Social Media Graphic Design

Generate platform-perfect social media graphics with correct dimensions, safe zones, and platform-specific design patterns. Every graphic is output as production-ready HTML/CSS.

Step 1: Load Design Context

1. Read .agents/design-context.md for brand colors, fonts, style
2. If missing, prompt user to run design-context skill or use defaults
3. Social media graphics must be strongly on-brand -- consistency builds recognition

Gemini 3.1 Flash Image Preview

For AI image generation, see the image-generation skill for the full Gemini pipeline. Below are domain-specific prompt patterns for this skill.

Example Prompts

• Instagram Post: "Create a square Instagram post graphic for [brand]. [product] centered on [color] gradient. Bold [font-style] text '[headline]'. Clean, modern aesthetic."
• Instagram Story: "Create a vertical story graphic (9:16) for [brand]. [product/subject] as the focal point with [color scheme] background. Text '[headline]' at top, swipe-up CTA '[action]' at bottom. Trendy, editorial style."
• LinkedIn Post: "Create a professional LinkedIn post graphic (1200x627) for [brand]. [topic/statistic] visualized with [chart type or icon]. Headline '[text]' in [font-style]. Corporate blue tones, clean data-driven layout."

Step 2: Identify Platform and Format

Platform Dimensions Reference

Instagram

Twitter / X

LinkedIn

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok

Step 3: Apply Safe Zones

Every platform has areas where UI elements overlap the content. Keep critical text and visuals inside these safe zones.

Instagram Feed Post (1080 x 1080)

Safe zone: 60px padding on all sides
Bottom: keep text above 980px (like/comment bar overlap in previews)
Top: profile info can overlap top 40px in some views

Instagram Story (1080 x 1920)

Top safe: 200px from top (status bar + story header)
Bottom safe: 280px from bottom (reply bar + swipe indicator)
Left/Right safe: 60px from edges
Content zone: 960w x 1440h centered

Twitter/X (1200 x 675)

Safe zone: 40px padding all sides
Text should be centered -- edges may crop on mobile
Keep key content in center 1120 x 595

LinkedIn (1200 x 627)

Safe zone: 50px padding all sides
Bottom-left: avoid -- engagement buttons overlap
Center the main message

Facebook Cover (820 x 312)

Mobile safe zone: center 640 x 312 (edges hidden on mobile)
Profile photo overlaps bottom-left 170px area
Keep text center-right

Pinterest Pin (1000 x 1500)

Top safe: 80px (pin title overlay)
Bottom safe: 100px (save button area)
Logo/branding: bottom 100px or top-left corner

Step 4: Platform-Specific Design Trends

Instagram

• Clean, editorial layouts with generous whitespace
• Muted color palettes with one pop of color
• Consistent carousel templates (same frame, changing content)
• Sans-serif typography dominates
• Photo-forward with text overlays at 60-80% opacity backgrounds
• Rounded corners on inner elements (12-16px radius)

Twitter / X

• Bold, high-contrast designs (dark mode is common)
• Large readable text -- viewed at small sizes in feed
• Data visualizations and chart-style graphics perform well
• Thread-style sequential graphics
• Minimal decoration, content-forward

LinkedIn

• Professional, corporate-leaning aesthetic
• Blue tones naturally blend with the platform
• Clean data presentation, statistics, and insights
• Headshot + quote format for thought leadership
• Subtle gradients rather than loud colors

Facebook

• Warm, approachable design language
• Photo-centric with overlay text
• Event and community-focused layouts
• Cover photos should tell a story without text (text < 20% of area)
• Groups and communities prefer authentic over polished

Pinterest

• Vertical format maximizes screen real estate
• Text overlay on lifestyle imagery
• Step-by-step tutorial formats
• List-style pins with clear numbered sections
• Warm, aspirational color palettes
• Bold, readable text at small sizes

TikTok

• Bold, energetic, trend-driven
• High contrast for small-screen readability
• Emoji and casual typography
• Thumbnail must convey content in under 1 second

Step 5: Template Structures

Quote Post (Instagram 1080x1080)

<div class="canvas" style="width:1080px;height:1080px;position:relative;overflow:hidden;
  background:linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--secondary));
  display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:80px;">

  <div style="text-align:center;">
    <div style="font-size:72px;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:8px;opacity:0.3;
      font-family:Georgia,serif;">"</div>
    <p style="font-family:var(--font-heading);font-size:42px;font-weight:700;
      color:#fff;line-height:1.3;text-wrap:balance;">
      The quote text goes here, keep it under 120 characters for readability.
    </p>
    <div style="margin-top:40px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:12px;">
      <div style="width:40px;height:2px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.5);"></div>
      <span style="font-family:var(--font-body);font-size:18px;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.8);
        text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.1em;">Author Name</span>
      <div style="width:40px;height:2px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.5);"></div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

Announcement Post (LinkedIn 1200x627)

Layout structure:
- Left 60%: Headline (bold, 48px) + Body text (20px) + CTA badge
- Right 40%: Visual element (icon, illustration, or abstract shape)
- Top bar: Brand color accent line (4px)
- Bottom: Logo + URL in small text
- Background: White or very light neutral

Tip Carousel (Instagram 1080x1080, multi-slide)

Slide 1 (Cover):
- Bold headline: "5 Tips for [Topic]"
- Subtext: "Swipe to learn more →"
- Eye-catching gradient or image background
- Brand logo bottom-center

Slides 2-6 (Content):
- Tip number: large, semi-transparent in background (like "01")
- Tip headline: 32px bold
- Tip description: 20px, 2-3 lines max
- Consistent background across all slides
- Progress indicator dots at bottom

Slide 7 (CTA):
- "Found this helpful?"
- Follow CTA + handle
- Share/save prompt
- Brand logo

Before/After (Instagram 1080x1350)

Layout:
- Top half: "Before" label + image/state
- Divider: thin line or diagonal cut with label
- Bottom half: "After" label + image/state
- Keep dimensions equal for both halves
- Use subtle color shift (gray/muted for before, vibrant for after)

Data/Stat Post (Twitter 1200x675)

Layout:
- Large number: 72-96px, bold, gradient or accent color
- Context line: 24px below the number
- Supporting text: 18px, 2 lines max
- Source attribution: 14px, bottom-right
- Background: clean gradient or subtle pattern
- Brand mark: small, bottom-left

Step 6: Carousel Design System

For multi-slide carousels, maintain consistency:

/* Shared carousel variables */
:root {
  --slide-bg: #0F172A;
  --slide-text: #F8FAFC;
  --slide-accent: #6366F1;
  --slide-padding: 80px;
  --slide-radius: 0; /* carousels are edge-to-edge */
}

/* Consistent header bar across slides */
.slide-header {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  height: 4px;
  background: var(--slide-accent);
}

/* Progress indicator */
.progress-dots {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 40px;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  display: flex;
  gap: 8px;
}
.progress-dots .dot {
  width: 8px;
  height: 8px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);
}
.progress-dots .dot.active {
  background: var(--slide-accent);
  width: 24px;
  border-radius: 4px;
}

/* Swipe hint on first slide */
.swipe-hint {
  position: absolute;
  right: 40px;
  top: 50%;
  transform: translateY(-50%);
  font-size: 14px;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  writing-mode: vertical-rl;
  opacity: 0.6;
}

Step 7: Engagement Optimization

Text Readability Rules

• Maximum 6 words per line for headlines on social
• Maximum 3 lines for any text block on a social graphic
• Minimum font size: 24px for Instagram, 20px for Twitter/LinkedIn
• Contrast: white text on dark overlay OR dark text on light overlay, never mid-tone on mid-tone

Attention-Grabbing Techniques

1. Asymmetric layouts -- break the grid slightly for visual tension
2. One bold color against a muted palette
3. Oversized numbers or single words as anchors
4. Negative space that frames the message
5. Diagonal elements that create movement
6. Border or frame around the canvas edge (8-12px inset)

Platform-Specific CTAs

• Instagram: "Save this for later", "Share to your story", "Double tap if you agree"
• Twitter: "RT if you agree", "Reply with your take", "Bookmark this thread"
• LinkedIn: "Agree? Share your perspective below", "Follow for more insights"
• Pinterest: "Save this pin", "Click through for the full guide"

Step 8: Output Production-Ready Code

Generate the graphic as a self-contained HTML file. Include:

1. Correct width and height on the canvas element
2. Google Fonts loaded via <link> tag
3. All colors from design-context
4. CSS custom properties for easy adjustment
5. Comments marking editable sections (text, colors, images)

Exporting Tips

Include a comment in the output:

<!-- To export as an image:
     1. Open this file in a browser
     2. Use browser DevTools > screenshot (Cmd+Shift+P > "Capture node screenshot")
     3. Or use a tool like html2canvas, Puppeteer, or Screenshot API
     4. Verify dimensions match the target platform -->

Quality Checklist

• Dimensions exactly match the target platform
• Text is within safe zones
• Font size is readable at the platform's display size
• Brand colors and fonts are applied consistently
• Visual hierarchy is clear -- one focal point
• No text-heavy areas (social graphics are visual-first)
• CTA or action prompt is included where appropriate
• Code is self-contained with no external dependencies except fonts