This tutorial is about making your profile pictures and making your brand stand out

And yes If you use social media even just for fun you are a brand, that's because you want people to see what you post

What size icon should I use?

Depends on where you are wanting to post, here is a list of pixel sizes for different platforms.

let's start this off with the dimensions you’ll want for your icon canvas,

For instagram = 320 x 320px

Twitter = 400 x 400px

Facebook = 170 x 170px

Linkedin = 400 x 400px

Pinterest = 165 x 165px

Tumblr = 128 x128px

Tiktok = 20 x 20px

But the dimensions I suggest are the dimensions for YouTubes icon which is 800 x 800px I suggest this because it would allow you to use your icon for any of the other social media accounts as well

Here is a link to where I found this data, and this article also has information for other canvas sizes for all these socials as well

 

 

Now with such a small canvas size, you’re going to want to simplify what you use for your icon, for example, if you want to use a character, draw your character in the most simplified way you can, take away as much detail as possible, using basic shapes can be helpful as well, squinting at your piece or shrinking it will also help you in knowing if you executed it properly

 

It can also be helpful to scroll through social media and look for the social icons that not only pull your immediate attention but also the ones that are the most immediately recognizable.

 

Like these for example.

 

Making your brand

When making your brand you will need to decide the main focus for your brand, will it be you as a person or the products or things you do

 

If you are simply a professional business owner, and your brand is more centered around the product you sell, whether it be that you sell art, make comics, or sell bathwater your icon should be something related to your product or a logo you’ve made for your company

consider using basic and recognizable shapes

pay close attention to the readability of their silhouettes

 

For a more personal brand, a photo or caricature of yourself would work best, make sure when using a photo or drawing that the image has fewer colors and is not cluttered, a good way to make it stand out is by having the space behind you be a bold single color and for the image, you chose to have a recognizable silhouette.

 

Another idea that would work for both types of brands is by making a personalized character with a funny relatable personality, lots of other companies have done this, for example;

Darkiplier

Pillsbury

pringles

And an endless list of others ranging from all different sorts of businesses

 

Make it meaningful

You should also consider the colors you will use and the meaning of those colors

 

Red = seems powerful and attention-grabbing but also dangerous

Orange = is comforting and warming but can be overwhelming

Yellow, = bright yellows make you feel good but darker tones can give you a negative feeling

Green = can feel fresh, and eco-friendly but also greedy

Blue = feels trustworthy and intelligent but this color can also feel cold

Purple = is associated with royalty and healing but you should use this color sparingly

Pink = is known for love and sexuality but men will find it emasculating

White = simplicity and cleanliness but use other colors as it can feel empty with too much white

Black = elegance and wealth, too much, will feel dark or bad

Brown = can feel earthy and warm however this color can be very difficult as brown used wrong can make something feel dirty

Metallics = seem glamorous and sophisticated, these colors can be hard for anything not digital so keep that in mind

 

Choose a color pallet that fits your style yet reaches out to your intended audience.

Simplicity is key

The things to avoid for your icon are words, clutter, and too many colors, for a quick and easily recognizable icon simplicity is key

 

Some socials will also allow you to use an animated icon, which is some you may want to consider but don't have to. It will take more time but will catch peoples eye.

But best practice is simplicity.

 

Here is a few examples of what to avoid in your icon.

Thank you for reading this tutorial :)

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If you want to check out my social I post short clips of my art and tutorials on tiktok that you can check out