Images used on George Mason websites must reflect the values and mission of the university. All images should be accurate and accessible, and must comply with university policies, digital accessibility standards, and copyright regulations.
Image Content Requirements
Images published to George Mason websites must meet the following content standards:
- No illegal activity, offensive language, obscene gestures, or threatening symbols appear in the image.
- No visible text, logos, or slogans conflict with George Mason’s values or policies.
- Copyrighted or licensed materials have proper permissions and attributions.
George Mason’s Photo and Video Digital Asset Library provides a curated collection of university-approved photography.
Accessibility Requirements for Images
Alternative text (alt text) must be added to all images in accordance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards:
- Use descriptive alt text for meaningful images, such as portraits or images that support the surrounding content.
- Use empty alt text (alt="") for decorative images that do not convey meaningful information.
- When an image functions as a link, provide non-empty alt text that describes the link’s purpose.
For additional guidance on writing alternative text, refer to the federal accessibility standards at Section508.gov and George Mason’s Creating Accessible Images resource from the Assistive Technology Initiative.
Image File Naming and Formatting
Use the following image file naming and format standards to help avoid upload errors, support accessibility, and improve page load performance:
- Keep file names short (under 25 characters) and meaningful.
- Use only lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens in image file names.
- Do not use spaces, punctuation (except hyphens), or special characters in image file names.
- Use only the following file formats: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, or .gif.
Image Size and Compression
Use the following image optimization practices to reduce load times and improve page performance:
- Resize images to match their display dimensions before uploading. For most page content, images should be no wider than 1200 pixels.
- Compress image files using photo editing tools or online optimizers to reduce file size while maintaining visual clarity.
- Save images for web use at a resolution of 72–150 dpi. High-resolution (300 dpi or higher) files are intended for print and should not be used online.
Related Regulations and Policies
Federal and Accessibility Standards
Section 508 – Rehabilitation Act: Alternative Text Guidance
WCAG 2.1 AA – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (W3C Quick Reference)Commonwealth of Virginia Regulations
Virginia IT Accessibility and Website Standards – VITA
EA Solutions Standard: Web Systems (PDF)University Policies
1301 – Responsible Use of Computing
1130 – Use of University Brand, Trademarks and Licensing
1203 – Non-Discrimination and Reasonable Accommodation on the Basis of Disability
1114 – Data Stewardship Policy