9 answers
Kelly
Student
Singapore
10
Questions
Asked
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Do i need to be good in all Adobe creative cloud to be a graphic designer?
#graphic-design #design #art
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9 answers
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
234
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Kelly,
The answer really depends.
But I can tell you that I used to manage a graphics designer, and although the designer I worked with was well versed in most Creative Cloud applications, what we used 90% of the time were Photoshop and Illustrator. The other 5% of the time he used InDesign, and the rest of the time he used Sketch (non Adobe app).
He used Photoshop for logo creation work, working with assets, and some layout work. Illustrator was for creating logo and other vector assets. InDesign was for creating posters and books. Finally, I think he created one or two things on AfterEffects, but we didn't do that much in video/animated works.
Personally, if I could advise you, I would suggest that you get really, really good at one or two of these tools instead of being mediocre in all of them. During interviews, I am looking for someone that really knows the key tools that they will be using (in my case, Photoshop and Illustrator), and not someone that is okay in all those tools. Think of it this way, knowing all the tools will get you into more interviews, but being excellent with the few tools that you'll be using in your job will allow you to pass the interview.
I wish you the best of luck, and try to build a great portfolio to wow the future interviewers. I personally give extra points to anyone that volunteers their work for nonprofits, so perhaps look into volunteering to build a portfolio.
Cheers!
The answer really depends.
But I can tell you that I used to manage a graphics designer, and although the designer I worked with was well versed in most Creative Cloud applications, what we used 90% of the time were Photoshop and Illustrator. The other 5% of the time he used InDesign, and the rest of the time he used Sketch (non Adobe app).
He used Photoshop for logo creation work, working with assets, and some layout work. Illustrator was for creating logo and other vector assets. InDesign was for creating posters and books. Finally, I think he created one or two things on AfterEffects, but we didn't do that much in video/animated works.
Personally, if I could advise you, I would suggest that you get really, really good at one or two of these tools instead of being mediocre in all of them. During interviews, I am looking for someone that really knows the key tools that they will be using (in my case, Photoshop and Illustrator), and not someone that is okay in all those tools. Think of it this way, knowing all the tools will get you into more interviews, but being excellent with the few tools that you'll be using in your job will allow you to pass the interview.
I wish you the best of luck, and try to build a great portfolio to wow the future interviewers. I personally give extra points to anyone that volunteers their work for nonprofits, so perhaps look into volunteering to build a portfolio.
Cheers!
Richard Sodon
Technical Product Manager - Making products and services for a digital life
16
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Hi Kelly,
I've worked with several graphic designers during my career. They seemed be experts on Photoshop and Illustrator but their expertise on the other products that make up the creative cloud varied significantly from no knowledge and experts.
One tip that I found helpful was to look at the job sites for the type of job that would interest you to see what skills and knowledge are required. You'll quickly narrow it down to a few tools that seem to be common across various employers. Become expert in those tools and develop an awesome portfolio built on those tools to demostrate your competence and you'll do well.
Once you get your foot in the door, you'll be able to pick up new tools through your on-the-job experiences. I had no experience with InDesign but after working with a designer who was good at it, I learned InDesign as well.
Best of luck!
Rich
I've worked with several graphic designers during my career. They seemed be experts on Photoshop and Illustrator but their expertise on the other products that make up the creative cloud varied significantly from no knowledge and experts.
One tip that I found helpful was to look at the job sites for the type of job that would interest you to see what skills and knowledge are required. You'll quickly narrow it down to a few tools that seem to be common across various employers. Become expert in those tools and develop an awesome portfolio built on those tools to demostrate your competence and you'll do well.
Once you get your foot in the door, you'll be able to pick up new tools through your on-the-job experiences. I had no experience with InDesign but after working with a designer who was good at it, I learned InDesign as well.
Best of luck!
Rich
Veronica Sooley
Art Director
2
Answers
Danville, California
Updated
Veronica’s Answer
No, but it depends on what field you are looking at as to what programs you would need to know. I feel like generally speaking, Photoshop and Illustrator are key programs to know for graphic design. But since I work at a magazine, InDesign is actually the most important to my job (with Photoshop being 2nd to it). I have found it very helpful to have at least some experience in most of the Creative Cloud programs, but as long as you have a good handle on key programs that jobs are requesting as experience, then you're on the right track.
And I have a little secret for you...even after working over 14 years, full-time at a job that requires InDesign expertise, I STILL don't know everything there is to know about InDesign. And that's ok! That's what Google is for. As a professional, you should be constantly learning and adapting to technology as it changes and as programs get updates. So it's almost impossible to ever know every single function of a program. But you definitely need a good foundation before you start any job, unless they're willing to train you.
And I have a little secret for you...even after working over 14 years, full-time at a job that requires InDesign expertise, I STILL don't know everything there is to know about InDesign. And that's ok! That's what Google is for. As a professional, you should be constantly learning and adapting to technology as it changes and as programs get updates. So it's almost impossible to ever know every single function of a program. But you definitely need a good foundation before you start any job, unless they're willing to train you.
James Newbery
Retail sales - training - leadership
40
Answers
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
James’s Answer
Depends what kind of design you are looking at.
I think it is a good idea to have an understanding of how the basic Creative Suite programs work like Photoshop/illustrator so you can leverage that in your design/art and also adds more credibility when you are looking for a design job. Often designers/design houses will use Adobe applications anyway and will have an expectation you know how to use it.
I think it is a good idea to have an understanding of how the basic Creative Suite programs work like Photoshop/illustrator so you can leverage that in your design/art and also adds more credibility when you are looking for a design job. Often designers/design houses will use Adobe applications anyway and will have an expectation you know how to use it.
Jennifer Beauchea
8
Answers
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
This really depends on your job or what the project may be. I have been a designer for almost 20 years. I would say I mostly use Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator but I have dabbled in other CC programs as well.
Valerie Enriquez
Art Director
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Valerie’s Answer
Yes, overall it's ideal. However when you are starting out as a junior designer, the expectation isn't for you to be a master at all of them. Depending on the field you're going into you'll want Photoshop for overall editing, Illustrator for printing/packaging and InDesign for magazines, books and long-form printing.
I'd recommend doing an at-home Youtube course (there are so many) to get the lay of the land and learn as much as possible. Patience will get you there!
I'd recommend doing an at-home Youtube course (there are so many) to get the lay of the land and learn as much as possible. Patience will get you there!
Mark Piccoli
Communications
1
Answer
Lodi, New Jersey
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hey Kelly,
The short answer is no, I would try to think about what type of design you would like to go into. I find the most useful is photoshop, InDesign, and illustrator.
But not all companies use these programs or have access to them, I would also look into other programs that are more relative available.
The short answer is no, I would try to think about what type of design you would like to go into. I find the most useful is photoshop, InDesign, and illustrator.
But not all companies use these programs or have access to them, I would also look into other programs that are more relative available.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
838
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
I am going to add my voice although I may be repeating some themes that others have addressed. First of all, Adobe Cloud is a best in class set of programs, but like others here, the value of the Cloud Suite as a whole may be less than the parts. I use graphic design skills in my job. The tools that I use the most from the Suite are Photoshop and Lighthouse. In my role as an Instructional Designer, I use Premiere Pro as well (which is for video creation). Many of my peers also use InDesign on a larger scale than I do. I use Adobe Captivate to build training, however, it is not a part of the Adobe Cloud Suite. I would mention that I did not get the Adobe Cloud Suite of tools until I was about 15 years into my career. The tools are expensive for a reason. They are really good. But sometimes you don't need all of the bells and whistles. The programs are also heavy. My regular home computer crashes Photoshop all the time. I had to go to a MAC to be able to use. At work, I have a high end computer to allow me to run Adobe programs at the highest level.
I would say that you should be able to use any tool given to you as a graphic designer. The elements of a photo that are really important often cannot be improved by Photoshop (or any other photo editing tool). You should focus on what makes a good photo like composition, subject, and light. You should understand color palettes and why colors do and don't work together. You should understand typography and be a good communicator in written form. If you have these skills, you can use any tool presented to you. The Adobe Cloud programs can give you some robust options. However, if you are creative and knowledge, you can make magic on any program that you are given to work on.
Graphic Design is such an exciting and rewarding field. I wish you the best of luck as you enter that field.
I would say that you should be able to use any tool given to you as a graphic designer. The elements of a photo that are really important often cannot be improved by Photoshop (or any other photo editing tool). You should focus on what makes a good photo like composition, subject, and light. You should understand color palettes and why colors do and don't work together. You should understand typography and be a good communicator in written form. If you have these skills, you can use any tool presented to you. The Adobe Cloud programs can give you some robust options. However, if you are creative and knowledge, you can make magic on any program that you are given to work on.
Graphic Design is such an exciting and rewarding field. I wish you the best of luck as you enter that field.
Shah Zad Ahmad
Civil Engineer
1
Answer
Timergara, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Updated
Shah Zad’s Answer
Hi..!
Graphic designing is a vast field. Every Adobe software has its own features and and services.
You don't need to be good of all but you just need to have the basic knowledge about the related software. For example when you are using Adobe animator you need to learn Adobe Illustrator as well to edit the characters and save them back in Adobe Animator.
Similarly when you are designing logos or infographics you just need to learn Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator but I recommend Illustrator for these services while Adobe Photoshop is best for photo editing and retouching.
Therefore If you learn one basic software properly and in a best way that will help you a lot instead of being a mediocre.
Hope this help you.
Thanks Shah
Graphic designing is a vast field. Every Adobe software has its own features and and services.
You don't need to be good of all but you just need to have the basic knowledge about the related software. For example when you are using Adobe animator you need to learn Adobe Illustrator as well to edit the characters and save them back in Adobe Animator.
Similarly when you are designing logos or infographics you just need to learn Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator but I recommend Illustrator for these services while Adobe Photoshop is best for photo editing and retouching.
Therefore If you learn one basic software properly and in a best way that will help you a lot instead of being a mediocre.
Hope this help you.
Thanks Shah