Tech for Graphic Designers
In a world immersed in technology, designer’s have plenty of choice for hardware and software to use to create. Designers and creators of all kinds used to be limited to their desktop computers. Now we have desktops, laptops, phones and tablets of all kinds to create and showcase our work. With so many types of products, how does one choose?
HARDWARE
Most of the buying decision of hardware is up to personal preference and the needs of the creator. The hardware needs to perform certain processes required by the creators programs. Most designers use the Adobe Creative Suite but some use more open source or free programs that are available. These programs have different hardware requirements.
Things to Consider
- Speed (Processor)
- Storage (RAM)
- Visuals (Graphics Card)
Some things to consider for hardware are speed, storage and visuals. The speed of the device is important when it comes to downloading, uploading and loading data/media. Speed is controlled by the Processor; the faster the Processor, the quicker the software and data will load, download and upload.
Processor: How fast hardware processes data/media (input & output)
RAM: Storage space on the device so the device can hold data and recall data quickly
The storage on the device, or the RAM, allows for the device to hold numerous amounts of data and media and be able to recall that data quickly. This is partially why programs seem to run faster when a device has more RAM. A decent Processor will run about 2.7GHz (gig-hertz) and sufficient RAM would hold about 16GB (gigabytes) even though 8GB (gigabytes) is standard.
Ex. Gaming Computers have powerful Processors and a lot of RAM to run the gaming programs smoothly without lag
Graphics Card= Controls the output (visual data) to a display screen
Let’s look at visuals because creators rely on visuals and graphics, how things look on screen. The Graphics Card controls how visuals appear on a display screen. For creators, designers and artists, we want a powerful device with a strong Processor, lots of RAM and a massive Graphics Card to work within multiple programs quickly.
Apple? Android?
Gaming? Standard?
Many creators use an iMac, Macbook Pro, iPhone or iPad tablet and customize the hardware to have a powerful device. These devices are very aesthetically pleasing and can be optimized to specification requirements for designers and content creators. Other creators prefer devices optimized for gaming that are already setup with strong Processors and Graphics Cards. Regardless of the brand, there are many devices out there to customize for any creators needs.
There are also devices such as iPad tablets, Android tablets and Wacom Cintiq tablets. They all have their unique variables for creating digital work. Cintiq is a secondary display more than a tablet because they come in large sizes, up to thiry-two inch displays, but they each have their own level of touch sensitvity and powerful programming.
SOFTWARE
There are a few options for software based on personal preference and budget. The mainstream forms of software is provided by Adobe and the Adobe Creative Cloud service. Other forms of software are called open source, which is available for free to download like Gimp and Scribus.
What’s the Difference?
1. Price
2. Ease of Access
The price is the main difference to the majority of consumers. Depending on the available budget, there’s a few options: A monthly recurring charge for the Adobe Creative Cloud service, purchasing the full Adobe programs at $300 each or the free open source programs like Gimp and Scribus (plus others).
Gimp=Photoshop
Scribus=Illustrator
The programs look very different and the layout of the workspace is different between name brand and open source. Adobe has more ease of access and connectivity across all programs. Gimp and Scribus are simple to use but the programs are segregated. Either way, no matter the budget, there is great software and hardware out there to create designs and content.
Whether the decision is based on price, ease of access or aesthetics, there are many variables to consider in the decision to purchase a computer/machine for digital design work. For aesthetic and ease of access, Apple products may be the choice or for price an Android tablet may be a good choice. Same goes for programs, if price is a factor, the Adobe Suite of programs are pristine but Gimp and Scribus can be used as a free, less corporate option.