Pixels

The term “Pixel” is the combination of two words: “picture” and “element” (pix = picture, el = element). In graphic design, a pixel is the smallest component of an image displayed on the screen of any digital device. It appears as a tiny square unit of colour which, when combined with many others, forms a complete image. Pixels are crucial in digital imaging, as they determine the resolution and clarity of an image.

How does a pixel work?

A Pixel is typically made up of three colour channels:

1. Red (R)
2. Green (G)
3. Blue (B)

Each channel has an intensity value ranging from 0 (Minimum intensity ) to 255 (maximum Intensity). They are arranged in a grid, with higher resolutions providing more pixels for clearer images. Each pixel contains smaller sub-pixels that combine to produce a range of colours. The number of pixels per inch (PPI) affects sharpness, with higher density resulting in finer details and lower density potentially causing pixelation. Pixels are influenced by the monitor size and graphics card, affecting their quality, size, and colour

Think of a digital image as a mosaic of tiny coloured tiles. Just like more tiles create a clearer mosaic, more pixels result in a sharper, more detailed image. Fewer pixels can make the image look blurry or blocky.

What is a good pixel count for an image?

A good pixel count or PPI depends on the image used, but there are some ideal ranges- 70-100 PPI for web display, 300 PPI for print, and 1440p or 4K for high-resolution screens. More pixels usually improve quality, but the best choice depends on the image size and specific usage.

In digital displays, pixels are used to make the images visible on screens. The quality of these images is influenced by the size and density of the pixels; generally, smaller pixels used in a higher density often result in sharper and more detailed images.

Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.