Take a deep breath. On NBC-TV’s The Today Show, Twitter CEO Dick Costolo announced sweeping redesign to the Twitter platform with a focus on the look of Profile pages and a significant update to the mobile and iPad apps.
What Changes?
The Profile Look: Profile’s will feature a large Header Photo on the right hand side that might remind some users of the look and feel of Facebook.
Header Photo: The minimum dimensions of the new header photo are 1252 x 626 pixels and the maximum file size is 5 MB. Users with design backgrounds may find the larger image fighting for attention against a busy background and brands might need to adjust their background images accordingly.
The Avatar: The personal or brand avatar will now site front and center on top of the Header Photo and that image will accompany each post as before.
Third Party Apps: All mobile third party apps such as yFrog and Twitpic have been stripped of their ability to post images to Twitter.
Roll Out: Twitter has begun to transition users into the new look and you can make the change now by uploading a new Header Photo at twitter.com/settings/design. On that page scroll down to “Header Upload,” select an image from your files and upload. Press save and your new header image will be in place.
Mobile and iPad: TechCrunch unveiled the look for Mobile and iPad and on these devices, it’s obvious that the desire to include visuals is driving the redesign.
Why?
The new look is more visual, in keeping with the current trend on Facebook and the rapid rise of Pinterest. Twitter aims to encourage users to use their profile page as a web destination for friends and communications rather than a site used largely through third party apps. Keeping eyeballs on the Twitter platform aligns with an advertising and monetizing strategy, so don’t be surprised to see additional visual changes coming soon that include space for advertising in the Twitter stream.
Like the new design? We’d love to hear your reactions and if you’ve converted, your Header Photos.
Hi Cindy,
I like the changes! I have to tweak mine a bit, but I love the visual evolution that is taking place all over the web. This is proof that people are much more visual than they realized, isn’t it?
I agree Nancy and this new design will challenge us all to represent our value to followers in a pleasing, clear visual way. Having our bio super imposed over the photo with our avatar directly in the center means some adjustments for most folks. Once again, a graphic designer can be your best asset.
The size (at the Design Settings Page) is very large. I got three time Internal Server error message. Twitter should reconsider this to allow users upload small images for their header too.
I agree Zulhilmi that Twitter should allow smaller images and resize to fit on the platform.
I’ve already uploaded my header photo and I really like it. The new layout is great. I’m doing some work for a client, upgrading all their social/business network sites so this information has come just at the right time. Thanks for providing the dimensions of the header photo, it’s always a another thing to research. I agree with both Nancy & Cindy – especially the bit about graphic designers being your best asset! Thanks Cindy, I’m guessing you might be one too.
I’m not a graphic designer Cathie but I value the skill so much and usually use a professional for my most important work. I’ve glad to know you!!
Thanks for this update, Cindy! The news had passed me by, so I’m glad you chose to share it with us. I’ll head over to Twitter today and experiment with the new visual elements.
You’re welcome Sophie. I’d love to see your new Twitter look once you change it. Be sure to Tweet me @BrandYou to tell me it’s up.
It will take some getting used to – especially that the text seems to be in white and can’t currently be changed. That of course would be fantastic if they added the ability to change that color separately from other colors.
I agree Kimberly, The immobility of the text and avatar, the font color and font itself are all currently set but watch for Twitter to alter that and give us more flexibility in the future. I really think that’s the way they’ll go.
I like the Twitter changes. The bio, photo, avatar change makes things a little more visual. People are visually oriented, so this is nice.