FROM THE DESK | ISSUE 004

FIELD NOTES | STOP LETTING INSTAGRAM BUTCHER YOUR POSTS

Like it or not, Instagram is still one of the best tools out there for building a brand. It’s where people discover you, get a feel for who you are, and decide, often in a split second, if you’re worth following (or more importantly, hiring). And while we’re all for substance over surface, the reality is this: if your posts look messy, cropped weird, or blurry, you’re making it harder than it needs to be. Nailing the details? That’s part of showing up well.

We’ve all been there: You design something beautiful for Instagram, hit post, and then there’s that sinking feeling. Time to archive, delete, re-design and re-post. Losing those precious 3 likes from your Mum and 2 bot accounts.

Instagram isn’t always kind to us creatives, but the truth is, most of this can be avoided by getting your export sizes right. Here’s a quick cheat sheet we use in the studio to make sure things look sharp, land how they’re supposed to, and don’t get compressed into oblivion.

THE FEED

• Design size: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)

• Grid crop: 1012 x 1350 px (3:4)

Want to avoid awkward cropping in your grid view? Keep your key visuals within that 1012 px width. Better yet, export bigger (2x or 3x). Instagram’s compression plays nicer that way.

REELS

• Design size: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)

• Grid crop: 1080 x 1440 px (3:4)

Avoid putting text at the top and bottom. It’ll get chopped in the preview. And keep important elements away from the bottom right corner so they don’t get buried under UI icons.

STORIES

• Design size: 1080 x 1920 px

• Safe zone: 1080 x 1610 px

Unlike posts, Stories get hit harder by compression. Stick to exact sizing, and don’t go oversized thinking you’ll get sharper results. You won’t.

If you’re putting time into designing for Instagram, don’t let it get wrecked by a rogue crop or crunchy compression. No mystery framing, no sad blurry type, just posts that look as good on the grid as they did in your head.

FRESH OFF THE DESK | BUILDING A BRAND WITH HORSEPOWER

When the guys behind Moto’79 first reached out, all they had was a big idea and an empty garage bay. A moto shop meets community hub in the heart of Squamish. The goal was gritty, welcoming, and loud. But in all the right ways.

We hopped in early. Helping shape the name, the positioning, and how they talk about what they do. Then we stuck around. Over the next year, we had a hand in nearly every creative detail. Identity design, media shoots, website, signage, vehicle wraps, merch, you name it. All of it tied back to that same core idea. Something authentic, damn cool, and unmistakably them.

We’re always stoked to share this project. Take a look at the full spread through the link below.

ON OUR RADAR | A CAFFEINATED FATHER’S DAY WISHLIST HINT

Father’s Day is this weekend, and if you’ve got a coffee-loving dad in your life (or you are the coffee-loving dad in your life), let us point you toward something beautiful: the Moccamaster KBGV Select. Specifically in that bold, sunny yellow that just so happens to match our Idle Hands brand yellow. Total coincidence? Maybe. Want? Absolutely.

We’re bordering on an unhealthy coffee addiction over here. With early starts, late nights, client calls, and 2 rugrats running around, let’s just say caffeine helps. This beauty’s been on our wishlist for a while now. Sleek design, built like a tank, and brews like a dream.

Anyway, we’re just saying, consider this your gentle, well-designed, highly caffeinated hint.

Check it out here if you’re shopping for a gift (or just want to upgrade your desk-brew game).

That’s a wrap on this week’s desk notes. Whether you skimmed, scrolled, or read every word, we’re glad you made time for us in your inbox.

Have a good one out there. We’ll see you next Monday.

Rory & Suz