Can header images also increase open rates? It's not impossible!

The backend revisions can always be adapted to, and there is nothing special to say, but for the part directly facing users, some people have already come up with some new ideas, such as the header image .

We collected some interesting header images that appeared before and after the revision, and found that the operators ' little thoughts are really everywhere.

01 After the revision, the white frame disappears, and it becomes possible to blend the edge with the background

After the public platform was revised, what changes have occurred to the header image? We have mentioned this before, let’s briefly review it:

1. For a single picture or text:

The title and abstract are placed below the header image, and the date and read full text logo are removed.

The left side is before the update, and the right side is after the update (Source: WeChat Moments)

2. For multiple images and texts:

Header image: The overall white border of the push information list is removed, the black bar title method of the header image is removed, and the title is changed to white text superimposed with a semi-transparent black gradient.

Small picture: The dividing line between the thumbnails on the right has been removed, making it a natural division.

In general: the header image is indeed presented more completely and is in line with the immersive reading experience. However, without the black bar, the title can easily be mixed in with the header image, making it less prominent. This puts higher demands on the selection of the header image.

However, this also brings a new breakthrough: the white frame disappears, and it becomes possible for the edge of the header image to blend with the background. In other words, the header image can present various customized shapes.

This is where it gets interesting. Let’s start from here and talk about how to play with the revised header image?

02 Can play naked eye 3D, and can also set up a stage to sing and play barrage

After the white frame disappears, the three sides of the header image can blend naturally with the gray background of WeChat . In the past month, many self-media header images have played with "naked eye 3D" .

There are entertainment and fashion accounts such as "Huihuo", " Shenyefawu ", "haruru", "YangFanJame" and so on. Among them, "深夜发媸" told us that fans backstage "particularly like" the new design style and the feedback was enthusiastic. Not only that, although this did not bring about a huge change in the reading data of the official account , it did "slightly improve" it.

There are also accounts in other fields such as "Gu Ye", "Qin Shuo's Circle of Friends ", and "Zi Media".

The gameplay is similar. The header image of today’s new list uses this routine. We will later introduce the operation in detail to friends in need. It is not complicated (those who know PS should understand it in seconds).

Of course, this is still a relatively basic way of playing. On this template, accounts such as "Fen FindMore" and "Wang Zuo Zhong You" directly "set up the stage to perform" and use the white frame under the header image to directly build a three-dimensional "stage".

Some people also started playing barrage based on "naked eye 3D", such as "Huihuo", "YangFanJame" and so on.

It can be said to be an inner drama that flew from the sky! I thought I was in some live broadcast room.

03 Say goodbye to the white border, and the border can also be played with new tricks

After the revision, the header image has no borders. Many people think this gives it a more technological feel, but some people still prefer the feeling of having a border. In the past, everyone had a small white border, but now there is no restriction of the white border, and you can give full play to the border.

For example, "Humanity Care Project" chose a black border, while "Mr. Fashion" added a white border in the central area of ​​the background, making the column name, header image, and border background appear clearly layered.

Moreover, the border can also change with the theme (and mood?) of the header image, just like "gogoboi":

Bangmei found that the header image design of the "NetEase Wang Sansan" public account is also very distinctive. According to the editor of "NetEase Wang Sansan", the original header image had two layers of wireframes, inner and outer . After the WeChat revision, it appeared incomplete and a bit awkward, so the design of the header image was revised recently.

"The current cards have a Polaroid feel. Because both the image of Wang Sansan himself and the style of the header image are anime and two-dimensional, we tend to prefer a lively design." According to reports, they will also adjust the borders according to the different colors of the cover theme to enhance the visual effect.

04 What other ways are there to play with header images? Take a cue from magazine covers

The above mainly revolves around the creativity after this revision. In fact, before the revision, there were many ways to play with the header picture. Let me give you a few examples.

When designing their header images, some public accounts "press" the name of the public account into the background image to distinguish it from the main subject in the foreground, creating a three-dimensional effect. For example, the “Long Things Report” takes this style to the extreme:

Friends who pay attention to fashion may find this style familiar. Doesn’t the cover of fashion magazines look like this? Public accounts such as "Harper's Bazaar", "VOGUE", "ELLE", and "Poster.com" have adopted designs that are in line with the covers of paper magazines .

In addition, you can also use a "split" header image design. For example, the header image of "Encirclement and Suppression of Daydreams" is divided into two parts, the left side is a fixed format, and the right side changes with the theme.

The header image of "Kawa Weika" is a diagonal division that divides the background into two color blocks, and then a hand-painted picture is placed in the "picture-in-picture" method. "HUGO" has put "weekly labels" of different colors on the header image, which is also very design-conscious.

Although new media is fragmented and fast-paced, in fact, the big accounts still spend a lot of effort on typesetting, and some carefully designed public accounts have a strong magazine style. Winning favor through a unique header image is also a way to advance self-media branding .

But! There are also some accounts that insist on being lazy when it comes to header images. We have collected a few of them. These accounts either always use the same picture and just change the text on the picture, or simply use a black picture... and so on. (However, the header image is only one part of the entire content production. The following "negative typical" cases include the header images in certain fields, and I believe everyone has recognized them...)

05 How to create a cool “naked eye 3D” header image? Let me show you a demonstration

After looking at these eye-catching design cases above, I wonder which one impressed you the most? Anyway, I think the three-dimensional header image that blends naturally with the background is amazing!

What steps are required to create such a header image? Let our visual designer Miss Zhen tell you how to make a cool "naked eye 3D" header image.

1. Open PS, cut out the main body of the picture, and note that the background color is transparent at this time;

2. Add a color block with a black border under the picture. The color of the color block should be harmonious with the subject. Note that you need to erase the part where the black line passes through the subject.
3. Fill the remaining transparent area of ​​the background with the gray color of the official account conversation page background (color number is EDEDED). Of course, you can also directly use a straw to absorb it.
4. Add a little shadow to the subject to make it look more three-dimensional;

5. Add dialog box and text;
6. Add a shadow to the dialog box;

7. Add another dialog box and you're done! Just upload it~

Do you know any other interesting ways to play with header images? Welcome to recommend each other in the comment section!

The author of this article @新榜 is compiled and published by (Qinggua Media). Please indicate the author information and source when reprinting!

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