What is the best software?

[ellia9]

Hi,

Questions about basics.

I am an artist (paper, pencil, pastel) US east coast. I have not done any graphic design since 92-95. Even then it was for creating a catalog consisting of lists of numbers - bo-ring.
But I would like to start the long process of learning (at least reading about) some new programs and practicing some design on my own.
However, my crazy idea is to avoid taking any classes and instead read up on software and eventually purchase it (expensive I know) to study on my own.
Classes are so expensive and when I have taken them before I have found them so slow that they leave me antsy, just wanting to explore on my own.
Anyway, my basic question is what do you all think is the best graphic design software (or 2 or 3) out there today as of now, summer 2008. I assume apple is the way to go. But also, do these programs differ internationally?
Thank you for any and all responses...

[Toon]

Adobe CS3 or wait for 4

[blueocto]

visit Adobe and use the trial versions, if you wish to sample design programs, before purchasing (as they dont come cheap!).

[likethegoddess]

Ditto on Adobe Creative Suite.

My personal recommendation for you is spend the money on software, not on classes. It sounds like you have the necessary impulse to research and learn on your own. If you keep your motivation and you're thorough, learning software on your own is a great idea.

Best of luck to you.

Diana

[zumojuice]

adobe too - they are full versions to trial too...

[rossable]

my basic question is what do you all think is the best graphic design software (or 2 or 3) out there today as of now, summer 2008. I assume apple is the way to go.

depends on the type of design you want/need to do.

I prefer Adobe but i have no qualm in suggesting Corel brand either.
I would suggest that you find out what your local printers use that way you would have less hassle in getting them files they can access.
if you need to do magazine or newspaper layouts then i would suggest QuarXpress 6. there are newer versions but most places in the states never bothered to update because the changes were negligible. If you go with the Adobe suite, InDesign can do most everything that Quark can so that's up to your preference.

as far as the apple vs microsoft argument goes. apple is better for design solely due to the fact that the OS does not need much of the computers resources to operate unlike windows that requires 1-2 Gig of ram to run. If you have 4G of ram or more in your windows system then there is no difrence in preformance between the two in regards to graphic design needs and function.

hope that helps!

[likethegoddess]

In defense of PCs (yes, I said it.), I have found that PCs are cheaper than Macs for the comparable power.

I'll echo rossable that there's definitely a preference for QuarkXPress in some quarters. CorelDraw has fans, too.

You also might want to consider whether you want to join a design shop or freelance. If you want to join a firm, you might do some research on what tools your target companies currently use.

Best,

Diana

[bartoszdesign]

don't know your budget, but there are as well some very good open-source applications like f.e. GIMP, which features nearly all functions of photoshop at zero-price...

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

[zumojuice]

The short, you have loads of options free and paid. I've not used GIMP so I can say how it compares but i've not heard of many professional designers using it either, either out of ignorance/ease of photoshop or whatever. Since the adobe suite ships with pretty much all you need for design work (at least print-wise - and nearly there web-wise) why pay extra for quark? There are debates about all the software - pick which works for you.

[bartoszdesign]

true, but it's always depending on your own budget. we all know how much you have to pay for the adobe suite and we are not talking about peanuts. adobe is definately top of the rank, but there are a lot of compareable alternatives, which are free or cost just little. gimp is one of the free ones. xara 3d is what i have heard of as well a cheap alternative. it's up to you which way you want to go. to be honest i work myself on adobe, but it was a whole investment thinking that you can buy complete computers for the same price or cheaper.