less common

Story 1080x1920px 9:16 Safe zone matters

Reel 1080x1920px 9:16 Vertical video

Profile Picture 320x320px 1:1 Displays 110x110

Highlight Cover 1080x1920px 9:16 Center circle

Best Practices:

• Bright, vibrant colors perform better

• Faces increase engagement

• Minimal text (not text-heavy platform)

• Consistent aesthetic/grid

• Stories: Top 25% and bottom 35% are safe zones

Facebook

Format Dimensions Aspect Ratio Notes

Feed Image 1200x630px 1.91:1 Link preview size

Feed Square 1200x1200px 1:1 Alternative

Story 1080x1920px 9:16 Same as IG

Cover Photo (Personal) 820x312px 2.7:1 Profile

Cover Photo (Page) 820x312px 2.7:1 Business

Event Cover 1920x1005px 1.91:1 Desktop optimized

Best Practices:

• Less polished than Instagram

• Longer captions work

• Community-focused content

• Video performs best

• Profile picture: 170x170px display

Twitter/X

Format Dimensions Aspect Ratio Notes

In-stream Photo 1200x675px 16:9 Recommended

Header Photo 1500x500px 3:1 Profile banner

Profile Photo 400x400px 1:1 Displays smaller

Best Practices:

• High contrast for timeline visibility

• Keep text large and bold

• Works at thumbnail size

• Header: Mind profile pic overlap

• Timeline is fast-scrolling

LinkedIn

Format Dimensions Aspect Ratio Notes

Shared Image 1200x627px 1.91:1 Article preview

Carousel 1080x1080px 1:1 Per slide

Company Cover 1128x191px 5.9:1 Page header

Personal Banner 1584x396px 4:1 Profile

Logo 300x300px 1:1 Square

Best Practices:

• Professional aesthetic

• Data and insights perform well

• Carousels get high engagement

• Text-heavy is acceptable

• Industry-relevant content

Pinterest

Format Dimensions Aspect Ratio Notes

Standard Pin 1000x1500px 2:3 Recommended

Square Pin 1000x1000px 1:1 Alternative

Long Pin 1000x2100px 1:2.1 Max height

Profile Picture 165x165px 1:1 Circular

Board Cover 600x600px 1:1 Square

Best Practices:

• Vertical formats perform best

• Bright, eye-catching

• Text overlays work well

• How-to and tutorials excel

• Lifestyle imagery

TikTok

Format Dimensions Aspect Ratio Notes

Video 1080x1920px 9:16 Vertical

Profile Picture 200x200px 1:1 Circular

Best Practices:

• Thumbnail matters

• Fast-paced content

• Authentic, not polished

• Trending audio/effects

• Hook in first 3 seconds

YouTube

Format Dimensions Aspect Ratio Notes

Thumbnail 1280x720px 16:9 Critical for CTR

Channel Cover 2560x1440px 16:9 Desktop

Profile Picture 800x800px 1:1 Circular display

Best Practices:

• Thumbnail: Bold text, faces, contrast

• Test safe zones for mobile

• Consistent branding

• Eye-catching colors

Design Principles for Social

Mobile-First

• Most views on mobile

• Large text (minimum 40pt headlines)

• High contrast

• Thumb-friendly interaction zones

Scroll-Stopping

• First impression in 0.5 seconds

• Bold colors and contrast

• Faces and people

• Pattern interruption

• Curiosity gap

Brand Consistency

• Recognizable color palette

• Consistent fonts

• Recurring visual elements

• Template system

• Cohesive feed aesthetic

Platform-Native

• Match platform culture

• Use platform features

• Appropriate tone

• Don't just repost everywhere

Value-First

• Educational, entertaining, or inspiring

• Clear benefit to viewer

• Not overly promotional

• Shareable content

Content Categories

Educational

• How-to graphics

• Tips and tricks

• Stat graphics

• Infographics

• Explainer posts

Inspirational

• Quote graphics

• Motivational content

• Success stories

• Before/after

• Testimonials

Entertainment

• Memes (on-brand)

• Relatable content

• Behind-the-scenes

• Fun facts

• Interactive (polls, quizzes)

Promotional

• Product launches

• Sale announcements

• Event promotion

• Case studies

• Demo videos

Community

• User-generated content

• Team spotlights

• Customer features

• Q&A

• Challenges/contests

Typography for Social Media

Headline Sizes

• Instagram feed: 60-80pt

• Instagram story: 80-120pt

• LinkedIn: 48-72pt

• Twitter: 72-96pt

Font Choices

• Bold, high-contrast fonts

• Sans-serif for readability

• Avoid thin weights

• Limit to 2 fonts

• Consistent hierarchy

Text Amount

• Instagram feed: Minimal (image speaks)

• Instagram story: Short, scannable

• LinkedIn: Can be text-heavy

• Twitter: Concise, punchy

• Pinterest: Descriptive headlines

Color Strategy

High-Contrast Palettes

• Stand out in crowded feeds

• Improve mobile readability

• Create visual hierarchy

• Aid accessibility

Brand Colors

• Primary color prominently

• Accent for highlights

• Consistent background treatment

• Recognize at glance

Platform Considerations

• Instagram: Bright, saturated

• LinkedIn: Professional, muted

• Twitter: Bold, attention-grabbing

• Pinterest: Soft, aspirational

Best Practices

• Optimize for mobile: 80%+ view on phones

• Safe zones: Mind platform UI overlap

• Readable text: High contrast, large size

• Brand consistency: Recognizable at glance

• Platform-specific: Don't just duplicate

• Test before posting: View at actual size

• A/B test: Try variations, learn what works

• Accessible: Alt text, captions, contrast

• File size: Compress without quality loss

• Templates: Speed up production

• Stay current: Platforms change specs

• Engage quickly: Hook in first 2 seconds

Deliverables Format

SOCIAL MEDIA DESIGN PACKAGE Campaign: [Name] Duration: [Dates] Platforms: Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter

DESIGN CONCEPT Theme: [Description] Message: [Core message] Style: [Modern/Minimal/Bold/etc.]

ASSET LIST

1. Instagram Feed Post Dimensions: 1080x1080px Format: PNG/JPG Design:

   • Background: [Brand gradient]
   • Headline: "[Text]" - [Font] Bold 72pt
   • Subtext: "[Text]" - [Font] Regular 32pt
   • Logo: Bottom right corner
   • CTA: "[Text]" - Button style

   Midjourney prompt (if applicable): "[Detailed prompt for background imagery]"

2. Instagram Story Dimensions: 1080x1920px Format: PNG with transparency Design:

   • Safe zones respected
   • Link sticker area: 250px from bottom
   • Progress indicator: Top
   • Swipe-up affordance
   • Interactive element: Poll at 40% height

3. LinkedIn Carousel (5 slides) Dimensions: 1080x1080px each Format: PDF (all slides)

   Slide 1 (Cover):

   • Hook headline
   • Eye-catching visual
   • "Swipe for [benefit]"

   Slides 2-4 (Content):

   • One idea per slide
   • Supporting visual
   • Consistent template

   Slide 5 (CTA):

   • Summary
   • Call to action
   • Contact info

4. Twitter Image Dimensions: 1200x675px Format: PNG Design:

   • Bold statement
   • High contrast
   • Minimal text
   • Works as thumbnail

FILES DELIVERED

• IG-feed-post-v1.png
• IG-story-template.png
• LinkedIn-carousel-slides.pdf
• LinkedIn-carousel-slide-1.png (individual)
• [... individual slides ...]
• Twitter-image.png
• Social-media-templates.fig (Figma source)

BRAND ELEMENTS USED Colors:

• Primary: #HEX
• Secondary: #HEX
• Accent: #HEX

Fonts:

• Headline: [Font] Bold
• Body: [Font] Regular

Logo: [Version used]

USAGE GUIDELINES Instagram:

• Post between 11am-1pm or 7pm-9pm
• Use hashtags: #tag1 #tag2 #tag3
• Tag relevant accounts
• Encourage saves and shares

LinkedIn:

• Post Tuesday-Thursday 9am-12pm
• Tag company page
• Write compelling caption (100-200 words)
• Engage with comments

Twitter:

• Include link to blog post
• Use 2-3 hashtags max
• Tag mentions
• Pin for 24 hours

METRICS TO TRACK

• Reach
• Engagement rate
• Saves (Instagram)
• Shares (LinkedIn)
• Click-through rate

Templates to Create

Content Pillars (recurring series)

• Monday Motivation (quote)

• Tip Tuesday (educational)

• Wisdom Wednesday (insight)

• Throwback Thursday (timeline)

• Feature Friday (customer/product)

Post Types

• Announcement template

• Testimonial template

• Stat graphic template

• Quote graphic template

• How-to template

• Behind-the-scenes template

Tools Integration

• Use Midjourney for custom imagery and backgrounds

• Use color-palette-generator for brand-aligned colors

• Use typography-advisor for font pairings

• Use infographic-designer for data posts

• Use mockup-generator for product showcases

Common Requests

Product launch: Multi-platform announcement graphics with product imagery Quote post: Minimal design with typography focus Stat graphic: Data visualization for LinkedIn/Instagram Story series: 3-5 connected stories with swipe progression Carousel: Educational 5-10 slide deck for LinkedIn Profile refresh: New headers, profile pics across platforms