> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/journey-maps/cards/how-to-use-image-cards.md).

# How to use image cards

Image cards put a visual on the map: a storyboard frame, a screenshot, a photo of a research artefact, or anything that carries more than words can. Pick an image from Unsplash or Giphy or upload your own, then adjust how it fits the card.

<figure><img src="/files/hJuTl4ehtjdeJJtVlltI" alt="A journey map lane labelled Storyboard holding an image card. The card shows a photo of a person typing on a laptop, with a small attribution credit in the bottom-right corner of the image."><figcaption><p>An image card in a journey map lane</p></figcaption></figure>

To add one, hover an empty cell and click **+ Add card**, then choose **Image**. **Image** is the default in an Image lane (press Enter to confirm) and sits under **BASIC CARDS** in the picker in any other lane. The **Add image** chooser opens straight away so you can pick the image as you add the card.

***

#### How to choose an image for the card

The **Add image** chooser gives you two built-in sources and an upload option. Unsplash and Giphy both work without a login, and the credit for a chosen image shows on the card automatically.

<figure><img src="/files/NQfb7UMfViiHeUgwBQGN" alt="The Add image chooser with an Unsplash tab selected and a Giphy tab beside it. Below is a search field with a Search button, an OR divider, and an upload dropzone reading Upload a file or drag and drop, JPG, PNG, GIF or SVG up to 3.5MB."><figcaption><p>Add image chooser: Unsplash, Giphy, or upload</p></figcaption></figure>

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Pick a source**

Stay on the **Unsplash** tab for stock photography, or click **Giphy** for animated GIFs. To use your own file instead, skip to uploading below.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Search, or upload your own**

Type a term in the search field and click **Search** to browse results from the selected source, then click an image to place it on the card. To use a local file, click **Upload a file** or drag and drop it onto the dropzone. Uploads accept JPG, PNG, GIF, or SVG up to 3.5MB.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

#### How to adjust the way an image displays

With an image card selected, the left-most button on the floating toolbar opens the image display options. Use them to control how the image sits inside the card without changing the image itself.

<figure><img src="/files/JZMgnTfWW4BndhoymrdO" alt="The image card toolbar with its left-most dropdown open, listing Shape, Align, and Padding (each with a submenu arrow) and a Reset action below them."><figcaption><p>Image display options on the toolbar</p></figcaption></figure>

* **Shape** - crop the image to a preset shape: Original, Square 1:1, Portrait 3:4, Landscape 4:3, Circle, or Message.
* **Align** - position the image within the card, vertically (top, center, bottom) and horizontally (left, center, right).
* **Padding** - set the space around the image: None, Small, Medium, or Large.
* **Reset** - restore the display settings to their defaults.

To see the image on its own, click **Full screen** on the toolbar (the icon beside the display-options dropdown). The same **Full screen** button sits at the top of the card details panel.

***

#### How to change the image

To swap in a different image, open the card details panel (click **Show card details** on the toolbar) and click **Change image**. This reopens the **Add image** chooser, where you pick a new image the same way you did the first.

<figure><img src="/files/0ZGkjkMBTST1wEu9NScV" alt="The image card details panel showing a Full screen button and a Change image button at the top, followed by collapsed Personas, Card tags, and Comments sections."><figcaption><p>Change image reopens the source chooser</p></figcaption></figure>

***

#### What image cards share with other cards

The display options and **Change image** are what's specific to an image card. Everything else on it is shared with every other card type:

* Accent colour, background style, and card header (the fill control and the buttons after it on the toolbar)
* Card details panel for personas, tags, and comments
* Duplicate, expand, shrink, and delete from the three-dot menu
* Multi-select with Shift+click

See [How to add and edit cards](/journey-maps/cards/how-to-add-and-edit-cards.md) for the canonical walkthrough of these mechanics.

***

#### Related topics

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Description</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Target</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>How to add and edit cards</strong></td><td>Parent how-to for shared card mechanics: toolbar, details panel, colours, and headers.</td><td><a href="/pages/DI00pTOdaJmOwltHKgIa">/pages/DI00pTOdaJmOwltHKgIa</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to use text cards</strong></td><td>Add narrative notes alongside your visuals and format the text.</td><td><a href="/pages/icqgg4Jls9Iv7VWRvRls">/pages/icqgg4Jls9Iv7VWRvRls</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to use embed cards</strong></td><td>Embed live external content like Figma frames or YouTube videos instead of a static image.</td><td><a href="/pages/OZrRWKElbHcwoxQO8mln">/pages/OZrRWKElbHcwoxQO8mln</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to add and manage lanes</strong></td><td>Add an Image lane that defaults to image cards, or any other lane type.</td><td><a href="/pages/cEW7pumNPGKdJ65EEAz7">/pages/cEW7pumNPGKdJ65EEAz7</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to bulk edit cards</strong></td><td>Select multiple cards and apply tags, personas, or colours in one go.</td><td><a href="/pages/D239Y2x0Gzcz0VuWHA1p">/pages/D239Y2x0Gzcz0VuWHA1p</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

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