Graphic design as you're all aware of comprises of computer aided tools to bring your dreams to reality, be it a simple flyer to an complex architectural or engineering drawing, a bliss for design and technology professionals that comes handy.
Ever since the invention of computers the programmers and software architects have been developing smarter and savvier tools for peoples of all walks of life, be it your accountant, saving and managing your incomes and taxes or doctors looking after your good health. Where there are programs for other professionals and business to calculate "what have happened", the design and technology softwares provide insights into "what could happen". For example a 3d program like 3ds Max can help an architect visualize his designs of exteriors or interior of buildings in realtime. This is where he can play with design, ergonomics, aesthetics and color schemes of his future projects.Today softwares plays pivotal role in technology conceptualizing a design to prototyping it (like 3d printing).
Images above are created by the author using various softwares
1. Help Yourself
Ever since the invention of computers the programmers and software architects have been developing smarter and savvier tools for peoples of all walks of life, be it your accountant, saving and managing your incomes and taxes or doctors looking after your good health. Where there are programs for other professionals and business to calculate "what have happened", the design and technology softwares provide insights into "what could happen". For example a 3d program like 3ds Max can help an architect visualize his designs of exteriors or interior of buildings in realtime. This is where he can play with design, ergonomics, aesthetics and color schemes of his future projects.Today softwares plays pivotal role in technology conceptualizing a design to prototyping it (like 3d printing).
In today's world, its becoming increasingly impossible to survive in business without sound knowledge of tools of trade in market. Young students and newbies find it extremely difficult to choose the right software and training. A right mix can always save a lot of time, for all those aspirants of future, here's some help.
Images above are created by the author using various softwares
Do some research before opting for software and its training program. For all online research google comes handy but remember all there's on the internet may not always be true, verify the facts and validate them for their authenticity.
2. Google It
A right mix of keywords for your search can fetch you right information. As google don't need much grammar for a search like "software digital painting" could fetch far better results than "I need software for digital painting" because as minimum the words more precise the results will be. Google trains you in brevity. Newsletters and RSS Feeds comes handy too for updated information.
3. Scribble
People who work with computers and online become less adept of writing although its a matter of personal choice but a little scribbling never killed anyone. Writing things down or copying and pasting in a file can help a lot in making choices.
4. Don't Get Emotional
Companies selling softwares and publishing tools mostly hire creative writers and designers to write and present their products online. Newbies with a little or no experience are vulnerable to their tricks. Female executives with voices like heavens call those who provide their contact details on their websites or register, beware its a honey trap.
5. Quality Is Never Cheap
All those with an eye for detail require most comprehensive of tools. As deeper one delves into something the complex it gets. A good quality software not only has the ability to simplify the complex but it can also make the simple more complex, just what art does. In order attain such feats tools with quality are required and quality is never cheap.
6. Try, Try Again
As soon as enter your contact details or register yourself with those software selling websites, you start receiving mails from them offering you most lucrative of offers. Don't make a decision in haste, its worth it. Take your time, do a scrutiny on them on the basis of usability, user-friendliness, your budget. Before purchasing a license download the trial, its very helpful for exploring the software, although limited in features but enough to get you its know hows.
7. The Besties
Although my knowledge is limited as per my profession as a Graphic Designer but with my experiences and encounters with other experts of various trades I've gained some knowledge and insights of bestselling softwares of different trades. Below are the suggestions:
Graphic Design
Corel Draw (Vector Designing )
Adobe Illustrator (Vector Designing )
In Page (Vector Designing )
Adobe Photoshop (Photo Editing)
Corel Photopaint (Photo Editing)
Audio & Video
Adobe Premiere (Video Editing / Compositing)
FCP-Mac (Video Editing / Compositing)
Pinnacle (Video Editing / Compositing)
Adobe Fireworks (Audio mixing / Editing)
Soundtrack Pro-Mac (Audio mixing / Editing)
Fruity Loops (Audio mixing / Editing)
Special Effects
Adobe After Effects (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk Combustion (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk Flint (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk Fire (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk Inferno (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk 3Ds Max (3d Modeling / Animation)
Autodesk Maya (3d Modeling / Animation)
Cinema 4D Professional (3d Modeling / Animation)
Blender (3d Modeling / Animation)
Architecture
Autodesk Autocad (Drafting and 3D Modeling)
Archicad (Drafting and 3D Modeling)
Floor Plan 3D (Drafting and 3D Modeling)
Google Sketchup / Layout (Drafting and 3D Modeling)
Autodesk Civil (Civil / 3D)
Autodesk 3Ds Max Design (Civil / 3D)
Stads Pro (Civil / 3D)
Autodesk Showcase (Animation / Rendering)
8. The Training
While going for training program do a lot of window shopping. There are hundreds of courses available online too. From all those brick and mortar schools to the online ones not all are worth your time and money as money can be refunded but time can't. So go easy into your hunting, do some close scrutiny, refer to their brochures, compare their modules & semesters and the programs they cover. Their fees, ask if their any additional charges, negotiate on fees as most of the time they are overpriced. Do a double check on their accreditation, affiliations and certifications e.g. a CAD-CAM training institute is better if Autodesk Certified, a graphic and design course is excellent if it's affiliated with some University, College or Government Accredited Agency and provides diploma / degree of Fine Arts of the same.
6. Try, Try Again
As soon as enter your contact details or register yourself with those software selling websites, you start receiving mails from them offering you most lucrative of offers. Don't make a decision in haste, its worth it. Take your time, do a scrutiny on them on the basis of usability, user-friendliness, your budget. Before purchasing a license download the trial, its very helpful for exploring the software, although limited in features but enough to get you its know hows.
7. The Besties
Although my knowledge is limited as per my profession as a Graphic Designer but with my experiences and encounters with other experts of various trades I've gained some knowledge and insights of bestselling softwares of different trades. Below are the suggestions:
Graphic Design
Corel Draw (Vector Designing )
Adobe Illustrator (Vector Designing )
In Page (Vector Designing )
Adobe Photoshop (Photo Editing)
Corel Photopaint (Photo Editing)
Audio & Video
Adobe Premiere (Video Editing / Compositing)
FCP-Mac (Video Editing / Compositing)
Pinnacle (Video Editing / Compositing)
Adobe Fireworks (Audio mixing / Editing)
Soundtrack Pro-Mac (Audio mixing / Editing)
Fruity Loops (Audio mixing / Editing)
Special Effects
Adobe After Effects (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk Combustion (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk Flint (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk Fire (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk Inferno (VFX and Animation)
Autodesk 3Ds Max (3d Modeling / Animation)
Autodesk Maya (3d Modeling / Animation)
Cinema 4D Professional (3d Modeling / Animation)
Blender (3d Modeling / Animation)
Architecture
Autodesk Autocad (Drafting and 3D Modeling)
Archicad (Drafting and 3D Modeling)
Floor Plan 3D (Drafting and 3D Modeling)
Google Sketchup / Layout (Drafting and 3D Modeling)
Autodesk Civil (Civil / 3D)
Autodesk 3Ds Max Design (Civil / 3D)
Stads Pro (Civil / 3D)
Autodesk Showcase (Animation / Rendering)
8. The Training
While going for training program do a lot of window shopping. There are hundreds of courses available online too. From all those brick and mortar schools to the online ones not all are worth your time and money as money can be refunded but time can't. So go easy into your hunting, do some close scrutiny, refer to their brochures, compare their modules & semesters and the programs they cover. Their fees, ask if their any additional charges, negotiate on fees as most of the time they are overpriced. Do a double check on their accreditation, affiliations and certifications e.g. a CAD-CAM training institute is better if Autodesk Certified, a graphic and design course is excellent if it's affiliated with some University, College or Government Accredited Agency and provides diploma / degree of Fine Arts of the same.
