Helpful Graphic Design Tips

Kay, I'll give you guys extremely helpful tips on how to become a better graphics designer (on the inside) so you can apply these from your knowledge in the future.

PART I: The equipment

All you need is a mouse. If you can draw good with a mouse, you are awesome, that's all you need. If you don't have a mouse and own a laptop, a trackpad (or touchpad) is a little bit too hard for you. But if you can draw good with a trackpad – Well if you and other people think you can draw good with a trackpad, you sir, are God. Pure amazing.

Now, if you really want to go all out, or both of these solutions are not right for you, I'd suggest you to go out and purchase a Wacom tablet. I bought a first generation Bamboo Fun (the one that doesn't have the new touch feature, and the interactive area about 6 inches wide) at The Source for about $145. But with the new Pen and Touch Bamboo, the prices range about $100 to $200, depending on which one you get. I would recommend beginners to just get a Bamboo.

I'm not restricting you to get the other series from Wacom because they're more expensive and for professionals. The Intuos4 line is supposed to feel like you're really drawing on paper and it has more advanced functions that I don't think that you would need. The Cintiq is a tablet/screen hybrid, which means that there's a built in monitor so you can see what you draw right on the tablet. You don't need it, too damned expensive. As much as I want one, I'd still stick with my good old trusty Bamboo.

The only problem I've had with my tablet is that if you don't put your packaged bag of replacement tips in a safe, rememberable place, you will never find them again, just like mine. Though I'd say that it's a good investment because one tip lasts a hell long, just as long as you don't randomly scratch stuff with it. I bought my tablet about 2 years ago. It's still good.

PART II: The programs

Now, I used to have Windows Vista on my PC, which means I've had the re-vamped first generation MSPaint on my PC. Then upgraded to Windows 7, and I noticed that MSPaint changed completely. I was so not used to it. But now it's running Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3. Mac OS X does not come with any graphics program whatsoever, but I managed to get Photoshop CS5 on it. I've had many years of experience with Photoshop CS5, CS3, and 7.0. Just to tell you, they're all cracked.

If you are good with MSPaint and you're fine with that, you're all set, that's all you need. But to do more advanced stuff, I'd suggest you to get Photoshop. You can go buy it, but I got it cracked because I'm poor. Don't come and ask me for downloads, Google is your friend.

For mainstream graphics designing:
-Adobe Photoshop CS 1-3
-Adobe Imageready*
-Paint.Net
-GIMP
-Corel Draw

Photoshop, and Imageready are both paid applications and are for both Mac and Windows. Just to tell you, Imageready was discontinued after it's appearance in the Adobe Creative Suite 3 line. Corel Draw is a program I'm not really sure of, but it's good for vectors.

Paint.Net and GIMP are free to download. Paint.Net is like MSPaint but way more advanced. I used it long time ago, way before Photoshop, but I think's alright. GIMP is professional, it's really good. It's like Photoshop, but free.

For illustration and basic drawing and digital painting:
-Adobe Illustrator
-Paint Tool Sai
-Open Canvas
-Autodesk Sketchbook

These 4 are all paid applications, but only Illustrator works for both operating systems. The other two only work for Windows. When I had Windows 7, I found a site where you can get Paint Tool Sai for free and you can use it wherever just by putting the files in a USB thumbdrive. They are really good for painting and can show really smooth lines. Sketchbook also works for both operating systems, but I got once, and it lags my Mac. I recommend not really using it.

For pixel art and spiriting:
-MSPaint (first generation)
-Photoshop 7.0
-GraphicsGale

I don't prefer MSPaint on Windows 7 because it's not the MSPaint we've been used to for many years. Photoshop 7.0 is old, and was made before the Adobe Creative Suite line was made, but it's what most pixel arts around the world use. Honestly, I think the pencil tool on this was better than the pencil tool on CS3-5. Again, this is paid, though it's easy to find a free download. GraphicsGale is free and it is a good program for spiriting, I'd recommend this one.

Think thoroughly on which one you prefer. Don't ask me for links, Google is your friend. No–Google is your BEST friend. Like ever.

Further instalments will come over time. Hope you'll enjoy this little guide for now.

I wanted CorelDraw 11 because a famous author came to our school and told us he used it to illustrate his books.

Then, in no less than 4 seconds, I realized it was for Mac.

then i was liek

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU---------

AetherBlade wrote:

I wanted CorelDraw 11 because a famous author came to our school and told us he used it to illustrate his books.

Then, in no less than 4 seconds, I realized it was for Mac.

then i was liek

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU---------

Get GIMP then?

butidunliekgimp

Also the friggen site navigator is screwed again. >:l

Excellent guide Kay! Keep up the good work.

AetherBlade wrote:

butidunliekgimp

Also the friggen site navigator is screwed again. >:l

How is it screwed up?

Lucas wrote:

Excellent guide Kay! Keep up the good work.

AetherBlade wrote:

butidunliekgimp

Also the friggen site navigator is screwed again. >:l

How is it screwed up?

I'm guessing it's how navbar tries to fit itself on to the window so it would move to the second row if it doesn't have room for the first. Happens to me too, but whatever. I'm planning to get a bigger monitor anyways.

but
but
butiliekitthisway :C

xxKay wrote:

Lucas wrote:

Excellent guide Kay! Keep up the good work.

AetherBlade wrote:

butidunliekgimp

Also the friggen site navigator is screwed again. >:l

How is it screwed up?

I'm guessing it's how navbar tries to fit itself on to the window so it would move to the second row if it doesn't have room for the first. Happens to me too, but whatever. I'm planning to get a bigger monitor anyways.

Yeah, it's just the monitor size. It's normal on my monitor although. I don't know how to fix it because it will be different on every monitor no matter how I try. So I guess it doesn't really matter if it's on the second row anyway. Get back on topic nao!

Lucas wrote:

xxKay wrote:

Lucas wrote:

Excellent guide Kay! Keep up the good work.

AetherBlade wrote:

butidunliekgimp

Also the friggen site navigator is screwed again. >:l

How is it screwed up?

I'm guessing it's how navbar tries to fit itself on to the window so it would move to the second row if it doesn't have room for the first. Happens to me too, but whatever. I'm planning to get a bigger monitor anyways.

Yeah, it's just the monitor size. It's normal on my monitor although. I don't know how to fix it because it will be different on every monitor no matter how I try. So I guess it doesn't really matter if it's on the second row anyway. Get back on topic nao!

I would cross off that "Get back on topic" thing.


I also would say 'never' if I could.

I know it's a tad bit off-topic, but I've been using laptops for so long that my drawing skills on a trackpad are distinctively better then with a mouse.

Also, I know the OP is inactive, but perhaps you can post informational/download links to the drawing programs?