7 tips to make your Top 8 look professional
A good Top 8 is understood in two seconds. These tips work for any tournament, big or small.
A Top 8 isn't just a list of names. It's the tournament's final picture, what people share and what remains once the event is over. These tips help that picture look good.
1. Publish while the tournament is still fresh
The best time to publish is that same night. By the next day the conversation has moved on. If you import the results from start.gg, the graphic can be ready before people get home.
2. Check the names twice
A misspelled tag is the first thing someone will notice, especially the player. If you don't import from start.gg, copy the names from the bracket instead of typing them from memory, and respect capitalization, symbols and teams.
3. Pick the layout based on what you want to highlight
If you want the champion to get all the attention, use a layout where first place is bigger. If you'd rather show all eight equally, a grid works better. Trying costs nothing: switching layouts doesn't erase what you already filled in.
4. Use few colors, and make them yours
Two or three colors are enough. If your tournament or community already has colors, always use them: over time people recognize your graphics without reading the name. Save the design as a template so you don't rebuild it every week.
5. Don't let the background compete with the names
A very detailed background makes the names get lost. If you use an image, lower its opacity or switch it to black and white, and let the characters bring the color.
6. Position each character
It's worth spending a few seconds on each slot: make sure the face shows, the name isn't covered and everyone is a similar size. If a player used two characters, show both: it tells the tournament's story better.
7. Don't forget the event details
Tournament name, game, date and your logo. It sounds obvious, but six months from now someone will find that graphic and want to know which tournament it was.
One more: export in the right size
For social media, 1080 × 1350 is enough and uploads fast. If you're showing it on a big screen or want more detail, use 2160 × 2700.
The best Top 8 isn't the busiest one: it's the one you understand at a glance.