Planning in D203 - Graphics

The chances are you've finished D201, so you know what is expected for this unit. However, there are some special things to think about when tackling it.

• Researching - Plan time for looking at graphics similar to the ones you have to produce. Look for the techniques that professionals have used to make effective images.
• Checking format - Only certain file types are allowed. Make sure you plan in time to check that the software you are working with produces graphics of an acceptable format.
• Making different versions - With graphics software it's quite easy to come up with different solutions to a given problem. Try to set aside time to come up with different versions of a particular graphic - you can then use user feedback to select the best. Plan in time for all these things.
• Checking in different browsers - Sometimes graphics can look different in different browsers (eg Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox), so plan to test your graphics in different browsers. This can be difficult, as your school may only have one browser installed.
• Adapting to print or screen - Make sure you are aware what each graphic is being produced for. You will need different approaches according to whether they are for being seen on screen or printed out.
• Finding out about printers - Good quality graphics would normally be printed out on specialist paper on specialist printers, not the sort of printers you get in most schools. See if you can arrange a visit to a professional print shop to find out about the different options for printing out graphics. Include this visit in your plan.