Graphics on the Web

Types of graphics used on the Web include: clip art (illustrated or photo images), ornaments (icons, bullets, lines, etc.), textured backgrounds and buttons. Graphics can function as logos, banner ads, navigation tools, etc.

These graphics can be contextual, decorative or both. As you browse the Web, look closely at the graphics you see and try to determine their function(s). How would the page look without the graphic(s)?

Visit the Graphics Checklist for more information.

Note: when creating graphics for the Web, it's very important to keep in mind the dimensions and file size of a graphic and to also consider the possible screen resolutions (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, etc.) and color settings (256 colors, 64K colors, 16 million colors) of the viewer's machine.

Remember: 1) the larger the file size, the longer the graphic will take to download; 2) a 320 px. wide graphic that would fill ¼ of a 1024x768 screen will fill ½ of a 640x480 screen (and would probably overpower the page.)

Most times it's best to work with the lowest common denominators and think small (or at least smaller.)