Skip to main content

Style Guide for Messaging Apps

See the Rebellion Broadcast or Movement Broadcast Telegram channels for examples of well-formatted messages

See the Design Programme for fonts, logos, colours, images, icons etc.

Accessibility

See Accessible documents & outreach materials for advice on making your communication accessible, including for considering colour blindness and dyslexia.

Banner Images (for online posts and messages)

  • Use Fucxed Caps (the main XR font)
  • Colour scheme: use colours from the XR Design Programme (this can include different shades of one colour).
  • Limit the words in a visual banner. Put a short title only into the image. Text in images is not fully accessible. Keep the design clean and readable.
  • Use one font size for the banner design (or two max). Keep it simple and clear.
  • Centralise the text in the image
  • Use a consistent margin around the edge of the image for breathing space, so that the text or logo doesn’t sit on the edge of design.
  • Check the image and text is in focus. Do not use it otherwise!
  • Avoid too many overlays of images or text as it can be overwhelming.
  • We advise using black or white text on a background colour for contrast and clarity. Make it clear.
  • Consider dimensions (see below).

Content

  • Keep messages short. Link out to further information.
  • Be consistent in the name and image used for the event/action across all platforms.
  • Consider accessibility: It is key in reaching as many people as possible and growing our movement. Mention where people can find out more about physical accessibility.
  • Don’t assume knowledge, for example make clear what abbreviations stand for.
  • Seek permission before sharing private numbers or email (and don’t share them as a rule otherwise).
  • Slow down & check. Your message will land better if the info is accurate.

Images

  • Don’t use an image unless it’s a good one, clear & dynamic with high contrast.
  • The dimensions for using an image on Telegram are 1920 x 1005 (the same proportions as a Facebook event header)
  • Keep it simple. One image is advised for the best effect - landscape. If you don’t have a strong image then no need to add one.
  • Attach an image to the message, rather than posting it before on its own. It will otherwise get lost when messages are forwarded.
  • In Telegram, if you have multiple images you can attach them straight to the message and they will automatically form a grid.
  • For collages, max 5 images per collage (as a general rule of thumb), otherwise it risks being cluttered. A single image can sometimes be more striking
  • Aim for clear images (remember most people will view on their phones)

Example images

Example broadcast header image 1.jpg

Example broadcast header image 2.jpg

Bold and Italics

  • Use CAPS in bold for the title of the message (caps and bold because bold doesn't always work when messaged are shared-on to other platforms)
  • Dont use italics. Dyslexia style guide and colour blindness info can be found here.

Lists

  • Precede lists with a colon
  • If lists need to be displayed (ie items on separate lines), consider using a bullet, asterisk or emoji before each item.
  • If each item is in complete sentences, end with a full-stop. Otherwise, no punctuation at end of item except for a full stop at the end of the last one
  • For in-line lists, separate items by commas; avoid Oxford commas (comma after penultimate item, preceding an ‘and’).

Using Emojis

  • Limit the use of emojis. Less is more! Be inclusive in your message format. The visual is as important as the content.
  • Don’t frame a message title with emojis or use emojis at the end of a line. The emojis often jump lines when the message is shared to different devices or platforms (Android or iPhone, Signal or Telegram, phone or computer) and can end up looking messy.
  • Just use one emoji at the start of the title, if you’re going to use them, and try to colour-coordinate with the header image
  • Use one space between image and emoji.
  • Consider inclusivity when using emoji skin colours for hands etc. If you want to find more Telegram emojis including additional skin tones check out emojipedia

Spellings

  • Citizens’ Assembly; plural - Citizens’ Assemblies
  • People’s Assembly; plural - People’s Assemblies
  • De-escalation
  • Nonviolence, nonviolent
  • Wellbeing
  • Campsite
  • Any more (with a space)
  • X-year-old
  • XRUK (the hive and its subcircles, as opposed to "XR in the UK", which includes all the nations, regions, local groups, community groups, and so on)

Time

  • Use a 24h clock or specify am/pm or AM/PM
  • Include a colon, e.g. 17:00 or 05:00pm