This is a review by Internet marketer Dave Rigotti (@drigotti) on a new custom background service for Twitter, called TwitArt (@twitartdotcom).
Overview
TwitArt is a custom Twitter background and avatar website run by Chris Kaufman (@kauf), an award-winning interaction designer.
Full, custom Twitter backgrounds are $68 and an avatar is $18, or, when purchased together, the price is $78. Just for TwiTip readers, TwitArt has been kind enough to provide $15 off any background.
All of TwitArt’s backgrounds are 1900 pixels wide, turned around in 1-2 business days, and compressed at or below 200k for fast loading.
Clients
TwitArt has an impressive client list that includes Quicken Loans and a number of individuals. You can view some of their completed projects on the gallery page. Below is a screenshot of the background TwitArt made for Quicken Loans:
Benefits of a custom background
In an interview Chris said, “a professionally designed Twitter background is a good way to add legitimacy to a business Twitter page.” I agree. A custom background can help increase your company’s ( or personal) brand, publish contact information, as well as refer visitors to your site for maximum gains from Twitter. It can also help separate your Twitter account from the massive “Twitter noise.”
The verdict
A custom background from TwitArt is a must for any company or Twitter power user. They were incredibly fast and did it right the first time – I didn’t even need any tweaks.
@CigarInspector
A custom Twitter background is indeed important – luckily, basic Photoshop skills are enough to make a decent one
@askmarc
This looks like a great service and yet another reminder for me to do my custom background. I think that coupon is going to come in handy!
@pincock
Thanks for the TwiTip! These are slick backgrounds and I appreciate the discount. I definitely agree that these custom backgrounds add credibility.
@mikenichols0
I can see a real benefit for businesses and individuals who do not have the personal talent available for a custom Twitter background service. The “stock” backgrounds are so cheesy or ugly that I cringe every time I see one.
@bryanstapp
The TwitArt backgrounds are cool, and Chris is a very talented designer. He’s done great designs for me for both business and for my band.
@Lindsay_B
Thanks for mentioning this resource. I’m always slow to get on board with custom blog designs (and, yes, I’ve got the standard Twitter background). I’m not really a decorator at heart–you don’t even want to know how long it takes me to unpack boxes after I move.
This looks like an affordable service and a fun way to differentiate yourself on Twitter though, so I’ll definitely check them out. Maybe a new Twitter page would be a good idea for the new year.
Hey, can they come unpack my boxes too?
@hectorhenry17
Great that companies come out from twitter or to parsonaliza twitter thats good. Great post.
@storyboardlife
interesting….i wonder why myspace backgrounds are free but twitter ones aren’t. Well, correction I did find some free ones. so my bad. The background seems to be a one time use for people so it would be good to give prospective followers a reason to follow you before they see what you’ve been tweeting.
@BlackMediaProp
all the free resources designs aren’t that good..in my opinion..so Doctor Twitter is here to do away with the competition, but I will let the numbers speak for themselves..we’re growing faster then any of them..in less then a month since launch.
@bassgoddess
Lots of great artwork here …. however, I’d like to Twitter homepages with more customization options. For example, I’d like to see the timeline box as transparent, or invisible. That way, I can see my text, and also the back ground image. Hopefully, this will be an option one day ….
@carenmagill
I really like this service, and I’ll probably get a custom background now. However I wonder with the proliferation of tools like tweetdeck, we spend minimal amounts of time on a person’s actual twitter page. So how important is it to pimp the site if most serious tweeters won’t really see it?
@tia_jindal
I always like to have custom backgrounds. And lol twitart is a good source for that !!
Thanks.