Social Media
Let's Talk About It
updated: January 15, 2025
Shout! Graphics has never shied away from sharing and expressing political opinions. As a designer, I believe my education and experience have equipped me to convey messages in a clear, impactful, and easily digestible way. Regardless of the size of my platform, I won’t let that ability go to waste. Recently, things have become more complicated, and I want to take a moment to speak—not as a brand, but as an individual.
Over the past decade, social media platforms have significantly restricted organic reach—the ability for others to see posts without requiring content creators to pay for promotion. Despite these changes, these platforms remain essential as search engines. While I’d love for all my clients to find me directly through my contact page, this isn’t a realistic approach. As a small freelancer, I must maintain an active presence, to some extent, on all major platforms.
The ethics of this obligation grow more complicated every day, and I suspect this won’t be the last statement of its kind from a brand like mine. We are all striving to find a balance. Being present on these platforms means supporting corporations that often prioritize toxic environments and misinformation over a commitment to truth. Platforms like Twitter/X have become significant roadblocks in this regard. While the tension feels particularly intense now, it’s important to recognize that this is not a new phenomenon.
Since at least 2015, companies like Meta have provided a haven for bad-faith actors—often at great cost. Despite this, I hoped that platforms like Threads and Instagram could serve as better alternatives for maintaining a necessary social media presence. However, Meta's recent announcements regarding content moderation have made it clear this is no longer a viable option.
For me, as for many others, this was the breaking point that pushed me into this conversation. I’ve taken time to carefully consider the best path forward. In my field, an Instagram grid can determine whether I land my next contract, and leaving a platform like Twitter/X could mean missing a crucial direct message. While I’ve searched for a one-size-fits-all solution, it simply doesn’t exist. In the absence of easy answers, this page will serve as a guide to how Shout! Graphics will approach and utilize each platform moving forward. As things change, so will this guide.
The Breakdown
Give Me a Shout!
While this is not an outright endorsement of these platforms, they are the ones I feel most aligned with. On a personal note, it’s disheartening that this list comprises the smallest or newest platforms. However, I believe Shout! Graphics can maintain a presence on them without conflicting with my support for the platforms themselves.
Though I am making a concerted effort to distance Shout! Graphics from all Meta-owned platforms, Instagram currently lacks a viable alternative. Should a suitable option arise, I will reconsider my use of the platform. Until then, Shout! Graphics will remain fully active on Instagram.
Reduced Use
While I would prefer to leave certain platforms entirely, maintaining a presence on them is necessary. These accounts will serve exclusively to share my work. There will be no user interactions, and I will not respond to comments. If contacted on these platforms, I will direct conversations to alternative methods, such as my provided contact information or another platform. Additionally, all website links previously directing users to Twitter/X, Facebook, or Threads will now redirect to my Bluesky profile.
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Behance, created by Adobe, serves as a platform for artists to showcase full-scale portfolios. I’ll be posting my work there and engaging with other artists. While I do offer services through Behance and Fiverr, neither platform is required to hire me. In fact, I encourage you to contact me directly, as both platforms take a percentage of my contracts.
As for RedBubble and Threadless, I want to address my approach to print, apparel, and product sales. If demand for my work ever reaches a point where I can afford to maintain back stock, I plan to transition away from dropshipping platforms entirely. However, for now, these sites are the most cost-effective way to make my work available to you.
Regarding RedBubble specifically, I will be moving all my work to Threadless for reasons I’ll elaborate on in the future. This transition is set to begin in May 2025.
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