Today in class we learnt about the grid system in web layout. We were shown examples then created some of our own examples after. In using grids it keeps the page layout tidy and organised which looks professional and is easier on the viewer. 

How my grid was constructed was by using measured rectangles to position rules on a Photoshop page.

Once one was completed for the home page, I was able to work on an information page with the same grid. In using the grid it helped the website design layout to flow. My grid consisted of various segments but one important set of lines were a 10 pixel margin in top, bottom, left and right.  

In class I researched into File Formats. This was something I had little knowledge on so found my findings really helpful.

.JPG - this is a common file format that is used for images taken from a digital camera (vectors). When a JPG is saved it's data is compressed so the quality of the image decreases. Bellow is an example of a JPG file which has been used in my work before. although the quality is still very high, there is some decrease in the larger image...

TIFF - these are also file formats for images. However, they do not contain either text or vectors. They are used only for bitmap data. The TIFF file was one of the first formats available but is still very popular today. A TIFF file has a lot more information and a lot more memory space needed in comparison to a JPG file. Here is an example to show how a TIFF file's quality does not decrease when it's size increases...

.PNG - These files are designed for bitmap images. They were intended to be used to transfer images on the internet so are not up to the professional printing quality. What is different about a PNG file format is it allows the file to be saved with a transparent background. This is very useful and time effective as to get the same result, a clipping mask would have to be added onto the image in Photoshop.

.GIF - These are files which are unique as they can allow the user to compress files, make the background transparent (like a PNG), for interlacing and the ability to store more than one image per file to make an animation. GIF files are used for on the internet. Here is a link of an example of a GIF file sources from Wikipedia...

File:Rotating_earth_(large).gif

AI, IND and PDF - these are all applications brought out by Adobe. Although they all share a lot of the same features they are each used for specific design requirements.
AI - this is Adobe Illustrator. This is a drawing program that is used for vectors.
IND - this is Indesign. This program is more for document layouts. It is easy to combine images and text. Indesign is used in industry for designing magazine layouts.
PSD - This is a file format used for Photoshop. It allows layers to be saved which is a positive as it means work can be altered after the document has been closed. The down side to a PSD is that it contains a large amount of data. Here is an example of a PSD file that shows layers...



.PDF - is a file format which can be viewed, printed and electronically transmitted. It is a file that looks like a printed document but is in fact an image of text or text and graphics.