Table of Contents
What Is The Best Beginner Friendly Software To Self-Learn Graphic Design With?
Graphic design is without a doubt one of the most common areas of fine art. It is a job environment with tremendous development opportunities for both part-time and full-time positions, whether employed by an organization or freelance. It’s a fantastic profession if you choose to work in advertisement or marketing, designing for smart devices, creating smartphones, specializing in multimedia or interactive design, or web design and creation, as the need for great designers would grow as technology advances.
Learn graphic design online through Blue Sky Graphics online graphic design course.
As graphic designers advance and move up the career ladder, their emphasis will shift and they may devote more time to strategy and concepts rather than manual design. However, if you are just starting out in your profession, your primary emphasis will be on designing logos and branding items, symbols and pictograms, print ads, posters and banners, signage, and packaging, among other things, and you will need to invest in equipment that will help you to learn and develop your design techniques and skills.
Investing in Software
Adobe Creative Cloud (which contains Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Premiere Pro or After Effects, InDesign, among other programs) is a must-have kit for someone starting out in graphic design. Access to 30 web applications and 20 smartphone apps is included in the kit. The monthly rate for businesses (if you are self-employed and want to establish a freelance business) is £49.00. For teachers, the kit costs just £19.99. You can mainly use Illustrator for vector graphics and illustration, Photoshop for picture editing and composing, and InDesign for page design and layout for publishing in the Adobe Creative Cloud kit. However, if you are more interested in web design, you can also need Dreamweaver for web and smartphone design, as well as Flash for immersive experiences and game design.
The Adobe Creative Cloud would suffice for those who are only starting out in graphic design. However, if you choose to try your hand at 3D effects or graphics, you can also invest in Maya Autodesk, Autodesk 3ds Max, Cinema 3D, or Cheetah 3D. (for Mac). Of course, there are open-source solutions as well, such as Drupal for creating awesome interactive environments, Joomla for creating mobile-ready and user-friendly websites, and WordPress for content management systems. There are also a few hundred free alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud, such as Inkscape for vectors and drawing (similar to Illustrator but not as powerful); Scribus for layout and design (similar to InDesign but not as powerful); blender for 3D design, GIMP for picture editing (similar to Photoshop), and KOMPOZER to substitute Dreamweaver. While not a substitute for the Adobe Creative Cloud, these open-source options will get you started if you’re on a tight budget.
Choosing a Computer
It’s an intriguing debate that many programmers face when deciding between a Mac and a PC. It’s potentially a 50/50 split, with many using the one they’re more comfortable with or have used in training. But, if you’re just starting out in your career, do you still need a powerful computer? The reality is that you don’t need an expensive machine right away and you’ll notice that a mid-range computer with a reasonable amount of RAM would suffice. In reality, you won’t need a more powerful machine unless you start doing intense picture or video processing, or working on large projects that include animation or 3D effects. The majority of your work would entail the use of three main design programs: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesignSo, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a high-end machine you assume you’ll like before you’ve raised enough money to afford it comfortably. Still, when the time arrives, which is preferable? Is it better to use a PC or a Mac; a laptop or a desktop?
Desktop vs. laptop
Laptops are strong, flexible solutions because they enable you to function everywhere – in a coffee shop, at your dining room table, or even in an airport while waiting to board a flight. Desktops, on the other hand, usually have larger screens and are more robust and efficient. They are ideal if you have enough room in your home office, and certain designers can also set up two computers for you to operate from.
PC vs. Mac
Mac was created with the intention of being used by all, not just specialists. As it grew in prominence, it became the “go-to” tool for graphic design. Nowadays, it seems that the MacBook Pro is the device of choice for most creators. In fact, as long as they have enough power and graphics capabilities, both the PC and the Mac are excellent for design.
If you’re willing to spend a lot of money on a Mac laptop, the MacBook Pro is definitely the strongest one right now in terms of graphics. It is quick and strong, with graphics that are up to 130 percent faster. It also has something called P3 colour, which provides 25% more colour than regular RGB (great news for designers).
Creativity Instruments
The Wacom Bamboo and Intuos tablets are two of the most popular sketching tools. Sketches made on these tablets may be directly translated into design programs on a server. They can also be used as a mouse and start at around £40 (the better tablets, however, cost around £200). Of course, if you’re very strapped for cash and like to do it the old-fashioned way, invest in a classic sketchbook. A traditional sketchbook will really get the creative juices going, provide a break from the machine, and enable you to get back to the fundamentals of freehand drawing. Always have one on hand in case you get inspired. Post-it notes are often useful for taking quick notes, organizing and colour-coding your thoughts and workflow, and making sure you never miss a fresh project or your first job interview.
While it is sometimes forgotten, nothing beats a cosy workspace for getting you through a long yet fruitful day. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in front of a screen or sketching out concepts on your desk, it’s important that the room you’re in allows your imagination to flow. And, whilst we’re on the subject of comfort, make sure the chair you’re sitting in is comfortable so you don’t get back problems later on.
