Graphics and Images for Learning
Reviewed and Updated: January 2008
This page has been kept for reference.
It will no longer be updated by ICVET.
Graphics can really jazz up a website, but you need to know a few basics to get started.
Whether you’re looking for tips on taking digital photos, scanning prints, optimizing in Photoshop or you just want some clip art you’ll find something of interest in the links below.
Websites
Using graphics on your website
This website, created by the Australian Government, is one of a series of practical internet guides, this one being a guide to using graphics in websites. Its packed with information on what to consider, colours, copyright, plus has useful links. Recommended.
Graphics and other images
This page, from the West Australian Department of Education, aims to inform teachers about issues arising from students using graphics. It contains information about copyright of graphics and images, websites designed to help students create their own graphics, libraries and compilations of free (public domain) graphics, search engines and directories that give information about, or direct access to, graphics as well as subscription sites and information about graphics software. Fantastic.
The Gimp
Free open source graphics program similar to PhotoShop.
Optimizing Web Graphics
Images that are too big (file size) are one of the biggest causes of slow loading web pages. This article will show you how to minimise file size for web graphics. Assumes you have Photoshop or similar.
Zoom In on the Best Image: Photo Composition for the Web
Easy to read yet comprehensive guide to cropping and resizing your photos. Assumes you have Photoshop or similar.
Digital Photography for the Web
Tips on taking the perfect photo, fixing your pics (after not taking the perfect photo), getting your pictures into your computer, resizing and optimizing.
CoolText - Online Graphics Generator
CoolText.com is a free online generator of customised logos. You can select from a template, choose the colour, font and other variables then download the result. Not quite fault free – but fun.
Taking Great Pictures - Kodak
Lots of resources for newbies through to experts. Includes ‘Top 10 tips for great pictures,’ ‘Photographing people & animals’ and ‘Tips for camera phone pictures.’
How to use Microsoft Paint
This very basic graphics program is on almost every Windows computer. This means that if you don’t have access to anything better, you can still create simple graphics and save them as GIFs or JPGs. This website explains what each of the buttons in Microsoft Paint does!
Microsoft Paint! Creative Graphics Practicum
A slightly more detailed tutorial on Microsoft Paint.
123 Clip Art
Tutorials and how to guides on creating graphics. Also offers free clipart.
Clipart
Large and comprehensive graphics site with thousands of searchable images. Subscriptions start from US$15.95 for one week.
Clipart Gallery
The site is arranged by category eg history, science, holidays, sixties etc. You can edit your selection online by rotating, changing colour, changing effects and then downloading your selection. Could be useful if you do not have the skills or appropriate software to alter graphics yourself. Free.