Previous Story
A Question On Graphics
Posted On 23 May 2002
ASK YNOT
Dear YNOT,
Just what experience as a newbie would you say I need for creating AVS sites with a graphics program such as Paintshop Pro?
I’ve been told I need a knowledge of graphics to promote AVS sites and I have Paintshop Pro 7.ASK YNOT
Dear YNOT,
Just what experience as a newbie would you say I need for creating AVS sites with a graphics program such as Paintshop Pro?
I’ve been told I need a knowledge of graphics to promote AVS sites and I have Paintshop Pro 7.
Cheers!
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
It depends…
If you are using the AVS sites to promote your own websites (or just to promote the AVS site itself as a surfer destination), then you need enough graphical ability in whatever program you use, to be able to create your own banner advertising. If you are promoting other people’s websites, then you can always get the banners from them. However, even if that’s the case you may decide that their banner is not satisfactory, so you may end up creating a banner for their site on your own.
Banners don’t have to be complex or contain a lot of “image” type graphics. Many of the most successful banners I’ve seen are primarily text. You should also at some point learn how to create an animated gif banner (although this isn’t necessary to get started). Animation is a catchy way to get someone to click on your banner. I’ve also had reasonable success with banners that contain common widgets, like “windows-looking” buttons.
If you have a budget for a graphic designer to create banners for you, then you don’t need to worry about these graphics skills. If you don’t, you will need to understand some simple concepts about web graphics that are common to most good graphic programs. These include:
1. Understanding the difference in image types (gif, jpg, bmp) and how these types affect file size. (File size is CRITICAL to web graphic work).
2. Understanding some simple graphic construction concepts — layers, grouping, transparency and anti-aliasing, and how to use these tools to create clear and readable banners.
3. Understanding the difference between indexed, dithered and web-safe colors.
Cheers,
JR
YNOTMasters
