If you have ever worked on images, designs, UI, or UX you have probably heard about vector images. For the longest time, some of the best graphic designers have used vector images because of many advantages.
If you are looking to trace the history of the same, you can go back as far as 1960. Ivan Sutherland is the father of the modern vector. He was the first one that used a Sketchpad (kind of similar to a CAD), on a screen. He used this to draw some lines.
Ever since then, vector images have been used in everything from logos to icons, designs, and more. In this article, we try to shed some light on vector images. We look at the advantages and major use of vector images.
Vector Images: Meaning and Definition
You might be wondering- what exactly is a vector?
In simple words, a vector is basically a graphic that traces the coordinates in a space or a plane. This is very similar to connecting the dots with a line. I am sure all of us as kids have done it.
According to experts, a vector is created by using points or coordinates on a digital screen. The dots are connected in the way of curves and straight lines. Whether it be for creating visually attractive logos or awesome 3D renders, vector graphics can help you in many ways.
You also put the vector in another way, in the form of an illustration. This illustration/vector can either be drawn physically by a hand (remember Ivan Sutherland) or created digitally.
Top Advantages of using Vector Images in your Graphic Design
1. Infinite Resolution
Unlike a bitmap image or pixel graphics, a vector image is never going to lose its resolution no matter how much you try to zoom in. This helps the designer to use it with the belief that the image will not get blurred or lose focus even when the resolution is increased to suit requirements. This gives the confidence to the designers to use vector images over pixels.
2. Great Scalability
Designers familiar with using vectors will attest to the fact of how easy it is to just use the software and scale it either down to the smallest size or amplify it to cover the screen. This scalability quotient is great when you are trying to increase the size of the element or reduce it. You do not need to worry about breaking up or losing its resolution when you are scaling up or down.
3. Small and Lightweight
A pixel image taken from a 48 MP phone camera can weigh as much as 30MB. For any standard, this is a huge size that can dull the website and slow it down incrementally. On the other hand, a vector image is small and lightweight and hardly takes up any space. This makes it great for using websites that need to have fast loading speeds for a better user experience.
3. Freedom to Create
Take a piece of hand drawing, scan it and convert it into a vector with the help of vector editing software. Yes, it is as easy as that. At the end of the day, it is just about joining dots with a line and creating realistic illustrations. Many designers that love to draw can take help from vector images and bring their passion to life digitally!
4. Reusability and Multipurpose Appeal
You can easily copy vector images and use them in different conditions and situations. This means that if you are creating one vector image, you can find applications for the same hundred times over. The same goes for the kind of multipurpose use that they have. You can create color gradients, add text, change shapes and add extensions.
The Bottom Line
Some of the best graphic designers of our time rely heavily on vector images for upping the quotient of their design. It is a simple, fuss-free way of creating excellent graphics that are appealing and intuitive in nature. If you would like to help you with additional information on vector images, let us know in the comments section below. We would be more than happy to request our experts to answer all your questions.
In conclusion, vectorizing an image can be a quick and easy way to turn it into a graphic that can be used in various formats and applications. There are many software programs available to help with the conversion process, so finding one that is right for you is important. Once the image has been vectorized, it can be edited easily, making it a perfect tool for creating graphics that are both professional and versatile.