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Vector Graphics

IGITAL GRAPHICS are everywhere: from the printed design on your hoodie to the logo on

the box of the new athletic footwear to the bold pattern on your new baseball cap.

There are two types of digital graphics: raster and vector. The process to create, as well as

the best applications of each is different. Graphics made from pixels and photographs are

raster graphics. Vector graphics

are made using lines and points.

Vector graphics are well suited for

logos, t-shirt graphic designs, and

digitized printing on fabric

because they can easily be made

bigger or smaller while remaining

well defined.

Objective:

þ Summarize the characteristics and uses of vector graphics in design.

Key Terms:

Vector Graphics and Their Applications

Graphic files can be created, saved, shared, and applied in two different formats: raster and

vector. The end use of the graphic influences the format you will used.

VECTOR AND RASTER GRAPHICS

Raster Graphics

A raster graphic is a composition of pixels organized to form a picture. A pixel (short

for picture element) is a grid of color blocks. A bitmap graphic is a grid of color blocks cre

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bitmap graphic

cloud

cloud computing

logo

pixel

pixelated

raster graphic

repeating tile

scalable graphic

vector graphic

ated from pixels. A raster graphic is often referred to as a ‘bitmap.’ Because a raster image is

composed of individual pixels that cannot be resized, the image loses some integrity (clarity,

definition) when enlarged.

Photographs and many web images are created with raster graphics. Raster graphics are

saved as JPG, TIFF, GIF, PNG, and other software specific file formats such as

Photoshop PSD files.

When raster graphics are

enlarged they become

pixelated. Pixelated is the

enlargement of a graphic that

makes the individual color

blocks (pixels) visible.

Pixelated images appear

blurry or with jagged edges.

To ensure a raster graphic is

sharp and in focus the image

must be at least 300 dpi,

which means there are 300

pixels per inch. When an

image is 300 dpi it is consid-

ered high resolution.

Vector Graphics

A vector graphic is an image composed of lines and points. The lines and points can be

manipulated individually or as a group. The advantage of using vector graphics is that the

designer is able to resize the image without loss of quality.

An image that needs to keep its clarity regardless of size must be a vector graphic. Vector

graphics are saved as PDF files and other software specific file formats such as Illustrator

AI.

A scalable graphic is an image that remains in focus with sharp edges even when

enlarged. Vector graphics are scalable graphics. This characteristic is particularly impor

tant when designing graphics for billboards or other large surface products. Vector

graphics are often used for logos as the image can be scaled up and down without distor

tion allowing for a wider application.

VECTOR GRAPHIC APPLICATIONS

Fashion designers can use vector graphics in a variety of ways. Designers will most likely

want a logo to represent their company. A vector graphic is the perfect choice as it is scalable.

Or they may use a vector graphic as the design for their product. The graphic could be used to

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FIGURE 1. Raster graphics are created from individual color blocks called

pixels, while vector graphics are created using lines and points. Unlike raster

graphics, vector graphics retain the same quality of visual detail regardless

of how much the graphic is enlarged.

create a pattern on fabric or as an embellishment to a finished product such as a t-shirt. The

designer could use premade graphics that are free from sites like Pixaby or create their own.

Software

The leading software program for creating and using vector graphics is Adobe Illustrator.

This program is usually purchased as a monthly subscription that includes file storage on the

cloud. The cloud is services and information located on the Internet rather than on a personal

computer. Cloud computing is using the cloud to specifically access, manipulate, and store

information. Online storage is important with raster graphics because the files are very large

and require significant space. Free software programs are also used to create and manipulate

vector graphics including:

1. GIMP (https://www.gimp.org/

)

2. Inkscape (https://inkscape.org/

)

3. Sketch (https://www.sketch.com/

)

4. SketchUp (https://www.sketchup.com/

)

Logos

Vector graphics are the best choice for company logos as they can be sized up or down with

out distortion. A logo is a symbol or design that represents a designer, brand, or company. A

logo needs to be visually appealing, as it will be placed on products, advertisements, and pro

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ON THE JOB…

CAREER CONNECTION:

Lauren Lein, Fashion Designer

Lauren Lein has been designing fabrics and gar

ments for over twenty years. Her bold fabric pat

terns are made using vector graphics that she cre

ated. One of her most popular designs is a pattern

of vividly colored monarch butterflies. She had the

vector graphic digitally printed onto fabric and then

designed skirts and capes to utilize the fabric.

Her website states it best; “Lauren is known for

her natural, beautiful fabrics–including her self-

designed digital prints–with eclectic accents, and

simple but cutting-edge silhouettes.” To see exam

ples of Lauren’s digital vector fabric designs, see

her website at https://www.laurenlein.biz/copy-of-

mostpopulardesigns.

HELP WANTED

Lauren has used a monarch butterfly as inspiration

for some of her vector graphic fabrics.

motional items. “People associate quality logos with brands, they take pride in having a famous

monogram on their apparel, they identify their social circle with the kinds of clothes worn,

bags carried, accessories used, etc., all of which carry that unique symbol of a famous brand”

(110Designs, 2019 at https://www.110designs.com/

Garment Graphics

Vector graphics are the best choice to use when creating a graphic for placement on a t-shirt

or other garment. For both images and text a vector graphic will remain crisp when printed on

fabric regardless of the printing method. Because editing, including color changes, is easily

done on a vector graphic, the design can be quickly and simply altered to produce the desired

final product. And, since the sizing can be modified without causing visual quality issues, the

same design could be printed small enough to fit on the pocket of a shirt or large enough to

cover the entire front and back.

Vector graphics are the best choice to use when creating a graphic for placement on a t-shirt

or other garment. For both images and text a vector graphic will remain crisp when printed on

fabric regardless of the printing method. Because editing, including color changes, is easily

done on a vector graphic, the design can be quickly and simply be altered to produce the

desired final product. And since the sizing can be modified without causing visual quality

issues the same deign could be printed small enough to fit on the pocket of a shirt or large

enough to cover the entire front and back.

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FIGURE 2. Printing designs on t-shirts is a perfect use of vector graphics because the size and color of the design

can easily be changed while retaining the visual quality and crispness of the design.

Digital Printing

to Fabric

Vector graphics are well

suited for digital printing on

fabric to produce an all-over

pattern. A designer often uses a

vector graphic to create a

repeating tile that is used to

create such a pattern. A

repeating tile is a packet of

data produced in a roughly

square-shaped design that can

be duplicated over and over

again to produce a seamless

design. Fabrics for skirts,

dresses, jackets, or accessories,

such a handbag or scarf, are

often created using a repeating

tile pattern.

Summary:

You have now learned the difference between raster and vector graphics. Pixels

make up a raster graphic, while lines and points are used to create a vector graphic.

Your favorite brand’s logo, or graphic designs on your t-shirt or hoodie are probably

both created from vector graphics. Digital prints on fabric were most likely created

from a vector graphic as well. Now that you’ve learned about some of the applica

tions for vector graphics you may start to notice them everywhere you look.

Checking Your Knowledge:

´ 1. Describe a raster graphic that includes the use of the word ‘pixel.’

2. Differentiate between raster graphics and vector graphics?

3. What is a ‘scalable vector graphic?’

4. What are some common applications of vector graphics?

5. How are digital seamless fabric patterns created?

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FIGURE 3. A repeating tile pattern (also called a seamless pattern) is a vector graphic

process that is printed on fabric and then used to make garments or accessories.

Expanding Your Knowledge:

Logos are typically created from vector graphics because of their ability to be scaled.

Choose a brand with a logo to examine. An example would be Nike’s swoosh. You

could find this logo on something as large as a billboard or as small as a toddler’s

shoe. You would find it on the box the shoes come in as well as the bags the store

uses to pack your purchase. Count the number of variations of your chosen logo.

Web Links:

: A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Textile Printing

https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/a-beginners-guide-to-digital-textile-

printing--vector-3189

Beginning Illustrator: Vectors vs. Pixels Explained (Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJFc3KlEdLM

Furious Goose: Silk Scarves and Designer Pocket Squares

https://furiousgoose.co.uk/

How to Design Your Own Fabric: Step-by-Step Fabric Design Tutorial

with Final Fabric Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPc4Xr93z5o

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