File Types: The Most Important Chapter
Chapter 1: File Types
File Types
Lesson 1 of 16
I cannot stress enough how important this chapter is.
Having a thorough understanding of file types—what they mean, what exactly each one is used for, which ones can be edited, how to find editable versions of the ones that can't, a detailed understanding of terms like vector, raster, resolution, and more—is the most important part of your job in working with designers.
Your thorough understanding of file types affects both how you set up your designer with what they need to do a job and how you make sure they've gotten you what you need to do yours.
A thorough understanding of file types is fundamental to ensuring...
You ask your designer for the right thing
Your designer has the materials they need to get the job done correctly and on time
You receive files from your designer you can actually use.
You can work with other vendors to implement or produce high-quality assets
Using or requesting the wrong type of file can lead to problems like…
Major printer errors
Slow webpage load times
Unprofessional execution errors such as pixelation or discoloration
Unusable files
Low-quality imagery
File corruption and lost work
Inefficient and expensive work processes where designers have to spend hours recreating files from scratch rather than making a 30-second edit.
...and much more. In this chapter we will learn everything you need to know about vectors, rasters, resolution, editability, what type of files different jobs require, what deliverables you should ask for, what to do when you can't find what you need, and more. Armed with this knowledge, you can request exactly what you need from your designer, provide them with the assets they need, and send off final deliverables with confidence that they will be executed correctly.