Discover Exclusive, High-Quality Images with Shopee Image Library
Written by Denise, Senior Content Designer
We all know the power of visual storytelling — it’s not a new notion. People are hardwired to respond to imagery. This is because the visual cortex is the largest system in our brains. While reading is a learned skill, image processing is an ability we were born with.
Studies have shown that activities in the emotional region of our brain surge during decision-making. This explains why storytelling is so powerful. Emotions rule, and pictures are the perfect way to capture them.
The Problem
Over the years, our Multimedia teams have conducted numerous shoots to capture Shopee’s essence — to showcase life behind the screens.
But there was one problem: the photos weren’t centrally stored. Photos taken by the regional team were not accessible to the local teams and vice versa. What further complicated our collaboration process was that images weren’t properly named or tagged, making it difficult for search. Ultimately, it had to be located and shared manually via a link.
Process Breakdown
Every problem has a solution. Shopee Image Library was developed, as a result, to allow our employees to search and download photos from our archive.
1. Searched for References
The first thing we did was study existing image libraries and their user experiences — the good, the bad, and the necessary. We looked at leading libraries, both free and paid, to ensure we covered all our bases on what features benefited users and what could be improved.
We also took into consideration the designs we created for our other asset libraries. We wanted to ensure the image library did not deviate drastically in design, as this will require users to re-learn how to use the tool.
Ultimately, our goal was not to mimic what other libraries implement but to help our users find a photo they need as quickly as possible.
2. Compile and Categorise Photos into Folders
We consolidated all existing photos and categorised them into folders. Then, we identified similar characteristics of each image and grouped them together, respectively.
The purpose of grouping the photos is to plan ahead for Phase 2 when we implement filtering features in the library. For instance, users will be able to filter images based on gender, use of masks, background colour, etc.
3. Renaming and Tagging
Renaming and tagging the photos help users conduct searches more efficiently — and here’s where it gets tricky.
Unlike icons, images are a lot more descriptive and paint a more comprehensive picture. We can’t use a few words or phrases with images as they are not enough to represent the message they convey. There are also many angle variations to a photo with a similar message. So what should you do? The key is to be concise yet descriptive enough to describe the image.
It is also crucial to use commonly searched terms. This is where you have to think like your users. For example, how would you phrase your search keywords if you were looking for an image depicting a discussion? You would most likely use the term ‘discussion’ over ‘deliberation’. In short, always choose words that are more commonly used in everyday conversations.
4. Photography Guideline
Finally, we set a photography guideline to provide production and usage guidance on our image assets. The aim is to communicate Shopee’s values and intended messages through cohesive images, ensuring they align with our brand’s motto.
Besides that, the guideline also ensures the image tonality coincides with the respective scenario. For instance, employer branding would require a team-focused approach compared to marketing branding, where localisation takes top priority.
The Result
Shopee Image Library is dedicated to sharing exclusive, high-quality stock images and 3D assets. Here are what our users can expect from choosing our library:
- Exclusive. The photos in our library are shot by Shopee’s internal team of photographers. Hence, they are exclusive, with faces of real users and employees.
- High-quality. Access 1,000+ crisp, high-quality images that look good at any size.
- On-brand. The photos adhere to Shopee’s photography guidelines, so users don’t have to worry about choosing generic stock images from external sources to represent our brand.
The Future of Shopee Image Library
Shopee Image Library wouldn’t have taken off without the help of local teams. We would like to thank the teams that contributed the photos to build this library. We look forward to expanding this library to include more faces of local employees and users, especially those of our new markets in Latin America.
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. Shopee connects shoppers, brands and sellers across Asia and other fast-growing markets, empowering anyone to buy and sell anywhere and at any time.
Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.
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