August 4, 2025
A designer’s guide to scroll-stopping edits and visuals
This blog is a follow-up on our recent article on the rising impact of short-form video on LinkedIn, where we explored how today’s business professionals are engaging with video content in smarter, faster, and more selective ways. With completion rates 200% higher on videos under 30 seconds, it’s clear that brevity, clarity, and visual impact are now non-negotiables, especially for B2B marketers competing in the attention economy. But once you understand why short-form video works, the next question becomes: how do you actually make it work? That’s where great design and editing come in.
Here, we’re shifting focus to the production side, specifically, how editors and designers can craft visually compelling, high-performing short-form content that grabs attention and drives results. Whether you’re cutting clips for LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok, the principles remain the same: hook fast, design with intention, and edit with rhythm.
First Impressions Matter
Short-form videos live or die in the first three seconds. If you don’t grab attention immediately, viewers will keep scrolling. That’s why your video should jump straight into the action, no long intros, no logo reveals. Start with something visually bold, emotionally charged, or simply unexpected. Surprise is your best friend here.
Design Like It’s a Poster
Good graphic design can turn a simple video into a memorable one. Think of every frame like a poster: strong contrast, striking colours, and clear visual hierarchy. Big typography, branded elements, and bold layouts all help make your video more scroll-stopping. Consistency is great, but so is creative risk.
Text Isn’t Just Text
Typography does more than deliver information; it sets rhythm and tone. When you animate your text in sync with your music or message, it adds momentum. Don’t rely on static subtitles. Motion adds life, and movement keeps people watching.
Edit for Sound-Off, Phone-On
Most people watch short videos vertically and on mute. Your edits should reflect that. Use 9:16 format, add animated captions, and build meaning visually. Music is great, but your message should be crystal clear without it.
Cut Ruthlessly
Short-form means short attention spans. Every shot, transition, and second has to earn its place. Use fast cuts, jump edits, and tight pacing. Avoid slow builds, get to the point fast, and keep things moving. The best videos feel effortless but are tightly controlled beneath the surface.
Once the video is out in the world, the creative process isn’t over. Looking at performance data is key. That feedback loop is what helps evolve a video strategy from “just nice to look at” to something that genuinely drives results.
In the end, designing and editing short-form content for social media is about finding that sweet spot between creative expression and platform-native optimisation. It’s not about copying trends blindly, but rather understanding why something works and building on it with strong visual storytelling.
If you’re not sure where to start or need help levelling up your brand’s content, that’s exactly what we do. Our agency is built to turn ideas into visual stories that perform. Need help creating videos that look great and deliver results? That’s what we do. Let’s talk.