Are you absolutely rubbish at designing but want to add some amazing visual content to your blog posts?

We harp on a lot about the importance of visual content here at RWD, and for good reason. If you want to maximise social shares and backlinks visual content simply must be part of your strategy. But what do you do if you can’t design?

The guys at CoShedule are here to help with the infographic below.

 

In the digital age, visual content reigns supreme. Whether you run a blog, website, or social media platform, captivating visuals can make or break your online presence. However, not everyone has the luxury of hiring a professional designer. Fear not! This guide is tailored to non-designers looking to create stunning visual content for their blogs. We’ll explore the importance of visuals, design principles, and practical tools to help you create eye-catching graphics and images.

Chapter 1: The Power of Visual Content

1.1 Why Visuals Matter

In a world saturated with information, visuals are the key to capturing your audience’s attention. Here’s why they matter:

• First Impressions: Humans are visual creatures, and first impressions are often formed by what we see.
• Increased Engagement: Visual content receives more likes, shares, and comments on social media and blogs.
• Better Comprehension: Complex ideas are easier to understand when presented visually.
• Brand Recognition: Consistent visual branding can help establish a strong online identity.

1.2 Types of Visual Content

Before we dive into the design process, it’s essential to understand the various types of visual content you can create for your blog:

• Images: Photographs, illustrations, and infographics.
• Videos: Explainers, tutorials, and vlogs.
• Graphics: Charts, graphs, and data visualizations.
• Memes and GIFs: For humor and engagement.
• Interactive Content: Quizzes, polls, and interactive infographics.

Chapter 2: Design Principles for Non-Designers

2.1 Simplicity

The first rule of design is to keep it simple. Here’s how you can achieve simplicity in your visual content:

• Clear Message: Ensure your visual communicates its message without confusion.
• Minimalism: Use fewer elements to avoid clutter.
• Consistency: Maintain a consistent style and color scheme across your visuals.
• Whitespace: Use ample whitespace to make your content more digestible.

2.2 Balance

Balance is crucial to creating visually pleasing content. There are two types of balance to consider:

• Symmetrical Balance: Elements are evenly distributed around a central axis.
• Asymmetrical Balance: Elements are distributed unevenly but still achieve harmony.

2.3 Contrast

Contrast helps your visuals stand out. Consider these tips:

• Color Contrast: Use contrasting colors to make elements pop.
• Size Contrast: Vary the size of elements for emphasis.
• Font Contrast: Combine different fonts for readability and visual interest.

2.4 Alignment

Proper alignment gives your visual content a polished look:

• Grids: Use grids to align elements consistently.
• Visual Hierarchy: Place the most important elements prominently.
• Balance Text and Images: Ensure text and images align harmoniously.

2.5 Color Theory

Understanding color psychology can significantly impact your visual content:

• Color Wheel: Familiarize yourself with the color wheel and its relationships.
• Color Schemes: Use complementary, analogous, or monochromatic color schemes.
• Emotion and Color: Know how colors evoke emotions (e.g., red for excitement, blue for trust).

Chapter 3: Tools for Creating Visual Content

Now that we’ve covered design principles, let’s explore some user-friendly tools to help you create stunning visuals.

3.1 Canva

Canva is a user-friendly design platform with a vast library of templates and resources. Here’s how to get started:

• Choose a Template: Select a template for your blog post’s visual content.
• Customize: Modify text, colors, and images to match your brand.
• Add Elements: Include icons, illustrations, or shapes.
• Export: Save your design in various formats (JPEG, PNG, PDF).

3.2 Adobe Spark

Adobe Spark is another great option for creating visuals:

• Pick a Template: Start with a template or create from scratch.
• Add Text and Images: Insert your content, and Adobe Spark will handle the design.
• Animation: Create animated videos and graphics easily.
• Sharing: Share directly to social media or download for your blog.

3.3 Piktochart

Piktochart is excellent for designing infographics:

• Choose an Infographic Template: Select from a range of infographic templates.
• Customize: Edit text, colors, and charts.
• Data Visualization: Import data and create interactive charts.
• Export: Save your infographic for use in your blog.

3.4 Visme

Visme is a versatile visual content creation tool:

• Templates: Start with templates for presentations, infographics, and more.
• Animation: Animate elements to engage your audience.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with team members in real-time.
• Analytics: Measure the impact of your visual content.

Chapter 4: Designing Visual Content for Blogs

Now that you’re armed with design principles and the right tools, let’s explore specific types of visual content for your blog.

4.1 Featured Images

A compelling featured image can entice readers to click and read your blog post. Here’s how to create one:

• Dimensions: Use the recommended dimensions for your blog’s featured images.
• Relevance: Ensure the image is relevant to your blog post’s topic.
• Typography: Overlay your blog post’s title or a brief description.
• Branding: Add your logo or website URL for brand recognition.

4.2 Infographics

Infographics are an excellent way to convey complex information in a visually appealing manner:

• Structure: Organize your information logically.
• Visual Elements: Use icons, charts, and images to illustrate key points.
• Color Coding: Use colors to differentiate sections or data categories.
• Citations: Include sources if you’re using statistics or data.

4.3 Social Media Graphics

Engaging visuals for social media can boost your blog’s reach:

• Platform-specific Sizes: Create graphics in the optimal dimensions for each social media platform.
• Quote Graphics: Share inspirational or thought-provoking quotes from your blog.
• Promotions: Design graphics for promotions and giveaways.
• Hashtags: Add relevant hashtags to increase discoverability.

4.4 Visual Storytelling

Visual storytelling can make your blog posts more engaging and memorable:

• Sequential Images: Use a series of images to tell a story.
• Captions: Include captions to provide context or narration.
• Emotion: Use facial expressions and body language to convey emotions.

Chapter 5: Best Practices and Tips

To ensure your visual content truly shines, here are some best practices and tips to keep in mind:

5.1 Optimize for SEO

• File Names: Use descriptive file names with keywords.
• Alt Text: Always include alt text for images.
• Image Compression: Optimize image size for faster loading.

5.2 Mobile-Friendly Design

• Responsive Design: Ensure your visuals look good on mobile devices.
• Test on Mobile: Preview your visuals on various mobile devices before publishing.

5.3 A/B Testing

• Experiment: Test different visuals to see which ones perform best.
• Analytics: Use analytics to track the engagement of your visual content.

5.4 Copyright and Licensing

• Use Licensed Resources: Be mindful of copyright when using images, icons, or fonts.
• Creative Commons: Explore Creative Commons resources for free and legal visuals.

Chapter 6: The Final Touches

Before you hit that publish button, here are some final touches to ensure your visual content is ready for the world:

• Proofreading: Check for typos, grammar errors, and inconsistencies.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Verify that your visuals look great on mobile devices.
• Preview: Test your visuals in different browsers to ensure compatibility.
• Feedback: Seek feedback from peers or beta testers.

Conclusion

Creating amazing visual content for your blog doesn’t require a degree in design. Armed with the right knowledge, tools, and a dash of creativity, non-designers can produce visually stunning content that captivates and engages their audience. So, start experimenting, embrace the world of visual content, and watch your blog flourish like never before!