Looking to make your blog stand out? Want your cover photo to make a statement to your future followers?

Well, my name is James, aka Mental Extract, and I'm here to help out if I may! When I had the idea to make myself a custom #cover image, I had a hard time getting an exact dimension. After clicking around a few old posts, I compared, found a couple that agreed, inspected the elements on my page, and decided to use 1286 x 173. When I was going to school at Auburn University, I became familiar with a lot of the #opensource projects, including #GIMP2 (which I love), so I went to work!

First, I really do enjoy the digital avatar look, so I downloaded a handful of my own bitmoji's. I had imagined arranging them all around at different sizes and attempt to tell a little more about myself personally, some of the things I like, or do, at least what bitmoji had to offer, lol.
I grab a few of the images, open them separately, and begin arranging them on different layers, so as I go along, I can adjust what's on top (and my mistakes). A good little trick I have learned through my self teachings of graphic design, separate layers!
This edit is super simple since I wanted to keep a white background and not a lot of additional effects. Most all of the #bitmoji backgrounds are white, so I only have to trim a few here and there to keep from overlapping. I could always add more complex backgrounds, blends, shadows, gradients, custom fonts, the works! After stamping all my little images, and adjusting their fit, you have a pretty cool looking cover photo:

The Bitmoji #Steemit Personality Cover

Hacking up digital images and creating new ones, just like I do with tracks when I DJ, is one of my favorite things to do on the computer. I've always had that visual creative side, but didn't have the patience to develop my drawing hand when I was young. This allows me to fix my mistakes more easily, lol. After I'm all done, save it, and then upload it anywhere online, so you can link it to your blog! I used this post to do just that. If you are the #DIY type, I hope this helped. Please feel free to ask any questions below, but..

Do You Want Your Own Custom Cover Image?
Would you like your Bitmoji included, too?
I WANT TO HELP!

•Comment here @mental-extract or message me on #discord: Mental Extract
•We will chat about some of your interests
•If you have a Bitmoji, go ahead and save some of your favorites to send me (tip: change the outfit for each one).
•I will work on a layout, and send you a preview, so you can make requests :) (allow 24-48 hrs for each transmission)
•Once you approve, I'll finalize and send it over! (via: email, Discord, Dropbox link, etc.)

Respectfully compensate my time & creativity!

To whatever measure you deem appropriate...
In SBD of course! :)

Dimes or Dollars, anything helps M.E. build #Steem! I'm here to support this community, create fun, entertaining, good content, and build a voice to positively influence family, friends, my community, Planet Earth, & Steemians! I have found the best way to do that is to Power Up, as I suggest we all do. I just want to let you know where your tips would be spent, and that it's for the cause! Building an economy around this currency will be part of its success. Again, #GIMP2 is #opensource, so if you are the DIY type, save the #SBD, and I'd still be happy to help with any questions you have! Just ask!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your time, and for swinging by the blog! Please introduce yourself, or leave a comment. Start a conversation, or tell me how goofy my Bitmoji looks. Either way, I appreciate all the support, and you have to know, y'all are the true heroes! (Every vote matters.) Huge shout out to @grow-pro for the Steem Badges! He hooked it up, great job! Much love, and 'til next time...