Graphic Identity

Images

Background images should be used sparingly because they can make text difficult to read. Graphic elements or photos can be included in the content area. In general, images that are graphic in nature – Clipart, diagrams or illustrations – should be saved in the Gif file format. Photographs and images that are continuous tone in nature should be saved in the JPEG format. If you are unfamiliar with editing graphics or images, talk to your site coordinator about arranging to work with a graphic artist to acquire your images. Contact the IRT Techdesk at (651) 962-6230 for assistance.


Example of a banner ad image

Graphics for banner ads (example at left) should be a maximum width of 175 pixels wide; the height can vary depending on the content of the graphic. When the banner ad appears in the left column, use the color #502A77 as the background color of the banner. Banners appearing in the right column should have a white background. Photographs that appear in the center content area should be no wider than 300 pixels (full width of content area); height may vary. Contact the IRT Techdesk at (651) 962-6230 for assistance with creating graphics for your site.

Image Size
Graphics and photographs can make your pages more attractive and more informative; however, when used carelessly they can increase download time and frustrate your users. It is important to consider the size of your image file (as measured in kilobytes) as well as the size the image appears on the screen (as measured in pixels). For example, a photograph might be sized to appear on the screen as 200 pixels wide and 300 pixels high, but the file size could be 95K; an image with that file size can take up to 18 seconds to download on a 56K modem. An experienced graphic designer can help you create images that will look attractive on the screen as well as download quickly. Contact the IRT Techdesk at (651) 962-6230 for assistance.

ALT Tags
Alt tags (short for alternative text) provide a description of a photo or graphic for users who choose not to view graphics in their browser or use a text reader because of visual impairments. All graphics should include an ALT tag.