Event Image Criteria

Event Image Criteria

Images should be high quality, visually appealing and relevant to the event.

By default, an image will automatically populate your event based on your organization or event type. If you would like to use a custom image for your event, please follow the image specifications below. A custom image will need to be uploaded through the event form in 25Live.

The calendar administrator may replace non-permissible images with an image from our backup library. If your image is replaced, you will receive an email notification with the option to resubmit a new image. For questions, email uesc@appstate.edu.

Content Guidelines

  • Minimum Dimensions:940 x 557 pixels (horizontal/landscape)
    • A Canva template is available for use under the university's brand templates.
  • Image format: JPG or PNG
  • Minimum resolution:72 DPI
    • How to check size: Right-click the image file, select "Properties" → “Details” (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), and look under "Dimensions."
  • No overlaid text or QR codes on images.
    • Example: No posters, flyers, Scala digital signage, Engage or social media graphics.
  • No outside entity logos.
    • Exception: By a contractual obligation.
  • No single faces.
    • Exception: The headshot of a speaker or performer.

This image shows two examples for events; one correct and one incorrect. The correct image is a horizontal/landscape image that used the Canva template for sizing. It also has a higher resolution, so it has clean and crisp features. The incorrect image is vertical/portrait and has a lower resolution, so it is just slightly blurry. It mentions that the incorrect image was pulled from the web.

Photo Descriptions and Accessibility

  • Always complete the photo description field when submitting an image.
  • The photo description (alternative text) should be 1-2 sentences, briefly describing the image and its relevance to the event. This provides non-visual context for users who use screen readers to access the information displayed on a computer screen.
  • For best practices, refer to these tips on making images accessible.

How Will My Image Appear on the Calendar?

Event images will be automatically resized to fit the different promotional layouts. Please see the example below for reference.

There are four images featured showing how the original image will be automatically cropped/resized to fit on different areas of the calendar.

Best Practices for Images

  • The main subject should be centered in the image; images will be automatically cropped for resizing. Keep important details away from the edges (see ‘Automatic Image Resizing’).
  • Avoid excessive white background to prevent blending with the website background.
  • Best practices for including faces in images:
    • Always feature a group, and avoid focusing on an individual.
    • Show from the side; faces should not be looking directly at the camera.

There are two example images, both correct, of what images should be used to represent an event. They are labeled as "Yes" at the top. The first image shows a student in an App State sweatshirt with their face cropped out of the photo. The text below emphasizes that this image is correct because the subject's face has been cropped out, the logo used on the shirt is for App State, the subject is centered in the image, and that there is no overlaying text. The second image shows a group of three students sitting on a picnic blanket. The text below emphasizes that this image is correct because the faces are not visible, the logos in the image are for App State, the subjects are centered, and there are no QR codes on the image.

There are two example images, both acceptable, of what images should be used to represent an event. They are labeled as "Okay" at the top. The first image shows students fencing in a gymnasium. Two students are fencing while another four people are observing. The text below emphasizes that this image is acceptable because the faces shown are in a group format and not looking directly at the camera. The subject is also centered in the image. The second image shows a group of three students walking together on a snowy path and laughing. The text below emphasizes that this image is acceptable because the faces are not looking directly at the camera and the subjects are centered in the image.

There are two example images of what images should be not be used to represent an event. They are labeled as "No" at the top. The first image shows a three students sitting on a lawn looking at the camera and smiling. Text overlays the image reading "Join us for fun in the sun" and a graphic sunshine is in the upper right corner. The text below emphasizes that this image is unacceptable because the subjects' faces are looking directly at the camera, the logo used on the shirt is for an outside entity, and the descriptive text overlaying the image is not used in the event title. The second image shows a student sitting at a table working on her Apple/Mac computer. There is text overlaying the image saying "Reading Day" and "May 1" with a QR code below.  The text below emphasizes that this image is unacceptable because it focuses on a single subject, who is not a speaker for the event. The subject is also not centered, the logo in the forefront (Apple) is not an App State logo, and there is a QR code on the image.