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Social Media Project

Table Of Contents

What Is A Social Media Project? #

A social media project is a creative or informative campaign designed for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, or YouTube Shorts. It allows you to experiment with storytelling, presenting ideas, or engaging an audience using images, video, text, or a mix of media. Posts can be fully published online or created as mock-ups—complete, realistic-looking content that isn’t actually shared publicly.

Why Choose This Format? #

Social media projects are ideal for exploring how stories and ideas can unfold across posts, images, or short videos. Creating mock-ups or “fake” posts lets you focus entirely on narrative, design, and experimentation without the pressure of public posting. At the same time, real posts offer the experience of responding to actual audience feedback and practicing responsible digital communication. Both approaches teach you about pacing, sequencing, and the impact of visuals and text together. Use

Choosing Mock-Ups vs. Real Posts #

Mock-ups / Fake Accounts #

  • Great for experimenting with storytelling, humor, or bold design choices.
  • Allows multiple iterations without worrying about public visibility.
  • Useful for class projects, portfolios, or conceptual experiments.

Real Posts #

  • Provides experience with authentic audience engagement.
  • Lets you practice platform conventions like hashtags, tagging, and timing.
  • Encourages responsible online communication and content ethics.

What You Might Learn #

  • Digital storytelling: Learn to structure a story or concept so it’s compelling in short, shareable pieces.
  • Media literacy & audience awareness: Understand how people consume content differently on each platform.
  • Visual rhetoric & platform style: Each platform has its own conventions—text overlays on Instagram carousels, TikTok trends with music and transitions, or Twitter/X threads. Using these familiar styles allows you to tell a new story in a recognizable format, helping you explore how design and layout influence meaning.
  • Design & editing skills: Practice creating visuals, text overlays, video edits, and motion graphics.
  • Engagement & narrative pacing: Experiment with timing, sequencing, and interactivity to capture attention.
  • Audience awareness: Understand how people engage with content and what captures attention.

General Process #

  1. Define your goal & platform: Decide what story, concept, or message you want to communicate and which platform’s style best suits it.
  2. Plan your content: Sketch storyboards, draft captions, or script short video clips. Consider pacing, narrative flow, and interactivity across multiple posts.
  3. Use platform style creatively: Borrow familiar visual conventions like carousel layouts, trending video formats, or thread sequencing to tell a new story in an engaging way.
  4. Create assets: Take photos, record videos, design graphics, or animate clips. Experiment with visual storytelling techniques.
  5. Choose posting method: Decide if you’re producing mock-ups only or actually publishing. For mock-ups, organize as a portfolio or presentation; for real posts, schedule strategically.
  6. Engage & iterate → Test narrative clarity, visual impact, and pacing; revise based on peer feedback or audience analytics if posted publicly.

Accessibility Considerations #

Accessibility considerations for social media projects will vary based on what tool you use. Below are some considerations that may or may not be in your control depending on the platform.

  • Provide alt text for images and captions for videos.
  • Use high contrast and readable fonts.
  • Avoid small or overly dense text.
  • Consider colorblind-friendly palettes and accessible layouts.

See our Accessible Visual Design guide and Accessible Video guide for more in-depth information.

Resources #

Get Support #

Book an appointment with a consultant at the DKC. We would love to help you with your social media project! 

Guides #

Here are some guides that could help you on your journey:

Software #

Spaces & Equipment #

Equipment and spaces that could help you in the process:

  • Charnoff Production Studio – This space in HCC 115 requires training and includes a green screen, cameras, soundboard, and computers.
  • Mini Studio – The mini studio in HCC 131 is a quiet space reserved for filming smaller projects with lighting equipment and a green screen. Training not required, but you will have to bring your own camera and audio equipment.
  • Vocal Recording Booth – The Vocal Booth in HCC 116 does not require training. It includes a device connected to a computer that has a high-end webcam, condenser mic, and dimmable LED ring.
  • HCC Equipment Checkout – Audio Kits, Video Kits, and Tripod Kits can be checked out from the HCC Info Desk for all video recording needs. Professional grade equipment will enhance the production value of your project and allow you to make better content. The kits are available to all UMW students, faculty, and staff. No training required, but come to the DKC in HCC 408 if you need help getting started.

Created by Shannon Hauser 08/28/25