Business was forever changed with the introduction of social media. Companies can now use several innovative methods to connect with their audience all around the globe, and graphic design plays a major role in making that happen. Popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more allow businesses a platform to help them stand out from the crowd and grow relationships with new and existing customers. Imagery is a huge factor in that success and according to Hubspot, a top source for digital marketing strategy, people following directions with text and illustrations do 323% better than those following without graphics or pictures. If you’re struggling to engage your audience, ask yourself if your marketing includes graphics, and then take a look at some of the best brands that excel at incorporating graphics in their marketing strategy.

Six of the best brands that I can think of that really nail graphic design for social media are Spotify, Starbucks, Oreo, Mailchimp, Netflix, and Shopify. In 2020, Spotify came out with their #2020wrapped campaign as a way to grab their audience’s attention. More than just a social media hashtag, it showcased Spotify users’ most-played songs, favorite bands, and podcasts in an easily sharable, clean, and simple-looking infographic. Starbucks, while they lack fair wages and treatment of partners, does not lack in graphic design material. In the image below from their 2020 fall campaign, by adding the phone, you as an audience member are now not just looking at another coffee and Fall aesthetic photo, but something interesting that you want to learn more about. It’s unusual and so now you simply must read the subject matter and find out that there is an 800 number to call to order your Pumpkin Spice Late for delivery.

The article 5 Ways To Engage Consumers On Social Media in this week’s reading list claims that by using humor on social media, you can increase engagement with current customers and grow your follower count when people share your post with their friends. Oreo does an excellent job of cleverly using images of their product in different funny scenarios that match a current trend or message. In this image Oreo designers showcase their Graduation Oreos during the Spring of 2022.

Just a few more graphics that sparked some humor or showed a great design for interest:

It’s pretty clear that graphic designers are integral to excellent marketing strategy. We must be clear that while there are tools for non-designer marketers to use to help them incorporate graphics in their social media strategy, marketers are not versed in design concepts or the principles of design. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate more graphic design in your social media outreach, consider adding a graphic designer or two to your marketing team – you can thank me later!