Hi. I am starting college studying graphic design, what software should I start to familiarize myself with?

Question

I just want to get a heads up on things, do some independent learning on the subject in regards to the computer programs. Also am planning to buy a new computer later this year and wondered what specs graphic designers recommend.

Answer 1

I, too, recommend the Adobe Creative Suite, which contains the "big three" applications of graphic design.

There are other products that can do much of the same KINDS of work, but the Adobe products are the industry standard.  Be aware that these programs are not cheap, so, you may consider looking out for some older versions of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.  You can still find legal, registerable copies of these and can be bought at a considerable fraction of the latest versions.

The question often comes up if one really NEEDS all three of these.  My answer is very consistant.  While each of these apps may have some functions in common with one or more of the others, each is designed for a specific purpose.  Pros need these, and more because we'd rather yous the right tool for the job.  

Photoshop is good for manipulating and adjusting photos and other images, as well as for creating images from scratch.  The tools and functions contained are myriad and the application can do amazing things in the hands of a power user.

Illustrator, while much more, is the tool of choice for creating scaleable vector graphics and for some basic layouts.  It also has some improved text tools, compared to Photoshop, so is excellent for creating graphics with combined images and text.  It does a pretty good job of preparing graphics for print output.

InDesign has some of Illustator's vector drawing tools, but, it is, primarily, a page layout application.  For this purpose, no other application, (except, perhaps, Quark ExPress) does this better.  This especilly is true when laying out multipage documents, such as books, magazines, catalogues, newspapers and such.  It has full featured text tools so that, virtually all kinds of typography and typesetting functions can be done at the computer.  It is, of course, fully capable of preparing files for print output.

Either, as separate applications, or as part of the Adobe Creative Suite, these apps are fully integrated with each other and the designer can work on the various elements of design, switching seamlessly among the three applications.

While you are thinking about it, consider these other applications as part of your studies:  Flash is a relatively inexpensive tool for creating moving images, either for video, or web application.  Dreamweaver, or other web design tool should be part of your arsenal.  Acrobat Pro, (not the Acrobat reader, but the PDF creator)  Don't neglect your word processor, such as Word, or a decent spreadsheet app, like Excell.  Maybe explore some 3D drawing tools, animation and video creating and editing software like After Effects.

Professional level graphic design can be compared with good cabinet making and carpentry.  A craftsman CAN make piece with no more than a saw and hammer, but, for a good job, he'll use a plane, chisels, square, drill, router and other milling and woodworking tools.  Why do it the hard way when there are other tools to make the job easier and better.

If, you have a limited budget, I recommend starting with Photoshop Elements.  It is a POWERFUL entry level graphics tool that many designers I know NEVER have to outgrow.  Elements retails for under $100 and compares closely with the full version Photoshop of five years ago, which retailed for several hundred dollars.  Elements has the most popular functions used from the full version and introduces the user to some elaborate tools used, such as vector drawing and text tools.  The great thing about starting with Elements is that, if you ever thing you NEED to upgrade to the full version Photoshop, you don't have to go through an entirely new learning curve to come up to speed.  

So the effort you put in to your studies determines how versitile a designer you will become, and the kinds of jobs you can get into.

Good luck.

Answer 2

the adobe design premium suite.  it includes adobe photoshoop extended, which is more powerful than regular photoshop because it allows you to render in 3d and check your designs so you can see how they would look on a can or a box.. things like that.. i too am doing graphic design and i LOVE adobe.  its the number one and only choice for graphic designers

Answer 3

Photoshop, but wait to buy until you see what the instructor uses in the course. They may also be able to give you a huge discount.  

Answer 4

photoshop, indesign, and illustrator!