Evolving output mediums (And their effect on the creation of graphic images) Introduction: We’re currently living in an age where technology has revolutionised the way that we interact with the world, and is continuing to every day. This is particularly true in the creation of graphic images, where output mediums such as the monitor, the printer and even the mobile phone are allowing for unprecedented efficiency in image manipulation and creation. Monitors: Firstly, we’re going to look at how monitors are changing, and affecting the digital graphics world. In the later 1980’s, CRT monitors were the norm in digital output. These monitors displayed deep blacks and good colour depth, which was useful for the creation of graphics (although software in those days was somewhat more limited due to lower system specifications). One of the main issues with these monitors was that they generally were of a smaller size (with the larger models being extremely bulky). This was a particular issue for the creation of graphic design, as a bigger screen allows for a larger area of design, as well as a higher resolution. This was solved with the introduction of LCD monitors, larger and lighter than CRT, these monitors can be around ’30 and still be relatively lightweight, with good colour depth (although blacks aren’t as good as CRT comparatively. These monitors are still currently used for many different scenarios, from laptop screens to normal VGA connection monitors. In terms of on-going changes to monitor technology, IPS screens are becoming more widespread, which in terms of graphic design means that artists are able to see the colours being used more correctly (deeper colours) and are able to use the screens at a more rotated angle of viewing. This means that the artist can use multiple screens (even with ones at around 60 degrees to the right or left of them) and still retain a good view of their image. These innovations in monitor technology increase efficiency greatly. Printers: Monitors are not the only output device to take massive technological leaps in the last thirty years. Printers are essential in digital graphics, with many creations being printed to a physical medium. Examples of this would be logo’s being printed to vans and movie advertisements being printed to posters). With the first inkjet printer released in 1988 at around £600, they have been steadily improving in quality (Dots per image rising) ever since. DPI is an important part of printing, almost directly relating to quality of the image, which is of course essential to digital images.

In terms of on-going changes to printer technology, innovations such as wi-fi printing and in built card readers are making the actual output of digital creation all the more efficient. Wi-fi printing allows for the artist to manipulate the image as wished, and then send it to the printer to be printed anywhere (within range of the wi-fi connection) wirelessly. Although an input medium, many printers also come with scanners nowadays, which allows for previously printed images (or legacy photo’s) to be scanned and then manipulated, which is extremely helpful for digital graphics.

Mobile phones: Though mobile phones are not often recognised as a “professional” platform for digital media creation, they’re extremely useful tools when recognised as such. Starting out as simple black and white output screens with no internal camera (or any other features, for that matter), they have quickly evolved to be capable of not only taking pictures, but manipulating them as well. This is has greatly affected the creation of digitally manipulated images. By taking a picture, users then have a plethora of applications for the editing of that picture. With some printers nowadays, mobiles can then directly send that picture to the printer to be put onto a physical medium (usually A4 paper). In terms of current innovations into digital graphics on phones include popular photo manipulation creators attempting to release mobile versions of their software. An example of this would be “Adobe Photoshop express”, which allows some of the more basic features of Photoshop to be used on images, as well as a fair few filters designed specifically for use on the mobile platform. The most impressive change that the evolution of graphics creation on phones has brought about is the ability to the “casual” phone user to quickly edit and create these images. Even children can be taught to take an image, then adjust and apply filters until the image has been digitally modified.

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Adobe Photoshop express: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adobe.psmobile&hl=en Wi-Fi printing: http://m.printhand.com/images/wifi_printing.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lf9-rlesKvc/ %252BMonitor.jpg