This was one of the many questions I first asked as a fresh “designer in training” in design school. I’d heard of a vector, but I had no idea how it was used in the design, specifically how to use Illustrator, the go-to program for making a vector file. Much to my surprise, vectors eventually changed the way I viewed labels, logos, and readability.
Vectors
I also learned that vector art is one of the two major forms of art computers use. Vectors typically have their file extensions that end with .ai, .eps, and .pdf. Vectors are actually points, lines, curves and polygons on an algebraic grid. These points, lines, curves, and basic polygons are called “primitives” and are the basic building blocks of vector art.
Pixels
Most of the images you see online are pixel based, which means they are literal “squares” of an image simulating the points on your screen. Pixel-based images commonly have file extensions that end with .jpg, .psd, and .png.
Why do you need vectors?
Got an awesome logo or illustration you’ve always wanted printed on a t-shirt or business card? Believe me, a screen printer or design studio is going to want a vector file.
A vector graphic is versatile; it can be enlarged to fit on a billboard, sized to cover a city bus, or reduced to a tiny image printed on a juice box without losing quality! Ultimately, vector images allow for more flexibility to produce high quality, high-resolution graphics on posters, business cards, brochures, packaging and more. Pixel-based images look poor when they are done with low-resolution files instead of vector files.
It is important for you, as the client, to provide vector files to your design studio or screen printer for the crispy clean look you desire.
What you get from us
Have a logo but not vector file ready? Do you need help creating a logo but have no idea how to build that drawing or doodle as a vector file? At our Oklahoma design studio, we can develop your ideas as vector files and apply them to the designs you require. Our clients get all the file formats needed when doing a logo design project with us INCLUDING vector files. Contact us with your vector questions or to start a new project.
