Vector vs. Raster: Which One Suits Your Design?
When it comes to manipulating or creating graphics, designers need to make smart technical decisions about whether their creation calls for a vector or a raster program. The differences between the two can affect not only the look of the final image, but also the ease of creating it and the quality of its future use by a client.
Vector graphics are usually created in Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Adobe Flash, or other vector illustration programs. Vectors are unique in that the images are defined by math, and not pixels, so they’re composed of equations of lines, objects, and fills. Because of this, vector graphics can be scaled up or down, infinitely, without losing image quality or altering the file size. Check out this great resource for finding free vector graphics!
A vector logo design by Skybox Creative
A raster image, by comparison, is essentially a grid composed of millions of pixels, each with an assigned color value. When a raster image is enlarged, it looses detail and clarity because it only has the data from the original smaller image to spread across a larger area. Because of this, consideration of resolution when creating or printing an image is crucial to its ultimate level of quality. Raster-based image editors include Adobe Photoshop and GIMP.
A raster photograph, enhanced with photoshop
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of using either vector or raster? Let’s take a quick look at how they compare.
Vector
PROS
1. Smaller file sizes – good for storage and transfer.
2. Never have to worry about resolution.
3. Easily converted to other formats.
CONS
1. Doesn’t handle photographic detail well.
2. File types are less supported.
3. Not optimal for applying effects.
Raster
PROS
1. Best for displaying and editing photographs
2. Easily apply effects to images
3. Easy to insert into documents and presentations
CONS
1. Resolution dependent – image size can greatly affect image quality
2. File size can be very large if there are too many pixels
3. Difficult to convert to vector format
Knowing these pros and cons should help you decide when to use which format. In general, if you are creating something for scale, such as brand identity print work that demands clean lines and defined shapes, vector is the way to go. If your imaging process is going to involve manipulations or applying effects like fills and textures to a detailed illustration or photograph, raster is the best option.
Skybox Creative is a brand consultancy with an emphasis on web development and technology solutions. Get in touch today! info@skyboxcreative.com or call us at 619.381.3825
