Design a Social Media Post in Photoshop

Design a branded Instagram post from scratch using Adobe Photoshop.

Introduction

30 Second Summary

Every scroll through Instagram reveals polished graphics that look like they took a professional designer hours to create. The tools behind those designs are more accessible than you think.

In this project, you will design a branded Instagram post for a fictional coffee shop in Adobe Photoshop. You'll go from a blank canvas to a finished, export-ready social media graphic.

What You'll Build

A 1080x1080px Instagram post featuring shape layers, a product photo placed as a Smart Object, professional typography, and organized layer groups.

By the end of this project, you'll have:

A professional-quality Instagram post designed from scratch with proper canvas settings for web.
Hands-on experience with Photoshop's core tools: layers, shapes, type, and Smart Objects.
An exported PNG file optimized and ready to upload directly to social media.
Secret Mission: Adapt your square design into a vertical Instagram Story format.

Do I need a Photoshop subscription?

Adobe offers a 7-day free trial of Photoshop. You can complete this entire project within the trial period at no cost. Step 1 walks you through the full setup process.

Install Photoshop and Set Up Your Workspace

Every design tool has a setup process. For Photoshop, that means installing it through Adobe's Creative Cloud app, which manages all your Adobe software in one place.

In this step, you'll get Photoshop installed and ready, explore where the key panels live, and download a practice image to use in your design.

In this step, get ready to:

Install Photoshop via the Creative Cloud desktop app.
Locate the Layers panel and toolbar in the workspace.
Download a free practice photo from Unsplash.

Download and install Photoshop via Creative Cloud

Photoshop is installed through Adobe's Creative Cloud desktop app. You'll create an Adobe account first, then use Creative Cloud to install Photoshop.

Open your web browser and go to adobe.com.
Click Sign In in the top-right corner, then click Create an account if you don't already have one.
Fill in your name, email, and password to create your free Adobe account.

Already have an Adobe account?

If you already have an account, just sign in with your existing credentials. You can skip the account creation step.

Once signed in, navigate to the Creative Cloud download page at creativecloud.adobe.com/apps/download/creative-cloud.
The download should start automatically. If it doesn't, click Restart download.
Double-click the downloaded file to begin installation:
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Once Creative Cloud is installed, you'll use it to install Photoshop itself.

Open the Creative Cloud desktop app.
Find Photoshop in the app list.
Click Try free to start a 7-day free trial, or click Install if you already have a subscription.

How does the free trial work?

Adobe's free trial gives you full access to Photoshop for 7 days. You'll need to enter a payment method, but you won't be charged until the trial ends on Day 8.

If you decide it's not for you, you have an additional 14 days after billing begins to cancel for a full refund.

Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

Now search for and open Photoshop on your computer.

Press Cmd+Space (macOS) or the Windows key (Windows) to open your search bar.
Type Photoshop and press Enter to open it.

✔️ Photoshop opened successfully

You should see the Photoshop Home screen with options to create new files or open recent ones. You're all set for the next substep.

ⓧ I see an update prompt

If Creative Cloud prompts you to update Photoshop, click Update and wait for it to finish. Then relaunch Photoshop.

ⓧ Photoshop didn't open

Go back to the Creative Cloud desktop app and check that Photoshop shows as Installed.
If it still shows Install or Try free, click it again and wait for the installation to finish completely.
Try restarting your computer if the installation appears stuck.

Once Photoshop shows as installed in Creative Cloud, try opening it again.

Familiarize yourself with the workspace

Photoshop's workspace has three areas you'll use constantly in this project. Let's locate each one now so you know where to find them later.

Look at the left side of the screen. This is the toolbar, which contains all your drawing, selection, and text tools.
Look at the bottom-right area of the screen. This is the Layers panel. You'll use it to organize every element of your design.

What are layers?

Think of layers like transparent sheets stacked on top of each other. Each shape, photo, or text block sits on its own layer. You can rearrange, hide, or edit any layer without affecting the others.

If you don't see the Layers panel, go to Window in the top menu bar and click Layers to open it.

Can't see the toolbar or Layers panel?

Make sure you're using the default workspace. Go to Window in the top menu, then Workspace, then click Essentials (Default). This resets the layout to show all the standard panels.

help me find the Layers panel and toolbar in Photoshop

Download the practice image

Your design will feature a coffee drink photo. You'll grab a free one from Unsplash, a site with high-quality photos that are free to download and use without an account.

Open a new browser tab and go to unsplash.com.
In the search bar, type coffee latte art or iced coffee and press Enter.
Hover over any coffee drink photo you like and click the download arrow button.
Save the photo to your Desktop or Downloads folder so it's easy to find later.

Pick a well-lit, clear photo

Choose a photo where the drink is clearly visible and well-lit. It will look better in your final design when placed against the colored background you'll create in the next step.

Confirm the photo downloaded by checking your Desktop or Downloads folder. You should see a new image file (usually named with the photographer's name or a string of characters).

Don't see the download button?

Some photos on Unsplash are marked with a lock icon, meaning they're part of Unsplash+ (a paid tier). Look for photos that show a regular download arrow without a lock. These are free to download without any account.

help me download a free photo from Unsplash

Your workspace is ready and you have your practice image. Next up, you'll create your canvas and start building the background for your social media post.

Create Your Canvas and Build the Background

Your workspace is ready and Photoshop is open. Now it's time to start building your design.

Every social media graphic starts with the right canvas size. In this step, you'll create an Instagram-sized document and build a branded two-tone background using shape layers.

In this step, get ready to:

Create a new document sized for Instagram.
Build a two-tone background with the Rectangle Tool.
Organize your layers into a named group.

Create a new document for Instagram

Instagram square posts use a 1080x1080 pixel canvas. You need to set this up with the correct resolution and color mode so your design displays crisply on screens.

Click File in the top menu bar.
Click New from the dropdown. You can also click the blue New File button on the Home screen.
In the Width field, type 1080 and make sure the unit is set to Pixels.
In the Height field, type 1080 pixels.
Set Resolution to 72 Pixels/Inch.
Set Color Mode to RGB Color.
In the name field at the top, type Sunrise Roasters Instagram Post.
Click Create.

A blank white square canvas appears in the center of Photoshop. The Layers panel on the right now shows a locked Background layer.

Why 72 Pixels/Inch and RGB?

Resolution of 72 PPI is the standard for anything displayed on a screen. Print projects use 300 PPI, but since your design is going to Instagram, 72 keeps the file size small without sacrificing quality.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the color mode for screens. CMYK is for print. Picking the right mode at the start ensures your colors look correct on the final platform.

Don't see a blank canvas?

Make sure you clicked Create (not just closed the dialog). If the canvas looks off-size, check that both width and height are set to 1080 and the unit dropdown says Pixels (not Inches or Centimeters).

Having trouble?

Build a two-tone background with the Rectangle Tool

A solid background is boring. You'll split yours into two color zones using Shape layers. Shape layers are vector-based, meaning you can resize or recolor them any time without losing quality.

Select the Rectangle Tool from the toolbar on the left. You can also press U on your keyboard to select it.
In the Options bar at the top of the screen, find the mode dropdown (it may say "Shape", "Path", or "Pixels"). Make sure it is set to Shape.

Why Shape mode?

Shape mode creates a vector shape layer that you can resize and recolor at any time. Path mode creates an invisible path outline, and Pixels mode paints directly onto the canvas (destructive). Always use Shape for design elements you might want to edit later.

Now draw the top rectangle:

Click and drag from the top-left corner of the canvas down to roughly the two-thirds mark (about 720 pixels down). Release to create the rectangle.
With the rectangle still selected, look at the Properties panel on the right side. If you don't see it, go to Window > Properties.
Click the Fill color swatch in the Properties panel.
In the color picker, type F4845F into the hex field (the field with the # symbol). This is a warm orange.
Press Enter or click OK to apply the color.

The top two-thirds of your canvas should now be filled with warm orange. Next, draw the bottom rectangle:

Make sure the Rectangle Tool is still selected and the mode is still set to Shape.
Click and drag from where the orange rectangle ends to the bottom-right corner of the canvas. This should cover the bottom third.
Click the Fill color swatch in the Properties panel for this new rectangle.
Type FFF8F0 into the hex field. This is a creamy off-white.
Press Enter or click OK to apply the color.

Your canvas should now show warm orange on the top two-thirds and creamy off-white on the bottom third.

Rectangle drawn but no color showing?

Check that the mode in the Options bar is set to Shape, not Path. Path mode draws an invisible outline with no fill color. If you drew in Path mode by mistake, press Cmd+Z (macOS) or Ctrl+Z (Windows) to undo, switch to Shape mode, and draw again.

Help me fix my rectangle shapes.

Organize your layers

Professional designers never leave layers unnamed and scattered. Grouping related layers keeps your file organized as it grows more complex.

In the Layers panel, hold Cmd (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows) and click each of the two rectangle shape layers to select them both.
Go to Layer > Group Layers in the top menu. You can also press Cmd+G (macOS) or Ctrl+G (Windows).
Double-click the new group name in the Layers panel and rename it Background.
Press Enter to confirm the name.

Your Layers panel should now show a folder icon labeled Background containing two shape layers. Click the arrow next to the group to expand or collapse it.

What is a Layer Group?

A Layer Group is like a folder for your layers. It keeps related layers bundled together so you can move, hide, or lock them as a single unit. As your designs get more complex (10, 20, 50+ layers), groups become essential for staying organized.

Toggle visibility to check your work

Click the eye icon next to the Background group to hide it temporarily. You'll see the default white canvas underneath. Click the eye again to bring your background back. This is a quick way to verify what each layer contributes to your design.

Layers not grouping?

Make sure both shape layers are highlighted (selected) in the Layers panel before pressing Cmd+G or Ctrl+G. If only one layer is selected, you'll create a group with just one layer inside. Undo with Cmd+Z or Ctrl+Z, then hold Cmd/Ctrl and click each layer to select both before grouping.

Help me group my layers correctly.

Your background is ready. Next up, you'll place your coffee photo onto the canvas as a Smart Object, giving you the power to resize it freely without losing any image quality.

Place Your Product Photo as a Smart Object

Your background is ready with its warm orange-and-cream color scheme. Now it's time to bring in the star of the design: the product photo.

Photoshop has a special way of importing images called Place Embedded. This turns your photo into a Smart Object, which means you can resize it freely without ever losing image quality.

In this step, get ready to:

Import the coffee photo as a Smart Object.
Resize and position the photo on the canvas.
Organize the image layer in its own group.

Import the coffee photo

Instead of dragging and dropping an image (which creates a basic pixel layer), Photoshop's Place Embedded command imports photos as Smart Objects. This preserves the original image data so you can resize without quality loss.

Click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Select Place Embedded.
Navigate to the coffee photo you downloaded earlier (your Desktop or Downloads folder) and click Place.

Photoshop inserts the image onto your canvas with Transform handles (small squares) visible around it. Don't click away yet.

What is a Smart Object?

A Smart Object is a layer that preserves the original image data inside it. You can scale, rotate, skew, or warp a Smart Object as many times as you want without losing a single pixel of quality.

This is what non-destructive editing means. You can always go back and change your mind without degrading the image.

Resize and position the photo

With the Transform handles still active, you can scale and move your photo to fill the top half of the canvas. Holding Shift while dragging constrains the proportions so your image doesn't stretch.

Hold Shift while dragging a corner handle to resize the photo proportionally.
Scale the photo so it fills roughly the top half of your canvas.
Click and drag inside the image (not on a handle) to reposition it where you want.
Press Enter (or click the checkmark in the Options bar at the top) to confirm the placement.

Look at the Layers panel on the right. Your new layer has a small icon on its thumbnail. That icon confirms the layer is a Smart Object.

Transform handles disappeared?

If you accidentally clicked away and lost the handles, select the Smart Object layer in the Layers panel. Then go to Edit > Free Transform (or press Ctrl+T on Windows, Cmd+T on macOS) to bring them back.

help me resize my Smart Object layer

Create a layer group for the image

Just like you grouped your background rectangles, keeping this image layer in its own group makes your file easier to navigate as it grows.

In the Layers panel, click on the Smart Object layer to select it.
Press Ctrl+G (Windows) or Cmd+G (macOS) to create a new group.
Double-click the group name in the Layers panel and rename it Product Image.

Your Layers panel should now show two groups: Background at the bottom and Product Image above it.

Why organize layers into groups?

Professional Photoshop files can have dozens or hundreds of layers. Grouping related layers together lets you collapse, move, or hide entire sections of your design with one click.

You can toggle a group's visibility by clicking the eye icon next to it. This is helpful for isolating parts of your design while you work.

Your product photo is locked in and ready. Next up, you'll add the headline and body text that turns this into a real branded announcement.

Add Typography and Branding

Your background and product photo create the visual foundation. Now the design needs to communicate the actual message to anyone scrolling past.

In this step, you'll add professional typography to announce the product. You'll use Photoshop's Type Tool to create a clear text hierarchy with a bold headline and supporting body text.

In this step, get ready to:

Add a bold headline announcing the new product.
Add supporting body text with product details.
Group your text layers for clean organization.

Add the headline text

Text hierarchy is what guides a viewer's eye through a design. The headline is the first thing people read, so it needs to be large and bold.

Select the Type Tool from the toolbar on the left side of the screen.
You can also press T on your keyboard as a shortcut.
Click anywhere on the lower off-white area of the canvas (the bottom third).
In the Options bar at the top of the screen, set the font to Arial Black.
Set the font size to 72 pt.
Set the text color to a dark brown: #3D2B1F. Click the color swatch in the Options bar and enter this hex value.
Type: NEW: Sunrise Iced Latte.
Click the checkmark in the Options bar (or press Esc then click outside the text) to commit the text.
Switch to the Move Tool by pressing V on your keyboard.
Drag the headline to center it horizontally in the lower off-white section of the canvas.

Don't have Arial Black?

Arial Black ships with most operating systems, so you should have it already. If you don't see it, try Bebas Neue instead. It's available through Adobe Fonts, which is included with your Photoshop subscription.

Any bold sans-serif font will work for this exercise. The key is choosing something heavy and easy to read at a glance.

You should see bold dark-brown text reading "NEW: Sunrise Iced Latte" sitting in the center of the off-white lower section.

Text appearing in the wrong spot?

Make sure you clicked in the off-white bottom area before typing. If the text ended up on the orange section, use the Move Tool (V) to drag it down.

If the text is too small or too large, double-click the text layer in the Layers panel to re-enter editing mode. Select all the text (Cmd+A on macOS or Ctrl+A on Windows) and change the size in the Options bar.

Help me position my headline text correctly.

Add supporting body text

The body text provides the product details. It should be smaller and lighter than the headline to create a clear visual hierarchy.

Select the Type Tool again (press T).
Click below the headline you just created.
In the Options bar, change the font to Arial (Regular weight).
Set the font size to 24 pt.
Set the color to #5C4033 (a slightly lighter brown). Click the color swatch and enter the hex value.
Type: Made with oat milk & vanilla bean. Available now!.
Click the checkmark in the Options bar to commit the text.
Switch to the Move Tool (V) and position the body text centered below the headline.

Why two different text sizes?

Professional designers use size contrast to create hierarchy. The 72 pt headline grabs attention first, then the 24 pt body text delivers the details.

The color difference also helps. The darker #3D2B1F headline feels heavier, while the lighter #5C4033 body text recedes slightly.

Your canvas should now show the headline and body text stacked in the lower section, with clear size and weight contrast between them.

Group your text layers

Just like the background and product image, your text layers need their own group. This keeps the Layers panel organized as your design grows.

In the Layers panel, click the headline text layer to select it.
Hold Cmd (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows) and click the body text layer to select both.
Press Cmd+G (macOS) or Ctrl+G (Windows) to group the layers.
Double-click the group name in the Layers panel and rename it to Text.

What should my Layers panel look like?

You should now have three named groups stacked in the Layers panel: Text at the top, Product Image in the middle, and Background at the bottom.

This structure makes it easy to toggle sections on and off, reorder elements, or hand the file to another designer who can immediately understand the layout.

Layers not grouping correctly?

Make sure both text layers are highlighted (blue) in the Layers panel before pressing Cmd+G or Ctrl+G. If only one layer is selected, you'll create a group with just that one layer inside.

If you accidentally grouped the wrong layers, press Cmd+Z (macOS) or Ctrl+Z (Windows) to undo and try again.

Help me organize my text layers into a group in Photoshop.

Your design now communicates a clear message with professional typography. Next up, you'll add a logo placeholder and export the final file ready for Instagram.

Add Finishing Touches and Export

Your text and photo are looking great together. The last step in any professional design workflow is adding branding elements, organizing your file, and exporting a final deliverable.

In this step, you will add a simple logo placeholder using the Ellipse Tool, review your layer structure, save your working file as a PSD, and export a web-ready PNG for Instagram.

In this step, get ready to:

Add a circular logo placeholder with branding text.
Review your layer groups and save the PSD.
Export the final design as a PNG for Instagram.

Add a simple logo placeholder

Every branded social media post needs a logo or identifier. You will create a simple circle with initials to represent the Sunrise Roasters brand.

In the toolbar on the left, click and hold the Rectangle Tool to reveal the shape tools flyout menu.
Select the Ellipse Tool from the flyout. You can also press Shift+U to cycle through the shape tools until the Ellipse Tool is selected.
In the Options bar at the top, confirm the mode is set to Shape (not Path or Pixels).
Move your cursor to the top-left corner of the canvas.
Hold Shift while dragging to draw a small perfect circle (roughly 80-100 pixels wide).
In the Properties panel, set the Fill color to white (#FFFFFF).
Set the Stroke to 2 px with the color #3D2B1F (dark brown).

What does holding Shift do?

Holding Shift while dragging with the Ellipse Tool constrains the shape to a perfect circle. Without Shift, you would draw an oval.

Now select the Type Tool from the toolbar (keyboard shortcut: T).
Click inside or near the circle you just drew.
In the Options bar, set the font size to 18 pt and the color to #3D2B1F.
Type SR (the initials for Sunrise Roasters).
Use the Move Tool (V) to center the text inside or near the circle.

You should now see a small white circle with a dark brown border and the letters "SR" in the top-left corner of your canvas.

Don't see the stroke on your circle?

Make sure you set the Stroke in the Properties panel, not the Fill. The Stroke option has a square icon with a border outline. Also confirm the stroke width is set to 2 px, not 0.

If the Properties panel is not visible, go to Window > Properties to open it.

Why isn't my circle showing a stroke border?

Review your layer organization

Before saving, take a moment to confirm your Layers panel is organized. Clean layer management is a professional habit that makes future edits simple.

Open the Layers panel (bottom-right of the screen, or go to Window > Layers).
Confirm you can see your organized groups: Background, Product Image, and Text.
Your logo ellipse and "SR" text layers should also be visible (either inside a group or at the top of the layer stack).
Toggle group visibility by clicking the eye icon next to each group to see how your design is composed layer by layer.

Why save as a PSD?

The PSD format preserves all your layers, groups, and editable text. If you ever need to update the drink name or swap the photo, you can reopen the PSD and make changes without starting over.

Exporting to PNG flattens everything into a single image. Always keep the PSD as your working file.

Save your working file by going to File > Save As.
In the Save As dialog, choose Photoshop from the Format menu.
Confirm the file name is Sunrise Roasters Instagram Post and click Save.

Your PSD is now saved with all layers intact.

Export for Instagram

With your design complete and your working file saved, you can now export a final PNG that is ready to upload directly to Instagram.

Go to File > Export > Export As.
In the Export As dialog, set Format to PNG.
Confirm the width is 1080 and the height is 1080 px.
Click Export and choose a location you can easily find (such as your Desktop).

Why PNG instead of JPEG?

PNG is a lossless format, meaning it preserves every pixel of your design without compression artifacts. For graphics with solid colors, shapes, and text, PNG produces a crisper result than JPEG.

JPEG is better suited for photographs where slight quality loss is acceptable in exchange for smaller file sizes.

You now have a web-ready PNG you can upload directly to Instagram. Open the exported file to confirm it looks sharp and matches your design.

Export As option grayed out?

Make sure you have saved the file at least once before exporting. Try File > Save first, then attempt the export again.

If the dimensions show something other than 1080 x 1080, check that you did not accidentally crop or resize the canvas in a previous step.

Why can't I export my Photoshop file as PNG?

Secret mission

Create an Instagram Story Version

Real designers don't create one graphic and call it a day. They adapt a single design across multiple formats. In this secret mission, you'll take your square Instagram post and transform it into a vertical Instagram Story, learning the exact workflow professionals use to repurpose content across platforms.

Clean Up Your Resources

Decide whether to keep your resources running, pause them to come back later, or delete them entirely. If you started Photoshop on a free trial, keep in mind the trial lasts 7 days and will automatically convert to a paid subscription if not cancelled.

Cost warning

If you signed up for the 7-day free trial, Adobe will begin charging your payment method automatically once the trial ends. Cancel before day 7 if you don't want to be charged.

If you already have a Photoshop subscription, no extra cost was incurred by completing this project.

Resources you used:

Photoshop project files (Sunrise Roasters Instagram Post.psd and Sunrise Roasters Instagram Story.psd).
Exported PNG files (Sunrise Roasters Instagram Post.png and Sunrise Roasters Instagram Story.png).
Downloaded coffee photo from Unsplash.
Adobe Photoshop (installed via Creative Cloud).
Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app.
Adobe account (free trial or paid subscription).

Keep everything running

No action needed. Choose this if you're still actively building or plan to use Photoshop for more projects.

Your PSD and PNG files remain wherever you saved them.
Photoshop stays installed and ready to launch from Creative Cloud.
Your Adobe subscription or trial continues as normal.

Pause - I'll come back to this later

Free up disk space by uninstalling Photoshop while keeping your project files intact for later.

Keep your PSD and PNG files saved where they are. You can reopen them anytime after reinstalling Photoshop.
Uninstall Photoshop to free disk space: open the Creative Cloud desktop app, go to Apps > All Apps, click More actions next to Photoshop, then select Uninstall. Choose Keep to retain your preferences for next time.
If you're on the free trial and don't want to be charged, cancel your plan before the trial ends (see the Delete tab for cancellation steps).

Delete - I don't want to use this again

Remove all project resources and cancel your Adobe subscription to avoid future charges.

Delete your local project files. On macOS, open Terminal and run the commands below. On Windows, open File Explorer, navigate to where you saved the files, select them, and press Delete.
Delete the downloaded coffee photo from your Desktop or Downloads folder.
Uninstall Photoshop: open the Creative Cloud desktop app, go to Apps > All Apps, click More actions next to Photoshop, select Uninstall, then choose Remove to delete the app along with all preferences and settings.
Cancel your Adobe subscription or trial: sign in at adobe.com/account, select Manage plan, then select Cancel your plan. Follow the prompts to confirm. You will receive a cancellation confirmation by email.

Refund eligibility

If you cancel within 14 days of your initial purchase (including during the free trial), you are eligible for a full refund. After 14 days, cancellation fees may apply depending on your plan type.

Nice Work!

You just designed your first professional social media graphic in Adobe Photoshop. From an empty canvas to a polished, export-ready Instagram post, you now have hands-on experience with the core workflow that professional graphic designers use every day.

Here's what you learned:

Built a branded background using Shape layers and placed a product photo as a Smart Object for non-destructive editing.
Added professional typography with visual hierarchy (headline and body text) to communicate a brand message.
Organized your work with named Layer Groups and exported a web-ready PNG using Export As.
Adapted the square design into an Instagram Story format (1080x1920px), repurposing brand elements across different canvas sizes.

Ready to quiz yourself?