Tools of the Trade Posted on September 5, 2014 Written by Paula Brewers
Going to events like HOW Design Live, AIGA gatherings, or other conferences are a great way to make connections with other graphic designers, learn more about design, and to get inspired. Some of Navitor’s designers went to HOW Design Live this year, and they loved the experience.
very trade has its own tools. Painters have paintbrushes, canvases, and palettes. Potters have clay, throwing wheels, and glaze. So, what tools are tailor-made for graphic designers?
Social Media
Social media is filled with sites you can use to network with other designers and possible clients, but here are just a few you can explore to get your networking started:
Design Software
You have to have something to design with! Here are just a few of the design software programs you can use to create your work.
LinkedIn Plaxo Networking Event Finders Krop
Adobe® Creative Suite
CorelDRAW®
CorelDRAW is a program that allows you to create vector illustrations and page layout, use drawing and tracing tools, edit photographs, and create websites. This program features an interface that you can customize to suit the way you work
QuarkXpress®
QuarkXpress is an option often used for page layout, so whether you are creating a brochure, a flyer, or something completely different you can easily create layouts for documents. QuarkXpress allows you to work with layout without relying on low resolution PDFs previews, create QR codes, and more.
The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) has 68 chapters throughout the United States. AIGA members can go to a variety of events specifically for graphic artists. As an added bonus, the AIGA job board can connect you to jobs in your area.
Events
E
This has become so common that it hardly needs mentioning – Photoshop is even colloquially used as a verb – but Adobe’s creative programs are considered by many to be essential design software. Illustrator® Photoshop®, InDesign®, and the Adobe cloud are all great tools for the designer’s trade.
AIGA
Useful Tools
Of course, these aren’t all the tools you can use to get your designs off the ground. There are a wide variety of other resources that can make your work a little easier.
Free Software
If you’re looking to experiment with free software, there are a number of different options: Inkscape Serif DrawPlus Starter Edition Pixlr Paint.net Sumopaint GIMP
Networking and Industry Information
Networking is an essential way to connect yourself to clients and fellow designers, and there are a variety of ways you can make connections both in real life and online.
Color
Color can be finicky, especially when your design is going to go from pixels to paper, and getting that color right the first time can help you avoid having any issues that can cost you extra money. Pantone color guides are the best reference for getting a great color match. If you do a lot of design work for print products, these color guides are an investment you might want to make.
Magazines
Want more information about Adobe software? Try Layers magazine, a magazine that specializes in how-to information for Adobe products. Since Adobe is so common, Layers is a useful resource for anyone getting into design. Of course, everyone’s list of essential tools and resources will be different. Designers, what tools and resources are your favorites to use?