10 Reasons Why We Love Vector Graphics

Posted by Kenneth Wallace on February 6th, 2014

Images surround us everywhere, be it on the web, a simple t-shirt, hand bags, billboards or any place we visit. These images play a vital role in conveying the message to its targeted audience. A clear message can only be conveyed by a clear image. Considering the importance the clarity of an image carries in putting across what you want to say, vector graphics are the best bet when it comes to designing images that work everywhere. You might require an image on various platforms like a t-shirt, a card, or even a website. Vector graphics ensure that no matter what the resolution might be, your image would be flawlessly placed on all platforms. When you look for a scalable image that can be re-sized to any size, vector images are the ideal option that you should consider. In graphic designing, images can be represented in two ways – Bitmap Images and Vector Images.  Vector graphics are resolution-independent, which is why they are the most preferred format for all types of platforms.

Vector Graphics

A vector graphic is a format that uses mathematical relationships between points and paths to describe an image.  They are defined in terms of curve, ratio, proportion, width and height. Most often, these vector graphics are used in graphic designing and are independent of resolution. They are radically different from simple bitmap images and raster graphic images. The vector graphics are best suited for designing logos, line art and detailed industrial illustrations. Here is a collection of 10 reasons why we love vector graphics:

1. Vector Images are scalable (Scale up /Scale down): The best thing about vector graphics is that they can be scaled to whatever size one wants to achieve without losing the quality. Whether there is a requirement for designing a logo for a website or for a business card, the image doesn’t distort when its size is changed. This is the prime reason why vector graphics are ideal for company logos, and other graphic designs that are most often resized. This technique offers unique imagery that cannot be achieved with simple photographic images.

1. Easy to create: Vector images are easy to design using high quality software. They can be re-sized at any given time and re-edited with minimum effort. Due to the ease of design that they offer, a rich output is guaranteed. Their usage in any platform gives 100% guarantees to accomplish your goals. 

3.  No image distortion: Images can be easily enlarged without being distorted. When you try to enlarge any bitmap image, it gets pixelated and the image loses its originality and details. However, when a vector image is enlarged it remains intact. The image does not get blurred and does not lose its quality. Thus, these images are applicable to any platform ranging from screen printing to billboards.

4.  Easy to edit: Vector graphic images can be easily edited. Unlike bitmap images, they don’t need complete re-work. The parts that need to be edited can be chosen and edited as and when required. Once the image is edited it retains its original quality, thus looking smooth and sharp irrespective to the many cosmetic changes done to it. This in turn helps save on time and money.

5.  Looks good in prints: The next reason that makes vector images stand out is that they not only look good digitally, but maintain their quality throughout all Mediums. When an image is designed as a vector graphic and printed out, it reflects superior quality and effectively delivers the message across to the target audience.

6. Best for presentations and animations: Vector images are deemed great to be used for presentations and animations. The prime reason behind this is that vector images are clearer and sharper. Vector images can also be used for animations and business presentations. They improve the appeal of such business presentations, not to mention the simplicity involved with editing to perfectly fit your needs.

7. Smaller File size: Bitmap or raster images take a long time to upload due to their large size. Hence, when someone visits your website, he / she needs to wait a while for the images to be uploaded properly. This at times is extremely irritating and can go as far as making the client leave the website citing loading issues. The website popularity takes a hit as the bounce rate goes up due to this factor. They also take a lot more space to store. Unlike bitmap images, vector images or “line art” are small in size. When vector images are used in website layouts, they load in a much faster fashion. If a website includes vector images, viewers don’t have to wait for a long time to see the images. A smaller file size is always easy to view, upload and download. Thus quick service is ensured.

8. Best for detailed industry illustrations: Since vector images use mathematical notations like lines, dots, curves, etc., they are easier to work with in case of detailed illustrations. These images are better than high-resolution images especially if they are used for presentations, demonstrations and more. The mathematical notations that are used in vector images help to simplify the editing and manipulation of these images.

9. Maintain quality and are aesthetically pleasing: A vector image maintains its quality in any size, whether the size of a kernel of corn or a football field the look is exactly the same. If the size of a bitmap image is changed, it loses its visual appeal. On the other hand, vector images retain their visual appeal all the time. Logos using vector graphics look great no matter how large or how small they are.

10. File size based on complexity/colors: Unlike bitmap images, vector images are small size files. They are based on how difficult the image is and how intricate the lines, dots, curves are. The sizes of these vector graphic images are not based on the image color depth.

Vector images are regarded as the best thing out there in the design world. The internet is flooded with vector images, animations, and more that can be easily used for T-shirt printing, Sign Making, Vehicle Wrapping, etc. At Action Illustrated EU, you will find an amazing collection of vector graphic designs and Templates. Our collection includes a wide variety of dogs, cats, baby designs, food, culture, aggressive, realistic, skulls, fashion elements and more. Contact us for a free personalized demonstration. Have fun!