This article describes more about the vector and raster logotypes, and their differences and helps you choose the right one for your requirement.
Vector images
The vector images is produced by a math algorithm made up of individual scalable objects.
Vector images allow you to indefinitely scale the image without any distortions. It means when you scale it up and then scale it down as you wish there will be no quality loss in any view. This is the most important thing while creating a logo as the logo needs to be visually appealing in various places and contexts.
Vector images store information about the coordinates of the image. This results in storing lesser data which results in smaller file size.
The tools used for creating vector images are Adobe Illustrator, Corel draw, Adobe FreeHand, Sketch, Affinity Designer, Inkscape, and more.
The extensions for vector logos include .EPS, .AI, .CDR, .SVG, .SWF and more.
Pros
- There is no loss in the quality
- Smaller in size
- Helps to create images from scratch
Cons
- Not a good choice for intricate designs
- Requires a lot of human work to render a complex image
- Can be done using vector software only
Raster images
Raster images, also known as bitmaps, are composed of square-shaped intricate pixels. The pixels are arranged individually and each pixel has its color details.
Due to their infinite tiny squares, it is difficult for scalability. When we zoom the image it gets pixelated and appears to be blurry.
For instance, an image taken through a phone is a raster image. When it is zoomed closely the pixels are visible.
When a resolution is mentioned as 72 dpi (dots per inch), it means the image has 72 pixels for every inch. The fidelity of a raster image varies from rough to high resolution and can be scaled only until the image is no longer visible.
This is used by designers for pixel-by-pixel editing and it helps to render multicolored visuals.
The tools used include Photoshop, Gimp, Corel Painter, Artweaver, and more.
The extensions for a raster image include JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, TGA, ICO, and more.
PNG, the type of rasterized image, is the all-time favorite of webmasters as it can handle graphics with transparent and semi-transparent backgrounds.
Pros
- Requires less human work
- Easily generated by a camera
- Easy to render complex images
- Perfect for photo editing purposes
- All photo editor supports editing photos
- Widely used type of image
Cons
- Requires large file size
- Zooming images bring roughness
Resizing Vector Image:
Resizing vector images can be easily done by defining any appropriate ratios. The image can be resized any number of times without compromising the quality. Hence it is good for creating logos and fonts.
Resizing Raster Image:
Resizing a raster image is not simple. It drastically reduces the resolution of the image. AI tools are available to enhance the resolution of raster images. Though it is not as effective as vector images.
Differences in Vector and raster images
Conclusion
A designer needs to be specific about using the right image type for the right pictures. Knowing the key differences between the vector and raster image types is very important for a designer. Familiarizing both the image types is vital for a designer in their everyday design works. Selecting the appropriate image type results in the desired output. Only through experimentation can the best vector design tools be discovered. Try out a few different tools and pick the one that works best for your design. For better logo designs and scalability, vector images are recommended.
