Virtual Background – Guidelines

Creating a background image

 Using the template on the following page, input your desired information.
 Export the slide: File > Export, Change File Type: JPEG File Interchange Format > Save As.
 Name the file and save to your desired location.
 Choose the slide you wish to export.

Uploading a background image

- Zoom - Microsoft Teams

Whilst in a Zoom meeting, click the settings cog on the top right of the window, then select ‘Virtual When in a Teams meeting click the three dots (…) then choose 'Show background effects' then 'add
Background’. Once selected, above the default options there will be a ‘+’ icon, this will allow you to new’. Locate and select your .jpeg file then choose from the bottom of the list yours and then click
select and upload the file you’ve exported. If your background image includes text, uncheck the ‘mirror 'Apply’.
my video’. After you’ve done this, close the window and the background will automatically be applied.
*Note, the image will appear reversed to you but will be normal for those on the call.
*Note: If your background image includes text, uncheck the ‘mirror my video’ option in your video
settings.
Virtual Background – Best Practice
Best practices:
 Use a high-contrast, solid (plain) colour background (ideally matt, non-reflective), with no other visual distractions (i.e. furniture, pictures etc).
 Keep your background surface close to you so it fills as much of the frame as possible.
 Do not wear clothing that is the same colour as your backdrop or the virtual background image that you upload.

Camera
 When using your computer or mobile phone cameras, ensure they are unobstructed and smudge-free.

Lighting
 Try to keep lighting uniform across your shot, not too bright or dim, with no facial shadows.
 Avoid harsh side lighting from windows or light sources from behind you.
 Positioning a lamp in front of you will ensure a more professional look.

Saving a background image

 Use high-quality, high-resolution images.
 We recommend using background images with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.

- Microsoft Teams
• Reframing the screen layout
By default, Microsoft Teams crops the participant’s video frame, adjusting to fit your screen layout – This can cause parts of the background to be cut off. To fix this issue you must change the view of the effected participant by
right-clicking on their video and selecting ‘Fit to frame’.
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