| JS Graphics, Inc. - Strategic Design for Smart Business
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Creative License...
Take All You Want!
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WHADAYA KNOW...?
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- Valentine's Day brings to mind the iconic LOVE sculpture. The original resides in Philadelphia, although there are now copies all over the world. Just last year, the same sculptor created a HOPE sculpture for the DNC in Denver.
- The first person to email me with the name of the artist and the year the LOVE sculpture debuted will receive public accolades in my next newsletter and a token of appreciation designed just for them!
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- Kim Reddington, CereusWomen, was the first to reply with the answer to last month's question. The Helvetica typeface was designed in 1957 by Swiss font designer Max Miedinger.
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| Hi,
Have you ever sent a logo file or other image file to a designer or printer only to be told it can't be used because it's "bit-mapped"? A "vector" file is needed instead. What are they talking about?
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Bit-Map vs. Vector Images
 All digital images are either bit-mapped or vector files. What is the difference? Think of bit-mapped (or raster) graphics as an image where each pixel of the image is equal to a tile in a mosaic or an embroidered cross-stitch. If you stand back or squint your eyes, the individual elements come together to form a picture. But as you move closer, you begin to notice the pieces that make up the whole.- The same principle applies with a bit-mapped graphic...the more you enlarge it, the fuzzier it appears because you are starting to see the individual pixels that make up the image.
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 On the other hand, vector (or object-oriented) graphics are based on mathematical equations of points and paths to represent them in computer files. Since the art is created using lines and curves, it will reproduce as crisply on a business card as it will on a billboard. Think of an ink drawing-no matter how close you get, the lines are still crisp and smooth.- If it the difference still isn't clear, spend three minutes watching this informative and amusing video, Pixels vs. Vectors, on MacMercTV. A picture (or in this case, a video) is worth a thousand words!
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Tips to Recognizing Image File Types
- Now that we've defined the difference
 between bit-mapped and vector graphics, here are a few tips to tell which file is which!
- Files with a TIFF, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP or PSD suffix are raster-graphics. All photo files are raster images, which is why it is important to provide a designer or printer with the highest resolution file that you have. A low resolution 11" x 17" image will only be 2.5" x 4" at high resolution. All scanned images are also raster graphics, as are any images imbedded in a Word document.
- Files with an EPS, AI or SVG suffix are vector graphic files. These graphics have been created by special programs such as Adobe Illustrator and various CAD programs. It's especially advantageous for logo files, or any graphics that needs to be crisp and clear, to have been created in this format.
- Why does a low-resolution image look fine on a computer screen or printed from a desktop printer? Computer screens are configured to show low-resolution images clearly. The same is true for most office printers. For professional printing, however, images need to be high-resolution (300dpi). So what looks OK on-screen won't necessarily look good when printed.
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| At JS Graphics, we realize that it isn't a perfect world... the ideal file type or resolution is not always available for your intended need. Not to worry; we have a few tricks up our sleeve to make raster graphics look better and can even convert many raster graphics to vector. We can also advise you on creating and saving files correctly for the purpose you have in mind. If you're unsure whether or not the files you have are appropriate for your next project, contact JS Graphics. We'll clear it up for you right away!
Wishing everyone a happy Valentine's Day,
Jody
Jody Shyllberg
JS Graphics, Inc.
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