What Even is Vector Artwork? - A Guide to the Differences Between Vector & Pixel-based Illustrations, and Why it Matters

6 min read | This post was originally posted on my website here

( For fun, there’s a little picture quiz at the end to test your new-found knowledge!)

I’m writing this post as a ‘jargon-buster’ for potential clients and other commissioners of illustration.

A straight forward guide to the differences between vector and pixel-based (raster) artwork, what difference it makes, and if you’re commissioning an illustrator WHY you really should understand what you’re going to get!

A recent conversation with a new client prompted me to remember that not everyone might know that these different types of images even exist, let alone what the distinctions of each are.

Depending on your project it may not be a big deal how an illustration is created as long as it suits a set purpose - in which case you’re best to leave it to how the illustrator prefers to work. However, I think that if you’re in the position of commissioning an illustration it’s important to be aware of the differences, and if there might be any limitations for future use - particularly if you’re not 100% clear on how you may want to use it at a later date.

Vector v Raster - What’s the difference?

VECTOR: Points and paths define all vector shapes and brush strokes

Vector

Vector art is a type of digital artwork which contains elements that are defined as editable points, paths, lines and/or curves. The main benefit is that this provides for flexibility, in that artwork can be edited at a later date or scaled up to any size without loss of resolution. Any other size or file format can be exported from a vector original.

Often vector artwork will look quite clean and ‘graphic’ but this isn’t always the case.

Example vector file types are: AI, EPS, PDF (but only if a PDF has been created from vectors, saving a pixel-based image such as a jpeg as a PDF doesn’t magically turn it into vector!)

VECTOR: Elements always remain sharp, so you can scale up to any size or zoom in to a close up

Raster

Raster art is a digital image based on pixels. It can be any size - but has a set width, height and resolution - the size it was created at with a resolution of, for example 300dpi for print or 72ppi for screen use. The artwork can be scaled down in size, but should never be scaled up as this would result in a loss of resolution. Other sizes and file formats can be exported from a raster original, but just not made bigger or to increase the resolution.

Example raster image file types are: PSD, JPG, PNG

(Photoshop Disclaimer - These days Photoshop does have some vector capabilities, so it’s not necessarily a clean cut distinction to say a Photoshop image isn’t vector, however it would almost certainly contain some pixel-based elements)

RASTER: The image looks fine and works well if used at the size it is intended. If enlarged or zoomed in too much, the image will appear pixel-y or blurred

When does it matter for you?

Here are some examples of when it’s beneficial for illustrations to be vector, or created as a ‘larger than needed’ pixel-based image.

• You’re commissioning a set of illustrations for some marketing or course materials Once the illustrations have been created you like them so much you’d like to print them bigger for display on a wall or as exhibition panels
• You’d like some illustrations for your website If there’s any possibility the illustrations might also be used for print in the future, make sure the illustrator knows this before they start work
• You’d like an illustration as a key component of your brand If illustration is being used as part of your logo, it would be usual for it to be vector simply because this allows for all possible future use (think potential for large scale printing or laser cutting, for example). If the illustration is to be used as an asset for use across your brand materials etc, then it needn’t necessarily be vector, but you should be clear about the planned uses.

Sometimes it ISN’T important…

Contrary to the above, there are also many times when how an illustration is created really DOESN’T MATTER, as long as the quality and size are right for the intended purpose. For example:

• An editorial illustration which will be used once to accompany a specific article
• Book illustrations
• A website/blog post illustration that won’t be featured elsewhere

Some Examples

EXAMPLE: Pixel-based illustration, drawn on the iPad using Procreate app. There are subtleties here, particularly in the texture and the pencil style lines which are much harder (maybe impossible) to achieve using vectors.

EXAMPLE: Vector illustrations, created to have a hand-drawn feel. Generally the illustrations feel a bit crisper than the pixel-based example above, but without the subtleties of texture. Interesting to show that vectors don’t always have to be straight lines and geometric shapes though.

Professional illustrators working digitally may choose to work in either vectors or pixels (or indeed a mix of the two!) - both types of artwork have their benefits/limitations in terms of how they’re created, edit-ability and the final look. It’s really just personal preference, or if a specific project is better suited to a particular approach, often depending on how the final artwork will be used.

How to make sure you get what you need?

Simply discuss with your illustrator (or whoever is creating your artwork) where you’d like to use the illustration and how big it will be. Make sure they know all the ways you may want to use the work from the outset - they will probably ask anyway!

It’s always good to build in a bit of flexibility

If the illustration is vector, there should be no problem with scaling up, or cropping in for a close up.

If it’s pixel-based - created in Photoshop or Procreate for example - it would be useful for any master artwork to be created at a larger size (just in case…!). I would usually create non-vector illustrations at 1.5x or 2x the size required for the intended use, so that I know I’m covered if the work ended up being used bigger or cropped into.

Vector or NOT Vector?

Pictured below are a selection of illustrations I’ve created for different projects - some are vector and some are not. I’ve specifically chosen examples where it may not be immediately obvious how the illustration is created…Can you spot which is which? Sorry no prizes, it’s just for fun!

Answers | Vector: 2, 5, 6, 7 Not Vector: 1, 3, 4, 8

Thanks for your time!

I hope this post has been useful and informative for you. Feel free to drop me a line if there’s anything else you’d like to know on the subject of vectors and different types of artwork, or if you’d like some advice on a project you’re considering.

Also I’d love to know if there’s any other ‘technical jargon’ I could help you understand - I’m all for trying to make the process of working with an illustrator a simple, straight-forward and enjoyable experience! Email me here