Chapter 4 Visual Elements and Graphics
A key component of a compelling website is the use of interesting and appropriate graphics. This chapter introduces you to working with visual elements on web pages.
When you include images on your website, it is important to remember that not all users are able to view them. Some users may have vision problems and need assistive technology such as a screen reader application that reads the web page to them. In addition, search engines send out spiders and robots to walk the web and catalog pages for their indexes and databases; such programs do not access your images. Visitors using a mobile device may have images disabled. As a web developer, strive to create pages that are enhanced by graphical elements, but are usable without them.
Resources & Chapter Links
New WebP Image Format
WebP is a new image format created by Google developers that provides lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. At this time only the Google Chrome and Opera browers support WebP images. Overview of WebP Images
Graphic Resources
Find free to use photos on Flickr.com — select the advanced search page and check Only search within Creative Commons-licensed content. Be sure to follow the instructions for attribution when indicated.
- everystockphoto
- StockVault
- Public Domain Photos
- Public-Domain-Photos.com
- Free Range Stock
- Free Photos Bank
- IMFree
- Pixabay
- StockVault
- Rgbstock
- stock:xchng
- iStockphoto
- Free Stock Photos
- The Stock Solution
- Free Images
- Photos To Go
- morgueFile
- PhotoRack
- FreeDigitalPhotos
- SuperStock
- Fotosearch
- FamFamFam—free icons
- IconDrawer
Free Image Editors
Free online image editor applications:
Free image editor application to download:
- Open-source GIMP
GIMP Image Optimization Tutorial
Free Online Image Optimization Tools:
Round the corners of rectangular images:
Create an icon from your image:
Free Graphics Tutorials
Often students need a logo banner or a button for their first web site project but have not taken any graphics courses yet. You can learn how to create a logo and button with the free tutorials below:
Instant Buttons and Logo Banners
Image Slicing
- Image Slicing in Photoshop
- Image Slicing Alternative— CSS Sprites
CSS3 Gradients
Favicon Resources
Mobile Device Icons
Browser Support
Image Map Example
Image Map Code:
<map name="fishing">
<area href="http://nature.org/"
target="_blank"
shape="rect"
coords="0,51,416,170"
alt="The Nature Conservancy">
<area href="http://www.doorcounty.com"
target="_blank"
shape="rect"
coords="24, 188, 339, 283"
alt="Door County Vacations">
</map>
<div>
<img src="fishingboat.jpg" usemap="#fishing" alt="Door County"
width="416" height="350">
</div>
Image Map Generators
More About Icons
Review Activities
Review game activities are available for this chapter.
Check your knowledge of chapter terms and concepts.
Chapter Updates
- Pacific Trails Resort Case Study
Page 197, Task 5, Step 3
Set left padding to 1em instead of 2em.
Questions or Comments?
The author would like to hear from you! Send an e-mail to webdevfoundations@gmail.com