Item Images

Item Images

Overview

Item Images control how your content appears visually in Learn Amp. Every Item can have two types of images: a tile image (thumbnail) that appears in content lists and search results, and a hero image (banner) that displays prominently at the top of the Item's detail page.

Well-chosen images make your content library more engaging, help learners quickly identify relevant materials, and create a professional, polished learning experience.


Functionality Breakdown

Image Types

Tile Image (Thumbnail)

The tile image is the primary visual representation of your Item:

  • Where it appears: Content library, search results, Learnlists, Channels, recommendations

  • Dimensions: 262 × 153 pixels (optimised for this size)

  • Purpose: Quick visual identification of content

  • Default: If no image is set, a placeholder is used

Hero Image (Banner)

The hero image is a larger banner displayed on the Item's detail page:

  • Where it appears: Top of the Item detail page, above the content

  • Aspect ratio: 2.6:1 (approximately 780 × 300 pixels)

  • Purpose: Visual impact and context setting

  • Optional: Can be enabled or disabled per Item

  • Alt text: Supports accessibility with custom alt text

Image Sources

You can add images from several sources:

Upload from Computer

Upload images directly from your device:

  • Supported formats: JPG, PNG, GIF

  • Images are automatically optimised for web display

  • Large images are resized to appropriate dimensions

Image Library

Browse and reuse images already uploaded to Learn Amp:

  • Access images uploaded by you or your colleagues

  • Search and filter the image library

  • Reduces duplicate uploads and maintains consistency

URL/Weblink

For tile images, the system can automatically fetch images:

  • When you add a weblink URL, Learn Amp attempts to extract an image

  • Useful for external articles and resources

  • May not work for all websites

Image Cropping

Both tile and hero images support cropping:

  • Interactive cropper: Drag and resize to select the visible area

  • Aspect ratio locked: Ensures images fit correctly

  • Preview: See how the cropped image will appear


Pre-requisites

Image Requirements

Tile images:

  • Minimum recommended: 524 × 306 pixels (2× for high-DPI displays)

  • Format: JPG, PNG, or GIF

  • File size: Under 5MB recommended

Hero images:

  • Minimum recommended: 1560 × 600 pixels (2× for high-DPI displays)

  • Aspect ratio: 2.6:1

  • Format: JPG, PNG, or GIF

  • File size: Under 10MB recommended

Role Requirements

The following roles can set Item images:

  • Owner: Can set images on any Item

  • Admin: Can set images on Items they have permission to edit

  • Learning Designer: Can set images on Items they create or have edit access to

  • Curator: Can set images on Items they create or have edit access to


Quick Start Guide

Setting a Tile Image

  1. Navigate to Content in the sidebar

  2. Open the Item you want to edit

  3. Click Edit to enter editing mode

  4. Find the Tile Image section

  5. Choose your image source:

    • Upload: Click the upload area and select a file from your computer

    • Browse library: Click to open the image library and select an existing image

  6. If needed, use the cropping tool to adjust the visible area

  7. Click Save to apply the image

Setting a Hero Image

  1. Open the Item and click Edit

  2. Find the Hero Image section

  3. Enable Display hero image by ticking the checkbox

  4. Upload or select a hero image:

    • Click the upload area to upload from your computer, or

    • Click Browse images to select from the library

  5. Use the cropping tool to select the visible area (2.6:1 aspect ratio)

  6. Add Alt text for accessibility (describes the image for screen readers)

  7. Click Save to apply changes

Using the Image Library

  1. When adding an image, click Browse or the library icon

  2. The image library opens showing available images

  3. Use the search bar to find specific images

  4. Click an image to select it

  5. The image is applied to your Item

  6. Crop if needed, then save

Adding Alt Text for Accessibility

  1. When editing hero images, look for the Alt text field

  2. Enter a brief description of what the image shows

  3. Keep descriptions concise but meaningful (e.g., "Team collaborating in a meeting room")

  4. Avoid phrases like "Image of..." – describe the content directly

  5. Save the Item to apply the alt text


FAQs

What happens if I don't set a tile image?
A default placeholder image is used. While functional, custom images make your content library more engaging and easier to navigate.

Can I use the same image for tile and hero?
Yes, but they have different aspect ratios (tile is 1.7:1, hero is 2.6:1), so the cropping will be different. The same source image works well for both.

Do images affect page load time?
Learn Amp automatically optimises images for web delivery, so well-sized images shouldn't significantly impact load times. Avoid uploading extremely large files.

Can I remove an image after setting it?
Yes. Edit the Item and remove or replace the image. For hero images, you can also disable the display option to hide it without deleting.

What's the best practice for image selection?
Choose images that are relevant to the content, professional in appearance, and visually distinct from other Items. Avoid text-heavy images as they may be hard to read at thumbnail size.

Do GIF animations play in tile images?
Animated GIFs may not play as tile thumbnails—they typically display the first frame. For hero images, animation behaviour may vary by browser.

Can I change images in bulk?
Yes, through the Bulk Item Update feature you can update tile images for multiple Items at once.


Troubleshooting

Issue

Solution

Issue

Solution

Image appears stretched or distorted

Use the cropping tool to adjust the visible area. Ensure your source image matches the recommended aspect ratio.

Hero image not displaying

Check that "Display hero image" is enabled. Verify an image is actually uploaded.

Image upload fails

Check file format (JPG, PNG, GIF only) and file size. Try a smaller file or different format.

Image library is empty

Images appear in the library after being uploaded. Upload an image first, then it will be available for reuse.

Cropping tool not responding

Try refreshing the page. Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser. Try a different browser if issues persist.

Image looks blurry

Upload a higher-resolution source image. For sharp display on high-DPI screens, upload at 2× the display dimensions.

Alt text not showing

Alt text is for screen readers and won't be visible on the page. It appears when images fail to load or when using assistive technology.


💡 Tip: Create a consistent visual style across your content library by using similar image treatments, colour palettes, or templates. This makes your learning platform feel cohesive and professional.

⚠️ Warning: Ensure you have the rights to use any images you upload. Avoid copyrighted images without proper licensing. Consider using royalty-free image sources for professional-looking content.