SECTION ONE: BITMAP AND VECTOR IMAGES
In computing there are alot of different possibilities when it comes to the storage of a digital image, these are commonly referred too as file formats (image files types).
Every single digital image has either one of two classifications which are known as Bitmap or Vector image, there are many differences between the images and how the computer reads and displays them. I will list the strengths, weaknesses and what they do below:
BITMAP IMAGES:
Bitmap images are solely the most common of the picture formats. The majority of all images you see on your computer are bitmap images, Bitmaps are a grid of map of points of light called pixels which are little dots of colour. Bitmaps are formed from rows and columns of pixels that ajoin to create an image. The computer reads the information from the image and arranges the pixels together to create the image.
Advantages:
Bitmap images have the advantage of being easy to create, as if you take a picture using a digital camera or scan something in a scanner then you will of created one. They are very cost effective due to the ease at which they can be viewed and the ease at which they can be come by. You can take an picture of draw something then easily get it on the internet for others to view.
Disadvantages:
The main disadvantage of Bitmap is that the images are not upwards scalable, it is possible to make them smaller without effecting the overall quality of the image but when you try to make them bigger the individual pixels of the image become inflated and look distorted and make the images look very low quality.
VECTOR IMAGES:
Vector images are inherently different from bitmap images, because they are not made up of the of the coloured dots that make up a bitmap. Instead they are made by mathematical formulas called “lines and curves”, that form shapes, that in turn make up an image. So instead of the computer reading a list of coloured dots arranged in an order, it sees mathematical formulas that create shapes. The most common vector image you come in contact with every day, is type. The type you are reading on the screen right now is vector based. You can scale it up and down as much as you want, and you’ll never see a single pixel.
Advantages:
The Advantage to Vector images is it’s scalability. In other words, it’s ability to reproduce itself at any size. With a vector image, you never have to worry about an image looking pixelated. You could print it on a postage stamp , or on the side of a bus, and never loose any quality.
Disadvantages:
The disadvantage of vector is the time and talent needed to create it. You cannot take a photograph in vector. Vector images are drawn on the computer by a graphic artist using vector editing software such as Adobe Illustrator. As a result, vector graphics are not as cost effective as bitmap images.
BITMAP SCALING:
VECTOR SCALING:
SECTION 2: FILE FORMATS
GIF – Use GIF for simple web graphics with limited colors. GIF files are the smallest of the four because they are always reduced to 256 colors, making for fast-loading visuals. That said, GIF isn’t recommended for files with a large range of colors, like photographs or other detailed imagery. But if you are working with small graphics like banners, charts and buttons, GIF is the best format for the job.
PNG – Choose PNG when you need a small file that maintains its original quality. PNG files support millions of colors, plus varying degrees of transparency — so they are perfect for graphic image files, like logos and infographics. However, PNG isn’t compatible with all software or applications. If your goal is to find a file format for widespread use, PNG might complicate the process. But if you need a format that supports millions of colors for your logos and small images, PNG is for you.
JPEG – JPEG is the go-to format for online photos. It supports a full spectrum of colors, and almost all devices and programs can open and save to the JPEG format — making it the most universal of the four. JPEG files are ideal when you want to keep file size down and don’t mind giving up a little quality to create a very small file. That said, JPEG quality drops when images are edited and saved. If you plan to continually edit your files, JPEG is not the format for the job. But if you need to display photos online, JPEG is just right.
TIFF – TIFF is best for any bitmap images that you intend to edit. TIFF doesn’t compress to make for smaller files, because they are meant to preserve quality. TIFF files offer options to use tags, layers, and transparency, and are compatible with photo manipulation programs like Photoshop. If you are looking for a small file or a web-friendly format, TIFF isn’t recommended. But if you plan to edit digital images in a working storage format, consider TIFF your go-to.
BMP is an uncompressed proprietary format invented by Microsoft.
The simplicity of the BMP file format, and its widespread familiarity in Windows and elsewhere, as well as the fact that this format is relatively well documented and free of patents, makes it a very common format that image processing programs from many operating systems can read and write
GIF, PNG, JPEG, BMP and TIFF files are designed for different graphic needs.
SECTION 3: EXAMPLE LOGOS
The Volvic logo is a very simplistic logo that conveys the message of the brand with great ease, the earthy tones of the mountainous structure featured in the background of the logo allows us further understand their message which is that all the water that they sell is filtered through an inactive volcano in France allowing it to amass many minerals and vitality boosting properties. The green and blue colour pallet is very soft and filled with earthy undertones, its simplicity is its greatest advantage as it provides a prominent pedestal for the name of the brand to stand upon. ‘Volvic’ is placed across the middle of the logo in a darker but still gentle blue colour which has connotations to water and nature but it also creates a sense of power and pride in the fact that they are the only brand to use a volcano to filter water. The L in Volvic is protruding from the centre of the volcano which has links to not only the ‘bursts of flavour’ described in some of there products but also to help keep the overriding sense of natural power the logo creates for the brand.
Thee childlike simplicity of this logo is created by the choice of font and very gentle ‘baby’ colour pallet. The the blue block of colour looks asif it is a spill or splat of paint create connotations with creativity and expression but also cling to the realm of childlike design as it looks asif a small child could of spilt some paint or some milk to create a mess. This all sticks with the brand being a Retail fashion outlet as it shows how creative it is possible to be with very simplistic colour pallets and minimal desgins.
Major League Baseball has a pictorial mark which aims to capture a moment of excitement. Alike the logo for NBA, the colours used are from the American flag. It also conveys the message across well as tt is symbolic of American culture and thus is highly memorable.
It features a baseball player in the midst of hitting a baseball. This captures an exciting moment in the game and the feelings that comes with it. That of course, is one of the best feelings that can possibly be associated with the idea of and American Identity.
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