Tools That Define/Refine the Designer

There are many tools available to the graphic artist today. 40 years ago, those were specific to the trade. Pen and ink, knife, glue, and wax . We worked closely with the other trades to get our job done; the Photographer, and the typesetter. Today, the toolbox is virtual and to a certain extent the trades have melded into one. (However, photographers are STILL, and in my opinion, always will be a separate valued profession on its own.) 

The knife, pen and glue are gone, but not forgotten. From time to time, they have their place and we need them. (presentations, signs, demos, and prototypes) Thank God there’s a different tool box now and it’s mostly up to the designer, [or should be] what tools are inside.

Graphic Designer, Layout Artist, Illustrator, Photographer - the hats are many: we do what we’re asked to do and sometimes push the boundaries. We all know what the “Go-to” tools are. Adobe, for short, but to be specific; Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. The basics. Don’t leave home without them. Add a computer and a good camera. From there, the tools are many! The objective remains the same; whatever gets the job done! 

Start with a camera, lights, backdrop and a good photographer! You're often called to DIY where there are a lot of options. Know your limits and when a true professional should be called in to get the best results. A good photographer is experienced in so many different situations and that's a big plus at crunch time! Time is also a factor. If you choose to do-it-all, also be willing to have little time for the things you enjoy or the things that need your attention most. The thinner you spread yourself, the less time you have for changes and improvements.

I have used hundreds of programs and apps that are no longer supported or have been bought by larger companies (Adobe), absorbed into other larger programs or no longer have a purpose for one reason or another. But over the years (40), some of these have survived and evolved to bring the graphic designer into another arena; 3D modeling, rendering and animation. 

I put this under the category of Illustration, although some, rightfully so, also like to put it under photography. Most of 3D still images are used for just that: scenes and product shots setup in a virtual environment to simulate photography. For the Graphic Designer, rendering is the key here, since modeling can most of the time be done by engineering or bought online. Once you have a model, you can create any color, texture or lighting combination to fit any situation. In this realm there are MANY competing members. I’ll mention 1: Blender. Blender combines 3D modeling, rendering, animation, video editing, 2D animation, sketching and much more in ONE program! Oh, and it’s FREE! There other more famous and more expensive programs that do the same things. Some do things that others don’t and prices vary. The choice is up to the user and the need. I prefer to use at least two. Three if I’m unable to get the results I need.

I bring up the 3D aspect because I think it’s an integral part of the present and future Graphic Designer toolset. But I haven’t touched on the OTHER end of the graphic hat rack; Web Design.

I won’t go into too many specifics here but I think for the most part, people have been centered around one name; Word Press. It’s not my favorite, but seems to be the tool of choice for Website builders…. not designers. In my opinion, I think the jury is still out with respect to Graphic Design and the web; What to use, how to create, what does the user want, how can it be updated, how may devices will it be used for? Yada, yada, yada. It all comes down to Designer and Developer collaboration unless Designer wants to learn HTML, CSS, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, PHP, Ruby, SQL, or C/CPP! 

But what should be in a healthy Graphic Designer’s daily diet? Maybe a serving or two of 3D, sprinkle on some line art, bake in a few photos, add text and VOILA! A graphic soufflé! But what if we throw in a little JavaScript and put the whole thing in a big mixer like Tumult Hype (… a later post) BOOM! You’ve got an APP! Or a web banner! (Expanding Graphic Design through interactivity!)

 I think that Graphic Designers should always take a step back inside our fragile ecosphere that sets us apart from everyone else, and ask ourselves why we chose this profession in the first place. It’s not our goal to be a “Do-all” and “End-all” solution. It’s our goal to promote interest and curiosity, understanding and simplicity, direction and purpose. Right, left, up, down, small, large, green or blue. One thing working in relation with other things - on paper, computer, billboard, phone, or sidewalk. Communication in the simplest form. Stay focused on the basics and the objectives. 

Can I get an Amen?