The world as we know it, is cluttered. Cluttered with opinions, dreams, people, cars, plastic, germs, and The Virus. The mess that we see outside, however, should ideally not find its way into the privacy of your own homes. Even if it does, which is to some extent relatable given the pile of laundry and dishes lurking away in the dark, it should certainly not be introduced to your client or boss or peer over a Zoom or video call.
Decluttering is key when working from home, but smart illusions or ‘setting up’ a background for your professional calls is easier. Let HomeLane teach you a few tricks to master this art of illusion.
The Angel Angle
Camera angles have always played a huge role in not only how one’s image appears but also how much is seen or shown. It is important to master the camera angle since you should be in control of what is being made visible, at all times. The power should rest with you, and not the viewer on the other side of the screen. Before you join a Zoom call, study the background and your image on the screen. Adjust, remove, or alter items in the background if you feel it is distracting or disturbing the purpose of the call.
Know your Background
The exact area behind you as displayed on the screen is your background. Those exact dimensions picked up by the camera at a particular angle is what you need to manipulate. In simpler words, you might be in a huge room, but based on where you place the camera, different portions of the room will be visible. You can either choose to display your entire room or tidy up only one corner to make your entire room ‘seem’ tidy to the viewer.
Let there be Light
Proper lighting is as important to professional video calls as it is to photography. Lighting is an illusion in itself. You can choose spotlights to highlight attractive corners or artefacts in your room and set it as your video call background, while dim lighting can be used to draw away attention from imperfections. Daylight is extremely flattering for both your image and your background, hence, setting up your call near a window or a skylight is advisable.
Neutrals and Solids
Consistency is peculiarly satisfying. Neutral colours, solids, or maintaining a single colour palette is both easy and effective. Bright colours or patterns in the background often take away attention from the speaker. Unless it is your motive to show off your bold wallpaper or print, try opting for white or monochromatic backdrops since they keep the focus intact on the speaker.
Minimalism
Less is more. If your purpose is to maintain the focus on the discussion alone, choosing a minimalist background is a great option. They are easy to achieve, alter, and maintain as well. Hang a monochromatic painting or picture on a solid coloured wall, or have a desk with an attractive plant on the background for a simple yet interesting touch to your Zoom video call set up.
Maximalism
If more the merrier is what you relate to, then maximalism is most certainly up your street. Gaudy patterns, tropical and abstract wallpapers, signature art pieces and furniture, texture, velvet, fur, and silk can be incorporated into your Zoom video call background. You can also try your hand at a make-shift backdrop, where altering items can be easier.
Themes
Sticking to a theme can create an illusion of uniformity. A tropical theme is easy to achieve and inexpensive as well. Incorporating tropical indoor plants, animal prints, shades of green, vibrant flowers, and artwork, within the background, creates an exotic theme. Wall painting is a creative way to design your own background, based on whatever theme you please.
Furniture
In order to achieve the perfect background, one needs to invest in effective and efficient furniture. Standing desks, folding chairs and tables, movable furniture, tall lamps, ring lights, are all essential work from home office furniture.
Setting up a background for your zoom call is all about illusions since one can to a great extent manipulate what things look like and that does not necessarily have to be the same as what it really is. It is about how you want to portray the visible spaces of your home, and one should most certainly take it seriously since it helps create an impression. HomeLane’s new range of work from home office furniture helps you do just that!
