Getting a Head(er) with Twitter

Have you experimented and played with the new Twitter look yet? It was rolled out last month and it allows a greater (and fun!) branding customization. Much like the Google+ and the Facebook header, this allows you to upload a background with your profile pic and description overlaid. By the way, I started this blog post about three weeks ago -- didn't post because I was *still* playing with my header! Yes...it's compulsive!

Some people have had a lot of fun with it creating neat optical illusions (it's a bit difficult and it gets whacked with different resolutions and with mobile versions) and others have made slick, graphically delicious statements. Of course my new tech crush PicMonkey has a tasty one!  Speaking of them....

Pic Monkey is my favourite new site...honestly, you can do SO much with them you almost don't need Photoshop Elements! I was tweeting them shamelessly during our last #TLChat Live! and Squee! They Tweeted me back! I isolate these tweets by clicking on DETAILS then I screenshot 'em and keep them in a gallery I call Happy Tweets. My "rainy day feelin kinda blue I need a smile now" gallery. Yeah, I'm a doofus.

Here's How to Do it!   Decide on a header image that is somewhat dark on the bottom as that's where your profile description will be printed, as well as your URL and your location. Here's a full size example. Original image size cannot exceed 1252×626 pixels (with a max file size of 5MB). Twitter does not specify a minimum size, but anything smaller than 640 pixels wide will likely look pixilated.  If you want to play with reality by holding up an iPad or frame or line up your Twitter icon in a special way, do use a Photoshop Template.   There's one available for download in the Mashable article listed below. The only problem I have with it, it's too small. I like the resolution to be a higher pixel rating but it's great to play with to get the feel of where to line up the background images!

Speaking of zesty headers check out Mentor Mob! A great new curation tool as evidenced by the talented mind of one Dr. Joyce Valenza.  I haven't had time to play with it myself, but I've seen it in action and it is SWEET!

So, if you've read my blog before you know I have admitted Font Lust & Other Graphic Desires, right? And when my social media muse Jesse Desjardains is showing a boss new Twitter header? Well,  I just *had* to have one, too! Right? Internal competition is a good thing! I've got several of my PLN peeps who keep me on my toes!

So...Of course I had to play with different concepts before settling on one header. Here is my most recent header and then a few other renditions. 

I finally chose a background created with Go!Animate that had 2 different framed posters on the animation graphic already that I could utilize for my profile pic (which would be overlayed) and of course a QR code that when scanned brings ya right here! 

Being a devoted cinephile, theatre buff, & pop culture ho - of course I gravitated towards the Cinema scene!

Here's how it looks LIVE! (Larger size) Or go check it out LIVE!  Here are my first tries...

 

Twitter headers with my David Lanham cartoon trippy mirroresque,

Super Hero influences, QR Code (of course!), and as always a Steampunk version. Do you have a favourite?

You know, I'm still not happy with this new Blogger look and could use some help! I can't quite get the images linked. Where is that feature? It's not in properties, nor is it working when you click once to highlight the image, then go up to add link. Gah! Also, the wrapping of text around images is also a bit quirky, yes? Any other weird things you've noticed - blogger users? Suggestions? I swear, I've Googled! I never ask anyone a question unless I've TRULY looked for the answer myself. 

Please participate in our LIVE #TLChat and VOTE! for our next conversation! It's crowdsourcing at  its best! 

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Resources & Credits:

Super thanks to Jeremiah J. Warren on Mashable for his excellent post & Photoshop video with BONUS Photoshop Template!  New Twitter: How to Unite Your Avatar and Header Image

How to Change Your Twitter Header Image  by Lance Ulanoff