PT Application Graphics

A well-designed, appropriately implemented graphic is a powerful element in any application. Graphics are often the first things users notice, and the challenge for designers is to make a good impression—in any language. Graphics can instantly communicate complex ideas, establish corporate identity, provide continuity among Web pages, and add a humorous touch to an application; the PT application uses graphics for all of these reasons. The graphics for the PT application are located in the Images directory.

When designing icons and graphics for a globalized application, consider the following guidelines:

• Avoid text in bitmaps unless it does not require localization; for example, the company logo and text that appears in the upper-left corner of the PT application's Web pages does not require localization.
• Add descriptive text as a ToolTip or in a label. The Web pages of the PT application include an image in the upper-right corner that represents the role (administrator, individual, auditor, or evaluator) of the user currently logged on to the application. Localized label text describes that role. The text for the label is stored in the lingo.xml file for the locale. Merging XML Files to Create Localized HTML Files describes how text for the correct locale is associated with this label.
• Verify that the image communicates the correct message in all target locales. Images that are well-known and understood by people in one culture can be confusing or offensive to people in another. An application may require several images expressing the same concept for use in different locales. To make sure the images for the PT application convey the correct message in each locale, the LitWare design team consults with localization experts for each locale who review the images and icons.
• Keep the file size of the images as small as possible. Users do not want to wait for large graphic files to load regardless of how clever the images are. Controlling the size of graphic files is especially important for locales that do not commonly use the fastest modems and computers.