Working with Digital Files

A Digital File is something that is permanently saved on your computer and identified by a file name. An entire digital file can be an Executable Program/ Application or a document you have been working one. When it comes to Digital Files themselves they can come in a variety of formats such as PNG, PDF and JPEG to name a few.

When it working with digital files within the Digital Graphics industry where you will be working on creating logos and banners, amongst other things, You have a lot more to consider when it comes to preparing and saving these files. A few things that are need to be consider are, what is the purpose of the file, which program will it be using, where you will be saving this file, how the file is named and the format of the file itself.

To expand on saving digital files and the importance of this aspect. When it comes to file storage, you are able to store your files in many different places other then your computer. You are able to use a USB drive, an External Hard Drive and you can also store it online via your Google Drive/ I-Cloud. All of these examples are examples of external ways of storing your files. Storing your files externally can be extremely useful and does have its benefits. Some of these benefits are that you are able to you files locked behind a password protect account, which gives you added security especially when it comes to more data sensitive files. You can also have the benefit of being able to share these files with other, easily via either downloading them onto there physical computer yourself or sending it to them.

Naming your file is one of the most important things to consider in my opinion when saving file. When it comes to naming your file, things you have to consider is who or what this file is intended for, for example if the file is intended for more of a professional standing such as sending to a potential client or employer, you would want you file name to look as professional as possible. Ways to do this and things to consider making sure that the file name is short and precise but also descriptive and informative, so you know exactly what the file is. When naming a file you would try to avoid using any special characters because in some formats it could lead to the file itself being formatted. To make your file names look more professional instead on using a space in between each word, you could consider naming you file in a CamelCase format. CamelCase is when you use an Underscore ( _ ) instead of a space in between words.

.GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - A GIF file is still very popular to use, even after being superseded by the PNG file.  Typically a GIF is being used for small animations that still support the transparency aspect to allow you incorporate the chosen animation with text or backgrounds. 

.PNG (Portable Network Graphics images) A PNG file is extremely popular to use, especially with in the digital graphics industry because the graphics themselves such as logos and icons support transparency. Which is extremely useful when you are looking to incorporate the image/ graphic you have chosen in with some text, or a background. The .PNG file was originally created to replaced the .GIF file as a .PNG file is a lossless data compression file. 

.PDF (Portable Document Format) - A PDF file is one of the most used file formats not only within the design graphics industry but in every industry. Reason why is it one of the most used file formats is because, it is a document that has the ability to have embedded images and text within it. You can also use a PDF to create a read only file which is handy when you are sending a receiving documents in which you don't want changes made to it. Within the Digital Graphics industry a PDF file format is primarily used to create presentation and exchange documents.

.JPEG (Joint Photography experts Group) - A JPEG file format is a commonly used method for your images which are of a lossy compression. This file type is particularly used by those within the Digital Photography industry, because of the fact that the degree in which the compression can be adjusted is extremely useful which allows a trade off between file size and image quality, depending on where and what you are using the image for.