Video conferencing has become very popular recently, so having a good video conferencing background created before your first video meeting is essential.
Using a blank wall as a background looks very sterile and boring, and shadows on the wall often look odd.
A well designed background can help your coworkers and clients relate to you better. If a client sees a book about golfing in your background and they are a golfer, then you just created a stronger connection with that client. If a coworker sees a photo of your son in your background and the coworker has a son around the same age, then they might feel more connected to you.
Some video conferencing software offers blurred backgrounds or virtual backgrounds, however most people prefer the authenticity and personalization of a real background.
Whether you use Zoom, WebEx, GoToMeeting, Google Hangouts, Skype, or another video conferencing software, you should ensure that your background represents your position in your company and looks professional to your coworkers and clients.
Here are a few designer tips and tricks to help you create a beautiful and unique background for video conferencing.
photo courtesy of StockSnap pixabay.com/photos/computer-browser-research-study-2562651/
Desk Position
In order to show off the beautiful background that you create, you should position your desk to allow approximately 3 to 8 feet between the back of your chair and a wall that will be your background.
The farther you are away from the background wall, the more width of the wall will be visible.
Set up your web camera and take a note of what parts of your background are visible.
You might want to reposition the camera left, right, back, or forward to crop out certain parts of your room that are not desirable.
Decide whether you will position your camera at eye level or slightly above (never below). Having a camera slightly above eye level might allow your neck to look slimmer, however it does not look as natural as eye level.
Also consider using a temporary table to set your computer just for video conferencing if you cannot create a beautiful backdrop using your regular desk.
Windows are acceptable in a background, however you must be aware of the light coming in from the windows. Very bright light in the background will make your web camera balance the light level and make you look like you are in the dark, so you probably want to keep your window coverings closed during a video conference unless your windows are under an overhang or the weather is overcast.
Lighting
In order for you to look your best on a video conference, you must have proper lighting.
The overhead light in your room might be enough, or you might have to supplement with an additional light, such as a light ring #ad.
Desk lamps are great for decoration, however avoid having them turned on while video conferencing because they will make the light on one side of your face brighter than the other.
Decorating
Now is the time to decorate your backdrop.
Your decor should be representative of you personally and/or professionally. People often relate better to someone if they can get clues as to who the person is, which is something you can do with your background.
Consider adding a bookcase, open cabinet, or other piece of furniture to your background so you have a place to set decorative items.
Professional tools look good in a background, as long as they are well organized. This can include small devices that you use in your work or sell to customers, hand tools used in your business, and product samples.
Also consider decorating with awards (professional or personal), items representing your community, and items from your travels.
Here are a few decor item ideas you can use to fill in your background - hard cover books (remove the paper jackets if possible), plants, fresh flowers, photographs, sculptures, artwork, and decorative boxes.
Decor items with an interesting texture work well, such as a rough wicker basket, a shiny metallic bowl, or a soft velvet cushion.
Avoid using one large piece of art because it is very simplistic and there is often glare from the glass. A better solution would be to use a collection of several pieces of art, either in a set or collected over time. One large fabric wall hanging is acceptable.
When in doubt, the simpler the better when it comes to decor items.
Avoid having other people in your background - you never know what they might do!
Video conferencing outdoors can be a great solution, however you never know when a loud car might drive by, an annoying bird might show up, or it might start raining, so video conferencing indoors is less risky.
Above all, eliminate clutter. People on your video conference do not want to see messy file folders stacked on your desk, file cabinets with drawers pulled out, scraps of paper everywhere, your half eaten lunch, or empty soda cans (consider getting an attractive drinking glass or coffee cup to use during video conferencing).
Worst case scenario, if you do not feel like decorating or your office is a complete mess and you like it that way, purchase a fabric or paper backdrop #ad for your video conferences. You might also consider getting a green screen #ad so you can replace your background with whatever image or video you desire.
Final Adjustments
After you are happy with your background, you should make final adjustments to ensure that you look good in your background.
How do your decorative accessories relate to your body - does it look like your lamp is growing out of your arm, does it look like your plant is sitting on your shoulder, is your hair color the same color as an item behind you that makes your hair style look strange, or is your face totally covering your favorite decorative item that you want to show off?
Ensure that there is nothing confidential, ugly, or embarrassing showing. Can you see electrical cords or cables, is there an inappropriate book on your bookshelf, is your trash can showing, or is there a personal photo visible that should stay private?
Extra Items to Consider
You should also consider your wardrobe when video conferencing. You probably don't want to wear a bright floral blouse if there is a bright floral item in your background. When in doubt, select clothing that is simple, elegant, and professional. Dress in colors that compliment your background, but are not identical, since identical colors might distort your body shape on video.
If you are not comfortable being on video, then screen share a professional looking photo of yourself - do not leave your screen blank. People like to see faces. Consider covering your camera so it doesn't accidentally turn on during of a video conference.
