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What Software Do Graphic Designers Use?
The most advanced graphic design software render it simple and easy to create templates for printing and distribution.
The practise of creating artwork and other compositions for print is distinct and requires the usage of specialised instruments. More precisely, a vector-based graphic design application.
Although there is excellent drawing and painting software as well as image editing software available online, the key is to choose the best tool for the job.
Ideally, you’ll choose a forum devoted to vector graphics programming that includes colour editing capabilities that work in CMYK, HSB, and RGB as well as the more conventional RGB.
Graphic design industry
This is especially true in the graphic design industry, where photos and illustrations must be reproduced in very large quantities, necessitating the use of specialised printing facilities.
As a consequence, graphic design applications must be capable of handling the intrinsic inconsistencies and requirements of all levels of the print and publishing processes.
Desktop publishing software is similar to image design software except that it is geared toward general publishing rather than image design. Additionally, although dedicated logo designers are available, a design team will need to be prepared to take on additional responsibilities.
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are widely recognised as the industry’s finest graphic design apps, which is why they are included exclusively in our online graphic design course.
The following are the strongest dedicated graphic design development applications.
Affinity Designer
Serif spent five years developing Affinity Designer from the ground up as a replacement for DrawPlus X8.
This software, which is geared toward professional designers and how they function, is capable of managing a wide variety of design practises, including web, branding, concept art, typography, and even replicated designs for ceramics, wallpaper, or soft furnishings.
Its intrinsic cloud capability also makes it an excellent option for design teams working on a common goal. And all of this versatility is very affordable on either a Windows PC or an Apple Mac.
Illustrator Creative Cloud (Adobe Creative Cloud)
Adobe Illustrator is basically the vector version to Photoshop, and the two applications share a number of tools and functions designed to aid artists.
Illustrator, on the other hand, is the tool to use if you want to produce drawings that can be scaled from a postage stamp to a giant billboard.
Adobe Illustrator was formerly sold individually, but Adobe now offers it only as part of the Creative Cloud (CC) suite, which is not cheap.
Monthly subscriptions begin at £20.99 if charged annually. Otherwise, the yearly package is £31.49 a month on a recurring basis.
While it boasts a comprehensive feature list, receives regular updates, and is compatible with both Apple Mac and Windows PC, the price is prohibitively high for casual users.
CorelDRAW
The CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is more of a set of programmes than a single function.
The package includes Media-Paint for picture processing, AfterShot for managing RAW files, PowerTRACE for translating bitmap images to vectors, and FontManager for organising the text styles you’re actually using.
The primary selling point, of course, is CorelDRAW, which is not just a vector-drawing package but also provides a laptop publishing mode that enables you to develop multi-page designs.
The most recent upgrade includes a slew of improvements, including web image management, vector effect manipulation, and a simplified sample menu. Additionally, you can view your images as thumbnails.
Additionally, it has returned to the Mac with a fully functional edition after a short absence.
In general, the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a well-established set of resources that remains current, and extending its use to Mac and Windows users can only be a positive thing.
Gravit
Due to the complexity of vector drawings, the majority of programmes for creating them are designed locally, but Gravit Designer offers online options as well.
The cloud-based version, which is accessible from every browser and allows for immediate uploading to either online or local storage.
Alternatively, there are installable releases that optimise the device’s hardware performance on Windows PCs, Apple Macs, Linux, and Chrome OS (as seen on Chromebooks).
According to our knowledge, the online variant becomes slow while dealing with complex models, while the locally available variants do significantly better. However, given the limited size of the free version, there is no excuse not to offer it a try. Numerous incredible examples offered by designers who use Gravit Designer illustrate how powerful it can be in a variety of contexts.
Gravit Designer PRO provides unlimited online storage, increased resolution to 300dpi, expanded print options to include CMYK and HSB in addition to RGB, and the ability to work offline. It also includes advanced export options, version background, and the ability to operate offline.
Inkscape
Although the majority of market professionals are suspicious of free software for a number of reasons, Inkscape is certainly worth exploring before investing in CorelDRAW or an Adobe CC subscription.
It is a vector design application that supports a wide range of file formats, comprehensive text editing, and both Bezier and Spiro curve modes. It also has an extension model that makes it simple to add new functions, and there are some fantastic ones usable.
Our only reservation is that it can be slow at times, except on a powerful PC, when a complicated process needs rendering.
As GPL-certified applications, you can import the source code and compile it for every Linux version you want, as well as Windows, Linux, and Apple Mac versions.
Sketch
Rather than the scatter-gun approach used by other programmes, the programmers of Sketch devised a method for meeting a relatively small criteria.
Sketch focuses on screen design, especially the creation of icons and interface features for websites and applications. However, since the software is only available on the Apple Mac, it will be particularly beneficial to developers working on iPhone, iPad, and macOS applications.
It can, therefore, be used in a broader range of applications, but its strength is in creating slick user interfaces.
Sketch is available as a single-use user licence. In the other side, licences for multiple devices remain current.
