Images are important for many people as they can be used to liven up a dull document, be used to educate, inform or convey a complex idea, which would otherwise take many words to describe. Maps are useful to help with location and direction and charts are an appropriate way of presenting data. Images are also an effective way to illustrate scale and relationships of objects and describe new technology.
A good image can tell a story that can help with the retention of information when learning which then increases motivation and enjoyment. They can also be used to break up text and provide a different way of presenting information. This can be beneficial for many people including dyslexics who may otherwise struggle with text.
As not everybody can access images, or only access images using equipment such as CCTV or magnifier, it is important to consider the use of images carefully because with some planning, images can be made more accessible and enjoyable to more people.
This section covers some hints and tips for good design of images; the use of images; about vector and bitmap image formats; design of charts, maps and descriptions for images in text.