Stop the Scroll: How to Design Thumb-Stopping Visuals

Let’s be honest, social media feeds are fast. With just a split second to grab attention, your visuals need to work hard to get noticed. But what actually makes someone pause mid-scroll? It’s more than just a pretty picture. It’s strategy, storytelling, and standout design.

Here are some of our top tips to help you create scroll-stopping visuals that actually make people stop, look, and engage.

1. Lead with Contrast

Bright colors, bold typography, or dramatic lighting contrast is key for cutting through the clutter. Think about what your audience usually sees in their feed and aim to be different. Some easy wins:

• Use a pop of unexpected color

• Pair light text with a dark background (or vice versa)

• Highlight one focal point to draw the eye

Tip: Use tools like Canva or Adobe Express to test contrast and make sure your visuals are easy to read, even on small screens.

2. Design for Mobile First

Most people will see your content on their phones, not a desktop so keep that in mind while creating. Make sure your visuals are:

• Clear and legible even when scaled down

• Cropped for vertical view (9:16 for stories, reels; 4:5 for posts)

• Not overcrowded - less is more when it comes to mobile design

If you’re designing graphics, avoid tiny fonts or heavy blocks of text. Short, bold headlines work best.

3. Incorporate Movement

Video and animated elements naturally grab more attention. Even subtle movement like a flicker, zoom, or bounce can catch the eye.

Try these:

• Boomerangs or short clips

• Animated text or transitions in Canva or Adobe

• Reels with dynamic pacing and trending audio

You don’t need a production crew, just a smartphone and a little creativity.

4. Use Faces & Emotions

There’s a reason selfies and reaction videos do so well: we’re wired to connect with faces. Including a human element makes your content more relatable and engaging.

Show:

• Expressions that match the message (joy, surprise, curiosity)

• Behind-the-scenes or day-in-the-life moments

• Real people using your product or service

People connect with people, not just products.

5. Hook With a Bold Text Overlay

If you're sharing a graphic or photo, overlay a headline or hook that stops people in their tracks. Make it:

• Short and curiosity-driven (“You’re doing this wrong ⬇️”)

• Relatable (“If you’re a small biz owner, read this”)

• Clear on value (“3 ways to boost your IG engagement today”)

Make sure your font is on-brand, readable and placed strategically not lost in the background.

Final Thoughts:

The key to scroll-stopping content? Make it intentional. Good design isn’t just about how it looks, it’s about how it makes someone feel, think, or react. Whether you’re sharing a story, launching a new offer, or just showing up to stay top-of-mind, your visuals are your first impression. Make them count.

Want more content tips? Check out the full blog on our website for more visual hacks and social media strategies!