Image Guidelines for Academy

Best practices for using custom banners, thumbnails and icons in your course.

Updated at January 8th, 2026

Understanding how images display across Guroo Academy helps you create a better visual experience for your learners. This article outlines the size requirements and best practices for banners, thumbnails, and icons in your course. 

 

The minimum banner image dimensions are 1400px (width) × 300px (height). Ideally, uploaded images should match these dimensions exactly. Images that are larger or smaller than the minimum size will be automatically resized proportionally to fit. Please note that resizing smaller images may result in pixelation. Images that do not match the recommended dimensions will be cropped to fit the banner area. The image is always anchored to the top, meaning any cropping will occur on the bottom edges.

Program Banner Text Overlay & Display Behaviour

Note: This does not apply to the Page Banners.

The Program Banner is displayed with a text overlay added automatically by the platform. For this reason, it is recommended to select an image that provides sufficient contrast to ensure text readability. Additionally, the program banner may appear in multiple areas, such as the Program Homepage, Catalogue Program Page and throughout the Enrolment and Application flow.

Longer program titles or changes in screen width (such as on mobile devices) may cause the banner height to adjust. The image is always anchored to the top-left, meaning any cropping will occur on the right and bottom edges. Please keep this in mind when adding logos or brand overlays to the image.

Example - Short Title Display: Program banner displaying 'Leading Successful Teams' with dates '17 Feb 2026 9:00 AM - 21 Apr 2026 6:00 PM' over business professional background image, with annotation showing 'Text field = 70% width'

Example - Long Title Display: Program banner displaying 'Leading Successful Teams in Dynamic Environments - Leadership Essentials Step 1' with dates '17 Feb 2026 9:00 AM - 21 Apr 2026 6:00 PM', with annotations stating 'The image will be cropped on the right to fit within the available width' and 'The image height will be automatically adjusted while maintaining its original proportions.'

 

Thumbnail Images

The minimum thumbnail size across the platform applies to all thumbnails, including those for program activities or program displays in the catalogue. The recommended dimensions are 800px (width) × 600px (height) (4:3). Images that are larger or smaller than the recommended size will be automatically resized proportionally to fit. Please note that resizing smaller images may result in pixelation. Images that do not match the recommended dimensions will be cropped to fit the thumbnail area.

Thumbnail Image Upload section. Hands working on business analytics documents with charts and graphs on wooden desk, showing 600x800px thumbnail dimensions with annotation indicating 'The right area of this image will not be visible. (Please note that portrait images will be cropped at the bottom).'

 

Thumbnail Display Behaviour

Changes in screen width (such as on mobile devices) or depending on where the thumbnail is displayed may cause its size to adjust. The image is always anchored to the top-left, meaning any cropping will occur on the right and bottom edges. Video Thumbnails will automatically include a white ‘play’ icon centered on the image. Please keep this in mind when adding logos or brand overlays to ensure important elements are not obscured. We recommend placing logos or overlays in the top-left corner.

Example - Activity Display: Thumbnail image of hands reviewing business charts with white circular play icon overlay centred on image, with annotations stating 'A play icon will be added for videos' and 'The image will be cropped on the bottom.'

Example - Catalogue Display: Thumbnail image of hands working on business analytics documents, with annotation explaining 'As the image height depends on the information displayed with it and whether the program tile is shown in a horizontal or vertical format, the image may be cropped on the right if the content causes the height to increase. In some instances, the image may also be cropped at the bottom.'

Icons

The minimum icon size across the platform applies to all icons, including those used for program activities and other platform areas. The recommended dimensions are 512px (width) x 512px (height). Images that are larger or smaller than the recommended size will be automatically resized proportionally to fit.

Please note that resizing smaller images may result in pixelation. Images that do not match the recommended dimensions will be cropped to fit the icon area.

Example - Icon Image Upload with the right dimension: Orange piggy bank icon with yellow lightbulb overlay, displayed at 512x512px square dimensions with label 'Image size = 512px x 512px'

Example - Icon Image Upload with the wrong dimension: Orange piggy bank icon with yellow lightbulb overlay in landscape format, with annotation pointing to right edge stating 'The right area of this landscape image will not be visible.' Label shows 'Image size = 512px x 512px'

Stock Icons vs Custom Icons

The platform provides a set of stock icons. Within the Theme Settings, users can choose from six different icon styles. Once a stock icon is selected and applied to a program activity, it will automatically inherit the icon colour defined in the theme settings. If the icon style is changed in the theme settings, all selected stock icons will automatically update to reflect the new style. Custom icons are not automatically themed within the platform and will remain in their original uploaded colours.

Stock Icon vs Customised Icon comparison diagram. Top row labeled 'Stock Icon:' shows certificate icon in black outline transforming through arrow to 'Selected for Object:' with blue theme colour applied (annotation: 'The theme colour was applied based on the selected callout style'), then through arrow to 'Theme Change:' showing rounded style blue certificate with ribbon icon (annotation: 'The icon style was updated to reflect the theme change'). Bottom row labeled 'Customised Icon:' shows orange piggy bank with yellow lightbulb icon transforming through arrow to 'Selected for Object:' with same appearance (annotation: 'No change'), then through arrow to 'Theme Change:' with same appearance (annotation: 'No change').

 

By following these image guidelines, you can ensure your visual content displays consistently and professionally across all areas of Guroo Academy.