This document outlines the key steps involved in digital graphics production, including pre-production, production, post-production, and optimization for various formats and uses. In pre-production, the designer meets with clients to determine goals and needs, creates layout ideas, and selects necessary hardware and software. In production, existing and original graphics are imported and assembled. Post-production involves getting client feedback, redesigns, and finalizing files. Optimization prepares the graphic for specific uses like web, print, or video by adjusting format, size, resolution and other settings.

1. Objec&ve 102.02 5%
Describe digital graphics produc&on methods.

2. Pre-Production
q Meet with clients to create project plan.
☐ Determine the purpose of the graphic design.
☐ Define the intended target audience.
☐ Set overall goals for design.
☐ Agree on deadlines.
☐ Create a budget.
☐ Set a color scheme and set of typography based
on client’s current marke&ng and branding
materials.

3. Pre-Production
q Sketch layout ideas and present to client for
approval.
q Gather and manage informa&on and digital assets
provided by the client.
☐ Create a file-naming conven&on to assure proper
organiza&on and storage.
☐ Save and organize files for easy and quick access.

4. Pre-Production
q Determine specific hardware needs:
☐ Computer
☐ S&ll Photo Camera
☐ Graphic Tablet
☐ Scanner

5. Pre-Production
q Determine specific soOware needs
☐ Paint Program – bitmap graphic edi&ng
program that creates and/or edits
photos or bitmap images (example:
Adobe Photoshop)
☐ Draw Program- vector graphic edi&ng
program that is commonly used for
logos, icons, and other scalable graphics
(example: Adobe Illustrator)

6. Production
q Import (using Adobe Bridge or other process)
exis&ng graphics onto canvas in a digital graphic
edi&ng soOware.
q Draw or create original graphics.
q Add text to the design.
q Edit the design components to convey the intended
message to the target audience.
q Arrange possible design components into a
balanced and unified layout.

7. Post-Production
q Review Design Comps with Client
☐ Provide the client with mul&ple rendi&ons of the
design that meet the goals and purpose, but look
visually different (layout, scaling, etc.).
☐ Used for comparison purposes so the client can
make a final decision.
☐ Can be generated in Adobe Photoshop by
crea&ng layer comps that save all rendi&ons in
the original file for previewing.

8. Post-Production
q Re-design the graphic based on client feedback (if
necessary).
q Preview the final version.
☐ Create a proof preview to see how the graphic
design will look on a par&cular output device
(computer monitor, printer, etc.).
☐ Test print any graphic design that is des&ned for
print work and proofread for quality assurance.

9. Post-Production
q Op&mize the graphic for
specific client needs, including:
☐ File format requirements
☐ File size requirements
☐ File name requirements
q Submit the finalized version(s)
of the digital graphic design to
the client.

10. Optimize for Web
q Use Export/Save for Web command.
q Save in web friendly format for faster download, i.e.
☐ JPEG
☐ GIF
☐ PNG
☐ PDF
q Adjust file quality and compression.
q For working purposes, incorporate some of the
se`ngs into the filename, such as
“banner_medium.jpg” for an image saved as a
medium-quality JPEG.

11. Optimize for Web

12. Generate for Print
q Set image resolu&on to 300 ppi for beeer quality.
q Convert to CMYK (if sending to offset printer)
q Use lossless or un-compressed format.

13. Adjust Print Settings

14. Images for Video
q Create images of various aspect ra&os so that they
appear properly on video devices.
q Using the op&ons in the Size menu, you can produce
images for specific video systems—NTSC, PAL, or
HDTV.
q Use safe zones to ensure that everything fits within
the area that most TVs display, keep text within the
&tle-safe margins, and all other important elements
within the ac&on-safe margins.

15. Adjust Video Settings
q Create a new
document.
q Choose Film &
Video preset.
q Choose appropriate
size op&on.

16. Native Graphic Formats
q .AI
☐ Na&ve file type used by Adobe Illustrator.
☐ Does not compress layers of a design, allowing
for future edi&ng.
☐ May not be recognized by all programs.
q .PSD
☐ Na&ve file type used by Adobe Photoshop.
☐ Does not compress layers of a design, allowing
for future edi&ng.
☐ May not be recognized by all programs.

17. Bitmap (Raster) Graphic Formats
q .JPEG (JPG)
☐ Most common graphic file format.
☐ Full color graphic format (16.7 million colors).
☐ Rela&vely small file size.
q .GIF
☐ Indexed color format (256 colors).
☐ Supports simple transparency layer.

18. Bitmap (Raster) Graphic Formats
q .TIFF (TIF)
☐ Versa&le graphic type that can use a variety of
color formats.
☐ Format works best for desktop publishing or
print work.

19. Vector (Line Draw) Graphic File
Formats
q .SVG
☐ Supports interac&vity and 2-D anima&on.
☐ XML-based vector format.
☐ Open standard.
q .PNG
☐ Supports advanced transparency.
☐ Rela&vely average file size.
☐ Can be interlaced, op&mizing for internet use.