Have you ever wanted to share your own funny meme with your friends? Now you can with a few simple steps! Learn how to use Photoshop to create your own hilarious meme in this comprehensive guide. From selecting a photo to adding funny captions, we’ll walk you through the process of creating the perfect meme. Get ready to show off your meme-making skills today!
1. Understanding the Basics of Memes
Memes are a great way to tap into Internet culture, build stronger relationships and engage a wider audience. But to really reap the benefits, you first need to understand the basics of meme-fication!
Make it snappy
The shorter the better when it comes to creating a meme that speaks to your audience. Memes need to be able to convey their message quickly and effectively; they’re may be funny and lighthearted, but they don’t come with a narrative. Keep your message short and to the point; if it takes too much time to explain what your meme is saying, it’s already lost your intended audience.
Include a relevant visual
Memes can take on a variety of forms, but they’re all reliant on having a captivating visual element. Depending on what you’re trying to say, this visual can range from a short video to a simple image. Choose something that evokes the emotion of your message, such as an apt illustration, captioned photo, or cartoon.
- Opt for visuals that you’re legally allowed to use. You don’t want to end up in a copyright infringement pickle.
- Find a creative way to get your message across that doesn’t rely on a cheesy stock image.
Pick the right tags
Just like a blog post, hashtags play an important role in helping your meme reach its desired audience. Think carefully about the tags you choose and who you’re targeting; the right combination of terms can increase the chances of your meme being shared. It’s often useful to research the most popular tags in the meme community, as well as the ones used by your target market. The more you can blend in with your peers, the more successful your meme will be.
2. Creating an Eye-catching Meme Design
Creating a visual meme design is a great way to help spark conversations and captures people’s attention. However, it can be intimidating to create something that stands out. Here are some helpful tips that are sure to get your creative juices flowing:
- Pick your colors. Bright colors are great, as they often stand out better on social media sites. Try to use shades and hues that will compliment each other.
- Keep it simple. Too much text can be overwhelming to the audience. Use text that’s bold and easy-to-read, with a focus on just a few words.
- Create a focal point. Use a high-quality image that incorporates the main message you want to share. Even the perfect image can be enhanced with the right font, colors, and spacing.
With the right design, your meme can quickly become a powerful tool to get your message across. Use these tips to go out and make something attention-grabbing that is sure to have people chatting about your work in no time.
3. Refining the Details of your Meme
Once you have your meme planned and its base set, it’s time to refine the details to make it something special. This may include your caption, the type of media you use, the length, or other minor adjustments to add a little something extra.
Choosing the Right Media
Different media types can change a meme’s entire feel, and the most effective meme is usually the one that picks a specific type to work within. If you are creating a meme with a lot of text, an image or illustration might be best. If your meme relies more on visual elements, a video or GIF might be a better option.
Adding Finishing Touches
Finally, there are the little details that can help elevate a meme. Think about adding subtle animations, motion effects, or extra colors. Consider whether adding music or audio might bring more life to the meme. Even small changes can make a meme really pop.
- Look at other memes and see what they have done.
- Play around with colors and try new animation.
- Use music or audio effects to add extra emotion.
Most importantly, have fun with it and don’t forget to test the meme. Put yourself in the shoes of the meme’s target audience and check what works, what doesn’t, and how it can be improved.
4. Making the most of Photoshop’s Tools
Photoshop is loaded with powerful tools, and every artist has their own favorites they love to use. Here’s a quick guide on how to get creative with the tools at your fingertips.
Layers: Layers are the cornerstone of any Photoshop project. They allow even the worst of beginners to create eye-catching effects. For artist wanting to get more out of layers, try blending two or more in compositing mode to add depth and texture. Basic layer editing such as shapes, erasing, and masking are essential for any project.
Filters: Photoshop’s filters let you take your project to the next level. With the right touch, you can add brightness, contrast, and hue to art with just a few clicks. Get creative and try experimenting with filters that evokes emotion, like finding the right texture for a painting, or using glows and shading to make type pop.
- Sharpen and blur options are great for sharpening focus on certain areas while softening the background.
- Color correction ensures colors in your image look natural and blend correctly.
- Vignettes help draw attention to the subject of your image, or lend a unique style to the artwork.
5. Exporting your Meme Creation to the World
Congratulations, you have created your very own meme. Now you’re ready to bring your hilarious expression to the world. Exporting your meme is much easier than you may think.
Size Matters: Before you export, ensure that your meme is resized correctly for the correct platform you are using. Every platform comes with its own size requirements. If the format you are working with is .jpeg, the size guidelines are usually 1000 pixels width with the same (or similar) aspect ratio. Twitter requires a 2:1 aspect ratio and a maximum file size of 5MB.
Making it Public: After you have checked your sizes are right, it is time to get your hilarious creation in front of the world. Many meme-making sites enable you to directly share your meme using built-in share tools. Alternatively, you can download your meme to your device, then upload it on your social media accounts and other platforms. The unnumbered list below outlines the different platforms you can use to share your meme:
- Social Media – Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
- Photo Sharing Sites – Pinterest, Imgur, DeviantArt
- Blogging Platforms – WordPress, Blogger
- Forums – Reddit, 4chan, Digg
You can use one, some, or all of these platforms to display your meme. With so many choices, there are endless possibilities to showcase your meme. Get creative in your selections to truly display the full potential and reach of your meme masterpiece.
Don’t wait any longer – create a meme today! Unleash your creativity and show us your creations. Whether you prefer traditional meme formats, or innovative new ideas, use Photoshop to make your idea come alive. Who knows, your meme could be the next big hit.
