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University of North Dakota
  • Employee Resources
    • Job Openings
    • Benefits
    • Equal Opportunity
    • Staff Senate
    • TTaDA (Professional Development)
    • UCLC (Childcare)
    • University Council for Women+
    • University Senate
    • Work Well (Employee Wellness)
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    • Shared Service Center
    • Grants & Contracts Accounting
    • Procurement & Payment Services
    • Resource Planning & Allocation
    • Treasury
    • Accounting Services-Controller
  • Operations
    • Facilities Management
    • Parking & Transportation
    • Policy Office
    • Records Management
    • Safety
  • Communication Services
    • Brand and Identity
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Images

When placing images on the web, be thoughtful about the size, file name, and alt text.

WebP Image Format

UND recommends switching from JPEG to WebP image files. WebP allows websites to display high-quality images — but with much smaller file sizes and faster load times.

Editing Photos

WebP files cannot be edited in Omni like PNG and JPEG files. Photoshop is the preferred method to create WebP files and is available in Adobe Photoshop 23.2 or later. If you do not have Photoshop, use one of these a free WebP converter like Pixelied or Convertio.

WebP files can not be used in image gallery assets.

How to Size Photos in Photoshop

  1. Open Photoshop 
  2. Click “File” in the top tool bar 
  3. Scroll down and click “Open” 
  4. A File Explorer window will pop up where you will select your image 
  5. Once selected, click “Open” 
  6. Once your image is uploaded, now click “Image” in the top tool bar 
  7. Scroll down to “Image Size” 
  8. Resize image to the size you need 
  9. Input 72 in Resolution 
  10. Click “OK” 
  11. Click “File” in the top tool bar 
  12. Scroll down to “Save As A Copy” 
  13. A File Explorer window will pop up for where you want to save and name your file, and choose your file type 
  14. Choose where you want your file saved 
  15. Name your file 
  16. Under “Save as type”, Scroll down and select “WebP” in Format 
  17. Click “Save” 
  18. A new Photoshop window will pop up, “WebP Options” 
  19. For image compression: 
    1. Select “Lossy”  
    2. Enter 70 for Quality – or lower if your image is not below 100 KB 
    3. Click “OK” 

Image File Size Tips

  • Large image file sizes impact page load time. This leads to a frustrating experience for end users and negatively impacts how the page will rank in search engines.
  • Our site relies heavily on images, so every kilobyte saved impacts end user experience, usability, and site performance. Especially on mobile devices and networks with reduced speed or limited reception.
  • Always save images to 72 dpi. This is the lowest resolution recommended.

How to Write Photo Alt Tags

Every image is required to have alt text (alternative text) to describe what the image is for those using a screen reader. Alt text also helps search engines index images.

  • Be concise but descriptive: For example, a headshot of John Doe should read “Headshot of John Doe” to tell what type of photo it is and who is in the photo. Only including the person’s name doesn’t describe the type of photo it is. Refrain from stating a picture is a picture.
    • Incorrect: picture of Merrifield Hall
    • Correct: close-up of Merrfield Hall entry
  • Do not use the image file name as the alt tag. 
    • Incorrect: picunion1_large.jpg
    • Correct: Front door of the UND Memorial Union
  • Avoid images with text: Images with text create significant accessibility issues. If you have no other option, be sure to provide detailed alt text, captions, or a nearby description.
  • Do not write alt text for decorative elements: If the image is not a photograph, does not contain text, and serves only as a decoration, use a single space character as its alt tag so that screen readers will skip it silently.
  • Be careful of hyperlinked images: If the image is linked the alt text should describe the link destination rather than what is represented in the image.
    • Incorrect: Three students in front of the library.
    • Correct: Read student success stories.

Where to Save Images

Photos must be saved in the “_files > images” folder to help with long-term site maintenance.

Hero and Billboard Files Sizes

Response File Size Rational and Recommendations
Accept 200KB or less Always aim for this level of optimization.
Question 200KB‑350KB
  • Image may need further optimization.
  • Most images in this classification can be sized below 250KB.
  • Images deemed acceptable in this range should be infrequent.

The concern regarding detriment versus value should intensify as an image's file size approaches the 350KB maximum.

  • A 325KB image should be more harshly judged than a 225KB image.
  • A 325KB image is extremely undesirable compared to a 225KB version.
  • If the file size of an optimized image remains close to or above the 350KB maximum, and/or optimization has resulted in a low quality image, i.e. grain and pixilation become obvious, choose a new image.
Reject 350KB+ Image is too large and must not be used.

Medium Image Files Sizes

Images with dimensions around 600x400 are considered medium.

Response File Size Rational and Recommendations
Accept 75KB or less Always aim for this level of optimization.
Question 75KB‑110KB
  • Image may need further optimization.
  • Most images in this classification can be sized below 85KB.
  • Images deemed acceptable in this range should be infrequent.

The concern regarding detriment versus value should intensify as an image's file size approaches the 110KB maximum.

  • A 105KB image should be more harshly judged than a 80KB image.
  • A 105KB image is extremely undesirable compared to a 80KB version.
  • If the file size of an optimized image remains close to or above the 110KB maximum, and/or optimization has resulted in a low quality image, i.e. grain and pixilation become obvious, choose a new image.
Reject 110KB+ Image is too large and must not be used.

Universal Template Image Specs

universal template

Snippet Image Pixel Size
Billboard 1920x640
Mobile Billboard 768x256
Social 520x347
Sidebar Feature 330x220
Image 1024x683
Image (inline) 268x400
Video 1024x576
People 344x412
Feature 300x300
Gallery 1024x576

College Template Image Specs

college template

Snippet Image Pixel Size
College Banner 1920x900
Mobile Banner 768x960
College Feature 760x507
Column 600x400
Video 1024x576

Landing Page Template Image Specs

landing page template

Snippet Image Pixel Size
Landing Banner 1920x900
Mobile Banner 768x960
Landing Feature 669x446
Column 600x400
Slider 600x600
Feature Center 470x285
Grid 270x180

UND Photo Gallery

We strongly encourage the use of UND professional photos instead of stock photos or amateur photos.

The UND Photo Gallery is available for general use with a UND login via Canto. Additional archived photography can be requested by emailing marketing@UND.edu.

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