It is true! In graphics optimization, seen as a part of website optimization, the smallest is the best. Of course, the element in question should still serve its purpose of being the expression of an idea. Furthermore, it should be understandable, clear, suggestive and good-looking. Let’s see together which could be the right choices (in terms of web graphics optimization) when we decide what type of graphics we’ll use on a website.
What kinds of web graphics are present on the Internet?
When it comes to their origin, there are two types of graphic digital files: vector graphics (created with software tools like Corel DrawTM , FreehandTM etc.) and raster graphics (photographs, 3D renders and any other type of bitmap files). Most of the web sites on the World Wide Web hold as graphic elements bitmap-type graphics in three different formats: GIF (standing for Graphics Interchange Format), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and PNG (Portable Network Graphics). All these 3 types use different compression algoritms to considerably reduce the size of the graphic file. Because PNG is not so popular, I hope that you will forgive me if I stick to GIF and JEG in my article. Probably you already know a lot about these (or you can browse the web and find plenty of information) so I’ll get directly to the choices we must make when it comes to design our web site.
How many colors should we use for our web graphics?
What type of bitmap files will hold our web graphics?
Some specialists say that we should always go with JPEG, because it supports 16 milion colors and produces quite small files. Well, this is not entirely true, I think. I can only tell you for sure that we don’t have to go with the same type all over our website. How’s that? Let’s see!
When should we go with GIF?
When to use JPEG format?
Which are the inconveniences of each format?
From my point of view, these are the main limitations for GIF and for JPEG formats:
For GIF: limited number of colors (it can show 16 milion colors, but only in dithered mode, which I do not recommend)
For JPEG: compression is done by reducing quality of the graphics (loss of sharpness, “hair filaments”, “pixelate” areas etc.)
Whatever format you choose, when it comes to graphics optimization as a part of website optimization, the SMALLEST is the BEST! Beside the format choice, keep in mind some tips when you create and optimize your web graphics:
I hope that this article will help you in your work and always keep in mind that, when it comes to graphics optimization and website optimization, the smallest is the best – as long as it serves its purpose.
Copyright 2005 Decebal (Dudi) Scraba
Graphic Designer since 1994, Web Designer and Website Optimization Specialist
http://www.ewolwe.com/
contact@e-mail.com
