You've decided to create engaging images or videos for flashcards and that is great. This document contains the best practices for media formatting and styling that will ensure high-quality content in Brainscape and a great learning experience for you or your learners. This is a set of guidelines, but of course, you can create flashcards in the style that works best for you!
Image guidelines
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PNGs over JPGs except when photos are being used.
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- Image - Any visual object that's modified or altered by a computer or an imaginary object created using a computer.
- Photo or photograph - Anything taken by a camera, digital camera, or photocopier.
- IF the photo in question requires a transparent background, then PNGs are the best option available.
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- Choose illustrations over photos to keep image sizes low and download speed high (see more size guidelines below).
- Compress and optimize PNGs and JPGs by consulting Milos, since Brainscape has a tested process for getting high quality and low size images.
- Please do not use SVGs. They are not currently compatible with Brainscape.
- GIFs are compatible with Brainscape but not recommended. Animated GIFs in particular are multilayered images that can take orders of magnitude longer to process upon upload and will make the tool slower than necessary.
- The maximum image resolution is 2800x2000 so that images appear in good quality on all devices. Opt for lower resolution sizes if your image size is too big. To check and confirm the optimal resolution for your image, review what the image looks like on both the web and mobile app.
- Class icon suggestions: ideally choose an image that renders well as a square. We recommend a 1:1 aspect ratio common sizes that we find look great are 1024x1024 or 1920x1920.
Image sizes
The size of images can impact the deck download speeds in the mobile app. Therefore, it’s best to keep sizes as low as possible without sacrificing quality. Use the guidelines below to keep sizes as low as possible without sacrificing quality.
- Ornamental - Just adds personality (e.g. a random China flag in a question about China).
- Pertinent - The card is about this info (e.g. "This is the flag for what country?" / China). If the image is referenced in the text, it’s pertinent. If not, it’s ornamental.
- Crucial - Needs to be very detailed so it can be enlarged/zoomed
Naming images
- Images should be named by adding a short description of what the image is, followed by image class and deck number. An example would be: Abraham Lincoln 1C1 29 or Greece Map with Seas 3A1 6.
- Duplicates should contain the same description, but different class and deck number.
- The names should be as obvious as possible so that when someone potentially searches our folder of images using key terms (i.e. map, diagram), they can find what they need.
Images you should be using
- Images of places, people, or things enhance the learner experience and support visual learners.
- Diagrams or infographics to help explain more complex concepts.
- Split-screen images where one file contains two images. This helps portray two visual versions of the same concept (i.e. dried mint versus fresh mint). The images should be placed side-by-side.
Image Sources
Remember that it is not legal to copy images that you don't own or have permission to use. Here are some guidelines for how to properly cite or notate a few types of images.
- AI created images - Images created using AI, namely midjourney at the time of writing this (August 2024) Please refer to our image generation guidelines.
- Images snagged from a standard free public no-royalties image library -- We would similarly use the caption field to just say "Photo credit: Joe Schmoe" (<-- link to source), including those that we annotate.
- Images provided by photographers that you know, where they explicitly give you permission to use their photos for the purposes of your flashcards
Still have questions and can't find the answer? Be sure to email our Tech Support Team (support@brainscape.com).
And for more FREE study advice don't forget to check out the Brainscape Academy.
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