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Question: Computer software for daughter interested in graphic arts field!?
Or possibly computer animation or illustration!. I'm posting this here to hopefully get some art influence not just computer influence answers!. I know there are many computer programs used in these fields!. Do you think it is worth it to get one for her to learn at home!? Do most entering college for these fields already have experience working w/these programs!? There are some classes around here, but about an hour away!. also, I've heard a Mac is much better for using these (Macromedia, Photoshop, Corel, etc!.)!. Any thoughts!? (She is entering highschoool but has years of art classes with painting and drawing and shows great interest)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The Mac or PC argument may never be settled!. I use both in my graphic design busines!. Many will say that Macs are the best for this purpose, but, there is a reason that there are many, many mor PCs in use all over the world!. I HAVE to have access to both because I have clients that insist on files of one format or the other!.
The one thing I will advise, regarding the system is to buy a name brand instead of one assembled out of off the shelf components!. (admittedly, this is not an issue when buying a Mac)
The entire Adobe Creative Suite will be, ultimately, what she will need by the end of her studies, since that is the basic, industry standard!. However, it is VERY pricey for a high school student and, the learning curve is VERY steep!. If the use of these applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) will be covered in high school, then, it will be advantageous to have access to them at home for practicing what she is learning in the classroom!. But a thousand bucks is a LOT of money to invest in at this point!. And, it is only the beginning of what she will, eventually need!. (QuarkXPress, Flash, Dreamweaver, 3D and animation software, etc)
Here's what I suggest!. Settle on whatever system will meet her needs!. Make sure it has a large enough hard drive and as much RAM and processor speed as you can afford!. This will mean that it will have the capability for her to grow into what she will need in the next few years!. Make sure it has a good word processor loaded into it, such as Microsoft Word, a decent spreadsheet application, like Excel and a good entry level graphics program!. I recommend Adobe Photoshop Elements!. This is a POWERFUL graphics program that has the most popular features that a full version Photshop has!. But, elements only retails for about $100!. Most designers and "noodlers" never outgrow the need for anything more!. However, if you daughter, eventually does need to get a full version Photoshop, the upgrade from Elements will be a lot cheaper than the purchase of a stand alone full version!.
To encourage her in her artistic pursuits, find and inexpensive digital graphics tablet!. It is SO much easier and faster than drawing with a mouse!. (which has been compared to drawing with a brick) Wacom makes the most popular brand, but I found a very good DigiPro tablet at Computer Geeks ( http://geeks!.com ) for half the price that is as good as the Wacom Pen Partner that I have been using for four years!.
I wouldn't spend a couple of thousand dollars on her current needs anymore than I'd buy a high end sports car for my grandkid's first driving experience!. I'd let them learn to drive before I'd spend high end bucks on their first car!. Same with your child!. Get them a capable combination of hardware and software and, gradually, upgrade to meet their future needs as they come up!.
Good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Adobe Creative Suite!. Might be pricey, but if she is interested, knowledge of these programs are necessary!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
If she is interested in becoming a graphic artist the more knowledge she has the better!. Although these programs are very expensive and she might not fully appreciate them until she is a couple years older!.
Many entering college already have knowledge of these programs through high school classes but it is not that extensive!. When I started college I had no training on any of the programs and still exceeded beyond those who have had training!. It is a matter of how hard you are willing study and beyond anything else!.!.!.pure raw talent!.
As for the comparison between Mac and PC, both will work!. I have photoshop, illustrator, indesign, director, dreamweaver, and flash at home on a PC and the same programs at work on a Mac!. They preform the same!. You can purchase both computers with the same specifications that will do the job and support these programs!. If she wants a job in the design field it is a HUGE advantage to know the programs on both platforms!. Although colleges that offer graphic design will have Macs and the majority of employers will as well!. (mainly because they are immune to viruses)!. But the question still gets asked, Do you have experience on both PC and Mac!?
If you would like to try it out and see how she likes them before you make such a huge purchase this website offers free 30 day trials of the Adobe products!. Just click on TRY!. As for your last question, none of these programs are going to be easy!. Try the download, get familiar with the tool bars, and pallets, then watch some online tutorials to learn the baiscs!. It will be a difficult but very acheivable!.
http://www!.adobe!.com/downloads/!?PID=2294!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
If you're willing to shell out the cash, the Adobe Creative Suite is the industry leader in graphic design/art related programs, namely Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Illustrator!. But the program can cost upwards of $1000!. However, you can get student discounts through sites like AcademicSuperstore!.com & JourneyEd!.com
Paintshop Pro is a more affordable option, for about $80!.
If you're looking for a free program to start with, Gimp is free, availabe from http://gimp!.org/!.
As for software knowledge, most universities specializing in art/graphic design programs offer intro classes!. At my university, it's a mixed bag--people like me, who have been using Adobe programs for years and people who are completely new!. Your daughter should be fine!.
Good luck! Feel free to email me if you have any other questions!.Www@QuestionHome@Com