Key Terms:

Cropping: Removing part of an image’s edges. Often used to emphasize part of an image or remove unnecessary portions.

Flopping: Flipping an image from side to side, creating a mirror image of the original.

Silhouette: Selectively removing edge portions of an image, but not strictly in straight lines as with cropping.

Illustration: Diagrams, maps, charts, or drawings. Useful for showing complex information, explanation, or decoration as appropriate.

Summary:

Images add impact to a design, and appropriate use of images can make or break a page’s design. Photographs generally seem more credible because we associate them with journalism, and can evoke strong reactions in people. Image editing software allows us to manipulate photographs to better suit designs by cropping, flopping, silhouetting, etc. Illustrations are great for explaining and reinforcing text, but must match the tone of the text in order to be effective. Clip art can be useful, but may have restrictions on how it may be used.  Clip art can also be edited and does not have to be used as-is. Type can also be used as an image, in decorative fonts which can be edited.

Playing With Images:

With modern software, it’s very easy to play around with images, both in page design and in image editing software. There are free tools that allow this kind of play, and a great number of tutorials and guides explaining how to use these tools. This makes it relatively easy to learn how to use images in an experimental environment.