graphics homework #1 (brief primer on photoshop, image editing, and graphics)

an important element in any effective hypertext is the integration of graphics (and images) and text.

buttons, banners, GIF images, JPEGs, etc., (when integrated into overall design) can dramatically enhance a hypertext.

use this homework assignment to begin to construct graphics and/or edit images relevant for your second hypertext essay (part of RU Hypertext?).

if your second hypertext essay is a pre-proposal draft for your 201/301 research project, this work may also be useful in your major hypertext research essay.

what is the assignment?
due march 26 (after spring break)

1> locate 5 images (on the web, take pictures yourself, etc.) of possible relevance for your current hypertext project. open these images in photoshop, resize them (as appropriate for your hypertext design), and edit (ie. "photoshop") them for effect. you might want to crop parts out, build a collage of images, brush out parts of the image, etc.). make sure you "save for web."

2> practice a "screen capture" of a website of some relevance to your second hypertext project (print screen, then new file in photoshop, then paste). resize this capture to an appropriate size for your website. remember to "save for web."

3> use the text tool to do one of the following:
--> create a banner/title bar/header graphic for your hypertext (you might get creative here and paste in some cropped elements of images from part 1> above).
--> create some buttons for navigating your hypertext (ie, make a button and add text - home, point x, point y, point z, email, whatever).
--> put some text on an image from 1> above.
remember: "save for web."

4> citation!!! always credit your source for images, just as you would credit sources in a quote. (you can use the text tool to put a URL on the image, give the images numbers and include them in your works cited area. follow citation guidelines from your 201/301 class. this is important if you need to find the image again, and it is part of crediting sources.

5> put the five images, the screen capture, and whatever choice for using the text tool into a webpage. you can create a specific page for this homework assignment and just put all these things together if you want. you'll get more out of this homework if you use it to add images/graphics to your second hypertext essay. since that hypertext is due at the same time as this homework, you can do both on one website if you're interested in efficiency.

6> remember: file size is very important, and "save for web" is your friend when creating images/graphics for web design.

note: the tillett labs don't have photoshop, so you'll need to save your work on a disk or use FTP (webdrive, or something) to get your work up onto your server space.