A Guide to Having Eye-Catching Cover Images for Your Articles
In the fast-paced world of online content, grabbing the reader's attention is essential for writing articles. One way to do this is by having an eye-catching cover image for your article. The cover image of your article is the first thing readers notice. Creating an engaging cover that will encourage them to read on is essential.
I have experience in street photography, graphic design, and data analysis. I mostly do fiction writing, entertainment writing, and poetry on Medium, using various tools and applications to get or create cover images for my articles. Whether you're an experienced medium writer or just starting, this guide is for you.
Use Pictures Taken By You
Going out there and taking pictures is extremely fun. I always do that with my Panasonic Lumix Camera and iPhone 11. Capturing compelling images for your articles and using them as cover images can significantly enhance your content's visual appeal and engagement. Choose a high-quality camera or smartphone with good resolution for clear and sharp images.
It would also be beneficial to study the fundamental elements of photography, such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and focal points. Experimenting with angles and lighting can help to capture the mood you want to convey in your photos.
When selecting an image for your article cover, choosing one relevant to your content and capturing the reader's curiosity is essential. Once you have captured your pictures, you can enhance them with free photo editing tools. You can adjust the brightness, contrast, and sharpness if needed. It's essential to ensure that the images align with the tone and theme of your article.
Word Arts Image
Word art is an art form that uses words or phrases to create visual imagery. Many researchers who analyze text data use word art for data visualization projects. Word art can be an excellent option for a cover image and can be made in 5–7 minutes.
Many online software can help you make word art, but you have to make sure you find the one that is free and easy to navigate. You can use the WordArt website. Make a free account and start working on your different word arts from your Dashboard.
Once you hit the Create button on the top left corner, you will start working on your word art. The screen will be divided into parts. The left is where you work, and the right part is for you to visualize. You can put as many words as you can in the Filter column and increase the number on the Size color to give importance to a specific word. You can use the Color, Angle, and Font tabs to make more advanced modifications.
You can customize your Word art further using the Shapes, Fonts, Layout, and Style buttons. After you're done, you can download your Word art for free in Standard PNG and JPNG formats. However, you must pay for a subscription for HD download options.
Unsplash
This page is an excellent resource if you quickly need a visually stunning image for your article. Most Medium writers use this tool for their cover image search tool. I often use Unsplash to search for visually stunning pictures for my cover image.
Please ensure you appropriately credit the photographer and Unsplash in captions when using their images. Your goal should be submitting your articles to publications to gain more exposure. Many publications require credit to the image's source to be provided.
Canva
This application is a helpful tool that can assist you in creating cover images and graphic designs. With this tool, you can easily design flyers, custom business cards, signs, posters, infographics, and more, even if you have yet to gain prior experience in graphic design. You only need to practice and be patient to get the hang of it. You don't need a Canva subscription since a free account provides all the necessary features.
You can practice with options in the far-left column, including Designs, Elements, Text, Draw, and more. In 5–10 minutes, you can create visually stunning cover art for your articles and download it in various forms.
Pictures taken by you or from Unsplash or created with Word Art or Canva can make your articles visually captivating. Check all of these options out. All the best with your Medium journey.
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