Instagram Carousel: Good Content Design Challenge Day 4

Visual Storytelling

Welcome to Day 4 of the Spooky Good Content Challenge! Today’s challenge is all about visual storytelling, which ties directly into the core of content design. As a content designer, I’m always focused on crafting clear, engaging narratives, and Instagram carousels are a perfect example of how we can do this visually, one slide at a time. Whether it’s a series of images, graphics, or a mix of both, the carousel format allows for progressive storytelling—just like building a user journey. Today, I’ll walk you through designing a carousel post that offers a peek into my day-to-day, balancing work, creativity, and life.

Today's Challenge

Day 4: Design an Instagram carousel post about a day in your life or a typical workday. Consider storytelling and how to communicate your message with both text and visuals.

The Slides

Step 1: Start with a theme

Since I’m a content designer, my workdays are packed with creativity, strategy, and a touch of organized chaos. For my carousel, I want to emphasize balance—the way I juggle designing content, meeting deadlines, walking my dog Veuvie, and finding those little moments to recharge with something fun (maybe an audiobook or a trip to Torchy's for a taco).

Step 2: Sketch out your slide concepts

Here’s how I mapped out the 5-7 slides for this Instagram carousel:

• Slide 1: A Welcome Splash Screen

  • Visual: A vibrant, inviting title card that reads, "A Day in the Life of a Content Designer" with playful icons (like a laptop, coffee cup, and a notepad).

  • Caption: "Ready to peek behind the scenes? Here’s a typical day for me as I navigate content design and a little bit of life."

• Slide 2: Morning Routine

  • Visual: A cozy morning setup featuring my coffee, laptop, and a little notebook for quick ideas.

  • Caption: "The day always starts with coffee and a plan. I’m all about creating to-do lists that help keep me focused!"

• Slide 3: Deep Dive into Work

  • Visual: A snapshot of my laptop with Figma open (design work), a checklist for a content strategy project, or a piece of the skincare app I’m designing using generative AI and Python.

  • Caption: "From content strategy to wireframes, this is where the magic happens. Today, I’m working on a UX content project for a skincare app!"

• Slide 4: Break Time!

  • Visual: A picture of me walking Vuvie outside, or maybe a snapshot of a snack break with a piña colada in hand.

  • Caption: "Taking a break with Vuvie or sipping on a tropical drink helps me recharge for the afternoon hustle. Gotta keep that balance!"

• Slide 5: Afternoon Grind

  • Visual: A shot of an active Slack conversation with my team, highlighting collaboration or problem-solving.

  • Caption: "The afternoon is all about collaborating with my team of designers, crafting engaging user experiences, and fixing those pesky technical issues."

• Slide 6: Wind Down

  • Visual: A cozy evening scene—Bob’s Burgers playing in the background while I relax.

  • Caption: "After wrapping up the day, it's time to unwind with my favorite show, Bob’s Burgers. A little laughter to close the night!"

    
    

Step 3: Design your carousel in Canva

Canva is my go-to for easy design. It’s perfect for creating carousels because you can manage the consistency across all slides while playing with fun layouts and typography. I’ll be using muted, calming tones to keep it visually cohesive, with bold headings that are easy to read. Icons, clean lines, and quirky illustrations (perhaps a Kuchi Kopi cameo!) will add a bit of my personality into the mix.

Step 4: Craft engaging captions

The captions for each slide will be brief but personable, with a touch of humor and relatability. It's important to keep the language conversational—like I’m chatting with a friend—and leave a CTA at the end to encourage engagement. For example, on the final slide, I’ll ask, “What does your typical day look like? Drop a comment below!”

Step 5: Post and engage!

Once the carousel is live, it’s all about engaging with the audience. I’ll respond to comments, ask follow-up questions, and use Stories to further emphasize the day’s theme—maybe share a behind-the-scenes shot of Veuvie getting her post-walk treat.

Final Thoughts

Instagram carousels are a fantastic way to showcase your day in an engaging and interactive format. They let you tell a story with layers—perfect for a content designer who’s all about crafting experiences. And with the playful balance of work and life, this carousel is a fun glimpse into how I navigate my day-to-day, sprinkling in a little creativity, relaxation, and, of course, tacos.

Have you designed your carousel yet? Share your progress and let’s keep the momentum going for this spooky good content challenge!