How to Encourage Better Image Uploads with Help Text

In this tutorial, Meagen demonstrates how to use the "help text" feature in Wagtail to solve a common design headache: inconsistent image proportions. By walking through a real-world example on the wagtail.org Showcase page, she explains why simply resizing images with code isn't always enough to fix broken aspect ratios and why providing clear instructions to editors is often the most effective solution. You’ll learn how to modify your Wagtail models to add helpful hints—such as recommended pixel dimensions and aspect ratios—directly to the Wagtail admin interface, which can give content creators have the guidance they need to keep your site looking polished and professional.

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What will I learn from this video?

How to identify aspect ratio issues: You'll see how inconsistent image proportions can disrupt a website's design even when the code is technically resizing the files.

The limitations of automated resizing: Why CSS or backend image processing can’t always fix an image if the original ratio is significantly different from the design requirements.
How to use Browser Developer Tools: A quick walkthrough of using the "Inspect" and "Layout" tabs (in Firefox or Chrome) to find the specific pixel dimensions a design is calling for.
Implementing help_text: The exact syntax for adding an extra line of code to provide editors with clear instructions, such as recommended ratios (3:2) and example pixel sizes (600x400).
The Editor Experience: How these small code changes appear in the Wagtail admin interface to guide content creators.
Replacing and Updating Assets: How to swap out an incorrectly sized image with a corrected version to immediately fix the live site layout.

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