Keep reading to know more ways for designing your Instagram grid as an expert.
Create a vertical column
Breaking up the grid with squares that create a vertical, central image is an effective way to mix graphic branding elements and photography together on your profile.
Vancouver’s @communitybreathwork makes use of both a vertical and a horizontal related image in this part of their grid. However, the images can technically all still stand alone.
Turn your grid into the rainbow
You want both patience and a great color sense to pull this look off. The target is to post regularly in one saturated color… and then slowly change to the next shade in the rainbow with your next rows of posts.
To truly get the complete effect of drag queen @ilonaverley’s rainbow ‘gram grid, you’ll need to scroll for yourself, however here’s a screenshot of her transition from green to yellow.
Embrace the border
Making a consistent look can be as simple as applying a border to all of your photographs.
Stylist @her.styling makes use of white square borders on all of her photographs, however you could create a signature look with any range of colors. The free Whitagram app is one choice to quickly apply this edit, with borders and backdrops in all kinds of different shades.
Turn your posts into a puzzle
This structure is a tricky one to pull off on a day-to-day basis, however for a big announcement or marketing campaign, or to launch a new account, a puzzle grid certainly packs a punch.
A puzzle grid creates one huge, interconnected image out of all the squares. Individually, these posts probably look like nonsense. However viewed together, it’s a work of art.
Give business photographer @nelsonmouellic a round of applause for this visual feat, will ya?
5 tips for planning a beautiful Instagram grid layout
Of course, none of these sleek grids happen accidentally. You gotta grind for that grid! Here are some things to bear in mind as you’re planning out the big picture.
1. Preview first
Before you post it: map it.
You may mock it up in photo-editing software, or use Hootsuite’s app integration that allows you to preview your layout before it goes live. Right now, it’s for personal accounts only, however business account functionality is coming soon.
Create an Instagram grid layout of up to nine photos, and then schedule them to go up in the right order via the Hootsuite dashboard.
2. Keep it consistent
Designing an awesome Instagram grid means sticking to a plan. One off-beat photo in the wrong color, the wrong filter, or in the wrong order can ruin your whole look.
Just imagine if luxury goods company @shopcadine tossed in an image of a #kitchenfail to their muted, earth-tone, carefully curated collection of images. Instant chaos!
3. Make sure it matches your brand
Finally, the goal of a grid isn’t just to impress your friends with your dedication to using a particular Lightroom preset filter. It’s to construct a unified look for your brand.
So, if you’re a recruiting firm for high-level executives, like @mrinetwork for example, having a playful rainbow grid won’t quite fit the professional and serious tone you’re going for. A monochromatic, text-based series of posts, on the other hand…
4. Benefit from image editing tools
In case you haven’t figured it out yet: Instagram is a visual medium… and it’s hard to put together an excellent grid unless the individual photos also are great.
Fortunately, there are tons of nice photo editing tools out there, in addition to expert advice around each corner… for instance, these guides to taking great Instagram photos and staying on top of the hottest Instagram trends.
5. Schedule your posts in advance
Keep your beautiful grid active and updated with the help of a scheduling tool that lets you drop just the right filtered pic (or three) at just the best time.
Of course, designing an excellent Instagram grid is just one method to capture attention on the ‘gram. For more marketing tips and tricks to take your account to the next level, check out our ultimate guide to Instagram marketing here.