Jun 25, 2020 For those who need a Mac for graphic design, but want it to be portable, then we recommend taking a look at the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The 16-inch display has 3072-by-1920 native resolution at 226 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors, 500 nits of brightness, wide color and True Tone, making it perfect for graphic design. Best Mac for web design. The best Mac for web design is the 13in MacBook Pro. Web design canvases now vary wildly (in the sense responsive sites must support anything from a watch face up to a.
5 Graphic Design Software Options for Beginners
If you're new to graphic design and not sure what software to start with, we've got you covered. From the top-of-the-line industry standards that employers will expect you to know, to free and lower-cost alternatives you can experiment with, below are five types of graphic design software that can help you start turning your creative ideas into reality.
1. Adobe Creative Suite
If you're serious about pursuing graphic design professionally, Adobe Creative Suite contains much of the standard software you'll use as a graphic designer—including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Sure, these applications might take a little extra time to learn, but if they help you land a job, it'll be worth your investment. You can start with a 30-day free trial and then pay on a monthly basis after your trial ends. Plus if you decide to go all in and study graphic design, Adobe offers all students a 60% discount on their Creative Suite software.
2. GIMP
GIMP—short for GNU Image Manipulation Program—is one of the most popular free (and open source) alternatives to Photoshop. Compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems, GIMP includes a comprehensive set of tools for everything from image editing and retouching to full blown creation of artwork, icons, and other graphic design elements using layers, masks, and more. GIMP supports all popular file formats (and a few rare ones too) and is easy to use, even if it's your first graphic design software.
3. Inkscape
A strong alternative to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape is another free and open source graphic design software program. It's a vector graphic editor that works for Windows, Mac, and Linux with a relatively simple interface and flexible tools for print, logo, and web design. These tools allow object creation, object manipulation, fill and stroke, text formatting, and operations on paths. (Many designers find cloned objects particularly useful.) Inkscape is primarily for working with SVG, but allows for export to PNG, PDF, EPS, PostScript, and more.
4. Affinity
Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer are relatively new competitors in the world of graphic design software. As you might expect, Affinity Photo is focused on photo editing, while Affinity Designer is vector graphic design software great for branding work, concept art, print projects, icons, and web mockups. Affinity software is designed to be fast regardless of the size or complexity of your work. It's also highly customizable, with an intuitive, modern interface, advanced layer controls, the ability to undo up to 8,000 steps, and standard file format compatibility. This software is available on Windows or Mac at the reasonable price of $50 each.
5. Sketch
While it's only available for Mac users, the vector editor software Sketch is quickly becoming a favorite for many in the design industry, especially those focused on web, app, user experience, or interface design. Priced at $100, this graphic design software is comparable in many ways to Illustrator and, in some aspects, Photoshop as well. Features include support for multiple pages and artboards, symbols and styles that can be easily repeated and updated across a design, and the ability to edit and merge vectors without destroying their original shapes. Sketch however is not a photo editing tool or ideal for print work, so you'll have to rely on something else for that.
Want to turn your creativity and passion for design into a career? Find an Art Institutes campus near you to see how our programs in graphic and web design can help you get started.
Learn more about our programs.
Filed under: Visual Design
May 25, 2017
graphic designgraphic design programAre you looking for the best PC to use for your graphic designing? Can't decide between Windows 10 and Mac?
Well, we're here to help you.
According to Apple, there are more Windows 10 users than there are Mac users. Don't get fooled by these statistics because it doesn't automatically mean Windows 10 is better than Mac. Everyone has his own reason for his preferred computer.
If you're updated on the Mac vs Windows 10 debate, you might already know some of their pros and cons. If you aren't, read on. Below are some advantages and disadvantages for both Macs and Windows PCs:
Brief History
You might have learned that most graphic designers prefer the Mac over Windows. There's a reason for that. Did you know that Photoshop and digital typography were born on the Mac computer?
In the 1980s, the Mac was the lone computer to allow for digital typography. Susan Kare pioneered digital typography with her unique typefaces, fonts, and digital art. Later, she sold her other designs to companies like Microsoft and Oracle.
Mac For Graphic Designers
John and Thomas Knoll, the creators of Photoshop, built the first version on a Mac computer in 1988. The Mac was the computer with a color display and the capacity to handle the program at the time. For a long time, most graphic designers had one option for the kind of computers they could work on and it was Mac.
The reason why older graphic designers prefer Mac is because it's what they knew would work.
Now, most graphic design software for PC is available for both Windows and iOS platforms. At this point, it all depends on your preference.
Hardware
If you're a PC buff and you want a PC that's upgradeable and customizable, get a Windows computer. Windows PCs allow for different configurations because you can swap out the components. That isn't to say that you cannot upgrade your Mac PC.
There are limits to what you can upgrade on a Mac PC, which is swapping out the memory and storage drives only. Getting a Mac is one great choice if you don't have the time or the familiarity with customizing your PC. In general, the easiest way to upgrade a Mac is to buy a new one.
Art software for PCs doesn't require that many hardware changes. Thus, there won't be much difference if you got Adobe Photoshop on a Mac or Windows PC. The differences will be the commands and the different Photoshop plug-ins.
Software
Now, there are tons of software created for both Windows and Mac. Each has its unique edge against the competition but both are trying to cover all bases. Both even have their own voice-controlled personal assistants: Siri and Cortana.
If you are a gamer and graphic designer, a Windows PC is your best choice. The Windows PC has the processing power, RAM space, storage, ports, and displays. These are all demands of high-end gaming.
Other than the advantage of games, Windows 10 has a few editions available. Some have more features and higher costs. If you're planning on getting Windows, you might want to understand the difference between windows 10 pro and home before you buy anything.
The thing about Mac computers is they work better with other Apple programs. These are software like iTunes, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photo Library, Find My iPhone, iMessage, Handoff, or iCloud Keychain software. Mac is popular for its intuitive design for its own apps.
Mac Graphic Design Studio
Since there are fewer Macs than there are Windows PCs, it is safer to use against viruses and malware. This makes the Mac less likely to get infected by malware. We still recommend taking steps for caution if you end up choosing a Mac.
Graphic Design Programs Mac
As far as graphic design goes, the best graphic design software for Mac and Windows vary on your personal tastes. What works for you will work differently for everyone else. It's all a matter of which one you're more used to using.
Price
What you've got to spend on a computer is one big deciding factor for buying one. And computers are expensive. Are you a graphics or logo designer on a budget?
Think about this: the cheapest laptop with the Mac logo on it costs $999.99 USD. One reason for this is because the people who make the Mac software also make the Mac hardware. They have specific software designed to run on the hardware.
Here are some reasons why Mac computers are worth the price. Mac has regular software updates that make them capable over time. Its bug fixes and patches are even available for older versions of the iOS to keep old Macs safe.
The cheapest Windows PC could put you back about 300 USD. They're great for people on a budget who could look to get upgrades for their PCs later. But, if you're planning to do a lot of upgrading in the future, you might end up spending more on your PC than on a Mac.
1. Adobe Creative Suite
If you're serious about pursuing graphic design professionally, Adobe Creative Suite contains much of the standard software you'll use as a graphic designer—including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Sure, these applications might take a little extra time to learn, but if they help you land a job, it'll be worth your investment. You can start with a 30-day free trial and then pay on a monthly basis after your trial ends. Plus if you decide to go all in and study graphic design, Adobe offers all students a 60% discount on their Creative Suite software.
2. GIMP
GIMP—short for GNU Image Manipulation Program—is one of the most popular free (and open source) alternatives to Photoshop. Compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems, GIMP includes a comprehensive set of tools for everything from image editing and retouching to full blown creation of artwork, icons, and other graphic design elements using layers, masks, and more. GIMP supports all popular file formats (and a few rare ones too) and is easy to use, even if it's your first graphic design software.
3. Inkscape
A strong alternative to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape is another free and open source graphic design software program. It's a vector graphic editor that works for Windows, Mac, and Linux with a relatively simple interface and flexible tools for print, logo, and web design. These tools allow object creation, object manipulation, fill and stroke, text formatting, and operations on paths. (Many designers find cloned objects particularly useful.) Inkscape is primarily for working with SVG, but allows for export to PNG, PDF, EPS, PostScript, and more.
4. Affinity
Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer are relatively new competitors in the world of graphic design software. As you might expect, Affinity Photo is focused on photo editing, while Affinity Designer is vector graphic design software great for branding work, concept art, print projects, icons, and web mockups. Affinity software is designed to be fast regardless of the size or complexity of your work. It's also highly customizable, with an intuitive, modern interface, advanced layer controls, the ability to undo up to 8,000 steps, and standard file format compatibility. This software is available on Windows or Mac at the reasonable price of $50 each.
5. Sketch
While it's only available for Mac users, the vector editor software Sketch is quickly becoming a favorite for many in the design industry, especially those focused on web, app, user experience, or interface design. Priced at $100, this graphic design software is comparable in many ways to Illustrator and, in some aspects, Photoshop as well. Features include support for multiple pages and artboards, symbols and styles that can be easily repeated and updated across a design, and the ability to edit and merge vectors without destroying their original shapes. Sketch however is not a photo editing tool or ideal for print work, so you'll have to rely on something else for that.
Want to turn your creativity and passion for design into a career? Find an Art Institutes campus near you to see how our programs in graphic and web design can help you get started.
Learn more about our programs.
Filed under: Visual Design
May 25, 2017
graphic designgraphic design programAre you looking for the best PC to use for your graphic designing? Can't decide between Windows 10 and Mac?
Well, we're here to help you.
According to Apple, there are more Windows 10 users than there are Mac users. Don't get fooled by these statistics because it doesn't automatically mean Windows 10 is better than Mac. Everyone has his own reason for his preferred computer.
If you're updated on the Mac vs Windows 10 debate, you might already know some of their pros and cons. If you aren't, read on. Below are some advantages and disadvantages for both Macs and Windows PCs:
Brief History
You might have learned that most graphic designers prefer the Mac over Windows. There's a reason for that. Did you know that Photoshop and digital typography were born on the Mac computer?
In the 1980s, the Mac was the lone computer to allow for digital typography. Susan Kare pioneered digital typography with her unique typefaces, fonts, and digital art. Later, she sold her other designs to companies like Microsoft and Oracle.
Mac For Graphic Designers
John and Thomas Knoll, the creators of Photoshop, built the first version on a Mac computer in 1988. The Mac was the computer with a color display and the capacity to handle the program at the time. For a long time, most graphic designers had one option for the kind of computers they could work on and it was Mac.
The reason why older graphic designers prefer Mac is because it's what they knew would work.
Now, most graphic design software for PC is available for both Windows and iOS platforms. At this point, it all depends on your preference.
Hardware
If you're a PC buff and you want a PC that's upgradeable and customizable, get a Windows computer. Windows PCs allow for different configurations because you can swap out the components. That isn't to say that you cannot upgrade your Mac PC.
There are limits to what you can upgrade on a Mac PC, which is swapping out the memory and storage drives only. Getting a Mac is one great choice if you don't have the time or the familiarity with customizing your PC. In general, the easiest way to upgrade a Mac is to buy a new one.
Art software for PCs doesn't require that many hardware changes. Thus, there won't be much difference if you got Adobe Photoshop on a Mac or Windows PC. The differences will be the commands and the different Photoshop plug-ins.
Software
Now, there are tons of software created for both Windows and Mac. Each has its unique edge against the competition but both are trying to cover all bases. Both even have their own voice-controlled personal assistants: Siri and Cortana.
If you are a gamer and graphic designer, a Windows PC is your best choice. The Windows PC has the processing power, RAM space, storage, ports, and displays. These are all demands of high-end gaming.
Other than the advantage of games, Windows 10 has a few editions available. Some have more features and higher costs. If you're planning on getting Windows, you might want to understand the difference between windows 10 pro and home before you buy anything.
The thing about Mac computers is they work better with other Apple programs. These are software like iTunes, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photo Library, Find My iPhone, iMessage, Handoff, or iCloud Keychain software. Mac is popular for its intuitive design for its own apps.
Mac Graphic Design Studio
Since there are fewer Macs than there are Windows PCs, it is safer to use against viruses and malware. This makes the Mac less likely to get infected by malware. We still recommend taking steps for caution if you end up choosing a Mac.
Graphic Design Programs Mac
As far as graphic design goes, the best graphic design software for Mac and Windows vary on your personal tastes. What works for you will work differently for everyone else. It's all a matter of which one you're more used to using.
Price
What you've got to spend on a computer is one big deciding factor for buying one. And computers are expensive. Are you a graphics or logo designer on a budget?
Think about this: the cheapest laptop with the Mac logo on it costs $999.99 USD. One reason for this is because the people who make the Mac software also make the Mac hardware. They have specific software designed to run on the hardware.
Here are some reasons why Mac computers are worth the price. Mac has regular software updates that make them capable over time. Its bug fixes and patches are even available for older versions of the iOS to keep old Macs safe.
The cheapest Windows PC could put you back about 300 USD. They're great for people on a budget who could look to get upgrades for their PCs later. But, if you're planning to do a lot of upgrading in the future, you might end up spending more on your PC than on a Mac.
Pros and Cons Summarized: Mac vs Windows 10
While there isn't a better computer now, there is a preferred computer for each one. Below we've got lists for the pros and cons for Mac and Windows 10.
The strengths of a Macintosh computer include its intuitive design and better security. It is also compatible with other Apple products and software. The display and color calibration of Mac computers are also more accurate.
Omnifocus app. Download OmniFocus 3.9.2 for Mac from FileHorse. 100% Safe and Secure Personal task management software for Mac with iOS companion app. OmniFocus for Mac is a sleek piece of software that perfectly integrates the most effective productivity strategies into a single platform. It's fast, non-intrusive, and with syncing to mobile. Creators of Mac, iPad, and iPhone productivity software. Proud to bring you OmniFocus, OmniOutliner, OmniGraffle, and OmniPlan. Powerfully productive. OmniFocus is powerful task management software for busy professionals. With tools to help tame the chaos, you can focus on the right tasks at the right time. OmniFocus 2 Free Download: OmniFocus for android can also be used at your iPhone device to keep you updated every time. It is specially designed for Mac users. Now OmniFocus for iOS can be installed and used on Windows operating system to facilitate windows users. And the interface of this software is very friendly and easy for users.
In contrast, the weaknesses of a Macintosh computer include its expensive price range. A Mac computer is not very customizable however it can last for a long time. It is also lacking support for high-performance games.
With that said, the Windows 10 PCs have advantages such as their cheaper prices and many customization options. When your components are inadequate or obsolete, you can always swap them out. Windows 10 also runs high-performance games.
Graphic Designer Job Description
However, Windows PCs are more vulnerable to malware and viruses. Another weakness of a Windows PC is that they aren't as great communicators with other products as Macs are with Apple products. You'll still need to do some manual syncing if you want to back-up some of your files onto your phone.
When it comes to choosing the computer for graphic designers, it all comes down to which you favor. You can have the same software and programs on both computers, almost. Still, you can do the same quality of work on both computers.
Just press ‘option' key on your keyboard to toggle the feature while you are finishing your selection.Pros:. Number stamps with captioned comments. Lightshot application. Smart annotations & selection tools. XnipXnip offers a shadow effect around your screenshot just like the native screenshot feature on macOS, plus it works in selection mode as well. No Personal cloud sharingDownload (free) 7.
Design Graphics on Your Preferred PC
We've said this before and we'll say it again: It's all up to which you like better. The Mac vs Windows 10 debate has been alive for decades now. For graphic designers like you, there is no real lead for either software or hardware.
Price is a big factor, but so is comfortability. Your comfort and your clients' comfort matter. When choosing, also take note of which platform has more system compatibility with your clients.
In the end, your computer shouldn't matter much as long as you get the job done.
Did you enjoy the read? Looking for more?
Don't hesitate to read our other blog posts. Here's a helpful bit we've got if you want some tips on web design.
Graphic Design Mac Free
