It’s a fair question. After all, technology is moving like a cheetah. What seems to be “industry standard” one day is “yesterday’s news” the next. Things go from “Beta to VHS to Laserdisc to DVD to BluRay to goodness knows what’s next” in the blink of an eye. It’s almost pointless to commit to a file format. Isn’t it?
Not so fast little mouse. Vector art is here to stay. Here’s why:
I’m sure that we all remember lining up at Chuck E. Cheese to dump quarters into retro video games like Star Wars, Battle Zone and Asteroids (play it online for free). Little did you know, that each quarter was already going to support vector based technology? You were paving the way for other designers to keep the format alive. You are already involved, whether you know it or not.
The one thing that you probably noticed from that type of game play was how smooth it was. How precise the aim and touch. Over time, colourful games like Pac Man came along and gobbled up much of the attention. Pixel-based design was about to take off like a rocket. Vector art took the low road. Finding it’s way to graphic designers who admire qualities like precision and measurement.
Today there are thousands of vector based micro stock collections on the market today. The best are captured here.
Because of it’s mathematical characteristics, vectors will never go away. That’s like geometry going out of style. Not gonna happen. Here’s why…
You can set your watch to Adobe Illustrator. Personally, I’ve been with them for over 12 years, and in that time, the software has not just kept in step with designers, I has set the bar. Every version has advantages and drawbacks. But the truth is, as someone who has worked in more advertising agencies than I could shake a stylus at – Adobe Illustrator is everywhere. People depend on it to hit deadlines and make it “all fit”. Media publications world wide use vector-based software and seemlessly transfer it world wide. Mathematics is a universal language. Vector art has a specific dialect. When you speak it, you widen the range for those that can hear you.
The range of creative applications for vector art is vast as well. From Flash Animation to laser engraving to t-shirts and advertising, vectors are valuable. Don’t make the mistake of putting them in a category with some image you pulled from Google. They take great care to produce and they should be respected as such.
Don’t just look for it for free. Create your own. Buy it from others.
The energy that is unleashed from this exciting world wide community is infectious. It has driven up demand for high-quality expressions in vector format. This means that vector art is employing people, and the one’s without employment seem to use vector art to generate passive income (myself included). This reason alone is enough to support vector art and the hard working people who create it. Unlike photography, which has it’s own discipline of capturing and staging moments, vectors are created from nothing. The story must be assembled efficiently and communicate in a pure way. They are different.
Yet, they are all grouped into the category of “images” along with a swelling ocean of photographs. Vectors swim with their own current and appeal to savvy fisherman (and fisherwoman of course). Those who seek the exotic, colourful and rare art to slice and dice up and make their own creation. We love these people.
It’s everywhere. From the 50 ft barrier outside of the Museum, to the menu at you favourite restaurant to the logo on your business card. It compliments the information that you absorb. And like it or not, it’s here to stay.
The Mathematical nature of vectors empower designers with flexibility. Without the limits of resolution and file size, creative people world wide have a level playing field from which to compete. And trust me, they do compete – with their art. I should know. I’ve been wearing a black striped jersey with a vector whistle for over 7 years now. This is what I have learned:
There are no limitations. Only obstacles. Vector art has given me the ability to navigate unreasonable timelines and over deliver when afforded the opportunity. I’m a fan of accuracy. I like it when things line up. But vector art has also made me appreciate when things don’t. That’s where the real magic lies. That’s where we are looking. For the next Davinci, the next Coco Chanel.
Trust me when I say this: When we find them. You’ll hear about it.
We got a big mouth and we suck at keeping genius a secret.
Still confused? Don’t sweat it. Click here to learn more about vector art and the artists who create it.
Whatever it is that you do,
do it well.
Enjoy it, and then show the world.
We’re watching you. Knock our socks off. We double dare you.
