Design considerations for the Web

Unlike printed artwork that is produced with image setters or digital presses that are capable of resolutions upward of 3000 dots per inch (dpi), artwork that is created for the Web is always viewed on a computer screen, usually at 72 pixels per inch (ppi). Things that a print designer might be used to, like working with high-resolution images, choosing spot colors, or carefully calculating where fold lines or trim lines will be, are of no concern to someone who is designing a website.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking that web designers have it easier than print designers. There are plenty of challenges that a web designer faces—things that never cross the minds of print designers. For example, because people view websites on a computer screen, a designer has no way of knowing what size a viewer’s screen is. Especially now, where you have WebTV, Internet kiosks, and web-capable cell phones, it is important for web designers to create their art so that it can be displayed on virtually any device.

Although print and web technologies are different, it’s important not to lose sight of your goal as a designer—to communicate a message in an effective manner. The same rules of design that apply to the print world also apply to artwork destined for the Web. If you keep this at the forefront of your mind, and if you follow the advice and techniques revealed throughout this tutorial, you’re sure to create effective and compelling web graphics in Adobe® Illustrator® CS2.

Requirements

To follow along with this article, you will need the following software:

Adobe Illustrator CS2

• Try
• Buy

Prerequisite knowledge:

Basic knowledge of Illustrator CS2

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