Digital Graphics (Unit 19.1/54.1)

Introduction

In digital media, there are different types of graphic files and formats we use in everyday life! Today we’ll be looking at the following:

Pixels

Raster files

Vector files

File extensions (e.g.: jpeg)

Pixels You have using photoshop to create differing

types of digital media over the past few weeks, but what about the differing types of graphics and the file extensions we’ve been using (jpeg, PSD?)

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/essentials/pixels/

Please read the following information in the description left and then in the space

below, write down three pieces of

information about pixels from it.

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Pixels

Same image as above zoomed in by 1600%

Original image taken by a digital camera

Pixels The number of pixels used to

create an image is often referred to as the ‘resolution’. The best digital cameras have the highest pixel count because they produce a higher-quality image. In colour images a pixel is typically comprised of three of four colour dots – a red, a blue and a green. When these colour dots converge, they build coloured pixels. You might have spent most of your youth playing Mario games with 256 x 224 pixels – now a typical HD monitor can display 1,366 x 768 pixels.

Look at the differences in pixel size on the earlier Super Mario games compared to the more recent ‘All Star’ product wherein thousands more pixels are being utilised ? What advantages does new technology and enhanced pixel use hold for gamers?

Raster files Raster files are digital images that use pixels. This means

the image is made up of lots of tiny little squares that each have

their own colour.

If you were to zoom into a raster image, it will become distorted

and unclear, allowing you to view the little squares. 

You can edit raster files with computer software such as MS

Paint or more common in the industry, through Photoshop.   Raster file are more likely to be photos rather than

computer graphic designed images.   Colours are constructed by adding the values of red

green and blue.

An advantage of Raster files is that you can use photos

and manipulate them in raster editors such as Photoshop.

Creating a raster logo design using Adobe Photoshop might be ideal for web only usage but if you are serious about branding, then the resulting raster PSD logo file will be of limited use. When sent to a printer or sign maker and when they try to scale the raster logo, the quality deteriorates and pixellation occurs.

Vector Files Vector graphics are based on mathematical expressions

that use lines, curves, shapes or polygons to represent

images in computer graphics. They are usually made through Adobe

Illustrator

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), is the primary vector format. EPS is more

commonly used in printing, while another format, SVG

(Scalable Vector Graphic), was designed for Web use.

Vector graphics, unlike raster graphics, appear smooth at the edges no

matter how they are sized, whereas raster graphics appear jagged, or

pixilated, when up-scaled.

However, vector files do not support

photographic imagery well and often can

be problematic for cross-platform exchange

This makes vector graphics ideal for logo design. Creating a vector logo is more difficult but the effort pays for itself when the vector logo file is sent to printers or sign makers etc. The vector logo can be scaled up or down without losing quality.

Vector Files

Here is an example of a

Vector graphic at 200% & 800%

on the right side

Notice the difference in quality

between the raster version on the

left side?

Vector images are easier to re-size

without them turning pixilated

as it is smooth. They can be created on

Adobe Illustrator and then saved it as a .EPS file extension.

File Extensions

File extensions are the format that a file is being saved as.

This depends on the different software you are using

If you were using word you would save your document as .Doc or .Docx

In terms of graphics the common file extension of a Raster file is .JPEG or .BITMAPThe common file extension for a Vector graphic would be .EPS

What is the file extension for Photoshop? Can you remember?

PSD File

Positioning/DesignAdvertising images that are produced through Photoshop are all carefully planned and thought out in advance, down to the colours used, where people are placed and how big/small certain text is. This is to make sure that a product being sold on a poster manipulates you to the fullest, gaining your interest so that you will part with your hard earned dosh!

Who is the main character in Scream 4 and how does this poster tell you that?

Why is Ghostface in the background? What is it implying (think Size? Colours?) What meaning does it create?

How good is this poster at selling you a holiday? How does it do succeed? Think of the colours being used (stand out), what the colours mean? Where the women is positioned and what she is doing?.)

Task 1. Pick out 2-3 images on the internet (poster, photographs, adverts,

billboard design), and using the idea of colours and the positioning of items within (space used, text, people etc), please investigate the meanings they inform on you. What are your conclusions and ideas based on what colours, characters, font, spacing the poster is using?

Is there anything that you would change if you redesigned the same poster, what would you do different?

Use the following to help you think of the meaning of the image and how it manipulates you?

Base your ideas here on the following;

Colours – why have they used a blue colour instead of red for instance? (Blue can mean chilled out, cool, calming, sad). Are the makers trying to make you feel this through their product/digital image?

Spacing – where are certain characters/products/items? Are some items in front of others? What does this mean – an order of importance?

Context? Where is the image being displayed and why? Eg: Bus Shelter = more people will see it. Eg: Film poster is in a film magazine? Why is this the best place?

Does the image work overall? Would you buy/see the product advertised?

If you finish…

1. Attempt a quick advert yourself using photoshop to advertise a favourite product of your own (eg PS4)

http://www.logodesignworks.com/blog/logo-design-file-formats

2. Using the above website, please give me a definition of the following file formats and when they can used best

JPEG Files:

PSD Files: