You can utilize graphics in many ways on your channel. In addition to your logo and banner, you can create starting soon, intermission, and offline screens. You can use motion graphics to change scenes, customize alerts, or as an intro. Similar graphics should be used across your social media platforms as well.
If you want to try editing or design work yourself, the following list contains some programs you can use. Most listed will be able to do either.
Video Editing/Motion Graphics Software for Streamers
Two good ways to promote your channel is through uploading unique content to YouTube and having visual graphics related to your stream. If you plan to create these yourself, you will need to have editing and/or motion graphics software.
There is generally a steep learning curve to create content that will attract an audience on YouTube. If you have never edited a video, we recommend that you either outsource your editing work or spend time watching tutorials and research trending ideas. Streams need to either be educational and/or entertaining to really reach new viewers, so take your time on the ideation for each episode.
Motion graphics should both stand out and represent your brand. You can use animations for your intros, outros, scene changes, sub alerts, and anything that you think would set your channel apart.
Adobe Premiere Pro / Adobe After Effects
The Adobe Suite allows you to seamlessly work with a variety of mediums. Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional-grade software that allows you to create outstanding videos. Adobe After Effects gives you the opportunity to create cinema-level motion graphics that you can use for your channel. The software can be used for a monthly fee either individually or bundled with the rest of the Adobe Suite.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express is a great editing software for beginners. In addition to editing, HitFilm Express offers 2D/3D compositing, as well as over 400 presets and effects all free. More than 4 million people use the software and many produce helpful tutorials on how to use the software.
Davinci Resolve
Davinci Resolve is free editing software that allows you to easily edit several aspects of your video. In fact, you and a friend could both be editing a different part of the file at the same time! It also has 250+ built-in tools that allow you to create visual effects that you can use in your stream.
Renderforest
Renderforest is an easy way to create motion graphics for your brand. With many templates to choose from, chances are that you will be able to turn your creative ideas into a reality and add a little flair to your channel.
Graphic Templates and Makers
Designing your own graphics from scratch will take time and a lot of creativity and many streamers outsource this work to a company like Fiverr. If you want to want to create graphics on your own, check out the next section down below.
If, however, you want to have some customization, but don’t want to do all the work yourself, try out one of the following template platforms:
- Placeit – this platform has several gaming-related templates for Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook streamers. You can change colors, upload new media, and customize just about everything about each graphic to make it uniquely your own.
- Snappa – Snappa has cover templates for Twitch streamers, allowing you to make something unique.
Design Software for Your Twitch Graphics
From logos to Twitch panels to emotes, there are several ways you will need to incorporate unique images into your channel. It is important to have consistent branding across all of these graphics and if you are hesitant about reaching out to a designer, you can design them yourself.
Using vector images allows you to reuse common themes in a variety of sizes. It is important to always plan for the future and you don’t know where your brand might take you. Vector images can be blown up to any size without losing quality and you can export these files to any format required by the streaming platform.
There is a learning curve with vector design, but there are also many tutorials on YouTube or skill-learning websites to help you get started. If you are creative and interested in trying your hand at creating your own graphics, here are a few programs you can use:
Adobe Illustrator
As with other Adobe products, Adobe Illustrator is the industry leader. It has been around for over a decade and is frequently updated. With customizable toolbars, freeform gradients, and a variety of other options, you can potentially design all of the graphics you need for your channel. You can subscribe to the program on a monthly basis or bundle it with other Adobe products.
Inkscape
Inkscape is free software that allows you to create vector images. It has several features including object creation and manipulation, text support, and rendering. You can also export your design in a variety of file formats.
Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a professional software with a wide array of tools that you can use to make high-quality images. Though there is a learning curve, there are several online tutorials available and the opportunities are endless. It is very similar to Adobe Illustrator but can be purchased for a one-time fee instead of a monthly subscription.
Chris
Chris is a marketing major with a strong background in small business and influencer branding. He applies his knowledge of content and promotional strategies to design actionable advice for new and intermediate streamers. When he’s not busy crunching analytics, he can be found in the salt pits of League of Legends.