P2 – Explain how different types of graphic images relate to file formats
There are two main types of image types in the perspective of a graphic artist:
File types
Bitmap – Bitmap are one of the most commonly used image formats in the graphics industry. They
provide images in a clear format with high levels of detail and quality. As much as it’s used in
photography, these images can serve several other purposes.
Graphic designers choose bitmap because it suits their needs better and the image quality is far more
superior than most file types. It is also very easy to create a bitmap image as it requires either a
scanner or a camera and is created immediately after. Finally it is also cost effective as these images
can be uploaded to the internet or emailed to other people without having to pay and can be done
with ease. But like vector, it has drawbacks. Due of the quality of the images, the size would be
significantly larger which is not helpful for mass producing graphic artists (and if it’s their career). It’s
also hard to find a solution to that problem too, as reducing the size will essentially ruin the quality
Vector – Vector images are the other main type of images that is widely used by many people. It is
mainly used in digital photography as images captured on a digital camera are automatically
‘registered’ as JPEG or GIF images. Vector images provide many benefits not only to photographers, but
graphic designers: They don’t take up as much space as other file types (this is due to the removal of
unnecessary aspects of information) and the image appearance is to a good standard, good enough for
graphic designers to use that image. Most people have a tendency to work with vector images due to
its popularity and reliability, however, vector images are quite vulnerable, meaning that if the image
file is converted some data can be lost along with the overall quality. However there is a small chance
that happens.
File aspects
File conversion – Every file such as image, text or videos are designed in a given format (or original
format). Sometimes an original format cannot be used due to copyright issues. This is when conversion
comes in. File conversion is when original files can be changed into another file type that suits the
client needs (Ex: Changing an image from GIF to JPEG). The results can be beneficial when converting,
sometimes the size is reduced or maybe the quality is improved.
File size – Different file types normally have a certain amount of storage space that it takes up. This can
vary depending on the type of file. Videos normally take up more space than images and images are
the same with text, this is because each file type is larger in scale. Images can appear in numerous
different formats and some formats are better than others. Bitmap has good quality but the space it
takes up is not ideal for artists, whereas vector are considered the best as it does not take up so much
space and the quality is still good. It is important that a graphic artist has enough storage space for
their creations, especially if it a career or an internet hobby.
There are two main types of image types in the perspective of a graphic artist:
File types
Bitmap – Bitmap are one of the most commonly used image formats in the graphics industry. They
provide images in a clear format with high levels of detail and quality. As much as it’s used in
photography, these images can serve several other purposes.
Graphic designers choose bitmap because it suits their needs better and the image quality is far more
superior than most file types. It is also very easy to create a bitmap image as it requires either a
scanner or a camera and is created immediately after. Finally it is also cost effective as these images
can be uploaded to the internet or emailed to other people without having to pay and can be done
with ease. But like vector, it has drawbacks. Due of the quality of the images, the size would be
significantly larger which is not helpful for mass producing graphic artists (and if it’s their career). It’s
also hard to find a solution to that problem too, as reducing the size will essentially ruin the quality
Vector – Vector images are the other main type of images that is widely used by many people. It is
mainly used in digital photography as images captured on a digital camera are automatically
‘registered’ as JPEG or GIF images. Vector images provide many benefits not only to photographers, but
graphic designers: They don’t take up as much space as other file types (this is due to the removal of
unnecessary aspects of information) and the image appearance is to a good standard, good enough for
graphic designers to use that image. Most people have a tendency to work with vector images due to
its popularity and reliability, however, vector images are quite vulnerable, meaning that if the image
file is converted some data can be lost along with the overall quality. However there is a small chance
that happens.
File aspects
File conversion – Every file such as image, text or videos are designed in a given format (or original
format). Sometimes an original format cannot be used due to copyright issues. This is when conversion
comes in. File conversion is when original files can be changed into another file type that suits the
client needs (Ex: Changing an image from GIF to JPEG). The results can be beneficial when converting,
sometimes the size is reduced or maybe the quality is improved.
File size – Different file types normally have a certain amount of storage space that it takes up. This can
vary depending on the type of file. Videos normally take up more space than images and images are
the same with text, this is because each file type is larger in scale. Images can appear in numerous
different formats and some formats are better than others. Bitmap has good quality but the space it
takes up is not ideal for artists, whereas vector are considered the best as it does not take up so much
space and the quality is still good. It is important that a graphic artist has enough storage space for
their creations, especially if it a career or an internet hobby.
