24 September 2009

Resloution, Image Size and Type

Last week in class we touched on many topics. The first one we touched on was image size. Before I get into that I would like to answer the question "What changes should be made to an image before it is web ready?"
  1. Cropping
  2. Zoom in or out of the image to make it viewable
  3. Design image for effect. An example would be feathering.
  4. Choose image format. What will be the output of the image. (jpeg, gif, bitmat, pdf...)
  5. Image size. Make the image smaller so that you will save server space
When we talk about resolution we are talking about ppi or pixels per inch. Ppi on a monitor will make the image more clear when we add more pixels to the monitor. The most popular resolution is 1024 x 768. This allows for easy viewing on the monitor. It is not to hard on the eyes. Image resolution also effects print picture size. Here is a table showing the different sizes
less than 640X480 Wallet size only
640X480 absolute largest, 4X6
1024X768 4X6
1152X864 5X7
1600X1200 8X10

Another important aspect of web design is "Type"
The words on the screen play a crucial role. They help direct traffic. They give us a subject or title. They also make for great design and add color to a site. One of the main rules of type is to make it easier to read. If you find type difficult to read chances are you are not the only one. Fonts and sizes make text easy to read on a page. Some fonts require large sizes to read while other require smaller sizes. Fonts can be changed using CSS and through your browsers preferences. Right now I am wondering if my published post will be easy enough to read. I read it once without difficulty but someone else might find it difficult.

The last thing I would like to discuss is a scanner. There are several types of scanners each with its on ability to scan an image for print or web. A scanner uses a CCD device to catch bouncing light off of images. The light returns in the form of electrons. The more electrons the more color there is and visa versa. The quality of the image (resolution) depends on the number of sensors on the CCD device. The more sensors the better the resolution.

12 September 2009

Weekly Blog Activity 1

So after reading about a couple of pages of chapter 1 and 2 I realized I now all this stuff. I skipped to chapter 5 and 6 and pp 186-192. I am totally clueless when it comes to Photoshop. This is in regard to the vast number of options I have when using the program. Things such as picture and word placement play a vital role when deciding to make a web page. In other words, how one designs the page makes it more or less appealing. I also learned about CRAP. Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity. Finally, the difference between Web Design and Print Design. Web Design is designed to keep the reader on the web site. Where as Print you are trying to keep the reader glued to the page. The layout is different. Print is generally limited to a couple of inches or less. The same could be said for the Web but you could generally make it as big as you wanted to within the aspects of the screen and the website you are using.

10 September 2009

Web Design 315

Dear diary. This class is pretty quiet compared to my DCP. The loud people are not here. The instructor, Mrs. Mislevy is pretty cool. I'm going to start writing my blog again. Not because I want to but because I have to...

Wish me luck