1. Unit 31 – Digital Graphics For Interactive Media
OCR Cambridge TEC - Level 3 Certificate/ Diploma IT
LO 3 Be able to create digital graphics for an interactive media product following industry practice

2. Unit 31 Scenario
Learners will need a reasonable amount of time to practice creating static, rollover and animated images using one or a range of graphic editing and creation software. This could be taught by tutor demonstration, step by step tutorials or online video tutorials. It would also be beneficial for learners to become familiar with any image capture equipment, if being used.
Learners need to be taught the various considerations when creating, editing and saving graphics such as file formats, bit depth, dimensions and colour depth. Experimentation with settings will allow learners to select the most appropriate formats to save and optimise their graphic files ensuring file size is kept reasonable, and appreciating aspects such as the intended output for the graphics and their interactive media product.
Learners should be taught about industry practice and processes that should be adhered to. This ranges from basic file management, giving files appropriate names and keeping backups using version control to understanding the cycle of a project; and its different phases. Learners should be taught appropriate topics to discuss when reflecting on themselves and their work throughout the project, while considering how they could improve if they were to carry out a similar project. This can be taught through tutor led discussion.

3. LO1 - Assessment Criteria
Learning Outcome (LO)
The learner will:
Pass
The assessment criteria are the pass requirements for this unit.
The learner can:
Merit
For merit the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner is able to:
Distinction
For distinction the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass and merit criteria, the learner is able to: 1
Understand theory and applications of digital graphics technology P1
Describe theory and applications of digital graphics technology with some appropriate use of subject terminology
M1 Explain different settings used for different outputs
D1 Critically evaluate a range of digital graphics for interactive media 2
Be able to generate ideas for digital graphics for an interactive media product P2
Generate outline ideas for digital graphics for an interactive media product working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance
M2 Provide a detailed plan of ideas generated for digital graphics for an interactive media product
D2 Justify decisions made in producing the detailed plan 3
Be able to create digital graphics for an interactive media product following industry practice P3
Create digital graphics for an interactive media product following industry practice, working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance
D3 Enhance digital graphics for an interactive media product using advanced skill

4. Assessment Criteria P3 and D3
For P3 - Learners should create digital graphics for an interactive media product. This could be evidenced by the created graphic files supported by a report, which will illustrate the key tools and techniques used when optimising their graphics following industry practice listed in the teaching content. This could be evidenced as a series of annotated screenshots and/or video screen capture. There should be a range of different graphics created from the listed criteria.
For D3 – This is an extension of P3; learners should use advanced skills to enhance the digital graphics that they have created. At least three of the advanced skills listed in the teaching content should be used to enhance graphics. Learners will work independently in creating their graphics. Evidence of techniques being used could be through before and after screenshots or video screen capture, which will demonstrate the use of advanced skills.
Suggested scenarios - A detailed scenario could be introduced to allow learners to identify a purpose and audience for the graphics they will create using suggestions below. The scenario could be linked to a real company, a trip or fictional scenario, as it is not essential but would be beneficial for learners to create images from scratch, as opposed to editing existing images.
Graphics for a DVD menu for a forthcoming film release (e.g. background, animated introduction, rollover menu options).
Graphics for a video game (e.g. players, background image, collectable items etc.)
Graphics for an interactive television channel (background image, selectable rollover menu options, channel logo).

5. P3.1 - Create graphics - Sourcing
For at least two of your four images it will be necessary to source your own external images for editing and manipulation. These images need to be appropriate for the theme and in line with the house style of your company.
From the previous LO you will have decided the company colours and intended design features. Copyright and quality need to be a consideration when collecting the images, also the authenticity of the source materials, dimensions and content.
Collecting from a camera and/or scanner is necessary, these could be images like a device, a shop front, a hand to put the device in etc. but evidence needs to be provided that these images are sourced by you.
P3.1 – Task 01 - Source and collect images from three different sources, camera, scanner and royalty free websites and state the reasons for your choice of image.

6. P3.1 - Create graphics - Creating
Taking into consideration the production skills gained from Unit 27, carry out and create the four images. For Distinction 2 of these should be interactive or animated. There are limitations on the graphics that need to be considered from previous tasks, these must be explained in the demonstration of skills. Remember to evidence the stages from initial page set up and dimensions to their finished products. The production demonstration must also link to the client brief specifically in terms of House Style, Costs, Expectations, Intent and needs of the audience.
P3.2 – Task 02 - Create a Company Logo using vector Tools that meets the needs of the Client.
These should include features such as sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution, rotating.
D3.1 – Task 03 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the Logo e.g. e.g. sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution, rotating, Layers, built in Effects, Masks, Paths, Feathering, Cloning, adjusting colour attributes, contrast, brightness, saturation.
P3.3 - Task 04 – Create a Company Banner using Bitmap Tools that is in line with the Client Brief.
These should include features such as sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution, rotating Remember that the use of a scanned image, Camera Image and Sourced Inage must be evidenced. Images will need to be edited and combined within the finished product.
D3.2 - Task 05 – On your Banner, combine original and edited images to a professional degree to meet a user need using advanced tools such
These should include features such as Layers, built in Effects, Filters, Masks, Paths, Feathering, Sharpening, Cloning, adjusting colour attributes, contrast, brightness, saturation.

7. P3.1 - Create graphics - Creating
P3.4 - Task 06 – Create a Third Interactive Media Graphic using Bitmap or Vector Tools that is in line with the Client Brief
These should include features such as sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution, rotating. And remember that the use of a scanned image, Camera Image and Sourced Inage must be evidenced.
D3.3 - Task 07 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the 4th Graphic e.g. frames, (e.g. animation, others), Layers, built in Effects, Filters, Masks, Paths, Feathering, Sharpening, Cloning, adjusting colour attributes, contrast, brightness, saturation.
P3.5 - Task 08 – Create a Fourth Interactive Media Graphic using Bitmap or Vector Tools that is in line with the Client Brief.
D3.4 - Task 09 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the 4th Graphic e.g. frames, (e.g. animation, others), Layers, built in Effects, Filters, Masks, Paths, Feathering, Sharpening, Cloning, adjusting colour attributes, contrast, brightness, saturation.

8. P3.1 - Create graphics – Optimisation and File formats
Even with the products completed there are constraints that need to be taken into consideration for the production of any image.
Format – Vector vs. Bitmap, a vector image can be recreated and saved as a bitmap image within any decent art package, layers will be flattened, white space within the image will become non-transparent, DPI will be taken into account for the first time and finished output will affect the quality. However, Bitmap cannot be converted to Vector, in fact any bitmap file on a vector image makes it a bitmap image. Bitmaps are not scaleable.
Size – It is always a rule to make your image as large as possible to maintain the image quality. With a vector this is not important but with Bitmap quality will not be reduced if the image is printed smaller but will if the image is printed larger. Compensation for this with increased resolution can help but only to a degree. File size becomes an issue.
Resolution – The higher the resolution the better the image, specifically when printing but this can be restricted if the printed is 600dpi. Screen resolution will make the image better quality but the higher the resolution, the larger the file size.
Colour Depth– Most printers have either one colour wheel or the other, RGB or CYMK. If a saved RGB file is sent to a CMYK printer, the printer reallocates the colour tones to its own range. This can cause a slight colour difference and slow down the processes as the printer is calculating colour changes. Printing on glossy paper with enrich the colours, using a laser printer will create a postscript of the file which will benefit the colour matching.
Dimensions – It is not good for an image to be stretched beyond its intended proportions but it is also not good for a banner to dominate the web page too much, or a Logo to be taller than wider, or a Navigation bar to be too thin or with too much space around the text. The saved dimensions will have an affect on quality if it is bitmap but not vector.

9. Compression / Optimisation
P3.6 - Create graphics – Optimisation and File formats
Compression/optimisation - These will happen for a reason, either to shrink down the file size, make them more web compatible, allow the file to print faster, or because the image can handle a small amount of reduction without impacting on quality. With Vector this should not be a consideration as the file size will already be reduced. They should be optimised as much as possible so as not to fracture the created image.
Software and hardware constraints – you will be limited to printing, a Hoarding is up to 30ft across, whereas Logos need to printed on headers of documents so will need to hold together when small. Software wise a vector should not contain an image, hardware wise the screen resolution needs to be set high. Hardware Memory restrictions when working with very large images can have a major impact on time and control as can the version of the image packages. PS6 for instance requires more memory and a 64bit operating system.
Final file format – the finished output file format needs to be considered. Jpeg is the common format but the file will be flattened so it will be necessary to keep the original PSD file. For Vector saved versions of the file in JPEG at different sizes is common but the original still needs to be kept. PNG is good but restricted, the original program file format would be better but can cause incompatibility issues.
P3.6 – Task 10 – Discuss with evidence the File Constraints of saving and exporting your four images.
Format
Size
Resolution
Colour
Compression / Optimisation
Dimensions
Software and Hardware
Final File Format

10. P3.7 - Create graphics – Optimisation and File formats
With all the constraints taken into consideration, the final output of the four images will need to be managed. The limitations need to be considered in line with the design brief and user requirements. Evidence needs to be clearly seen of the output options and advanced output features.
P3.7 – Task 11 – Evidence exporting the completed four images into an appropriate range of formats for the client.
Explained Consideration needs to be given for Dimensions, DPI, Output Size, Output File Format and Colour Range Used. An explanation of the chosen file formats, (e.g. TIF, GIF, JPG, GNP) also needs to be explained.

11. P3.8 - Industry practice – Self Reflection
Throughout this project there may have been instances where you could not find the things you saved, or saved them as the wrong type, Jpeg instead of PNG when working on it, not sure where you left off, had to rush things. Or there may have been times when you wish you had a backup you could go back to because the undo option does not go back far enough.
In the real world there are other considerations, how long a product is safe to show (the product life cycle) before it has an impact, or going back over things and realising there is a spelling mistake, or the customer cannot read your by-line.
Industry practice is what happens when you learn these things from working in the business for a period of time, the expectations of the business. For instance in the Graphic world artists work in Tiff format rather than Jpeg or PNG until the job is done because they know the quality is unrestricted, 3D artists use a technique called retopologising to make a 3D character from a base mesh to a full 3D model because it is faster and more convenient to work at a low level until the time is right.
Self-reflection, (e.g. time management, research skills, technical ability, creative ability, future improvements) – Not all jobs are one-offs, when working for a Graphics Company like The Mill or The Foundry, you may be asked to do another job similar to the first. Reflecting on what went well, what could be improved, how to speed things up, what time could have been saved etc. becomes a requirement. Similarly research skills and shortcuts learned become a matter of skill and improvement.

12. P3.8 - Industry practice – File and Time Management
File Organisation, (e.g. appropriate file and folder structures and naming conventions, file backup and version control) – this becomes practice, knowing where things are. You would not expect a clothing store to put belts in the shoe section. Getting into the habit of saving the file sin the right format, with the right name, with appropriate regular backups becomes a habit in industry. You may not be the only one working on that file, others may need to access it. Backups protect from corruption as well as loss. Saving different versions allows a user to experiment beyond the undo options.
Time Management, (e.g. time plan, Gantt chart) – Planning is everything, until three is no time left to make a product, industry practice is to use charts and time plans, partially to keep on track and partially to reuse for future projects. Companies also choose what works best, Gantt is useful as a time plan but not to take into considerations resources, project Management software is good for resources but time consuming. Reflecting on what works best and considering these improves future projects.

13. P3.8 - Industry practice – Life Cycle and Reviewing
Project life cycle, (e.g. planning, designing, creating, modifying, evaluation) – This is a well quoted model for production. Following the life cycle is a standard procedure companies follow, 5 simple stages that are a good habit to get into. This is the same for any project that involves creating anything, Art work, Concept Cars, written essays like this one etc. Try using an Art package from scratch without research or an idea, see the difference in evaluations of a project you did and someone reviewing it.
Review graphics, (e.g. quality, settings used, appropriateness for output media, future improvements) – Not all products sell well just because they are made well, Betamax, Ford Edsel, Windows Mobile. With the best of intentions a product can fail, reviewing the product and the failure can lead to a better understanding of what is right or wrong. For your graphics reviewing them based on quality, appropriateness etc. can lead to a better quality product, planning future improvements can ease the workload and improve the product the next time. The value of reviewing can not be understated.
P3.8 – Task 12 – Discuss with evidence from your own project, the importance of adhering to industry practice and processes with specific reference to improvements you might make.
Self-reflection,
File Organisation
Time Management
Project life cycle
Review graphics

14. Assessment Tasks
P3.1 – Task 01 - Source and collect images from three different sources, camera, scanner and royalty free websites and state the reasons for your choice of image. P3.2 – Task 02 - Create a Company Logo using vector Tools that meets the needs of the Client. D3.1 – Task 03 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the Logo P3.3 - Task 04 – Create a Company Banner using Bitmap Tools in line with the Client Brief. D3.2 - Task 05 – On your Banner, combine original and edited images to a professional degree to meet a user need using advanced tools such P3.4 - Task 06 – Create a Third Interactive Media Graphic using Bitmap or Vector Tools in line with the Client Brief D3.3 - Task 07 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the 4th Graphic P3.5 - Task 08 – Create a Fourth Interactive Media Graphic using Bitmap or Vector Tools in line with the Client Brief. D3.4 - Task 09 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the 4th Graphic P3.6 – Task 10 – Discuss with evidence the File Constraints of saving and exporting your four images. P3.7 – Task 11 – Evidence exporting the completed four images into an appropriate range of formats for the client. P3.8 – Task 12 – Discuss with evidence from your own project, the importance of adhering to industry practice and processes with specific reference to improvements you might make.