A logo only truly unfolds its impact when it appears in a post. In this hands-on project, you build a brand-consistent promo post for a coffee shop. The tools from the previous chapters come together here: shapes, gradients, transparency, alignment, layer shadows, and text. In the end, you have a draft that you can export as a PNG and publish right away.
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Key Takeaways
The most important points of this project at a glance:
- For a social media post in a square format, you create a canvas of 1080 × 1080 pixels at 72 DPI.
- A radial gradient with two colors creates depth. The center determines the light spot, the outer end the dark one.
- A white circle with reduced transparency creates a calm background for the icon.
- SVG icons can be edited and colored with a color of your choice.
- Shadows, size proportions, and text layers determine legibility. Grouping and locking keep the structure stable.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Create a new document in the right format
Start with a new file via the File menu. For Instagram and other social networks, a square format is a good choice. In the Video and Web section, choose the template with 1080 × 1080 pixels. Alternatively, in the social media section there is a portrait format with 1080 × 1350 pixels, which often takes up more space in the feed. It is important that you check the resolution in the dialog. Set the DPI to 72, which is sufficient for screen output. 144 DPI also works, but is not strictly necessary for this purpose.
Step 2: Design the background with a radial gradient
Drag a rectangle across the entire canvas. This rectangle serves only as a carrier for the gradient. The color is secondary for now. Then activate the Fill tool with the G key. In the Properties panel on the right, select the type "Radial Gradient" among the options. Make sure that the fill and not the stroke is active.
A line with two points now appears on the rectangle. The middle point represents the center of the color, the outer one the end of the gradient. Click the middle point and enter a hex code in the color field, for example 2C1810 for a dark brown. Then click the outer point and enter, for instance, C1440E as the opposing color. The mix of black and red looks warm and fits well with a coffee brand.
You can then move the center point slightly upward. This way, the dark area is not exactly in the middle, but somewhat higher. This small deviation looks more natural on social media and draws the eye better to the elements above it.
Step 3: Create a white circle as a stage for the icon
Select the tool for creating ellipses and drag out a circle. Hold down the Shift key so that the shape remains a perfect circle. Using the Transform panel at the bottom right, you can set the size to exactly 600 pixels. Set the fill to white. If pure white seems too cool to you, use the hex code F5F0E8. This gives a creamy tone that feels much more high-quality than pure black and white.
Then, in the Layers panel, open the object and reduce the opacity to about 15 percent. The circle should only show through enough that it is just still recognizable as a surface. Next, align the circle using the alignment tools. Center it once horizontally and once vertically so that it sits exactly in the middle of the canvas.
Step 4: Open the SVG icon, color it, and place it
An icon in SVG format consists of vector curves and can be scaled without loss. You can place it directly via File. In the video, however, it is opened as a separate document so that you can edit it beforehand. After opening, expand the layers and you will see that the icon consists of curves. Select the layer and color it white. This matches the design of the circle and the rest of the color scheme.
Then adjust the size to about 300 pixels using the transformation. Copy the icon with Control C and paste it into your post with Control V. Align it so that it sits in the center of the white circle. It doesn't necessarily have to be centered on the entire canvas, but it should look harmonious within the circle.
Step 5: Add a subtle shadow for more depth
To make the icon stand out from the circle, you use a layer shadow. To do this, open the layer shadow options and choose the outer shadow. Set the opacity to about 30 to 35 percent. Adjust the radius and the intensity so that the shadow is visible but doesn't dominate. In the video, it becomes clear that the shadow still blends into the black background here. This is a good indication that you should readjust the shadow depending on the background.
Step 6: Set the headline and brand name
Select the text tool and click on the canvas to insert the headline above the icon. Write, for example, "Fresh Roasted". Set the font size to about 60 points and choose a font that is considered easy to read in the video. You set the text color via the hex code F5F0E8. This is almost white, but in combination with the circle it looks more harmonious than pure white.
Place the text so that it extends slightly beyond the circle. This looks lively and ensures a balanced composition. Whether the headline looks too large or too small is best seen when you view it in the overall picture.
For the brand name at the bottom, you copy the headline so that the same font is retained. Replace the text with "Coffee Company" or the name of your shop. Increase the font size to about 80 to 90 points and, if necessary, set the font style to bold. The brand name should stand out as the strongest element of the post.
Step 7: Add a divider line and additional text
Between the brand name and the headline, or below the icon, you place a fine divider line. To do this, you draw a rectangle and set the dimensions to 200 pixels wide and 2 pixels high. The result is deliberately narrow, because a line should only provide structure and not dominate. You take the color from the gradient, for example the red tone C1440E.
Finally, you add a small additional text with the founding year, for example "Vienna since 2014". Place it below the divider line at around 28 points. Such additions act like a promise of quality and are very common for coffee shops.
Step 8: Lock and group layers
So that nothing shifts while you keep working, you lock the background and the white circle. Both should remain unchanged. Then you group related elements. The icon forms its own group, and the texts and the divider line form a second one. This way you can edit the components separately without accidentally moving other elements.
Step 9: Export as PNG
When the layout is right, go to File and then Export. The PNG format is suitable for social media because it reproduces colors and edges cleanly. Give the export a meaningful name, for example "Coffee_Promo_Test", and save the file. You can repeat the export later with different settings when you refine the post.
Take a critical look at the finished result. In the video, it is even noted that the shadow still looks too strong and the alignment could still be reworked. That is exactly the value of a first draft: You recognize what is still missing and improve it in the next round.
Summary – Designing a Social Media Post for a Coffee Shop in Affinity Designer
You have built a social media post from scratch. You chose the right format, created depth with a radial gradient, and used a white circle with reduced opacity as a stage. You recolored an SVG icon, highlighted it with a shadow, and combined it with texts consisting of a headline, brand name, and additional info. Finally, you locked the layers, grouped them, and exported them as a PNG. With this basic framework, you can quickly vary any campaign and adapt it to your brand.
FAQ
What format do I need for a square social media post?You create a canvas of 1080 × 1080 pixels and set the DPI to 72.
Which key do I use to draw a perfect circle?Hold down the Shift key while dragging out the ellipse, and the shape will remain a circle.
Why should I use a creamy off-white instead of pure white?A tone like F5F0E8 looks more high-quality and less technical than pure black and white.
What advantage does an icon in SVG format offer?An SVG consists of vector curves, can be scaled without loss of quality, and can have its colors adjusted.
How do I make sure the background and circle don't shift while I work?Lock the layers so they can no longer be moved.
When is it worth grouping layers?Groups combine related elements such as texts or the icon and make the structure clearer.
Which file format is suitable for export?For social media, the PNG format is well suited because it renders colors and edges cleanly.
