Design Fun: How to Make Memes

• Design, Memes

6 min. (1140 words)

design fun:-how-to-make memes

Memes are fun, right? Well, only those that make it to the top.

Have you ever seen memes that are not funny? Just go over to Reddit and sort by “New”.

Or keep reading marketing blogs laced with an overused Boromir picture:

So why does one meme go viral and others don’t?

That’s a tough question because there’s so much going on. Some people compare memes with living organisms. They live, they mutate, they die.

Others compare memes with jokes. They’re funny, they’re relatable, and they have a cultural context.

The thing is, memes are both. It’s like a living internet joke.

If memes do not have enough cultural context, they die. If memes are not funny enough, they die.

Memes have to constantly evolve in order to stay alive. That’s why standard Boromir memes are not that popular these days. They haven’t evolved. Yet.

In order to create a perfect meme, let’s nail down some basics with this article.

Text in Memes

Ever try to find a meme with no text in it?

Well, they usually come with some. Text is such an integral part of any meme that most online meme generators are just that: an image and a text field to write something down.

So the most basic way to create meme is to find a relevant image and put some text on it.

If you go that route, use images that people can relate to. And don’t use overused images, unless you’re trying to resurrect them. Again, Boromir is dead. That’s not a movie spoiler.

If you have problems finding a relevant image, try surfing Reddit or 4chan.

If you want to come up with funny text, well… We already covered that with How To Create Catchy Title Image.

In short, your text should be connected to the context of an image. Or enrich it. Or subvert.

Take a look at these BG memes:

Unfortunately, this meme died in 2017.

In short, the more people can relate to this situation, the more people will “Get it”. And if that’s funny? Well, that’s 2/2 for you.

Keep your text fresh, though. The originality of what you talk about is as important as how relevant the meme image is.

At the time of this article, the meme world is obsessed with baby Yoda memes & the Tesla CyberTruck. In a few months that’ll probably change.

Elements

Remember this one?

Ok, this meme is as dead as Justice League in 2016, but it’s great for illustrating the point.

You can go with the standard text route, and play with the situation.

But you also can be a bit more unconventional and start adding some elements. Sometimes it’s not about a text at all.

You can add elements to your memes using both Lunacy and Photo Creator.

This is how you do it.

1. Upload an image with a cultural context for your meme into a Photo Creator:

Cultural context:

2. Insert an element:

3. Add a text caption if your message is not that clear:

4. You can add emoji, avocados, and pretty much anything else if it works for your meme. The idea here is that you’re not always restricted to text.

Collage

You’ve probably seen Drake memes:

Or brain memes:

Essentially, these are collages. We’ve covered some advanced techniques for making photo collages before.

But here’s the thing about memes. It’s not about the templates. It’s about the format.

For example, you can use any other pictures, given how the format is set up.

For this example, I’ve used Lunacy, a free graphic design tool, because I was able to create a custom layout (ok, it’s just 2×2, but you get my point) using align and grid tools. I could go for 3×4, or anything else.

Most importantly, I used custom illustrations that come with Lunacy out of the box. Then there are like 100,000 photo models and icons if illustrations are not doing it for you.

Now, back to the cultural context.

Cultural Context

What’s a cultural context?

I took it from Quora:

Cultural context can be a custom or norms of a society, the characters live in and how their culture can affect their behavior and their opportunities, it also looks about where and when each text is set. Think about the values and attitudes that matter to these customs and how they formed.

In the previous section, there was my attempt to create a meme about designers on Behance. Honestly, it looks more like a joke that only designers who have a Behance profile get. Well, some of them.

Anyway, this is a very niche joke, so there’s not as much culture as there is niche humor.

But I can expand the context.

In its essence, the joke is about people and their portfolio, or how hard they try to make it look better than, well, their baseline skills actually are.

So we try to look better on our portfolio, resumes, interviews. That’s not bad, that’s just part of us, and it has been that way since… Well, forever.

So there’s a common culture we share, ok. How can we make it relevant? Well, we need to show how it works in the age of the internet, I guess.

Below are some examples:

Finally, just make your point and use relevant meme templates. If you’re at a loss, for picture ideas:

Trends

Trends are a major part of memes because they create and affect cultural context. That’s why memes about TV characters, musicians, and politicians are so enduring.

However, trends do more than that. They change the way we create memes itself. There are video memes and animation memes.

Memes are not just a photo anymore. We’re going towards video-izing.

On the other hand, every technological trend, or fashion trend, can change the way we create memes as well.

Take, for example, face-swapping:

Or mobile phones:

Or Tesla:

Of course, major breaks in tech quickly become a cultural context for memes. Just don’t forget that they can become a means of creating memes as well.

With all that said, you have enough information to create the next viral meme. Don’t forget to utilize the techniques described in this article and you’ll have a better chance of making something out of it.

Good luck!

About the author: Andrew started at Icons8 as a usability specialist, conducting interviews and usability surveys. He desperately wanted to share his findings with our professional community and started writing insightful and funny (sometimes both) stories for our blog.

Title image from Icons8 Stock Photos

Learn how to make a photo collage, how to create a catchy title image, and review the basics of visual storytelling.

122 comments

  4. Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not disappoint me
    just as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I truly thought you’d have something useful to say.
    All I hear is a bunch of whining about something
    you can fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.

    my page – Keto Advance

  11. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well
    written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful
    info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.

    my blog post Warrior Keto

  12. Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost
    on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid
    option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed ..

    Any ideas? Kudos!

    Here is my site … Isogenesis Keto Blend

  13. Thank you for some other informative blog. The place else
    may just I am getting that kind of info written in such an ideal
    way? I’ve a challenge that I’m simply now operating on, and
    I have been at the glance out for such information.

    Feel free to surf to my web site: Keto Slim Cuts

  21. I’m extremely inspired along with your writing talents and also with the
    structure in your blog. Is that this a paid theme or did you
    customize it yourself? Anyway stay up the excellent quality writing,
    it is rare to look a nice weblog like this one today..

    My web blog; Keto ES Reviews

  25. Hi! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted
    to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to
    all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!

    Feel free to surf to my website; Keto ES Pills

  27. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of
    any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest
    twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and
    was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything.
    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to
    your new updates.

    my web blog :: Keto ES

  28. Admiring the commitment you put into your
    site and detailed information you provide. It’s awesome
    to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed
    information. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m
    including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Check out my web blog – Gee Hii Keto Pills

  29. Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site.
    I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as
    related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least.
    Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something,
    site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate.

    Nice task.

    my blog post … Gee Hii Keto Review

  33. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your website in web explorer, may
    test this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and
    a huge component of people will pass over your fantastic writing because of this problem.

    Here is my blog – GeeHii Keto Review

  36. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I
    have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope
    you write again very soon!

    Feel free to surf to my webpage Keto ES Reviews

  42. Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make severely posts I’d state.
    This is the first time I frequented your website page and so far?
    I amazed with the research you made to create this actual post extraordinary.
    Great job!

    my web blog; HeaterPro

  46. This is very interesting, You are a very professional
    blogger. I’ve joined your feed and stay up for searching for extra of your excellent post.
    Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks!

    my blog … Keto ES Reviews

  49. hello there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here.

    I did however expertise a few technical points using this website, as I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I
    could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering
    if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining,
    but sluggish loading instances times will often affect
    your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
    Well I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and could
    look out for a lot more of your respective intriguing
    content. Make sure you update this again soon..

    Here is my homepage: diet system

  50. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you make this website yourself or did you hire
    someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
    thank you

    Here is my web site – hemp seed oil uses

  51. We would like to thank you again for the wonderful ideas you gave Janet when preparing a post-graduate research as well as, most importantly,
    regarding providing all of the ideas in one blog post.
    If we had known of your web-site a year ago,
    we might have been saved the needless measures we
    were taking. Thank you very much.

    Feel free to visit my web-site – drug abuse treatment

  52. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you
    amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog website?
    The account helped me a appropriate deal. I have been a little bit
    acquainted of this your broadcast offered vibrant clear idea.

    Feel free to surf to my web-site … aim simply loss

  54. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
    After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

    my web page :: water gas car

  55. Simply want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is just spectacular and i could
    assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS
    feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks
    a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

    Review my homepage: treatment process

  57. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really recognize what you’re speaking approximately!
    Bookmarked. Please additionally consult with my website =).
    We could have a hyperlink alternate contract between us!

    Look at my web blog: cure eczema

  64. We are a group of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.
    Your website offered us with useful information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and
    our whole community might be thankful to you.

  66. hey there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here.
    I did however expertise some technical points using this site,
    since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
    I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very
    frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if ads and marketing with
    Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content.
    Ensure that you update this again very soon.

  67. Right here is the right web site for anyone who would like to find out about this topic.

    You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you
    (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic
    that’s been written about for a long time. Great stuff, just
    wonderful!

  69. I’m really impressed along with your writing abilities as neatly as
    with the structure on your blog. Is this a paid subject
    matter or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep
    up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see
    a nice weblog like this one today..

  70. I’m not sure why but this blog is loading extremely slow
    for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a
    problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the
    problem still exists.

  72. Its not my first time to pay a quick visit this web site, i am browsing this web site dailly and
    take good data from here all the time.

  74. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it,
    you could be a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and will often come back
    later in life. I want to encourage yourself to continue your
    great work, have a nice morning!

  75. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a
    new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable
    information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!

  77. Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I
    was wanting to know your situation; many of us have developed some nice practices and we are looking to trade solutions
    with others, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  78. It’s in point of fact a great and helpful piece of info.
    I’m glad that you just shared this helpful info with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  79. Asking questions are genuinely nice thing if you are not understanding anything completely,
    however this piece of writing presents pleasant understanding yet.

  80. Howdy this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually
    code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to
    get advice from someone with experience. Any help
    would be enormously appreciated!

  81. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and
    was curious what all is required to get setup?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any
    suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks

  83. I do believe all the ideas you’ve presented for
    your post. They’re really convincing and will certainly work.
    Still, the posts are very quick for newbies. May just you please prolong them a bit from next time?
    Thank you for the post.

  84. Good day I am so excited I found your website, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Google
    for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like
    to say thank you for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love
    the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at
    the moment but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the
    fantastic job.

  85. Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop,
    just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83
    views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  87. Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a
    sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and
    screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.

    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely
    off topic but I had to tell someone!

  90. I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with
    the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare
    to see a nice blog like this one these days.

  91. Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know
    a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it
    in two different browsers and both show the same results.

  92. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you could
    be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog
    and may come back from now on. I want to encourage one to
    continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!

  93. Hello, i feel that i saw you visited my website thus i came to return the prefer?.I am
    attempting to in finding things to enhance my site!I assume its adequate to make use of
    a few of your ideas!!

  96. Fine way of telling, and good article to take data on the topic of
    my presentation topic, which i am going to deliver in school.

  98. whoah this weblog is wonderful i really like studying your
    articles. Keep up the great work! You already know, many
    persons are searching round for this information, you can help them greatly.

  100. I every time used to study article in news papers but now as I am a user of net thus from now I am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.

    Feel free to surf to my page :: Viag Rx Male Enhancement;
    Lincoln,

  101. I think this is among the most important information for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on few general
    things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really
    nice : D. Good job, cheers

  102. I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog.

    Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing,
    it is rare to see a great blog like this one today.

    Check out my web-site: Mermber XXL

  105. Hello There. I found your weblog using msn. That is an extremely smartly written article.

    I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your useful info.
    Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.

  109. Greate post. Keep posting such kind of information on your blog.
    Im really impressed by your site.
    Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I will definitely digg
    it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be
    benefited from this web site.

  112. you are really a good webmaster. The web site loading velocity is amazing.

    It sort of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick.
    Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a fantastic process in this
    matter!

  114. I constantly emailed this web site post page to all my contacts,
    since if like to read it after that my links will too.

  116. Wonderful blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you
    knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
    I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get feed-back
    from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Thanks!

    Here is my blog post Vigor Max Male Enhancement

  118. Awesome blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

    I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a
    paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed ..
    Any tips? Thanks!

  119. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to
    put this content together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and
    leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  121. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I have
    really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
    After all I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I’m hoping
    you write once more very soon!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.