Image Formats 101 for Graphic Design & Web Development

Choosing the right image format is crucial for creating stunning designs and functional websites.

Whether you're a graphic designer, seasoned developer, or just interested in understanding file formats for every day use, this visual guide will help you make the right image choices. Use it for your next project, as a refresher, or gain the knowledge to produce optimized graphics that will load faster and look better.

Get professional-level insight into the "how" and "why" when choosing the correct image formats in a simple, easy-to-use visual guide with a quick reference. Design and build with confidence today!

Contents

1. Introduction to File Formats – learn fundamental concepts that relate to all image formats.

2. Raster vs. Vector Images – know the differences between these foundational image types.

3. JPEG – say hello to JPEG, which is great for photos and images.

4. PNG – discover PNG images which offer excellent quality for the web.

5. GIF – use GIFs for images with transparency and animation.

6. SVG – meet the vector format used for creating high-quality graphics.

7. PDF – export PDFs to embed multi-formats and interactive elements.

8. PSD – Adobe Photoshop® project files are for image editing, graphics and more.

9. AI – Adobe Illustrator® project files are for vector graphics design and more.

10. EPS – this open vector format project file is cross-platform and versatile.

11. Quick Reference – see what works best for a variety of situations.