Text, Typography and Graphics
What this domain tests
How text is encoded and set, and how images are stored. Expect definitions of typographic terms, raster versus vector reasoning, colour models, and file-format choice.
Core rules and concepts
- Encoding: ASCII covers 128 characters in 7 bits; Unicode assigns a code point to every character, and UTF-8 stores it efficiently. Declaring UTF-8 prevents garbled symbols.
- Type terms: point size, leading (line spacing), kerning (space between a pair of letters), tracking (space across a run of text), x-height and baseline. Serif, sans-serif, monospace and display faces suit different jobs.
- Hierarchy: use size, weight and space, and limit a page to two or three families.
- Raster images are grids of pixels; resolution is measured in pixels per inch (PPI) and colour depth in bits per pixel. JPEG is lossy and suits photographs; PNG is lossless with transparency; GIF is limited to 256 colours; SVG is vector and scales without blur.
- Colour: RGB is additive and used on screens; CMYK is subtractive and used in print. Hex notation
#RRGGBBgives values from 00 to FF.
Worked example
A 1200 × 800 pixel image is placed at 300 PPI. Reasoning: 1200 ÷ 300 = 4 inches wide; 800 ÷ 300 ≈ 2.67 inches high. The same file at 96 PPI would display about 12.5 × 8.33 inches, but the pixel data is unchanged, so enlarging it on screen does not add detail.
Traps that cost marks
Mixing up PPI and DPI; claiming a raster image can be enlarged indefinitely; using JPEG for line art or text; preparing RGB files for commercial print; low-contrast type over a photograph.