Stretch tasks R094 TA2: Planning Digital Graphics for Products

Round 1: Quiz Blitz

1. CMYK CMYK for print, RGB for screens.
2. At the start, from the destination Deciding at export means a surprise.
3. The logo The logo and any type should scale to any size.
4. Extra artwork beyond the trim edge So printed colour runs right to the edge.
5. True Fonts are licensed software.
6. What to do next, and how An advert leads with the offer and the call to action.
7. PDF A PDF embeds fonts and keeps vectors.
8. focal point It is often an image placed on a third.
9. Every colour as a value; Every font by name and size Also the canvas size, positions, bleed and annotations.
10. As each asset is found Recording as you go means nothing is missed.
11. Their permission A model release gives that permission.
12. Related information is grouped together Things near each other are read as belonging together.

Round 2: Quick Fire

1. • Print needs about 300 dpi at the final physical size
   • Otherwise it looks pixelated or blurry
   Model answer

   Print needs about 300 dpi at the final physical size, so the photo needs enough pixels for the largest size it will be printed. A photo that is too small has to be enlarged, and it will look pixelated and blurry on the poster.

2. • An advert leads with the offer and a call to action
   • An information graphic leads with clarity
   Model answer

   Most graphics have one leading purpose. An advert leads with the offer and a clear call to action, while an information graphic puts clarity first, with a hierarchy that gets the facts across quickly.

3. • Fonts are licensed software
   • A commercial project needs a licence covering commercial use
   Model answer

   Fonts are licensed software, so each has a licence that sets how it may be used. A commercial project needs a licence that covers commercial use, otherwise using the font is copyright infringement.

4. • Hierarchy: the most important element is read first
   • Another convention, such as white space or a focal point
   Model answer

   Hierarchy makes the most important element the largest or strongest, so it is read first. White space around it removes clutter, so the key message stands out.

Round 3: Big Think

1. • The canvas: 297 by 420 mm, portrait
   • Colours as exact hex and CMYK values
   • Fonts by name, weight and size
   • The position of every element, with a focal point
   • Bleed and safe margins
   • Annotations explaining each intention
   • Each asset's source, format and dimensions
   • Each asset's licence, including fonts
   Model answer

   The visualisation diagram would show the canvas as 297 by 420 mm, portrait, with 3 mm bleed and safe margins marked. Every colour would be given as an exact hex and CMYK value, and every font by name, weight and size, such as Poppins Bold 72pt for the headline. The position of every element would be marked, with the main photo as the focal point placed on a third, and annotations would explain the intention behind each choice. The asset table would list every asset, including fonts, with its source, format, dimensions and licence, checking each licence allows commercial use.

2. • The logo should be a vector
   • So it scales to any size
   • The banner needs RGB at exact pixel dimensions
   • Compressed as a JPG or PNG to load fast
   • The flyer needs CMYK
   • At 300 dpi with bleed, as a PDF
   • Decided at the start, from each destination
   • A naming and versioning plan
   Model answer

   The logo should be created as a vector, so it scales to any size, from the banner to the flyer, and delivered as SVG. The web banner needs RGB at its exact pixel dimensions, exported as a compressed JPG or PNG so the page loads fast. The flyer needs CMYK, because it will be printed, at 300 dpi, with bleed, exported as a PDF. These decisions must be made at the start, from each destination, not at export, and a file naming and versioning plan, such as client-flyer-v01, should be set before the first save.

This or That

1. RGB Screens display RGB.
2. SVG A vector SVG scales with no loss.
3. Bleed Bleed extends the artwork beyond the trim edge.
4. PNG JPG cannot store transparency.
5. No: copyright still applies Using an asset without permission is infringement, even in a school project.
6. Annotations explaining intent Annotations explain why, which is what makes it a plan.
7. PSD A PSD keeps layers, masks and live text.
8. No: it cannot be used Another organisation's trade mark cannot be used as if it were your client's.

Memory Match

• A 6 Hierarchy: Most important element read first
• B 4 Focal point: The element that draws the eye
• C 1 Call to action: Tells the audience what to do next
• D 3 Bleed: Artwork beyond the trim edge
• E 2 CMYK: Colour mode for print
• F 5 RGB: Colour mode for screens

Sort It

1. Screen A compressed JPG for fast loading Small files matter on the web.
2. Screen The platform's pixel size for a social post Each platform sets its pixel size.
3. Print Size given in millimetres Physical sizes are for print.
4. Screen RGB colour mode Screens display RGB.
5. Print A proof checked before the run Proofs check printed colour.
6. Print Bleed and safe margins Bleed is only needed for print.
7. Print 300 dpi Print needs about 300 dpi.
8. Print A print-ready PDF with embedded fonts PDF is the print-ready format.
9. Print CMYK colour mode Printing presses use CMYK.
10. Screen Exact pixel dimensions Screens are measured in pixels.
11. Screen An SVG icon on a web page SVG suits logos and icons on screen.
12. Screen A PNG with transparency PNG suits screen graphics with transparency.