Move from purpose to publication
A useful workflow begins with the visitor’s question, not a folder of available files. Decide what the page must establish, explain, compare, or prove before selecting any image.
Audit every asset by contribution
Record the subject, crop, quality, rights, accessibility needs, and narrative role of each file. Remove duplicates and identify missing views before committing the design to a grid or sequence.
- Context images establish place, scale, or the complete subject.
- Detail images reveal material, interaction, craft, or a specific decision.
- Process images explain development, sequence, or transformation.
- Outcome images connect the work to the result visitors care about.
Select and sequence with one argument in mind
A visual sequence should advance rather than repeat. Place the essential context first, then add details or stages that deepen understanding. Keep critical information outside hidden carousel slides and write captions that explain relevance.
- Write the page purpose and the job of the media.
- Shortlist assets with distinct narrative roles.
- Choose the simplest suitable feature, grid, carousel, or paired layout.
- Complete captions, alternative text, credits, and rights information.
- Test responsive crops, controls, loading, and reading order before publishing.
Create guidance for future editors
Document recommended ratios, maximum collection sizes, caption expectations, and performance limits. A strong content model should make good editorial decisions easier while preserving enough flexibility for different stories.
