Graphic Design is the combination of art and science to convey a message through visuals. It is accepted as a mode of communication. Now that the world has entered the internet age and most businesses compete for the attention of consumers through cyberspace, graphic design artists have become a necessity. Designers are needed to make appealing web pages. No matter how useful or moving the contents of a website are, it might still not meet the desired results of the owner if it does not look good. Appearance is the primary attribute people notice. When one is surfing online he would most likely check only web pages that in first glance seem to be host important information.
Tools
1. Human Mind
this is the most important tool in Graphic Design especially since BlueSkyGraphics graphic design course is half art. While the science half can be left to technology the art half cannot. Human judgment, taste, and preference and of course creativity are vital elements of a successful graphic design piece. Another important attribute machines or technology cannot provide is originality. Designers are hired to make original works. Their works can be totally original starting with each little piece. Their works may also compose of non-original pieces arranged and put together in such a unique way that the origin of the pieces becomes immaterial. Many designers have also developed their own techniques and style of designing.
2. Computer
The computer is an essential tool in Graphic Design because it is what is used to run the different software and applications the designer needs to adequately perform his tasks. Computers can perform many things exponentially faster than humans. They can store data and information in a way that they can be easily retrieved. They are also the primary means in which an individual can connect to the internet. Cyberspace is an important resource because it houses countless images, characters, layouts, and all other graphic design elements most of which can be downloaded for free. Though there are still some who conduct traditional methods of graphic design, a vast majority prefers using computers to make the work easier, faster, and more convenient.
3. Software and Applications
These are a collection of codes and programs that work together to assist the computer user in performing a particular set of tasks. Graphic Design software and applications have greatly evolved through the years. Tasks that used to take days of sitting and working in front of the computer can now be completed in minutes using the right application. Most applications focus on one area such as the Photoshop which revolves around quick, easy, and convenient manipulation and alteration of images. Graphic design tools of today are so efficient even kids can now create their own designs. Some successful designers have not even undergone design classes and simply learned from using applications.
4. Pencil
The pencil is one of the basic tools in graphics. Today however, it is not only limited to the traditional handheld pencil. It can come in the form of a laser pen or a digital pen.
Affordable Alternatives for Graphic Designers
There are many options available for graphic designers these days and they pick the application that fits their need the best. However, an overwhelming majority stick to using the Adobe Creative Suite. This suite is used by thousands of graphic design professionals for web design, logo design, print production and similar type of works. However, depending on the type of work and budget the designers can also choose some less expensive alternatives to the Adobe products.
The designers who want a pocket friendly design tool that can cater to their needs can buy the Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 7 which retails for less than $90. It is also offered on trial for a period of one week. This comprehensive design suite is capable of works like image editing, 3D and 2D graphics, page layout designing and animation. The users need not switch applications for doing the various tasks involved in their work.
The advantage of Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 7 is that it is user friendly and the first time users would not have any problem in mastering its interface and various tools. However, this is not to mean that it is meant only for amateur designers. On the contrary, it is capable of producing media rich web pages and stunning art designs. Those who buy the package also get a content pack comprising of clip arts amounting to 282 MB. They also get templates for various types of projects like greeting cards, scrapbooks, photo albums, CD labels and animated banners etc.
The Adobe suite users may find it somewhat underpowered initially. This is especially apparent when the designers work on text layouts. However, the majority of features seen in Adobe InDesign are also seen here. There is excellent support for both CMYK and PANTONE colour separation. However, the graphic designers working exclusively for print media can consider buying the more feature packed Xara Designer Pro 7.
It is quite evident that the Xara team that made the app focused more on ease of use and practicality from the user’s perspective. Tasks like Red eye removal and selective blurring in image are incredibly easy in this app. It does almost all things that one can do with Photoshop, but with fewer steps and time. It supports exporting in the widely used PDF format which is beneficial for using in the design setups where a number of designers work on the same project.
The application also supports a huge number of audio and video file formats which is a boon for the graphic design professionals. The app also offers plenty of importing options. While Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 7 packs in a plethora of sharing options for email, print, Mobile devices, it would be nice to see social networking integration. The export capabilities may not be as robust as its import features but it is decent for the majority of users. The users will also appreciate its decent file organization features which come close to Adobe Bridge.
