From the course: Graphic Design Careers: First Steps

Essential software tools for design

From the course: Graphic Design Careers: First Steps

Essential software tools for design

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- We've already discussed the importance of sketching and planning. Once you get your concept down on paper, you'll need to create a digital version for distribution, and in many cases, refinements. Although there is no shortage of tools to choose from in today's graphic design world, most designers are using three main applications in either desktop or mobile format. Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. InDesign is a layout tool for producing documents for print and onscreen delivery. This includes print publications, interactive documents, online catalogs, stationary, e-books, and more. Text and images import easily and InDesign has a rich collection of tools that will enable you to customize every element of your design. To edit and create images and videos or work out concepts, Photoshop is your best bet. It's great for taking care of common editing tasks like cropping and straightening, color and tonal adjustments and retouching. One of the many benefits of editing in Photoshop is the ability to edit non-destructively, working in layers using masks and more. Now, when you need to create a work that can be scaled up indefinitely and never degrade in quality such as logos that may be used at wildly different sizes, you need a program that can create scalable vector art. Illustrator is perfect for this. It's also great for creating freehand drawings, as well as tracing and recoloring scanning or captured art. Many use Illustrator for creating logos and icons, illustrations, and even setting type. It's an essential tool for any designer. Learning software takes time, but these types of programs are vitally important and can enable you to create work beyond what you can create with pen and paper alone opening up endless possibilities.

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