Poster Resources

A virtual background for Zoom can be used as a visual medium to communicate and share information. Yes, they add to our background during meetings, but at WLAC we are excited about developing virtual backgrounds from Zoom that bring awareness to themes we celebrate monthly. For the Poster Showcase, we invite submissions that explore celebratory months from a graphic arts perspective. 

Celebratory months focus on celebrating themes, heritages, histories and group identities. They also can bring awareness to an issue or commemorate something significant. Popular celebratory months include but are not limited to the following:

• February: Black History Month
• March: Women's History Month
• April: Arab American Heritage Month
• May: 
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  • Jewish American Heritage Month
  • Mental Health Awareness Month
• June: LGBTQ+ Pride Month
• July: Disability Pride Month
• September: Latinx Heritage Month
• October: 
  • National Disability Employment Awareness Month
  • LGBTQ+ History Month
• November: Native American Heritage Month

We invite submissions of virtual backgrounds from Zoom which are self-explanatory under the category of Graphic Arts, allowing judges to view it without a live presentation. We underscore the thematics of celebrating the principles of IDEA: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility. We welcome students to research what are Diversity Calendars, Heritage Months, and Identity Recognition Days of the United States of America to understand the rich traditions that shape and give meaning to our dynamic society. We want contemporary expressions and visions of celebratory months from the perspective of our WLAC students. Virtual backgrounds for Zoom will be featured monthly for students, staff and faculty use during the 2025-2026 academic year. 

First, spend time identifying the key theme you would like to represent virtually.

• What is your focus of celebration?
• What do you want your viewer to see virtually? What are the most important/interesting elements?

Then decide how to communicate this information from a graphic arts perspective. Remember that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. How, through the visual field can your virtual background for Zoom communicate the essential points that you want to celebrate?

Your virtual background for Zoom should be well organized, with clear images and a WLAC logo. Your visual representation depends on the information which will be your focus. What do you want to celebrate and why? How can you use visual language to celebrate, honor or bring awareness?

Things to consider

Structure

Before creating the background, ensure that the dimensions are suitable for Zoom. The Zoom Background should be 1920 by 1080 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio), submitted as a jpg file.

The Zoom Background WLAC logo should be one of the approved versions - no color changes - no purple logos! 

This will ensure the background fits properly and looks sharp. Keep the file size under 5MB so it uploads easily. If your image is too large, you can compress it without losing quality with tools like Squoosh or TinyPNG.

Layout 

Consider the following design elements: solid colors or gradients, images patterns, logos, text, or custom graphics. Make sure the background isn’t too busy or complex. It must include the school logo.

Producing

Consider your artistic, design, and software skills

• Canva
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Spark
• Microsoft Paint

Remember that your project must stand on its own. Each submission must be self-explanatory, allowing judges to view it without a live presentation. Make sure to leave room for the person in the design. A design that is too busy can be distracting or make it difficult to see the speaker. Make sure to try out your own creation on a Zoom screen before falling in love with it or submitting it. The logo should be one of the approved versions - no color changes - no purple logos! 

Submit your virtual background for Zoom as GIF, JPG/JPEG, or PNG.

Please do not include your name(s) or professor’s name on the submission file name.

You will include this information on the application and submission forms.

West faculty and classified staff judges will evaluate posters, using the following criteria:

• Clarity of idea (Zoom background makes sense; communicates your research well)
• Depth of research (Zoom background demonstrates that you did significant research. You must identify all your sources, both primary and secondary.)
• Aesthetic appeal (Zoom background is eye-catching; clearly conveys your intentions)

In addition, the Student Learning Outcomes Committee will be assessing selected posters for Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs), which are mapped to courses. If you are uncertain which ISLOs apply to your course, ask your professor.

Ask colleagues to review a draft with the above criteria in mind and make revisions based on their feedback.

If you are completing your Zoom background to fulfill course requirements or for extra credit, be sure to follow any additional guidelines your professor provides.

Complete an application online as soon as possible at the link provided on the Poster Showcase website under the title application. You will then receive a link to submit your Zoom background.

Early submissions are encouraged!