ImageryStandards
Imagery and Photography
Authentic imagery is one of the most powerful tools in the DroidBuilders brand toolkit. A single great photo of a droid in a hospital hallway communicates everything our brand stands for.
Photography Style
Authentic over staged. Real moments at real events -- children's reactions, builders at work, droids in environment -- are always preferred over posed or studio-style shots.
People-forward. The best DroidBuilders images feature the human element: the reaction, the interaction, the volunteer's pride, the child's wonder. Droids alone are interesting; droids with people are powerful.
Environment matters. Hospital corridors, school hallways, convention floors, and community spaces all reinforce the mission. Establish the setting so viewers understand the context.
Photography Guidelines
| Principle | Detail |
|---|---|
| Preferred Subjects | Droid and person interactions; volunteer builders at work; event environments; community member reactions |
| Lighting | Natural or warm ambient light preferred; avoid harsh flash that flattens images |
| Composition | Rule of thirds; leave room for text overlay when intended for marketing use |
| Color Tone | Warm-neutral; avoid heavy filters or oversaturated processing |
| Quality -- Web | Minimum 1500px on the short edge |
| Quality -- Print | Minimum 300 DPI at the final print size |
Image Permissions
Always obtain explicit permission before publishing images of minors. This is a legal requirement and an ethical obligation, particularly given the frequency of school and hospital visits.
For events:
- Confirm the venue's media policy before photographing
- Use event consent forms where required
- When in doubt, do not publish identifiable images of children
For builders and volunteers:
- Verbal consent is sufficient for most publication contexts
- Tag volunteers in social media only with their explicit approval
Text Overlays on Imagery
When placing text on photography:
- Apply a Dark Space overlay (#060D1A at 40-60% opacity) behind text to ensure legibility
- Use White or Gold text only on photographic backgrounds -- never Process Black
- Maintain logo clear space rules even when placing the logo on photography
What to Avoid
- Stock photography depicting droids from the actual Star Wars films -- we build replicas inspired by those designs
- Imagery implying official affiliation with Lucasfilm, Disney, or the Star Wars brand
- Low-resolution, blurry, or poorly lit images in any published context
- Heavy filters, Instagram-style presets, or unnatural color grading
- Images where intellectual property from other organizations is prominently featured without permission