Finding and using graphics

Why graphics are a bit difficult

Graphics file formats

Color on the web

Color combinations

Image maps and graphics slicing

Transparencies

Animations

Backgrounds

Common problems 

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Problem 1: Resizing graphic attributes in HTML - Most WYSIWYG HTML editors allow you to click on a graphics image and tug a corner or side to make the thing bigger or smaller.  Danger!  When you are doing this you are adjusting the HTML tag for the graphic, but not the graphic itself.  It's o.k. for a few pixels of adjustment, but I've seen people resize the tags for huge, bad scans and use full-size images as thumbnails.

Solution: Use your graphics package for images; if you need a smaller image make a smaller image.

Note: One reason you can do this in a word processor but can't do this in HTML is because word processors use different graphic file formats, some of which can be resized without affecting image quality.  A similar type of file format has been proposed for the web, but it's a few years off.

2. Problem 2: Slow downloads - Related to #1 above, slow downloads are often a case of creating a larger than necessary download, e.g. using a full-size graphic as a thumbnail.

Solution: Upload and test everything on your site, on your server, using a phone line.  Empty your cache if you need to, but be sure that you view your pages in the same bit-by-bit way as your audience.

Problem 3: Spaces in filenames - This is not exclusive to graphics - any filename with spaces in it will cause problems in browsers other than Internet Explorer and servers other than Windows NT.  

Solution: Don't use spaces.  If you must, use an underscore - shift/dash on most keyboards.  Underscores are compatible with all systems.

Problem 4: Bad graphics - unneeded, unclear, and/or distracting images - This is obviously a bit more subjective. Generally speaking, realize that graphics add download time and potential for confusion if their message is not clear.  Canned graphics often create problems if they do not support a site's functions and metaphors.  

Dave Siegal pointed out that there's a difference between graphic metaphors and simple added graphics.  Many graphics collections are do not really contribute meaning to a site; they just show a mailbox next to a mailto: link, for example.  I think it's a bit fussy to insist that all graphics contribute to metaphors, but I think he does have a point.