Images: illustration, photography

Use multimedia to extend and add depth to written content, or to present content in a more engaging way altogether.

All content should add value to the user’s experience, whether it is writing, sound or image. Never add photos, illustrations, graphics or video simply as decoration or to make a page seem more sophisticated; if they are not helping the user understand the written content or accomplish another task, they are just getting in the way. Most regular web users intuitively recognize such fluff. It frustrates them and undermines the credibility of all of your content in their eyes.

All requests to add images to the CCBC website must be submitted to the Web Management Team. Like all other content on the CCBC website, the Web Management Team reserves the right to approve, reject or edit all multimedia submissions.

The following standards are used in determining whether or not an image will appear on the CCBC website.

High quality, professional photography

The quality of the images selected sends important messages about the quality of the rest of the content and of the college itself. College Communications maintains a large library of professional CCBC photographs that are available for use on the web. In the case of event items, it may be suitable to use amateur photography, but the image needs to be high quality, high resolution candid action shots related to the item rather than a predictable, posed shot.

To access photos in the College Communications library, contact Michael Elspas, Assistant Director of Creative Services.

Up-to-date photography

Images rarely contain dates, but clothing, hairstyles, technology and other visual cues can give viewers a powerful and immediate indication that something is old. Unless there is a contextual reason for a dated reference, such imagery gives the impression that your content is out-of-date and that those who maintain it are careless. This undermines the credibility not only of your content, but of the entire site.

Do not use amateurish illustration or clip art

Amateurish illustrations and clip art will not be published to the CCBC website. These send the wrong message about the effort you’ve put into your content and reflect poorly on the college.

Submit correct and appropriately sized images

Images on the CCBC website must be specific sizes in order to be featured:
If you need to resize your image, be sure to maintain the original aspect ratio (the relationship between the width and height) and be conscious of the image’s resolution. Otherwise, the image could appear stretched or pixilated. As a general rule, if the image you have is too small, try to find another image. Do not try to enlarge the image because this will just make the image appear blurry.

Not only are specific image sizes important, you need to keep file size in mind. Large images on the web can slow down page load time. Images with a lot of detail are best saved as a JPEG. Saving a photo as a JPEG will ensure you have the highest quality image at the lowest possible file size. But that’s not all - compressing your images is an important step in ensuring images are loading as fast as possible. If you’re saving images for web in Photoshop, you can use the ‘Save for Web’ options to optimize your file size. For assistance with photo compression, contact Michael Elspas, Assistant Director of Creative Services.

Have the rights to the image

Know the source of your images and make sure you have permission to use them. Be sure to adhere to CCBC’s copyright policy.

Obtain a media release

A release is permission given by the person/people visible in the photo or the owners of the property, artwork, etc. that has been photographed. CCBC requires a media release for all individuals featured in print, video, and online advertising. Signed release forms secure legal permission to publish images of people and property. Releases are not needed for public events. Anyone in a public place, such as a sporting event or commencement ceremony, has no legal expectation of privacy. Anyone in a private place has a legal (and reasonable) expectation of privacy.

Prohibited media

Institutions are not allowed to post images of military individuals in uniform on their public facing website as it implies unauthorized endorsement from the Department of Defense (DoD) or any particular Service branch. According to (DoD) directive 1334.1, “The wearing of the uniform by members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of Reserve components) is prohibited.” Furthermore, Military Seals are protected by law from unauthorized use and these seals may not be used for non-official purposes. These protected marks may not be used without prior written permission.