This page is part of the California Department of Education (CDE) Web Design Standards, which only apply to specific CDE Web sites. Visit the CDE Web Standards to determine if these standards apply to a specific Web product (Web site, Web page, Web document, or Web application) that has been developed by or for the CDE.
Most Web pages (not including Web applications) on all CDE Web sites are created using Adobe's Contribute software templates. WebNETS, which is a custom software application that was created by CDE staff, is also necessary in order to create and process most Web pages on the CDE's public Internet site. Portions of these standards, where noted, apply only to CDE users of Contribute or WebNETS software; or to Web application developers.
At the CDE, images are included on our Internet Web site and on our Intranet with a great deal of emphasis toward: professionalism, presentation, accessibility, relevance, legality, and ethics.
- Use of images must not violate any copyright.
- Images will not be used in place of headings (e.g., <h1>, <h2>, etc.). See the Headings section of the Design Standards for more information.
- All images must have alternative text (alt tag). See the Accessibility Standards for more information.
- Use of the CDE logo must be approved by CDE Press.
- File names for images must follow standard file naming conventions for the CDE Web site and the CDE Intranet. See the File Names section of the Design Standards for more information.
- Flashing or animated images are not allowed. See the Accessibility Standards for more information.
- Color in images must be appropriate for each page. There should be contrast between text and background.
- Use only GIF or JPG (JPEG). GIF should be used for icons and graphics. JPG should be used for photographs.
- Image size should be appropriate to the content (not too big and not too small.)
For the Internet
Contribute Templates
- When using the standard Contribute templates, images are not allowed to be added to these Web pages unless an exception is approved by the Web Services Office.
- When using a Contribute Publications Template:
- All images must have been developed in conjunction with and approved by CDE Press.
- All images must have been approved through the DEAM 3800 process.
Web Applications
- Do not use icons for links unless necessary. When they are necessary, use a key or legend on each page before introducing icons that are used for links.
- Generally, no graphics are allowed. However, if necessary for the effective communication of content; charts, graphs, and icons may be used, but must be specifically approved by the Web Application Review Team (WebART). When icons are used, a key introducing the icon must appear (logically and visually) in each page before the icon is used.
- All images must have been approved through the DEAM 3800 process.
- Optimize all images using a full-featured image editing program. Ensure that optimization does not degrade quality. Images should be presented at 72 DPI.
- Resize images using a full featured image editing program and then specify the actual pixel dimensions in the HTML code.
- Images should always be sized at 100%. Never squish or enlarge an image.
For the Intranet
Department-wide Content
- Graphics are allowed if they are related to the content. When icons are used, a key introducing the icon must appear (logically and visually) in each page before the icon is used.
- All images must be approved by the division.
- The Web Team reserves the right to disallow any image that is detrimental to the Department's Intranet.
Division Content Areas
- Photos of personnel are allowed, subject to any personnel division rules.
- All images must be approved by the division.
- The Web Team reserves the right to disallow any image that is detrimental to the Department's Intranet.
Web Applications
- Do not use icons for links unless necessary. When they are necessary, use a key or legend on each page before introducing icons that are used for links.
- Optimize all images using a full-featured image editing program. Ensure that optimization does not degrade quality. Images should be presented at 72 DPI.
- Resize images using a full featured image editing program and then specify the actual pixel dimensions in the HTML code.
- Images should always be sized at 100%. Never squish or enlarge an image.
All Web Applications
Background images may be used in place of standard images with alternative text as long as text that is descriptive and equivalent is included in the body of the page or is available when cascading style sheets are disabled.
Usage of the CDE Logo or Other Proprietary Graphics
Occasionally, outside users of the CDE Web site request permission to use the CDE logo or other proprietary images on their Web sites. To reduce the risk that the CDE logo be used inappropriately, do not provide the CDE logo or other CDE proprietary images to outside Web sites.
Additional Information
| Link | Description |
|---|---|
| Accessibility Standards | Coming Soon |
| File Names | The File Names section of the Design Standards provides the file naming convention for Web pages, documents and applications. |
| Headings | The Headings section of the Design Standards gives background on the important use of headings, which provide both structural and visual organization in Web pages and Web applications. |
| PDF Guidance (CDE Intranet) |
Provides instructions on how to tag, optimize, and add alternative text to images for Web documents posted on the CDE Internet and Intranet in Portable Document Format (PDF). |
