Your First Instagram Post!

Hey guys! Welcome back to Purpose Design Co! Are you ready to start designing? Well, hopefully, that is why you are here.

Today I am going to teach you how to make an Instagram post.

There are 8 steps when it comes to creating an Instagram design, so let's jump right in!

1. Pick the size you want

Open your Canva app and click on the "Create a Design" button. Then, scroll down until you find the Instagram post (square) option that is 1080 x 1080 px.

2. Pick the quote or verse you want to put on your image.

Now that we have our size picked out, we need to figure out what text we want to work with. My personal advice is not to choose a long quote, because when scrolling through Instagram, people are not going to stop and read a quote if it is super long.

To find a quote, I usually search on Pinterest or use a song lyric from a worship song. The quote that I am going to use for this example is going to be from Psalm 46, "Be still and know".

3. Pick the background

On the left side, there is a tab with all the different options. Towards the bottom is the "background" button. Once you click on this, you are able to pick from hundreds of backgrounds! Whether you want it to be just a color, a pattern, or even a landscape, Canva offers it!

4. Pick the color scheme you want.

Every design needs a color scheme. In my opinion, posts with multiple different colors that do not blend are unattractive to the eye. For my example post this is the color scheme I will be using:

Canva offers color schemes you can use, but you can also create your own as I did! I suggest using neutrals along with one bright color.

5. Pick the font.

One of the most important factors in your design is the font. You never want fonts to clash. For my example post, I am going with more of a preppy vibe, therefore I am not going to want to use a formal font. To pick the font and add the text you need to go back to the left-hand side and click on the "text" button.

6. Choose your elements.

The elements of your design are the final step! Personally, this is my favorite step, because this is when creativity really comes to life. In order to add elements go to the left sidebar and click on the elements tab. Once you are there, you are able to search for any type of decoration! For my post, the first thing I searched was a smiley face. After that, I played around and searched for any idea that came to my head. When you find an element you like, all you have to do is click on it and drag it onto your image. Honestly, graphic design is really all about playing around with different ideas and using your imagination! The other pieces I added were wavy lines and grunge background. Notice how all of my elements align with my color scheme!

7. Download the image.

Congratulations! You finished your first Canva design! Now, it is time to show off your AMAZING design and post it on Instagram! In order to do that, look to the top right corner and click on the "share" button. IMPORTANT: Make sure you download your design as a PNG! Downloading the image in a PNG will ensure high quality for your post.

8. Post!

The time has come...your post is about to be uploaded! Hold up though, you are forgetting the most important part, your caption! When followers are attracted to your design, they will be willing to take the extra time to read your caption. Therefore, your caption must be short and concise. Usually, I only put a Bible verse in the caption. For this post I would put Psalm 46:10, "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” At the end of your post, remember to add hashtags. Using hashtags will help users find your account more easily.

Here is an example of my post you can use for reference:

Thank you so much for tuning into this week's post! Don't forget to subscribe to Purpose Design Co and followed my Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/forhisglorydesign/

I will catch you guys next week and hope you all live a life full of purpose!

With love,

Delaney <3