<!-- Context: content-creation/image-content | Priority: low | Version: 1.0 | Updated: 2026-02-15 -->

# Image Content Guidelines

Best practices for creating visual content: social media graphics, infographics, thumbnails, and visual quotes.

---

## Visual Hierarchy Principles

### Core Principles

**1. Contrast**
- High contrast for readability
- Dark text on light background (or vice versa)
- Color contrast for emphasis
- Size contrast for importance

**2. Alignment**
- Everything should align to something
- Creates order and professionalism
- Use grids for consistency

**3. Proximity**
- Related elements close together
- Unrelated elements separated
- Creates visual grouping

**4. Repetition**
- Consistent colors, fonts, styles
- Builds brand recognition
- Creates cohesive look

**5. White Space**
- Don't fill every pixel
- Gives eyes room to rest
- Emphasizes important elements

---

## Text Overlay Best Practices

### Typography Rules

**Font Selection**:
- Maximum 2 fonts per image
- Pair serif + sans-serif OR two sans-serif
- Ensure readability at small sizes
- Avoid overly decorative fonts

**Text Hierarchy**:
- Main message: Largest, boldest
- Supporting text: Medium size
- Attribution/details: Smallest

**Readability**:
- Minimum 24pt font for social media
- High contrast with background
- Add background overlay if needed
- Test at thumbnail size

---

### Text Placement

**Safe Zones**:
- Avoid edges (platform crops)
- Center or rule-of-thirds placement
- Leave breathing room around text
- Consider profile picture overlap (Instagram)

**Text Length**:
- Social graphics: 3-7 words max
- Infographics: Concise bullet points
- Quotes: Full quote okay if readable

---

## Social Media Image Specs

### Platform Dimensions

**Instagram**:
- Feed post: 1080 x 1080px (square)
- Story: 1080 x 1920px (9:16)
- Reels cover: 1080 x 1920px (9:16)
- Carousel: 1080 x 1080px (square)

**Twitter/X**:
- Single image: 1200 x 675px (16:9)
- Multiple images: 1200 x 600px

**LinkedIn**:
- Feed post: 1200 x 1200px (square)
- Article header: 1200 x 627px

**Facebook**:
- Feed post: 1200 x 630px
- Story: 1080 x 1920px (9:16)

**Pinterest**:
- Standard pin: 1000 x 1500px (2:3)
- Square pin: 1000 x 1000px

**YouTube**:
- Thumbnail: 1280 x 720px (16:9)
- Minimum width: 640px

---

## Infographic Structure

### Infographic Types

**Statistical Infographic**:
- Lead with key statistic
- Supporting data points
- Visual data representation (charts, graphs)
- Source attribution

**Process Infographic**:
- Step-by-step flow
- Numbered or arrowed progression
- Icons for each step
- Clear beginning and end

**Comparison Infographic**:
- Side-by-side layout
- Clear labels
- Visual differentiation
- Pros/cons or before/after

**List Infographic**:
- Numbered or bulleted items
- Icon for each point
- Brief explanation per item
- Scannable format

---

### Infographic Best Practices

**Layout**:
- Clear visual flow (top to bottom or left to right)
- Logical grouping of information
- Consistent spacing
- Visual hierarchy (most important = largest)

**Data Visualization**:
- Choose appropriate chart type
- Label clearly
- Use color meaningfully
- Keep it simple

**Branding**:
- Logo placement (subtle, not distracting)
- Consistent color palette
- Brand fonts
- URL or handle

---

## Visual Content Ideas

### Social Media Graphics

**Quote Graphics**:
- Inspirational quotes
- Tips and advice
- Statistics
- Testimonials

**Announcement Graphics**:
- New product/service
- Event promotion
- Milestone celebration
- Behind-the-scenes

**Educational Graphics**:
- Tips and tricks
- How-to steps
- Checklists
- Frameworks

**Engagement Graphics**:
- Questions
- Polls (Instagram stories)
- Fill-in-the-blank
- This or that

---

### Infographic Ideas

**Data-Driven**:
- Industry statistics
- Survey results
- Trend analysis
- Comparison data

**Educational**:
- Process explanations
- Timeline of events
- Anatomy/breakdown
- Glossary of terms

**Actionable**:
- Step-by-step guides
- Checklists
- Decision trees
- Frameworks

---

## Brand Consistency in Visuals

### Brand Elements to Maintain

**Color Palette**:
- Primary colors (2-3)
- Secondary colors (2-3)
- Accent color (1)
- Consistent usage across all graphics

**Typography**:
- Headline font
- Body font
- Consistent sizing and spacing

**Visual Style**:
- Photography style (bright, moody, minimal)
- Illustration style (flat, 3D, hand-drawn)
- Icon style (line, filled, outlined)
- Filter/editing style

**Logo Usage**:
- Consistent placement
- Appropriate size (visible but not dominant)
- Correct version (color, white, black)

---

## Design Tools

### Beginner-Friendly

**Canva**:
- Templates for all platforms
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Brand kit feature
- Free and pro versions

**Adobe Express**:
- Quick graphics
- Templates
- Adobe integration

---

### Advanced

**Adobe Photoshop**:
- Full control
- Advanced editing
- Professional output

**Adobe Illustrator**:
- Vector graphics
- Scalable designs
- Infographics

**Figma**:
- Collaborative design
- Web-based
- Component libraries

---

## Image Content Checklist

Before publishing, verify:

- [ ] Correct dimensions for platform
- [ ] Text is readable at thumbnail size
- [ ] High contrast for readability
- [ ] Brand colors and fonts used
- [ ] Logo included (if appropriate)
- [ ] No spelling errors
- [ ] Aligned and balanced layout
- [ ] Exported at correct resolution
- [ ] File size optimized
- [ ] Accessible (alt text ready)

---

## Common Image Content Mistakes

### ❌ Too Much Text
Cramming paragraphs onto an image.

### ✅ Concise Message
3-7 words for social graphics, scannable for infographics.

---

### ❌ Low Contrast
Text hard to read against background.

### ✅ High Contrast
Clear, readable text with background overlay if needed.

---

### ❌ Inconsistent Branding
Different colors, fonts, styles each time.

### ✅ Brand Consistency
Same colors, fonts, and style across all graphics.

---

### ❌ Wrong Dimensions
Image cropped awkwardly by platform.

### ✅ Platform-Specific Sizing
Correct dimensions for each platform.

---

## Usage

Apply these guidelines when creating:
- Social media graphics
- Infographics
- Thumbnails
- Visual quotes
- Announcement graphics
- Educational visuals
- Brand assets

**Remember**: Visual content should be scannable in 3 seconds. If the message isn't immediately clear, simplify.
