Visuals

For an ideal viewing experience, text should be short and quick, and visuals should be dynamic and engaging. Opt for high-quality videos and images, but gifs, stickers, and emojis can be incorporated sparingly for some additional flare.

Images and videos should take up the entire screen with minimal use of letterboxing.

Video

Videos help provide a more immersive experience. Keep videos on the shorter side, ideally around 15 seconds. Longer videos should be broken into shorter clips across multiple pages.

Similar to social media, stories are consumed in portrait mode, so keep in mind the following:

  • Shoot video in high-end mobile devices when possible.
  • Shoot at 720p rotated (720 x 1280).

DO

A portrait video creates a more immersive viewing experience.

DON’T

This landscape video isn’t immersive and the black boxes are distracting.

Video Captions

Videos with narration need captions to be accessible. Not all readers will be able, or want, to hear video content. Add captions to video using MyMedia or Vimeo.

DO

Captions allow users to engage with stories even if their audio is muted or they are unable to hear.

DON’T

Without captions, the story relies on audio to convey information. This can limit engagement and is inaccessible to some users.

Images

Use full width portrait images with good resolution (720 x 1280). The format should be web safe options like .jpg, .png, or .gif. Images uploaded to MyMedia are not supported by the BU Stories plugin.

DO

Images should be applied as Background Images on the Page block.

DON’T

For most photographs, do not use the Image Block.

Crop mindfully

Keep the focus on what’s important. Crop out unnecessary or distracting elements, and make sure the key subject of the photo is in focus and complete.

DO

This image is cropped to properly utilize the 720 x 1280 canvas and keeps the focal subjects in the center.

DON’T

Uploading full size or landscape photos will result in an auto crop where the focal point is unclear.