Graphics

Graphics are visual elements used to inform the audience. They can direct the audience into a certain direction too. When writing for the web, graphics play a key part as it attracts readers. Graphics heighten the audience's attention, thus making the information more credible and professional. Web users can better understand a particular concept, thus making it clear and interesting with the help of graphics.

Templates

Templates serves as the traditional format that people use to copy and edit for their own purposes.

Be careful about the template being used

To be safe, using traditional templates on site such as VisualCV and WordPress are strongly suggested. Steering away from the norm can turn the audience off. Customizing a template may come off as unprofessional as well. However, on sites such as About.Me and similar sites, customizing is necessary. Though the site has traditional graphic templates, they are stale and often used by many. Make sure though that the visual images being used look professionally done.

Pictures

Pictures on sites should be high quality. Pixilated and high contrast photos create dullness to the audience. Using editing programs such as, Photoshop, will fix the photos. Multimedia and other borrowed graphics ought to be checked daily in case they are broken and deleted. This happening can ruin the cohesiveness of the site and your credibility.

File Formats for Pictures

JPEG

Images commonly known as Joint Photographic Experts Group.

JPEGs is typically the most utilized format for graphic images. These images consists of digital and color photography--either being full color or gray scale. JPEGs capture the "realistic" scenes in the images.

GIF

Images commonly known as Graphics Interchange Format.

GIFs are typically 8-bit, only supporting 256 colors. They consist of a set images that are displayed in a set order. They tend to be moving graphic (or animated) images that loop endlessly. Typically, GIFs are used on Internet forums and media coverage blogs.

Videos

Videos on sites serve as the best graphic because the direct quality they add to the site is hard to compete with. Make sure that videos that embedded from sites like YouTube are checked regularly. Videos from social media sites can be taken down at any time. Again, the cohesiveness and credibility of the site can be greatly affected.

References

1. Carroll, Brian. (2010). "Writing for Digital Media". New York: Routledge. Retrieved 12 Nov. 2012.
2. Lynch, Patrick J., Horton, Sarah. (2009). "Web Style Guide, 3rd Edition". Web Style Guide. Retrieved 12 Nov 2012.
3. Stonebank, M. (1998). "What is the difference between JPEG, GIF and PNG?" Retrieved 12 Nov. 2012.