Week 3 Discussion – Vector and Raster Files

22 unread replies.44 replies.

Initial post due by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. (MT) Week 3
Two replies due by Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (MT) end of Week 3 (60 pts)
Due Dates and Participation Requirements
Learning Objectives Covered
1. Distinguish the similarities and differences between raster images and vector graphics
2. Distinguish the differences between Pantone, RGB and CMYK gamut
Background
It is very important to understand what vector and raster images are, not only as it relates to using the right type of file for the task but also related to scaling and resolution issues that can be caused when outputting them for digital or offset printing. As designers, we must be able to articulate to a client why several different file types are necessary for different platforms, output devices, and media.
Vector art is resolution independent while raster art is resolution dependent. Vector art is created in a program like Illustrator, where each and every line, curve and solid are plotted on an x/y coordinate grid. That grid can be resized, up or down, to any dimensions and the artwork will always come out perfectly. By contrast, raster art is pixel based meaning each pixel has a particular size and color based on resolution and pixel depth. Photographs are raster art. When it comes to resizing when we shrink raster art, it becomes clearer, and when we enlarge raster art, it becomes fuzzy. When a piece of raster art has been enlarged too much, you see the actual edges of the pixels and it looks like stairs or zig-zags on the edge of the subject matter.
Another important factor is that we can easily change vector art to any size of raster art we want, but going the other way is not easy at all. Imagine drawing a photograph in Illustrator, articulating every change in color and shade – No way! That’s why we have both.
It is for this reason that two things are important to keep in mind while working in the field:
1. When doing a logo for a client, create it in Illustrator. From the vector art, you can go anywhere and do anything.
2. When purchasing photographs for a client, get the highest resolution possible. You can take resolution out, but you can’t put it back.
Another important discernment that graphic designers must be able to articulate relates to the different color spaces that we work in, and how the ranges of colors available within them. Our eyes can see millions of colors, but computer screens and inks can recreate a relative few. The technology and study of these color ranges is called gamut. This short video will help you understand what color gamuts are and how they work:
What is Color Gamut? (Links to an external site.)
(4:15 min)
Prompt
Imagine that you have just landed a great design job. The client would like you to produce a billboard for his company, along with a brochure and some promotional items like embroidered hats and jackets. The company has a logo that they have used for years, and they are sticking with their current brand. The client instructs you to go to their website and grab the logo from the homepage – saying that is where others have gotten it from in the past, and that is the only logo that exists.
For your initial post, address the following questions:
1. Will this logo work for the projects you have been hired to do? Why or why not?
2. How do you explain your dilemma to the client?
3. How does color gamut figure into this?
For your citation, you might use articles that describe the vector vs. raster artwork, print vs. web resolution and color, or which file type is best for which job.
When looking at your fellow student’s discussion posts, you might consider addressing which points that they made came across well, and which need further explanation. What might help clarify their points? Can you help them expand their explanation? Can you share some resources that you found helpful while researching this discussion?
Your initial and reply posts should work to develop a group understanding of this topic. Challenge each other. Build on each other. Always be respectful but discuss this and figure it out together.
Reply Requirements
Per the Due Dates and Participation Requirements for this course, you must submit 1 main post of 150+ words, 1 IWG citation, and reference, as well as 2 follow-up posts of 50+ words. Responses can be addressed to both your initial thread and other threads but must be your own words (no copy and paste), each reply unique (no repeating something you already said), and substantial in nature. Remember that part of the discussion grade is submitting on time (20%) and using proper grammar, spelling, etc. (20% per post).
First reply:
Olivia Isleman
YesterdaySep 17 at 11:55pm
Manage Discussion Entry
Because my client’s logo is old and only exits in internet form it would be very simple to just go with CMYK with a basic printer for such a large job. CMYK is cheaper and more common place so more people know how to print with it. However the client is looking for an exact match to their logo and CMTK can have some color variation due to the limited colors. In this case I feel it could be better to print in Pantone colors because they have the ability to be more exact. Unfortunately Pantone requires a more expensive printer that is less common and therefore more niche skillset will be needed to print with this method. I would also expect the image to be a raster image because of its age. If that were the case I would want to convert it to a vector image for more precise printing as well.

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/vector-vs-raster-graphics/ (Links to an external site.)

https://printingsolutions.com/whats-the-difference-between-cmyk-and-pantone/ (Links to an external site.)

Second reply:
Kenya Cromwell
10:08amSep 18 at 10:08am
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I don’t think this idea is a very good one. I thought that the client would have to send the logo to the designer in some type of file, package, or folder in order to make changes to blow it up for a billboard, or the clothing and the brochure. Just plainly grabbing it off the company’s website wouldn’t be enough to get the best resolution for this project. You would need to see everything that was done to make the logo so you can do it correctly, the other way sounds like a shortcut. If it’s the only logo that exists, they would just have to get what they paid for. I tried placing a logo on Illustrator and it was pixelated; it didn’t look clean when I zoomed in. If I were to get the logo from the homepage, it’d be in the form of a raster image, and my no one would be getting the best quality. I would explain that to my client.
Since I would have to get the logo from the homepage, I would have to change the RGB color gamut (what computer monitors can see) to the CMYK color gamut (what printers can see) so that it can be printed for the billboard and brochures.

What is Color Gamut?(2012). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY-A03-rgX8&feature=youtu.be