Social Media Design Tips for Non-Designers

Look Polished Without a Pixel Degree

Not every small business has a designer on staff—and that’s okay. With a few practical tips and tools, you can create social media graphics that look professional, stay on brand, and grab attention. Here’s how.

1. Use a Consistent Brand Kit

Before you design a single post, get your basics in place.

Your brand kit should include:

• Logo files (horizontal, stacked, transparent background)
• Colors (primary, accent, and neutral; HEX codes preferred)
• Fonts (heading + body fonts)
• Approved imagery style (bright? minimal? moody?)

Using the same visual assets builds recognition and credibility. Bonus: it saves you time.

2. Start with Templates

Design platforms like Canva, Adobe Express, or VistaCreate offer ready-made templates you can customize in minutes.

Look for:

• Square posts
• Instagram Stories
• LinkedIn graphics
• Carousel layouts

Client Tip: Customize templates once, then duplicate and reuse them for ongoing posts—this keeps your grid looking cohesive.

3. Apply Visual Hierarchy

Every post should have a focal point. That means:

• Headlines are larger and bolder than body text
• Important info stands out via color or placement
• Buttons (e.g., “Learn More”) are easy to tap or see

If everything’s the same size, nothing stands out.

4. Less Is More

The number one mistake non-designers make? Overstuffing.

Avoid:

• Too many fonts (stick to 1–2)
• Too much text (keep it punchy)
• Cluttered images or busy backgrounds
• Low-resolution photos or pixelated logos

Instead, give your content room to breathe. White space is your friend.

5. Make It Accessible

Ensure everyone can engage with your content by following a few basic accessibility principles:

• Use high-contrast colors for text
• Avoid placing light-colored text over bright images
• Don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning
• Include alt text when posting on platforms that support it

6. Create a Visual Rhythm

Social feeds that feel polished often use visual rhythm—a repeatable pattern of types of posts.

For example:

• Monday = Quote post
• Wednesday = Behind-the-scenes photo
• Friday = Tip carousel

This keeps your content varied but visually intentional.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a professional designer to create scroll-stopping content. With just a few smart habits, your posts can look clean, branded, and completely DIY-friendly.