Images

Can a picture paint a thousand words, or just give us 1000K download?

Since the introduction of the <IMG> tag in the Mosaic browser images have become an important part of the Web. Many web designers wouldn't even contemplate making a website without incorporating some kind of graphic whether it be a photograph, a logo, or a graphical navigation system.

However, it pays to be careful when considering what role images will play on your website.

This section covers some of the more advanced issues around using images on the Internet. You will be able to use images on your websites efficiently and consistently and avoid the many pitfalls of viewing images on multiple platforms and browsers.

Learning Objectives

To provide learners with an understanding of best practice when creating images for the Web.
To familiarise learners with the different options for creating images for the Web.
To show learners how to create an image using the GIF format.
To show learners how to create an image using the JPEG format.
To enable users to place images in their web pages.

Requirements: Image manipulation software.

Images on the Web

Do you really need to use Images?

The first thing to remember is to always ask yourself why you are using an image, if text or a design using html could do the same job in a simpler way. There are two reasons for asking yourself these questions.

Firstly, if you are making a web page primarily to convey textual information, then an excessive use of graphics can make it "over designed", confusing and difficult to read.

Secondly, an image file has a much bigger file size than a text file and takes much longer to download. For example, imagine someone views your web site in order to read your CV, but on your homepage they have to wait five minutes for an image to download before they can follow a link to your CV. It may be a particularly nice image of your kittens, but it doesn't help your future employer.

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Christopher Ward London Limited