Graphic design has been around almost since the beginning of time in one form or another. Think pre historic cave paintings and images carved into rocks. The very first form of recorded communication was in pictures rather than words. Today of course, things have evolved massively, and graphic design is done on computers using complex but powerful graphic design software. From cartoon illustrations to logos, banners and poster design to advertisements – the scope of graphic design is far reaching. For a graphic designer no two jobs are the same, and technological advances mean that software is constantly being updated with new and innovative features.
Graphic design software needs a particular set of tools to produce, edit and create layouts for the different media types used in the world of design. There are a number of industry standard protocols and formats, and a good software must provide the necessary tools to adhere to these guidelines.
The following are some things to consider when choosing the best graphic design software to meet your needs:
Ease of Use
If you are an experienced graphic designer but new to the wonderful world of software, you will need to look at aspects of the software such as accessibility of tools and palettes, layout and workflow etc. for ease of use. Your graphic design software should be able to work with other file types and applications. Decide what features are important to you and make sure that the software does what you need it to do.
Digital Imaging Features
You should be able to import all the standard file types and experiment with or manipulate them e.g. some of the most common features you may need are color correction, layers, filters, retouching, channel mixing, batch processing, artistic rendering and more. A good graphic design software will blend elements of both the main types of graphics – bitmap and vector.
Print Layout Features
These are important if you are creating a magazine, newspaper layout, newsletter or advertisement. Look at aspects such as text effects, typography, color and style palette tools and more. You want to be able to create and edit stunning images and photos that you can place in your final product.
Support And Help
A good software program will always include documentation and support from the developer. As a graphic designer working to deadlines you need to know that you can contact customer service and get a quick answer to your problem. There should be video tutorials, a knowledgebase, and a number of different customer service contact details – live chat, email and telephone etc. Also a customer forum can be very useful.
Choosing the right graphic design software is the key to your success. No matter how talented you are as a graphic designer, without a great design software application with powerful tools and features, you won’t be able to bring your creativity and designs to life. Whether you are a graphic design newbie, or a prolific graphic designer with a business of your own, take the time to research and find the best graphic design software for you. There are numerous reviews of the all the top software products to be found online – you can even check sites like Amazon.com if you want to read real user reviews.
You need to be well versed using the latest software either by experimenting and learning or joining a reputed institute which offers diploma of graphic design in melbourne to gain the necessary skills for a successful career in Graphic Design.
Toni Meadows is a retired Business professor who now blogs about education and it’s importance in society. He has a Management Diploma and worked in some of the Fortune top 100 companies during the peak of his career.
