Virtual backgrounds
Virtual backgrounds only work with users of the desktop and smartphone apps and are disabled if you are accessing Zoom via a browser tab such as Chrome.
Using branded virtual backgrounds
When using Zoom's virtual background feature please use one of our ICAEW branded virtual backgrounds below.
If you wish to add your own organisation's branding to this you can add the logo top right on the screen of one of the block colour backgrounds.
IMPORTANT!
Test your Virtual Background before use.
Test your Virtual Background before use.
If it looks messy round the edges of your body/face/hair, then your room lighting is probably too strong, or too weak, or not adequately diffused.
Or maybe your outfit is too 'busy', or not adequately contrasting with the plain wall behind. If you cannot rectify this and get a 'smart' looking visual then don't use a virtual background.
Below is the current range of ICAEW branded backgrounds.
These are available on the ICAEW Brandhub (or go to the brandhub and search 'Zoom backgrounds')
Scroll for more options. These are available on the ICAEW Brandhub (or go to the brandhub and search 'Zoom backgrounds')
Best practice tips
Have a plain wall behind you. Remove pictures, hangings and clocks if you can.
Do not sit in front of a window with the sun streaming through - keep windows to one side!
Good lighting is a must - neither too bright nor too dark.
Sit on an office or dining chair... Zoom virtual background's technology can mistake softer furnishings like sofas and cushions for parts of your body which can look very odd!
Any other people, or animals, that come into the picture will be considered foreground for Zoom so shut the door and don't let them in when you are on screen!
Wear a plain coloured top that is darker or distinctly different in tone and colour from the (plain) wall behind you.
Now open your Zoom app and under the Home tab at the top start a new meeting - choose Start with video.
Bottom left of Zoom meeting screen that pops up you will see a little up arrow ^ next to the Stop Video symbol - click that and Choose Virtual Background
A pop up shows the preloaded virtual backgrounds. But you are looking for the little plus sign lined up with the Choose Virtual Background title. Click that!
Now navigate to where you saved that downloaded background on your computer. And select it and click Open. Zoom will automatically pick that as your Virtual Background and it will be stored as an option for the future too.
These backgrounds may look back to front when you are on a call, but it won't look like this for the other participants on the call. You can always untick Mirror my video in Video Settings if you don't like seeing yourself mirrored!
It should look something like the setup below. If so, you can close the pop up and your screen will be the same in the Zoom meeting. You can leave that meeting now. When you join the scheduled webinar or meeting later, your virtual background should be in place as Zoom remembers your last chosen virtual background.
