Table of Contents
Introduction
Everyone knows the importance of excellent web design and custom browsing, but not enough attention is paid to the quality and file formats used. Website designers better understand this than the average website owner or blogger. Still, today there are more than enough resources to help us all better understand why and how such elements are essential.
Today, we’re looking at some of these resources that will show you how to improve your website and brand and give your audience the best viewing experience possible.
All digital graphics are created in two formats: raster or vector. Raster files consist of pixels and tiny squares forming a complex image together. The more pixels in the image, the higher the image resolution and quality. On the other hand, vector files are more beneficial for your web design.
Importance Of Vector Graphics
Vector graphics use math equations to create smooth lines without pixels. Regardless of the size of the image, it is always high resolution. Vector files are also fully customizable, so you can change your graphics in the future without having to start over.
This does not mean that there is no space to use raster files. For example, photos can only be saved as raster, as they naturally consist of tiny coloured dots. However, professional images have a very high resolution, significantly improving the quality. Other designers prefer to work in Photoshop, a grid program, rather than Illustrator or InDesign. This requires the use of raster files.
Vector images can be perfectly matched to the resolution of your screen or printing device to ensure a final product of the highest quality. This is extremely important for any business or cause-based non-profitable businesses through WooCommerce donation integration or any company worldwide that has a fully responsive web design and uses such image files for printing.
Before we start with some best practices and tips, let’s first look at the basics of vector graphics. With so many different image formats and files used on the Internet today, it’s essential to ensure that the right ones are used to show quality and for loading and performance issues.
Where Vector Art and Design Meet
Since both designers and illustrators can work with vectors, it is crucial to understand their differences.
Designer
When creating an advertisement, website or other element, designers carefully consider the overall makeup when organizing text, graphics and other structural features. Designers use vector graphics created by illustrators or sometimes create their vector graphics for designers in these compositions. A designer can generate vector projects that contain many different vector graphics.
Illustrator
Illustrators are often more artistic and create individual images rather than an entire project. Illustrators can create unique vector graphics that are independent or added to another illustration by a graphic designer.
What You Should Know About Vector Graphics
You Can Resize Them
You can resize vector images without losing pixels or image quality. The idea remains crystal clear – even magnified several times. You know how important they are if you’ve worked on illustrations or web graphics. Few things make you feel like an enthusiast rather than a customer asking, “Can I see it bigger
A Smaller File Size
Every gigabyte matters, especially when you store hundreds of projects. Another advantage of vector graphics is the tiny file size. Math equations do not require as much storage space as there is less information to store. Meanwhile, raster graphics must contain thousands of data pixels, resulting in a file extension.
Several File Formats
The standard format for web design vector graphics is.SVG. The Global Network Consortium sets the standard for modern Internet design. You set SVG as the default file format for web-based vector images. However, there are additional file formats: .cgm, .odg, .eps, and .xml. Vector graphics can also be found in PDF files. Adobe Illustrator uses its own AI-type vector AI file for illustration and placement.
Common Vector File Formats
Vector files can be saved, opened, and exported in four main formats – AI, EPS, SVG, and PDF. Each format has different functions and characteristics that affect how programs transmit or read it.
.AI Files
An AI or Adobe Illustrator graphics file belongs to Illustrator, and with a few exceptions, it can usually be read and edited in your program. In addition to Illustrator, this file format can be edited in CorelDRAW, but with restrictions. These files also depend on the version. This means that the same file appears differently in different versions of Illustrator.
.EPS Files
An encapsulated Postscript file contains 2D vector graphics, text and rasters. This file format is a standard exporting vector design because it can quickly transfer between project programs and users without losing any data.
When you upload a vector image to Shutterstock, you will find that it will be exported as an EPS file. You can open this vector file format for editing in Adobe Illustrator or convert it to a raster file in Adobe Photoshop.
.SVG Files
SVG or Scalable Vector Graphics is a textual description of images made up of vectors, rasters, and text. Its resolution-independent and easily displays high-quality files is ideal for the web.
.PDF Files
PDF or Portable Document Format is a universal standard file format displaying both vector and raster graphics. Use this file format to prepare projects for printing or to show your vector graphics on the web.
Conclusion
Vector images provide high-quality, scalable images while maintaining file size and width. The advantages of vector graphics make vectors the first choice for printing shapes, customizing logos and labels, and creating illustrations and infographics.
Using a project editor such as Figma to keep the image a complete vector is essential. Otherwise, it may come as a surprise to resize or print the image.
