Art Direction for Instagram: Design a Striking Social Media Feed

A course by Ben Mottershead , Creative Director

Creative Director. London, United Kingdom.
Joined April 2020

Learn how to curate your social media to represent your brand’s voice by creating a visually striking content strategy

325 students
Audio: English, Spanish
English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch

Learn how to curate your social media to represent your brand’s voice by creating a visually striking content strategy

Since January 22, 2025, Instagram announced the removal of the 1:1 format, transitioning to 4:5 or 9:16. This course is based on the old 1:1 format, but the fundamentals and basic principles taught remain relevant

Dive into the world of Instagram visual strategy, where you'll master the art of creating a standout social media feed. Learn to develop a cohesive social media strategy and structure, enabling you to design eye-catching Instagram templates for both square and vertical formats. Uncover the secrets to crafting a distinct visual identity that captures attention and reflects a brand's unique essence. Explore essential tools and techniques to elevate your content, ensuring each post resonates with your audience and aligns seamlessly with your strategic goals.

Throughout this journey, you'll gain insights into art direction, moodboarding, and the principles of effective storytelling. Discover how to adapt your designs for various formats, maintaining visual cohesion while maximizing engagement. Whether you're looking to enhance your own brand or work with clients, this experience equips you with the knowledge to create compelling, audience-driven content. Embrace the creative process and transform your Instagram presence into a visually striking narrative that stands out in a crowded digital landscape.

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What will you learn in this online course?

15 lessons & 20 downloads

Defining the Brand
20 minutes, 13 seconds
Exercise: A Day in the Life
5 minutes, 1 second
Developing Content Pillars
6 minutes, 18 seconds
Developing the Grid 2
17 minutes, 15 seconds
Developing a Brand Voice
9 minutes, 50 seconds
  • 325 students
  • 15 lessons (3h 24m)
  • 20 additional resources (9 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: English, Spanish
  • English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Create a standout Instagram feed by designing a 9-post grid using unique templates, adapting 2-3 designs for vertical format. Develop strategic content pillars, understand audience dynamics, and refine visual storytelling for impactful social media presence.

Who is this online course for?

Anyone eager to elevate their social media design skills will find this online learning experience valuable. Ideal for those with a foundational grasp of design principles, access to design software, and a desire to create visually captivating Instagram feeds.

Requirements and materials

A basic understanding of design principles and software is essential, alongside access to a computer and internet. No extensive prior knowledge is required, making it accessible for anyone keen to enhance their social media design skills.


Ben Mottershead

A course by Ben Mottershead

Teacher Plus
Creative Director

Ben Mottershead is a London-based designer and the founder of Never Dull Studio, a forward-thinking design agency that emphasizes audience-first strategies. With a rich background in branding, graphic design, and animation, Ben crafts engaging experiences for brands that prioritize genuine connections with their audiences. His journey began in the events industry, where he learned the importance of viewing audiences as individuals with ambitions and desires rather than mere metrics. This ethos has become central to his work, particularly in social media, where authenticity and engagement are key.

Ben's career has seen him work across various sectors, from entertainment to digital and web design. His experience with ADHD has shaped his approach, leading him to start his own agency where playful, gamified design takes center stage. A lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire and an industry consultant, Ben shares his expertise on topics like overcoming failure and mental health awareness. His passion for social media is evident in his belief that it is a platform for experimentation and creativity, offering opportunities to push boundaries and explore new styles.


Content

  • U1

    Introduction

    • About Me
    • Influences
  • U2

    Strategy

    • Understanding Instagram
    • Researching the Client
    • Defining the Brand
    • Exercise: A Day in the Life
    • Developing Content Pillars
  • U3

    Visual Language

    • Art Direction
    • Mood Board and Visual Research 1
    • Mood Board and Visual Research 2
    • Developing the Grid 1
    • Developing the Grid 2
    • Adapting to a Vertical Format
  • U4

    Publishing the Content

    • Posting
    • Developing a Brand Voice
  • FP

    Final project

    • Creative Content Creation with Graphic Design

What to expect from a Domestika course

  • Learn at your own pace

    Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

  • Learn from the best professionals

    Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

  • Meet expert teachers

    Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

  • Certificates
    Plus

    If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

  • Get front-row seats

    Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

  • Share knowledge and ideas

    Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

  • Connect with a global creative community

    The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

  • Watch professionally produced courses

    Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.


FAQs

Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.

All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.

The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.

You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.

If you're a Plus member, when you complete a course you've purchased, you'll instantly get your personalized certificate. You can see all your certificates in the Certificates section of your profile. You can download your certificates as PDFs and share the link online. Learn more about certificates.
Art Direction for Instagram: Design a Striking Social Media Feed. Design, Marketing, and Business course by Ben Mottershead

Art Direction for Instagram: Design a Striking Social Media Feed

A course by Ben Mottershead
Creative Director. London, United Kingdom.
Joined April 2020
  • 325 students