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What platforms do most digital arts classes use in college?
Through classes within high school, I've become familiarized with Adobe Photoshop and Illustration, along with websites like WIX and Canva. Are there other common platforms most colleges will have digital art students use? Are there any materials we need to pay for within the class? #college #art #artist
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Sabrina’s Answer
I've take digital design classes through several schools and Adobe is by far the standard software. Most schools are able to provide their students with a free trial to use during the term or at least a significant student discount. Figma was the other software used and that one is free! From my experience Wix and Canva are not used in a design environment. A computer with good memory and a decent graphics card will be your biggest expense. The MacBooks have proven to work really well. Animation is another great space to get involved with in the digital field. Animating svg illustrations is really powerful as an upskill to set yourself apart.
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August’s Answer
You've got two of the major Adobe CC programs covered, Photoshop & Illustrator, but you'll most likely want to know InDesign, Premiere, Audition, and AfterEffects. You'll find them relatively easy to pick up since they share a common vocabulary with what you already know.
Those last three programs will help when you want to put videos together.
Another good UX design tool to learn is Sketch. That'll be about a $100 a year sub, last time I used it.
Picking up a 3d program (any, really) will help, especially if you want to design something to wrap around an object, such as a car, or piece of furniture.
In terms of outside materials, I'd recommend any MacBook, with possibly the addition of a Wacom tablet. If you think you'll just be a pure illustrator, and iPad will work just fine.
In terms of technical proficiency, you already know YouTube is your best friend. However, you can give yourself a brilliant grounding in colour theory and composition by hitting as many museums as you can, and absorbing the street art you see if you're in big city.
Those last three programs will help when you want to put videos together.
Another good UX design tool to learn is Sketch. That'll be about a $100 a year sub, last time I used it.
Picking up a 3d program (any, really) will help, especially if you want to design something to wrap around an object, such as a car, or piece of furniture.
In terms of outside materials, I'd recommend any MacBook, with possibly the addition of a Wacom tablet. If you think you'll just be a pure illustrator, and iPad will work just fine.
In terms of technical proficiency, you already know YouTube is your best friend. However, you can give yourself a brilliant grounding in colour theory and composition by hitting as many museums as you can, and absorbing the street art you see if you're in big city.
Updated
Natalie’s Answer
Hi Ashley!
I'm in school for graphic design right now and so far the majority of my classwork has been done with Adobe's programs, so it's great that you already have some experience with those. I've worked with Photoshop, Ilustrator, and InDesign so far. I know that next year I'll be working with Premiere. The Adobe Creative Suite is definitely the industry standard. I know that GIMP is another popular program that professionals use. As for materials, I was required to purchase a MacBook for school and I'm sure a lot of other schools are similar.
I'm in school for graphic design right now and so far the majority of my classwork has been done with Adobe's programs, so it's great that you already have some experience with those. I've worked with Photoshop, Ilustrator, and InDesign so far. I know that next year I'll be working with Premiere. The Adobe Creative Suite is definitely the industry standard. I know that GIMP is another popular program that professionals use. As for materials, I was required to purchase a MacBook for school and I'm sure a lot of other schools are similar.