How to Design an Instagram Infographic for Suicide Awareness

Piktochart. (n.d.). Piktochart Editing Page [Screenshot]. Retrieved from https://create.piktochart.com/.

Audience:​ These instructions are for Instagram users looking to use their platform to spread suicide
awareness and are not highly design- or tech-savvy enough to know how to make an Instagram
infographic similar to those by ​@soyouwanttotalkabout​ or ​@impact​.

Goal:​ By the end of these instructions, the user will be able to use Piktochart (a free browser infographic
tool) to design an infographic that is easy to read, clean, and informative.

When:​ These instructions should be prepared after doing adequate research on depression, suicide and
suicide prevention, and resources for those struggling with suicide and depression. Make sure that the
information that is going to be put on this infographic is accurate and actually contains resources for
help (donation links, hotlines, organizations to support, etc.), not just state facts.

Safety Measures:​ The possible consequences of not performing this instruction set correctly (or being
informatically ill-equipped) are spreading misinformation and staying silent on social media about a
topic that must be advocated, and silence enables ignorance. It is extremely important to ​do your
research​ before getting started on this infographic!

What You Will Need:​ For these instructions, the user will need an Instagram account, the Instagram
app, a computer, WiFi, and any online browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.).

Duration:​ Creating an infographic and posting it on Instagram will take about an hour.
 Instruction Steps

1. Open your browser and navigate to ​https://create.piktochart.com/​.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Login Page​ [Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://create.piktochart.com/​.

2. You will be prompted to create a free account in order to save your infographic. Click “Create an
account” if you do not have an account already, and sign up using your email, Google account,
or Facebook account.
 3. Once you have created an account, you will be prompted to answer a set of developer questions
to identify your purpose in creating the account and personalize your experience. If you do not
wish to share this information, you can select the option to remain private.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Login Page​ [Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://create.piktochart.com/​.

 4. Once you are automatically redirected to your dashboard, select “Create New” on the top
left-hand corner of your screen.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Creator Dashboard ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved from

https://create.piktochart.com/dashboard​.

5. Click the “Social Media” card.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Creator Dashboard ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved from

https://create.piktochart.com/dashboard​.
 6. On the left-hand sidebar under “Format,” click “Instagram Posts.”

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Social Media Templates Page ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved from
https://create.piktochart.com/social-media​.
 7. Select any template you wish to use (you will be able to replace the information on the
templates with your own!), or start a blank infographic.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Social Media Templates Page | Instagram Posts ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved
from ​https://create.piktochart.com/social-media​.

8. You will be redirected to the editing interface for the infographic. Here, you will begin designing
1:1 info cards to post as separate images on Instagram. Remember, Instagram only allowed 10
images in one post, so condense your information in 10 slides or less!
 9. On the left-hand sidebar, you can add a background, text, or custom images to your infographic.
You will first need to create a cover post that highlights the topic of your infographic.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Editing Page ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://create.piktochart.com/​.

 10. When you have finished your cover card, click the “+” button next to your info card to add a
second slide.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Editing Page ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://create.piktochart.com/​.

11. Use the text tools on the left sidebar to begin presenting your information and research. You can
also add images and icons.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Editing Page ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://create.piktochart.com/​.

 12. In your end slide, remember to list resources and hotlines, or any other ways to get help
(organizations, help groups, etc.). If you used outside information, cite your sources as well!

13. When you are ready to post your infographic, click “Save” on the top right.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Editing Page ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://create.piktochart.com/​.

 14. Once your visual is saved, click the “Download” button near the “Save” button.

Piktochart. (n.d.). ​Piktochart Editing Page ​[Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://create.piktochart.com/​.

15. Upload the images to Google Drive (or use any other method to transfer the images to your
phone, such as emailing the images to yourself, using Airdrop, etc.).

Google Drive. (n.d.). ​Google Drive Dashboard​ [Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://drive.google.com/​.
 16. Access the Google Drive folder on your phone and save the photos to your camera roll.

Apple Photos. (n.d.). ​Apple Photos Camera Roll​ [Screenshot].

 17. Open the Instagram app and tap the “+” at the bottom center of the screen to create a new
post. Tap the “Multiple images” icon and select your posts in the correct order.

Instagram. (n.d.). ​Instagram Dashboard​ [Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://www.instagram.com/​.

 18. Finally, write a caption that summarizes your infographic, and tap “Share” on the top right when
you are finished.

Instagram. (n.d.). ​Instagram Dashboard​ [Screenshot]. Retrieved from ​https://www.instagram.com/​.

Conclusion:​ Many individuals struggle with depression and suicide but feel like they have nowhere to
turn because of the negative stigmatization surrounding mental illness. Though it might not seem like
much, using your platform to advocate for mental health awareness can be very powerful in
encouraging others to reach out to their friends in need and create a safe space for those who need it.
References

Google Drive. (2012). Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/

Instagram. (2010). Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/

Piktochart. (2012). Retrieved from https://create.piktochart.com/