What does "Graphics Usage" mean to you?

[Marcia]

The title of this forum is Graphics Design and Usage. I got to thinking about it, and while the physical process of "making" graphics seems to cover the graphics design part, it doesn't seem so clear what the USAGE part means.

Anyone have any ideas? What do you interpret Graphics Usage to mean?

[mack]

It could mean how to impliment graphics into page layouts etc... or perhaps It could also refer to different image formats and what works well in various situations.

[EliteWeb]

I say 'nix the word 'usage' from the title :)

[mivox]

I think usage includes topics like, "Should I use text links or graphic buttons?"

Really, anything else that I think of: how to position or implement graphics on the page, could easily (and more properly) be covered in the HTML forum...

I'm still puzzling on this one.

[papabaer]

Application gets my vote! ;)

I think of graphics "usage" as how the chosen graphics for a project fit into the theme. Are they part of the active interface? Do they convey a strong message? Or just help set the tone.

Beyond that are the graphics part of an SEO scheme? Are they meant to be actual "attractors" and impart "stickiness?" Are they being used as sales techinques or for instructional purposes?

Useage implies action, and anytime we include graphics in a layout, their is a reason (...hopefully!). The graphics are being "used" because we wish to evoke a response.

One thing for certain... graphics sure are versatile! I bet all of us have plenty examples of each of the above (and many more reasons besides!).

[JayCee]

A web page is many things. One thing that it is is a picture (a visual entity enclosed by a frame, subject to all the visual principles that affect any picture).

To me "Graphics Usage" means how well the page "works" (in the context of the goals of the web site) as a picture.

[mcguffin]

I agree with papabaer and jaycee. "Usage" strongly suggests "user interface."

Certainly, UI covers more than just graphics, but it seems to me that graphics are the easiest way to screw up UI.

Graphics should support the user's experience of the site--rather than overwhelm it.

Do we have a forum dedicated to UI? If not, maybe this would be a good place for it to be a home. :)