User:Pinky G Rocket/Image Pickin'

This is an essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Fanlore contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Fanlore's policies or guidelines. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

Since fanart can be wide and varied, these are some things to keep in mind when selecting what image/fanart to use on a Fanlore page. These won't always apply, but they're good to keep in mind.

• Readablity. People browse Fanlore on all different devices and screens. Will the chosen image be visible and recognizable on small screens, at small sizes, in a thumbnail, if the user is colorblind, etc?
• Imagery. Does the fanart capture key images, iconography, etc. from the work/series/ship/whatever? This will probably be more abstract for works such as literature, fanfiction, and music, but is important for visual works. For example, Jinx (cat) features a piece of fan art showing how fan artists capture Jinx's distinct features.
• Knowledgablity. Remember xkcd 2501. In other words, most Fanlore readers probably are not as familiar as you with a fandom/series/ship/etc. Avoid confusing users with the selection of a piece of fanart, or fanart that requires 'fandom knowledge' to fully understand.
• Immediacy. The main image for a page will probably be the first thing a Fanlore user will see if the page is featured, along with the title. The image should jump out and be visually compelling quickly.
  • In line with this and imagery; focus. A page image doesn't have to capture everything about a work! Fewer key images, characters, and ideas are better than too many. KISS: keep it simple, stupid. For example, The Thing (1982) features a fan poster with two main ideas: the dog-Thing, and the transformation/forms of the Thing.