OpenWriterControle/.opencode/context/content-creation/formats/image-content.md

Image Content Guidelines

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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Advanced

Adobe Photoshop:

• Full control
• Advanced editing
• Professional output

Adobe Illustrator:

• Vector graphics
• Scalable designs
• Infographics

Figma:

• Collaborative design
• Web-based
• Component libraries

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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)

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Common Image Content Mistakes

❌ Too Much Text

Cramming paragraphs onto an image.

✅ Concise Message

3-7 words for social graphics, scannable for infographics.

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❌ Low Contrast

Text hard to read against background.

✅ High Contrast

Clear, readable text with background overlay if needed.

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❌ Inconsistent Branding

Different colors, fonts, styles each time.

✅ Brand Consistency

Same colors, fonts, and style across all graphics.

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❌ Wrong Dimensions

Image cropped awkwardly by platform.

✅ Platform-Specific Sizing

Correct dimensions for each platform.

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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.