Project Size (aspect vs. resolution)

Two of the most important decisions to make when starting a live or animated video social media project are the aspect ratio and resolution.  Deciding one usually dictates the decision of the other, but this isn't always the case depending on the social media platform used.  It can all get very confusing for the social media experienced and novice alike.  A good place to start is with this informational graphic.

The numbers in this image show two numbers separated by a colon. This is called the aspect ratio and it represents a correlation between width and height.  The numbers aren't units of measure like inches, millimeters or pixels.  They represent a unit of the project itself.  For instance, in the case of "Square (Instagram and Facebook Feed)" shown above, the aspect ratio is 1:1, that is, if the width of the video were a unit unto itself, the height would be equal to that unit. (1 unit of width:1 unit of height = square).  However, in the case of "Vertical  (Instagram and Facebook Feed)", the aspect ratio is 4:5.  This means that if the width of the project were divided up into four equal units, the height of the project would be equal to five of those units. (4/4 unit of width:5/4 unit of height=portrait rectangle=average cellphone video). 

Aspect Ratio gives you the general shape of your project, but it doesn't explain the resolution.  A resolution is usually two numbers separated by an "x" like 640 x 480 or 800 x 600.  The resolution describes the quality of the project and the numbers here ARE units of measure.  The numbers usually represent image pixels.  A pixel is the smallest element that makes up an image.   Images with few pixels tend to be rough and blocky while images with lots of pixels tend to be crisp and clear.  It should also be pointed out that images with few pixels take up less computer memory and can be processed quicker, while images with lots of pixels take up more computer memory are processed slowly.  The trick is finding a resolution high enough to make your project look professional while still low enough to run on slower smartphones, tablets, and computers.

It should also be added here that there is a standard ratio commonly used for digital video (DV).  The 4:3 aspect ratio works on some social media and was, at one time, the only aspect ratio YouTube ever used.  Recently, YouTube switched to the 16:9 aspect ratio and all 4:3 videos had to be altered.

At Novamation MEDIA we use follow special rules to govern our project sizes.  Those rules are posted in our Media Projects post located here- http://novamationmedia.blogspot.com/2021/05/media-projects-aspect-vs-resolution.html