Creating Your Own Meme

Creating Your Own Meme

  • Decoding the Meaning Behind Memes

    • |

  • Designing an Internet Meme

    • |

  • Video

    • |

  • Q&A

    • |

  • Tips

    • |

  • Warnings

This piece was collaboratively written by wikiHow staff writer Travis Boylls. With over a decade of experience as a tech writer at wikiHow, Travis has also provided technical support for Dish Network and AT&T Wireless. His educational background includes graphic design and web design studies at Pikes Peak Community College. Travis specializes in various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and video game consoles. His passion for computers and technology traces back to his early years, and he is skilled in a wide range of software and computer operating systems.

The facts in this article have been verified, guaranteeing the correctness of all referenced information and affirming the reliability of its sources.

This article has been read 997,141 times.

In 1976, Richard Dawkins, a biologist, introduced the concept of the “mimeme,” commonly abbreviated as “meme,” describing it as a fundamental element of cultural dissemination.[1]
A meme is described as a concept, behavior, style, or trend that transmits from one individual to another within a cultural context. Online, it typically appears as an image or video paired with a funny caption, circulating widely across social platforms. Internet memes can take on many distinct forms. This wikiHow guide provides instructions for creating a simple internet meme.

Decoding the Meaning Behind Memes

  1. Memes come in a wide variety of categories. Various online subcultures also develop their own distinct meme formats. Below are some examples of different meme styles:[2]

    • Traditional:Memes are the familiar content widely shared across social platforms. They commonly feature instantly recognizable visuals, like a famous movie moment, a well-known personality, pictures of felines, or a trending photograph. These memes frequently reflect on popular culture and ongoing happenings.
    • Dank:Memes rely on absurdity or humor taken out of context. Dank memes frequently mock conventional memes by using them in bizarre, unexpected ways. They typically focus on memes that are fading in popularity or becoming outdated.
    • Edgy:Edgy memes use provocative, dark comedy designed to unsettle audiences and challenge societal boundaries.
    • Wholesome:Wholesome memes are not as funny but instead convey an optimistic and heartwarming sentiment.

  2. The word “meme” commonly describes internet memes. These are usually captioned pictures or clips shared widely across various platforms and social networks. Memes come in numerous forms, frequently featuring recurring visuals, formats, or themes. The term can also encompass slang, online abbreviations (such as LOL, BTW, WTF), emoticons, or keyboard-based expressions.[3]
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  3. Memes typically mock how individuals respond to trending topics or news. The comedy often relies on sarcasm. At times, meme humor may be bizarre or utterly illogical. The amusement stems from highlighting the absurdity of a scenario or simply embracing sheer ridiculousness.[4]

    • A notable instance of meme culture involves the surge of Harambe-related content following the gorilla’s death, which occurred when Cincinnati Zoo personnel intervened to rescue a child who had entered the enclosure. The memes employed irony to satirize the intense reactions from animal rights advocates mourning the loss of the critically endangered species.
    • A classic instance of absurd meme comedy involves dropping heavy bass or adding warped audio to highlight a scene in a clip, making it the sole purpose for viewing.
  4. Meme trends constantly evolve, and what’s popular today might fade tomorrow. To stay relevant, avoid outdated memes by checking what’s trending this year. Observe the memes circulating on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, or 4Chan. Steer clear of “dead” memes—those no longer used as templates or forgotten altogether. For fresh ideas, browse active subreddits such as r/memes and r/dankmemes. Occasionally, a specific meme format gains sudden popularity. When that happens, capitalize on the trend. For instance, Bernie Sanders memes recently dominated the scene for several days.

    • For instance, enteringInternet memes from October 2023Searching on Google reveals countless memes highlighting how this year continues to deteriorate, escalating toward a catastrophic or apocalyptic event.
    • knowyourmeme.com serves as a valuable platform for documenting various meme subjects, offering in-depth insights into their beginnings and well-known instances.
  5. Incorporating well-known references to trending events, books, films, video games, and similar topics enhances the humor and appeal of memes.

    • Common movie moments are frequently employed to convey reactions to situations. Well-known examples feature Willy Wonka grinning smugly, Futurama’s Fry narrowing his eyes, and the Joker performing his iconic stairway dance.
  6. Combining a mild image with provocative text (or the reverse) creates a strange, illogical juxtaposition in the meme. Such absurdity is frequently what makes memes go viral.

    • Pairing a picture of a kitten with humor filled with profanity effectively creates an absurd atmosphere.

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  • Traditional:Memes are the standard content found across social media platforms. They frequently feature widely familiar visuals, like a film still, a famous personality, pictures of felines, or a trending photo. These memes commonly reflect on popular culture and ongoing happenings.
  • Dank:Memes rely on absurdity or humor taken out of context. Dank memes frequently mock conventional memes by repurposing them in bizarre or unexpected manners. They typically focus on memes that are fading in popularity or becoming outdated.
  • Edgy:Edgy memes use provocative, dark comedy designed to unsettle audiences and challenge conventional boundaries.
  • Wholesome:Wholesome memes are not as funny but convey an optimistic and inspiring tone.
  • A notable instance of meme culture involves the surge of Harambe-related content following the gorilla’s death at the hands of Cincinnati Zoo personnel to rescue a child who had entered the enclosure. These memes employed irony to ridicule the intense response from animal rights advocates mourning the loss of the critically endangered species.
  • A classic instance of absurd meme comedy involves dropping bass or adding warped audio to hyper-emphasize a scene in a clip, making it the sole purpose for viewing.
  • For instance, enteringInternet memes from October 2023Searching on Google reveals countless memes joking about how this year continues to deteriorate, escalating toward a catastrophic or apocalyptic climax.
  • knowyourmeme.com serves as a valuable reference for tracking various meme subjects, offering in-depth insights into their beginnings and well-known instances.
  • Common scenes from well-known films are frequently employed to convey reactions to situations. Familiar examples feature Willy Wonka wearing a sly grin, Fry from Futurama narrowing his eyes, and Joker performing his iconic stairway dance.
  • Pairing a picture of a kitten with humor filled with swear words effectively creates an absurd atmosphere.

Crafting a Meme

  1. Most memes rely on a visual element. Choose an image or video that effectively conveys your intended message. This could be a still from a movie capturing an actor’s reaction, a screenshot of an absurd social media post, or a picture of a well-known personality. Alternatively, you might use multiple images arranged together for comparison or contrast.

    • Google Images allows you to find and save virtually any picture you can imagine.
    • You can also utilize the screenshot feature on your computer, smartphone, or tablet to take pictures from videos, games, or social platforms.
  2. Creating a meme doesn’t require complex tools. Any application capable of adding text to an image will suffice. Built-in photo editors on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phones, and tablets are perfectly suitable. For more advanced options, software like Photoshop can be downloaded. Mobile users may prefer apps such as Memeatic.[5]

    • Windows:MS Paint is included by default with Windows. This program allows you to insert text into images and create simple drawings. Launch MS Paint and selectFileThe original text is not provided. Please include the content you’d like rewritten, and I’ll ensure it’s rephrased uniquely while preserving its core meaning, context, and key terms. Proper nouns and specific terminology will remain unchanged. Only the rewritten version will be provided, without additional explanations or introductions.Opento open an image in MS Paint.
    • Mac:To edit an image using the default “Preview” application, select the marker-shaped icon to access the markup features.
    • iPhone and iPad:Select an image from your Camera Roll or Photos app. TapEditIn the top-right corner, select the three-dot icon (…). Then, click the icon located in the upper-right section. PressMarkupto show the markup tools.
    • Android smartphones and tablets:Open a photo from your Gallery. Next, select the pencil-shaped icon at the screen’s bottom to bring up the markup tools.
    • Mastering Advanced Photo Editing Techniques:For more advanced photo editing, Adobe Photoshop or GIMP—a free Photoshop alternative—are excellent options. Photoshop Express, available at no cost on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, is another useful tool. Autodesk SketchBook also serves as a powerful photo editor for iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets.
    • Apps for creating memes:Beyond photo editing tools, numerous apps are tailored for creating memes. Imgur Meme Generator is a reliable web-based option that operates directly in your browser. Similarly, ImgFlip Meme Generator functions entirely online. For mobile users, Meme Generator is a no-cost app compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, including tablets.
    • Video Editing:To replace a still image with a video, video editing software is necessary. Expensive options such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut aren’t required—free alternatives like Windows Movie Maker, InShot, or Filmora Wondershare will suffice. The approach remains unchanged; the only difference is using a brief video clip rather than a static image.
  3. In most photo editing applications, the Text tool is represented by either a “T” or an “A” icon. Select the text tool by clicking or tapping it, then choose the desired location for your text. Typically, positioning the text centered at the top or bottom works best. Aim for concise and straightforward wording.[6]

    • On iPhone and iPad, press the plus symbol (+) at the screen’s bottom and selectTextTo use the text tool, select the text box and then tap it.Editto modify the content within the text field.
    • On iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, press and slide the text box to position it in your desired location.
  4. Choose a font for your text from the font options drop-down menu. Impact is the most popular font for memes, known for its bold and readable style. If the app you’re using doesn’t include Impact, opt for a thick sans-serif alternative such as Arial or Helvetica.
  5. Select a font color by clicking or tapping any of the colored swatches. Ensure the text remains legible against the background. Black or white fonts are typically the most effective. If available, opt for white text with a black outline for better visibility.
  6. Unless the text is meant to identify elements within the image, the image itself should be prominent, centered at the top or bottom. Adjust the font size using the drop-down menu. On iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, resize the text by tapping the text box and pinching outward with your thumb and index finger.
  7. After you finish editing the photo, tapSave or DoneOn smartphones and tablets, hold down the image to save it. For computer users, simply click to download.FileThe original text is not provided. Please include the text you’d like rewritten, and I’ll ensure it’s rephrased while preserving its original meaning, context, and key terms.“Save as” enables users to store a file under a different name, location, or format while preserving the original. This function is useful for creating backups, modifying versions, or saving changes without altering the initial file. It ensures flexibility in file management by allowing multiple iterations of the same document.Save your image by entering a file name and selecting the save option.Save.[7]
  8. After crafting your meme, share it widely to boost its reach. Begin by drafting a fresh post on a social media platform or online forum. Select the option to upload an image or video. Publish the meme and observe the engagement it generates.[8]
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  • Google Images allows you to find and save virtually any picture you can imagine.
  • You can also utilize the screenshot feature on your computer, smartphone, or tablet to take pictures from videos, games, or social media platforms.
  • Windows:MS Paint is included by default with Windows. It allows you to insert text into images and create simple drawings. Launch MS Paint and selectFileThe subsequent text is as follows:Opento open an image within MS Paint.
  • Mac:To edit an image using the default “Preview” application, select the marker-shaped icon to access the markup toolbar.
  • iPhone and iPad:Select an image from your Camera Roll or Photos app. PressEditIn the top-right corner, select the three-dot (…) icon. Then, press the option located in the upper-right section. ChooseMarkupto show the markup tools.
  • Android smartphones and tablets:Open a photo in your Gallery. Next, select the pencil-shaped icon at the screen’s bottom to bring up the markup tools.
  • Mastering Advanced Photo Editing Techniques:For more advanced photo editing, Adobe Photoshop or GIMP—a free alternative to Photoshop—are excellent options. Photoshop Express, available at no cost on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, is another useful tool. Autodesk SketchBook also serves as a powerful advanced photo editor for iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets.
  • Apps for creating memes:Along with photo editing tools, numerous apps are tailored for creating memes. The Imgur Meme Generator is a reliable web-based application that operates directly in your browser. Similarly, the ImgFlip Meme Generator functions entirely online. For mobile users, the Meme Generator app is a no-cost option compatible with iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, including tablets.
  • Video Production Editing:To replace a still image with a video, video editing software is required. Expensive options such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut aren’t necessary—free alternatives like Windows Movie Maker, InShot, or Filmora Wondershare will work. The approach remains identical, except a brief video clip will be used in place of a static image.
  • On iPhone and iPad, press the plus symbol (+) at the screen’s bottom and selectTextTo use the text tool, select the text box and then tap it.Editto modify the content within the input field.
  • On iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, press and slide the text box to position it in your desired location.

Community Questions & Answers

  • Question
    Is it possible to earn income by designing memes?
    Public Response
    If you work as a professional YouTuber or in graphic design/print production, it could happen, though the chances are slim.

    Thank you! We’re happy to hear this was useful.

    We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us.

    If wikiHow has made a difference for you, think about making a modest donation to help us assist more people like yourself. Our goal is to offer free how-to guidance to everyone, and even a contribution as small as $1 aids our cause.

    Support wikiHow

    Yes
    No
    Unhelpful50
    Helpful 144
  • Question
    Can a meme alleviate or trigger depression?
    Collective Response
    Laughter doesn’t technically accomplish either, yet studies indicate it offers significant health benefits.

    Appreciate it! We’re happy this was useful.

    We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us.

    If wikiHow has made a difference for you, think about making a modest donation to help us continue assisting others like yourself. Our goal is to offer free, practical guidance to everyone, and even a contribution as small as $1 aids our cause.

    Support wikiHow

    Yes
    No
    Unhelpful51
    Helpful 205
  • Question
    What are the steps to create an effective meme?
    Flux
    Community Response
    Spend a moment genuinely considering a humorous concept for a meme. You can generate ideas through brainstorming, or one might suddenly come to mind. Avoid attempting to create a meme if you don’t already have a solid joke prepared.

    Appreciate it! We’re happy this was useful.

    We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us.

    If wikiHow has made a difference for you, think about making a modest donation to help us assist more people like yourself. Our goal is to offer free how-to guidance to everyone, and even a single dollar contributes to this cause.

    Support wikiHow

    Yes
    No
    Unhelpful68
    Helpful 154

Video

Tips

  • A meme might just involve using an unrelated image and pairing it with text like “When [situation]” (such as a photo of an elephant skeleton labeled “When you overindulge during Thanksgiving dinner”).

    Thanks

    Helpful
    11Unhelpful0

Advice from Our Audience

  • To ensure your meme gains widespread popularity, consider a specific audience and create a meme tailored to them. The meme will resonate more and achieve greater success if the audience finds it relatable.
  • Classic memes often feature the Impact font or comparable typefaces positioned uniformly, typically at the top or bottom of the image.
  • Check out trending memes to see what’s currently popular, and aim to replicate their style!

Warnings

  • Memes often showcase brutal humor, and the meme culture tends to follow suit. If you decide to participate in this space, expect to encounter regularly crude, inappropriate, or offensive material.

    Thanks

    Helpful
    24The response was unproductive and failed to provide useful assistance.2

You May Also Enjoy

References

  1. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meme
  2. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/categories
  3. ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/what-is-a-meme/
  4. ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/what-is-a-meme/
  5. ↑ https://www.wired.com/story/6-easy-ways-make-memes/
  6. ↑ https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-make-a-meme/
  7. ↑ https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-make-a-meme/
  8. ↑ https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-make-a-meme/

This Article’s Overview

1. Observe trending memes to identify what’s popular and relevant at the moment.
2. Choose an image to serve as the foundation for your meme.
3. Load the image into an image editing program, like MS Paint, Photoshop, or GIMP.
4. Utilize the text tool to insert centered text at the image’s top or bottom.
5. Choose a strong, sans-serif typeface such as Impact, Arial Black, or Helvetica Black for your text.
6. Choose between black or white text, or white text with a black border.
7. Increase the text size to ensure readability.
8. Store your image and distribute it online.
Want to learn how to craft the perfect dank meme? Keep reading for expert advice!

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