There is a lot of things that a good photo editing software can do. It can touch up photographs, be useful for art, or even create simple animations. They are powerful pieces of software, and that usually comes with a lot of money backing it. However, not everyone has that kind of money to shell out for a program that might end up doing more than is necessary. The problem is the stigma behind not using the top-of-the-line software in any given situation.

Professionals may use either Adobe Photoshop or GIMP depending on their budget and needs for the software. GIMP is a popular substitute for freelancers due to its small size and nonexistent price tag, however Photoshop tends to be the program of choice for larger corporations.

There are a ton of similarities between both GIMP and Photoshop, with some of it even coming down to simple preferences. However, there are pros and cons of both pieces of software. Keep reading to learn about them.

Pros of Using GIMP as a Professional

GIMP is a free open-source photo manipulation software which means it has a lot of good things going for it. It tends to be the software of choice for freelancers, amateurs, and those on a tight budget or those with less than ideal computers trying to still produce work.

Here are some pros to using GIMP professionally:

• It is Free
• Open-source means that it can be edited by the community
• Community resources are prevalent
• Many plugins can fill in gaps
• Simpler use
• Customizable interface
• Small file size
• Works on Linux
• Can read Photoshop files

The community itself is the best part of GIMP. Anyone can debug or add to the program with ease and without much concern for legal repercussions. It’s a comfortable program that can stand against its pricy competitor effectively, without much actual loss.

Cons of Using GIMP as a Professional

If GIMP was perfect in every way, nobody would ever shell out the money for its competitors. It doesn’t have the millions of dollars backing it, nor the prestige that its competitors do have. Not only that but it does have its flaws that need to be addressed when considering using GIMP as a Photoshop alternative.

Such cons include:

• 8-bit bit depth limit
• Inability to work with RAW and TIFF files easily
• Harder to do simple animations
• No cross-exportation between programs
• Doesn’t have the backing of major corporations
• Not as highly regarded in professional settings
• No CMYK support without plugins

The biggest issue with GIMP is that it relies so heavily on its community to fix its flaws that some problems have been left unattended for many years in the base software. While there are plugins for just about everything, its lack of RAW and TIFF file readability as well as no CMYK support really cripple it in the professional world.

Pros of Using Photoshop as a Professional

Photoshop has become such a household name, even those who will never need the program are aware of its existence. It’s also so well-known that the other programs in its professional suite disappear from public consciousness. Not to mention, it has become synonymous with any sort of photo manipulation much like how all permanent markers are referred to as Sharpies or tissues as Kleenexes.

With that, here are some pros of using Photoshop as a professional:

• Well-known
• High functionality
• Cross-program compatibility and exportation between others in the suite
• High bit depth limit
• CMYK mode
• Counts as a business expense
• It is trained at the collegiate level
• Clean and streamlined user interface
• Simple animations are a breeze
• Functions with most file types

Photoshop is one of those things every Graphic Designer or photographer is expected to have and be able to use. Therefore, it is almost always on the requirements for job listings. Not being familiar with it really can cause some crippling to potential applicants without at least base knowledge in it.

Cons of Using Photoshop as a Professional

Nothing is perfect which is why there are always alternatives to everything, including the almighty Photoshop. It tries so hard to be useful for as much as possible that it ends up hurting itself in various aspects of its design. While many corporations will fall back onto it, the program does have significant flaws.

Such flaws include:

• Massive file size
• Limited customizability
• Many unnecessary functions
• Hefty price tag
• Many additions are locked behind paywalls
• Modern subscription-based usage

Not to mention, many people are becoming more and more frustrated with Adobe’s business practices, lack of consideration for workers and users, and extremely high price tags with subscription-based usage. It doesn’t even try to pretend to be a friendly corporation which can steer quite a few away. It’s also not great for older computers as it takes a lot of power and space to operate.

Conclusion

Photoshop might be the king of photo editing and manipulation to the point that it has become synonymous with such activities, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the only juggernaut in the field. GIMP is a freeware, open-source program that can do many of the same things as Adobe’s golden child, but without the subscription-based fees. This makes it a prime choice for freelancers and users on a budget. Not to mention it is tiny and uses fewer resources than Photoshop ever can or will.

However, Photoshop is taught in colleges, counts as a business expense, and has serious compatibility with other programs without the need for plugins or user intervention. It’s heavily requested in the professional world, making it a little difficult to get a foothold without a solid grasp of the program. Either way, both programs can be used professionally, it just depends on the needs of the user.

A growing concern among graphic designers these days is the alarming rate at which super-powerful computers and cutting-edge software are taking on tasks that not too long ago could only be performed by human personnel. Chief among these worries is that as technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) continue to pervade commerce and industry, the roles of graphic designers could diminish.

With technologies like advanced software and artificial intelligence, certain aspects of graphic design, such as those demanding repetition or that can be performed through logic, can be automated. But creation, ideation, and conceptualization are still in the graphic designer’s domain.

There are however a few solid options when it comes to pre-made templates. Placeit.net has taken the market by storm by offering a massive library of 90,000+ pre-made templates for all sorts of graphic design projects.

Automation is sweeping through global economies at a delirious pace. From manufacturing to service industries to entertainment and media, new applications for AI are constantly being found. The field of graphic design is no exception as powerful platforms enable a growing number of tasks to be performed by computers. But rather than being replaced, graphic designers are even more invaluable. Here’s why.

Is it Possible for Graphic Design to be Automated?

The introduction of computers and design software to the field of graphic design several decades ago was revolutionary, to say the least by placing powerful design functions at their fingertips. Prior to that, graphic designers spent much of their time working with pencil and paper, cutting out and putting together mockups with scissors and glue, and developing photographs from film in a darkroom.

Now, another technological revolution is taking place and it again involves computer technology. But this time, AI is being tasked with performing design work on its own, with functions ranging from simple to complex, that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago. This current wave of modernization has some graphic design professionals wondering whether their field is about to become automated.

Here is What Computers can Already do in Graphic Design

Already, powerful AI technology has enabled computers to perform certain graphic design tasks with levels of recognition that fall short of human intuition but far surpasses the cold, hard logic of the computers of yesteryear.

What this means for the field of graphic design is that the power of lightning-fast computing, performing endless calculations (and re-calculations), and executing on command, can be harnessed for the designer’s benefit. For example:

• With AI and advanced software comes the ability to perform predictive prototyping, which basically enables a particular concept to be created in its “final form” digitally – this would allow a client to get a preview of the finished product while giving the design team to go back and make wholesale changes without necessarily having to go back to square one
• Very seldomly does a particular graphic design hit the mark perfectly in its original iteration – revisions are the norm and to be expected and computer technology facilitates this process by making design modifications like image positioning, color palette selection, and text layout, as fast as clicking a mouse or pressing a few keys
• Computers can also be an invaluable aid to graphic designers by performing within minutes, conceptualization tasks that would take a human team hours, if not days, to complete, such as creating design concepts based on variable inputs in the forms of natural language, image reference, and CAD geometry (in other words, explain the problem and let the computer come up with a few solutions)

Here is What Computers Cannot do in Graphic Design (Yet)

For all their powerful algorithms, raw processing capabilities, and adaptability, there are certain human realms that elude even the most advanced technologies. It is in these areas that graphic designers simply cannot be replaced by chips, wires, and circuit boards.

Here are a few human capabilities that computers cannot replicate:

• Computers cannot pick up on nuances, whether they are based on emotional cues, context, or subliminal messaging
• Computers cannot create or formulate original ideas, nor can they transform an ordinary concept into a compelling story
• Computers do not have a guiding sense of morality or convention, and are therefore more susceptible to poor or ineffective messaging that completely misses the mark

As simple as these concepts may seem, they are profoundly significant in the graphic design space, where the success of projects often hinge on the emotional, spiritual, and subjective impacts they have on their target audiences.

Ultimately, it is the innate human ability to create from a mere spark of inspiration that sets graphic designers apart from computers and AI, which themselves are the progeny of a once crazy notion to program computers to think for themselves.

What Does the Future Hold for Graphic Design?

The most common application of AI in design today is with regard to web development. Even as so-called AI-based website design platforms claim that their powerful algorithms are capable of enabling ordinary users to create extraordinary websites thereby eliminating the need to hire graphic designers, thus far, the results according to popular opinion are more cookie-cutter than cutting-edge.

While artificial intelligence may be adaptable to recognizing patterns and replicating them, or learning logic and applying it, when it comes to achieving the type of “look and feel” of a website that is appealing and unique, human curators, in the form of graphic designers, are still quite necessary to provide art direction and make impactful design decisions.

For the time being, there is no computer on earth that can exercise creativity and express artistry the way that a human graphic designer can, but there are certain time-honored graphic design principles that could theoretically be programmed into code, including:

• The Rule of Three
• Fibonacci’s Spiral
• The Golden Ratio
• Sacred Geometry

Armed with these fundamental building blocks of graphic design, a computer could execute a variety of tasks intended to yield actual work product. Assistive AI, as it is termed by some, could allow graphic designers to delegate certain assignments to computers much in the way they would be to a human apprentice or assistant, thus allowing designers to take on more of a directorial or managerial role.

Conclusion

For now, the best way to describe the relationship between graphic designers and their computers is that it is one based on mutual need.

Advancements in technology are surging forward like a tidal wave. But rather than viewing them as threats, graphic designers may be best advised to embrace these emerging automations as the instruments of progress and get into step by pivoting to creator, directorial, and managerial roles.

Graphic design is a field in which professionals create visual images or content to communicate certain messages to various audiences. These visual images are often created using different programs on computers, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. Due to this, it is important to know the best type of monitor that can help you to create amazing graphic design images.

While 4K monitors have become popular in the last few years, you do not need a 4K monitor for graphic design. The monitor can be helpful in creating more detailed images, but you can create these types of images without the use of a 4k monitor as it has only been recently that 4K monitors have become popular.

Continue to learn about the benefits of 4K monitors, specifically the benefits of 4K monitors in relation to graphic design. Also, continue reading to learn which monitors are best for graphic design.

Do You Need A 4K Monitor For Graphic Design?

4K monitors have become standard due to their high-resolution quality and wider screen size which allows for more to be done on the monitors, but they are not necessary for graphic design. It has only been in recent years that the shift to 4K technology has occurred, so many fields, such a graphic design, can still be conducted without the use of 4K monitors.

It is possible that in the future there will be a shift that makes 4K monitors necessary in order to do graphic design, but it is currently more of a decision of preference on whether to use a 4K monitor. Some suggest that if you are able to afford a 4K monitor to get one as it will make graphic design easier, but it is not a necessity, so you do not need to go out and spend your money on one.

What Is A 4K Monitor?

4K monitors are computer monitors that offer 4K resolution, which is approximately an image size of 3,840×2,160 pixels. This is a better resolution than full HD resolution, which is approximately 1,920×1,080 pixels. Most 4K monitors tend to be larger, or wider, than other monitors which can allow for more to be done on the screen.

Depending on where you decide to purchase your 4K monitor, it can be found pricing anywhere from $150 to $300.

Benefits Of 4K Monitors

4K monitors have become more popular as more content has become available in 4K resolution. From streaming services to YouTube to gaming, 4K monitors have helped make each of these to be better experiences for the consumer. Some benefits of 4K monitors include:

• 4K monitors offer clearer and sharper images
• The wider screen allows for better use of certain applications
• Better video quality
• Better gaming quality

Great Monitors For Graphic Design

There are many different types of monitors that one can use for graphic design. Some are 4K, some are 5K, and some are neither. When it comes to picking the right monitor, you need to decide which monitor is most affordable to you and best suits your need. Many of these monitors can be found on Amazon.

Some of the monitors that are great for graphic design are:

• ASUS ROG Swift 27”
• LG 27UL850-W 27 Inch UHD
• Acer Predator Gaming X34 Pbmiphzx Curved 34”
• BenQ 32 inch, 4k UHD Monitor

Each of these monitors offers high-quality resolution and is much wider than some other computer monitors. Each, also, offers great graphic which can help to make more detailed designs.

Final Thoughts

4K monitors are quickly becoming standard due to their high resolution and wider screen, but they are not necessary to use for graphic design. While you may be tempted to purchase a 4K monitor due to its variety of benefits, you do not need to go out and buy a 4K monitor. 

It is recommended that if you have the money to spend on a 4K monitor that you can purchase one as it does allow for you to create more detailed images, but do not spend the money if you do not have it. Eventually, there may be a shift to using 4K monitors or monitors with a higher quality resolution, but you can still do great graphic design work without a 4K monitor.

In the modern era, it’s normal to expect everything to have a price tag. Everything took labor to make, and that should be financially rewarded. However, there are still plenty of free sources out there made with the labor of love to share with others. GIMP is well-known as the king of freeware, being a free version of Photoshop that can do just about everything the Adobe juggernaut can do. This alone makes some wonder why they would bother making themselves free when it clearly is Photoshop’s biggest competitor.

GIMP is free simply because the developers just like making free software. Photoshop on the other hand is backed by a large corporation that is trying to turn a profit, pay staff, and maintain itself in the modern era.

GIMP is open source freeware that anyone can edit and redistribute which in turn allows it to have an amazing community full of enthusiasts. Photoshop on the other hand is taught at the collegiate level and is well regarded in the industry. Keep reading to learn more about both GIMP and Photoshop.

Pros and Cons of GIMP

GIMP has a lot going for it, but it is not perfect in any sense of the word. It’s a great piece of software for those on a tight budget and is highly comparable to Photoshop, making it an excellent choice should the need arise. It might not have the prestige of its competitor, but the love behind it can really be felt unlike something that is backed by millions of dollars.

Here are some pros and cons of GIMP:

Pros	Cons
Free	8-bit depth limit
Open source	RAW and TIFF not supported by default
Accessible plugins	Animation is hard
Simple to use	No cross-exportation
Customizable interface	No large budget, funding, or support
Small file size	Limited professional regard
Works on Linux	No default CMYK support
Strong user community
Can read PSD files

It is definitely a good piece of software for amateurs, the self-taught, freelancers, and the like. It’s also highly regarded in the artist community and is tiny enough that there is even a version that can be used from a flash drive. Additionally, it is one of the only photo editing software out there that is compatible with Linux, making it a great choice for those users.

Pros and Cons of Photoshop

Photoshop is one of those things that has become a household name for itself much like Google, Sharpie, and Kleenex. It’s the name used to suggest photo manipulation or touchups, even if it isn’t the only program to do so. However, as with anything, there are pros and cons to the software to consider.

Such pros and cons include:

Pros	Cons
Well-known	Massive file size
High functionality	Limited customizability
Cross-platform exportation	Many unnecessary functions
High bit depth limits	High price tag
CMYK mode	Additions locked behind pay walls
Counts as business expense	Modern subscription-based usage
Trained collegiately	Price fluctuates without notice
Streamlined UI
Simple animations
Functions with most file types

The biggest perk about Photoshop is that it is taught in schools. GIMP is simple to learn from the ground up, but Photoshop is what the class is going to help with. Therefore, it tends to be much more comfortable than trying to learn an entirely new piece of software.

What is Freeware?

One of the biggest selling points about GIMP is that it is freeware, yet not everything goes to explain exactly what that means. Freeware means that it is a piece of software that is available at no cost, or for a low, typically voluntary fee. Donations are usually readily accepted to help with production costs but are not typically required. In short, it’s a program that is meant to be free or very low cost.

GIMP doesn’t require any fee to download, use, edit, or redistribute making it entirely free to use. The primary developers of the software have already made statements about how they never intend on releasing the program for a fee, despite the fact that they could easily do so. It gives their users a piece of mind that there won’t suddenly be a price jack, unlike with paid and subscription-based software.

What is Open-Source Software?

Another major point behind GIMP is that it is open source. This term means that it is collaborative software which relies on its community and peer review in order to update, change, use, debug, and fix. Anyone is allowed to work on and share what they have made in an open source software, be it plugins or anything else. This often makes for a strong community, which is what GIMP has in excess over Photoshop.

Conclusion

Photoshop might have become a verb in its own right, being synonymous with photo manipulation, but that doesn’t mean that it is the only program out there worth its salt in the field. Its biggest downfall is that it can be hard to justify its extremely high price tag which now comes with subscription-based fees. If that subscription runs out, it can even lock users out of all functionalities until more cash is shelled out for it. Not to mention, it is subject to change at the whims of its megacorporation with little regard for its userbase.

GIMP on the other hand is open source freeware which excels at having a strong community of people happily working on it for free for no other reason than they want to. They could make a lot of money to keep up with their competitor, but they have stated that they have no interest in ever releasing a version of GIMP for a price. This makes it the ideal program for amateurs and those on a tight budget, even if it doesn’t come with Photoshop’s prestige.

Logos are one of the most important pieces of business branding. It is the tiny piece of imagery that will let everyone know what something is without needing to explain it. Think about iconic logos and how no words are needed to let others know what brand it is associated with. This proves how important it is to have a good logo, but first it has to be designed. Early business costs don’t allow for heavy designing expenses, so many will turn to freeware such as GIMP in order to make it happen.

While GIMP can be used to make logos, they really should be made in a vector format. GIMP is a raster program and is not capable of quality resizing without anti-aliasing.

While GIMP might be the king of freeware, it has its limits. While it can be forced to make a decent enough logo, it won’t be able to be resized without losing valuable quality. Keep reading to learn more about designing logos with GIMP.

Can You Design a Logo in GIMP?

It is absolutely possible to design a logo in GIMP, however caution needs to be exercised when doing so. GIMP is a raster program, which uses many pixels to create its imagery. These pixels give it the ability to show a lot of color, gradient, and texture that vector programs are just not suited for. However, they also come at a price.

Raster imagery cannot be resized without anti-aliasing, which means those little pixels of varying opacity most noticeable along the edges of the design. This happens in attempt to fill in or smooth out the work, but it leads to crunchy and fuzzy imagery when the size is altered. Very small resizing can be barely noticeable, but it’s not going to go over well in any professional setting if it’s not clean and crisp. So, in order to save the headache of rebuilding the logo in different sizes to account for varying needs, logos do best when designed in a vector program.

What are the Differences Between Raster and Vector Imagery?

Raster and vector imagery are both extremely useful for different things. Photographs are best suited for raster images with their wide color range, and anything that needs resized frequently, such as logos, are best suited for vector.

Resolution

Raster and vector imagery have very different resolution standards. Raster imagery is made in a lot of pixels referred to as dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI) which simply means how many pixels are within an inch. This massive number of pixels allows for greater color variation. The problem is that it will lose quality when resized as the computer is going to be trying to fill in the gaps or delete pixels in order to account for the new size. This results in crunchy, fuzzy, and blurry imagery that is no good for projects needing multiple sizes.

Vector on the other hand is made with paths and points with mathematics behind it in order to help make it resizable. In short, it is written in the same language as the computer itself which makes it easier for the computer to know what to do with it. They can be resized, reshaped, and rescaled without any loss of quality which makes them perfect choices for logos and similar business needs.

File Sizes

Another major difference between a raster and a vector image is file size. Vectors can get to be massive if trying to convert a lot of colors but are typically much smaller than the common raster due to containing only mathematical formulas to tell the device what to show rather than being comprised of a bunch of pixels.

Raster images are typically massive in general to account for the high number of pixels on it. The difference is that they can be heavily compressed in order to be suitable for web or sharing, which vector isn’t great at.

Use

Raster imagery does best if something needs a lot of color variation, such as in a photograph. It’s this type of file that shines when needing to do anything with photographs, from taking them to manipulating them. They are also the only file that is supported on the internet, so designing for web is best done with raster imagery.

Vector however does best when things need to be able to be scaled frequently. This includes such things as logos and typography. Saving things as a .pdf can really help bridge the gap between the two file types as it does its best to preserve the file it has so it can be seen by many devices.

How to Know if a File is Raster or Vector

The file type is a very good hint for whether or not a file is going to be raster or vector. Knowing common file types will help alleviate the need to go in and check by scaling and seeing if it loses quality.

Here are some common file types for both raster and vector:

Raster	Vector
.jpeg/.jpg	.svg
.png	.eps
.gif	.ai
.bmp	.dae
.tiff	.ps
.psd	.emf

Some programs will allow for conversion between the file types with exportation. This typically takes awhile and involves quite a bit of guesswork from the device while it attempts conversion. It also has a tendency of making the file much larger than necessary.

Conclusion

GIMP might be one of the most well-known pieces of freeware out there, but it does have its limitations. As a raster program, it really isn’t suitable for designing things that are going to need to be often resized, such as with logos or when designing a font. Instead, using a vector program such as Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator is best for those needs. Alternatively, using a service such as Placeit.net can help make designing logos a breeze without the need to worry about whether or not it is the right kind of file.

The color scheme of a graphic design is one of its most important aspects. Even the slightest alteration in the shade or hue of a single color can change the entire perception of an artwork. Which is why it is so maddening for graphic designers when industry-standard design software, like Adobe Illustrator, for instance, changes colors of art files seemingly on their own and without any rhyme or reason.

Most of the time when Adobe Illustrator changes your colors it is due to compatibility issues between the RGB and CMYK color models. Other instances of unwanted color changes can usually be attributed to settings in Illustrator’s color management system, such as scheme and mode.

Whether it is the long-anticipated launch of a company website or a series of public-facing printed collateral, a lot is riding on the graphic design elements of these types of projects, and having an impactful color scheme is key to the overall success of a campaign. Read on to learn about the potential pitfalls of Adobe Illustrator changing your colors, and more importantly, how to avoid them.

Is Adobe Illustrator Changing Your Colors? Here’s Why

A mere peek through support forums and Adobe Illustrator help sites is all it takes to see that many graphic designers of all skill levels, ranging from newbies fresh out of design school to seasoned veterans who have seen it all, have at some point experienced the frustration and bewilderment of Illustrator changing color values. In some cases, the changes are subtle but in others, they are glaring and striking.

While it is easy to attribute this problem to a software glitch or a coding miscue in the Adobe Illustrator platform itself, there are a number of reasons why colors appear to be changed from the designer’s original scheme. The majority of color discrepancies in Adobe Illustrator can be attributed to improper color management settings, starting with a common mistake relating to two common color models.

Minding Your Color Gamuts – RGB vs CMYK

One of the first concepts that graphic designers learn is color scheming and there are four primary color models upon which this is based. Color models are often categorized by the range of colors (known as a gamut) that they encompass, and this is how they stack up from the largest spectrum to the smallest:

• Visible color gamut – this is the largest color spectrum perceptible to the human eye
• RGB color gamut – comprises the largest portion of the visible color gamut
• Pantone color gamut – this is a proprietary color matching system that is widely used in the printing industry
• CMYK – of the four major color gamuts, this has by far the smallest range of colors

A side-by-side comparison of the RGB and CMYK gamuts shows how differently they appear, particularly when bright colors in the RGB color space are converted to the CMYK color space. These variances are significant in terms of how Adobe Illustrator manages color modes for various types of art files.

Here are some important things to keep in mind regarding color gamuts and problems that can arise in Adobe Illustrator:

• In some cases, the problem of Illustrator changing your colors can be traced to the program’s color mode being set to RGB instead of CMYK. By switching this document setting back to CMYK, color values can be easily restored.
• In other cases, the changes you see in your original colors when using Adobe Illustrator are the software’s way of letting you know that the color specifications you entered are out of gamut, or outside the scope of the CMYK color model.
• In other words, Illustrator’s color management system has determined that the color as specified cannot be properly displayed or printed and it is “suggesting” an alternative (which is the off color you see).

It is important to note that the two color models not only appear different but are also suited for different types of applications. As a general rule,

• RGB (which stands for red, green, blue) is better suited for websites and digital modes of communication because it is a color model that transmits light (as in a computer monitor)
• CMYK (which stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key black) is typically the preferred color model for printed materials because these mediums utilized colored or tinted inks and dyes

Thus, the differences between RGM and CMYK run deeper than their appearance and these attributes can complicate matters when working on art files in Adobe Illustrator.

Be Mindful of the Color Management Settings in Illustrator

After investing so much time and effort into your work, finding that your color schemes have been changed by Illustrator without your knowledge can be a frustrating and disheartening experience (not to mention one that can possibly earn you the ire of your client or boss).

Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the chances of unwanted color changes from happening, to catch them early on in the design process, and to prevent them from recurring over and over again. Here are some key color management tips to remember when using Adobe Illustrator:

• One important tip to keep in mind as far as color management on Adobe Illustrator is concerned is to keep your warning notifications turned on. This way, if any color settings are inadvertently changed (either by you or the program) you will be notified so that you can make the appropriate corrections.
• Knowing how to restore default Adobe Illustrator preferences, including your color management settings, as well as saving proven preference profiles in a safe place in case you need to reuse them (e.g., a client you worked for in the past has another project for you and wants to use the same color palette as before)
• Familiarize yourself with Adobe Illustrator’s color settings menu, particularly parameters that are easily overlooked but can have a dramatic effect on your project’s color scheme, such as having the color management feature turned off or set to the wrong option like Emulating Illustrator 6

Although it can take a bit of detective work to get to the roots of your particular color-related issue in Adobe Illustrator, most problems can be rectified in short order by selecting the right color model or adjusting a few color management settings.

Conclusion

No project in the business world, graphic design or otherwise, goes absolutely according to plan. Mistakes and setbacks happen. But with a little bit of knowledge and forethought, you can be sure that submitting artwork to your boss or client with the wrong colors substituted by Adobe Illustrator will not be one of them.

Canva has become a wildly popular program over the past few years, bringing graphic design capabilities to entrepreneurs, influencers, and budding designers alike. But is Canva a program that is used in a professional graphic design setting, or should these designers be using something different?

Graphic designers can use Canva to create a variety of things. But that doesn’t mean the program should be used in every situation. Like all graphic design software, Canva excels in some areas and lacks in others. Below are 6 things you should know before using Canva for graphic design.

Should Graphic Designers Use Canva?

Whether or not you use Canva as a graphic designer really depends on personal preference, and what you actually plan on creating. You can find a lot of graphic designers—both freelance workers and those working in traditional office settings—using Canva to create a number of different graphics for clients, social media, and digital marketing purposes.

Canva is great for those who don’t know how to design and need to do simple tasks like adding text to an image or designing a social media post. But that isn’t all it’s limited to. Business owners, influencers, and marketing gurus use the program for some more advanced media projects such as video editing, book covers, and on-demand designs.

So, should you use Canva as a graphic designer? Yes and no.

The goal here is to understand the program and what it is best used for. Canva can do many things, but there are also many things it can’t do. It doesn’t replace programs like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop but instead acts as another tool to add to your toolbox. Therefore, the better you know Canva, the easier it will be to figure out when you should and should not use it.

6 Things to Know About Canva Before Using It for Graphic Design

Before diving into a new design project with Canva, it’s important to know when it will benefit you as a designer and when it won’t. Here are 6 things you should know about Canva before getting started.

1. Canva Can’t Be Used Without Internet

If you’re a designer who prefers to work on the go, you might have some problems using Canva for your work.

One of the disadvantages of Canva is that it requires internet access in order to be used. Because it is an online platform, you will be unable to log in and create graphics if you do not have access to WIFI.

While you could always sketch out your plan by hand and then create the design in Canva once you have access to the internet again, this isn’t always ideal.

This is where you would benefit from using a different design program that is downloaded to your computer.

2. Canva Won’t Make You Stand Out

There are hundreds of free, professionally designed templates at Canva that can be altered with a few mouse clicks due to their drag and drop interface. While this is great for quick and easy designs, this isn’t exactly going to make you stand out from the crowd.

With the wide availability of the templates, your designs may appear very similar or even identical to just about anyone else who has used the same template.

However, this doesn’t mean that Canva isn’t a valuable asset. Using a free online graphic design tool may be sufficient for short-term visuals like social media postings, but if you need something that will stand the test of time, you’re better off using a program that allows for more customization.

3. Canva Pro May Be More Suitable for Graphic Design

If you’ve been working with Canva for a bit, you may want to check out Canva Pro. While the program has a lot to offer for free, the extra features like Brand Kit, background remover, Magic Resize, and content planner make it easier to work as a team and create more professional designs.

4. Canva Doesn’t Work with Vector Images

For the most part, the main difference between Canva and other design tools like Illustrator and Inkscape is that Canva exclusively makes raster graphics instead of vector images.

Vector images are made up of mathematically defined points, lines, curves, and forms. You can easily resize or change the pathways without worrying about them becoming pixelated or fuzzy since the paths are automatically recalculated as the image size is changed. 

Raster images, on the other hand, are graphics that are made up of pixels. This enables them to have a reduced file size and are the sort of graphics you would use for anything that will be seen on a screen. The disadvantage of raster graphics is that they cannot be expanded without becoming pixelated, they are difficult to modify, and they can sometimes appear in poor quality when printed.

Because of this, Canva is a bad option for things like logo creation. Logo designers should always have a vector file of their work on hand as a rule of thumb. This is because the routes may be modified, re-colored, or even re-configured whenever needed.

So, if you’re working with logos or design that need to be resized and edited frequently, Canva isn’t the program for the job.

5. Canva Is Great for Those First Starting Out in Graphic Design

Canva’s biggest selling point is its ease of use, which requires no prior knowledge of design. They give fantastic templates that you may tweak for your business and that make it simple to produce attractive designs even if you don’t have a design background.

The Canva website offers free video courses for those who are new to graphic design and wish to learn about branding or how to implement Canva into their business.

6. Canva Designs Cannot Be Trademarked

We already went over not using Canva for logos because it doesn’t produce vector images. However, another big reason not to use Canva for logo creation is that you can’t trademark the work you make.

All of the logo templates on Canva are customizable and can be used by anybody, making them accessible to everyone. As a result, you have no exclusive ownership of the logo and are unable to apply to register it as a trademark.

People who are just starting out and don’t have the time or money to make a unique logo can benefit from using a template to make a logo. However, there are better options than Canva.

Placeit.net, for example, allows you to copyright and trademark the designs you create.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of when you should use Canva. When it comes to using Canva as a graphic designer, there is a time and place for everything. If you’re making simple social media posts, then, by all means, Canva might just be the program to use. However, if your focus is more in the area of branding and logo design, you may want to stick with other programs like Illustrator.

Most of us have seen a picture of something that is one color, but many shades of that color. Some examples of this include a beautiful blue sky or rocks in a formation. If you look at these images, you will sometimes notice that the different shades are very obviously divided up by lines that run through them disrupting the smoothness and the realism of the picture. This is called gradient or color banding.

Many graphic designers regularly use and work with Adobe Illustrator, which is known for its preciseness and sharpness when making logos or drawing. However, if you are trying to edit or work with a picture that is different shades of one color, you will often find that gradient banding tends to be an issue, especially if the work is printed out. Is there a way to fix the gradient banding in Illustrator? Read on to find out.

Why Is Gradient Banding So Common in Illustrator?

Due to the kind of program that Illustrator is, there is always going to be gradient banding to some degree. Illustrator is a Vector program, which means that it is the kind of program that uses mathematical equations to make the different color gradients. This makes drawings and lines crisp and precise but can make color blending look unnatural and too differentiated.

On the other hand, programs like Photoshop, are not Vector programs so the color blending looks more natural. With this in mind, if it is at all possible, the best option is to make the initial design in Illustrator. That way you will get the smooth lines and crispness for your design. Stop, at that point and export it to a Raster program like Photoshop to add colors and gradients. This will give you a finished printed project that is natural and realistic looking.

How do I Export from Illustrator to Photoshop?

If you have the bulk of the artwork done and just want to transport it, OR if you have done all or if you have already made the entire design, colors included, then it is still possible to smooth it and fix the gradient banding in Photoshop. First, you will need to export it using the following steps:

1. Click “File”.
2. Next, click “Export”.
3. Once you’ve clicked “Export” you should see several options to choose from. Click the one labeled “Photoshop (psd)”
4. Change the Resolution, Colors, Layer Options, and more from this point.

You are good to go and can get started on fixing your gradient banding.

How Do I Fix Gradient Banding in Photoshop?

If you have already made the entire design colors included, then it is still possible to smooth it and fix the gradient banding. To fix gradient banding in Photoshop after it has been created in Adobe Illustrator and transferred to Photoshop, take the following steps.

1. First, figure out where the banding is occurring. You can do this by, clicking on the button labeled “Channels” on the top right corner of the screen. You should see a list of the colors that the picture contains. If you click on the one labeled “Highlight White”, it will give you an overall view of the areas of the picture which contain the most banding.
2. Next, highlight all the areas that need to be fixed. You can do this by holding your magic wand tool over the area and pressing the shift key simultaneously. Keep doing this until you have selected all of the areas that need to be fixed.
3. Once all the areas are highlighted, make a mask. You can make a mask by pressing the command button and clicking the mouse at the same time if you are using a Mac, or by pressing the control button and clicking the mouse at the same time if you are using Windows.
4. Once you have made the mask, go back into “Channels” and select “Highlight White.” This is where you will begin the process of fixing the gradient by adding noise to it, to help the colors blend into each other more.
5. Click the button labeled “Filter” at the top of the screen. Scroll down, click on “Noise” and then “Add noise”.
6. Make sure the percentage of noise is at the lowest setting. You can do this by clicking on the bar and dragging it all the way to the left.
7. Choose your “Distribution.” Make sure to click the one labeled “Uniform.”
8. From this point, you can adjust the amount of noise. Slowly raise it, and make sure that you have the box next to “Preview” checked so that way you can make sure the gradient lines are starting to fade.
9. Keep adjusting as necessary until you are satisfied. You may still see some gradient banding, but it will be much less obvious and when you print it out, it will be more blended and natural-looking.
10. If more than one color needs to be adjusted, go back into the “Channels”, and adjust the noise in each one. Make sure that all the channels are adjusted to the same amount of noise.
11. Once you have adjusted the noise in each channel, turn on the separation. The gradient banding should be much less obvious and when you print out the design, it won’t blur.

Conclusion

Gradient banding in Adobe Illustrator tends to be an issue because it is a mathematical program that uses step-by-step building blocks to create the picture and color gradient. While this kind of program works well for crisp outlines and overall designs, it can create an unnatural and distorted look when it comes to color blending. The best way around this is to create most of the artwork in Illustrator but export it to Photoshop to add colors and gradients.

If you have already done all the color gradients in Illustrator, you can still fix any binding in Photoshop. After you’ve transported it, highlight any areas that need to be fixed, make a mask, click filter, click noise, and then add noise to each area. Make sure to adjust as needed and make sure that the amount of noise is the same across every channel before separating it to see the final product.

For graphic designers finding the right tools without breaking the bank is extremely important. One such necessity is the right tablet. A tablet gives you the freedom to be able to draw and edit without excess time being taken up trying to do the same thing with a computer. For many, a Wacom tablet provides the quality and versatility they are looking for and can be hooked up to Windows, Mac, and Android devices.

However, a good tablet also needs the right kind of program they also need the right kind of program to edit and give the detail that their work needs-such as a brush or pen strokes. Adobe illustrator is perhaps the most well-known of these programs, but Affinity Designer is increasing in popularity due to its great features, regular updates, and affordability. So, how do you use Affinity Designer on a Wacom Tablet? Read on to find out!

How Do I Use Affinity Designer on a Wacom Tablet?

Before you use your tablet, it is very important to make sure that your computer has all the driver software it needs. This will involve installing the Wacom driver software, possibly the DisplayLink driver software, and regular updates of both as needed. Let’s explore this more in detail.

How to Install Wacom Driver and Display Link Software

To download Wacom driver software to your computer, take the following steps

1. Go to the Wacom drivers page. This can be found here.
2. Click download on the operating system that you use. These links will be found at the bottom of the page.
3. Once you’ve downloaded the driver, follow the directions. Your driver should now be installed.

If the device display appears, then your tablet should be ready to use. If not carry on installing the DisplayLink driver to your computer with the following steps:

1. Go to the DisplayLink downloads page. This can be found here.
2. Select the correct operating system. There will be 6 options.
3. Once you have chosen the operating system, click the download button.
4. Follow the directions to finish the installation. If it has been properly installed, you should see it appear either in the systems tray or menu bar.
5. You can now click it to adjust display settings. You have now connected your computer to your Wacom tablet and can carry on to using Affinity.

How to Use Affinity Designer

While this video is about how to use Affinity Designer on an iPad, the main difference between an iPad and a Wacom tablet is that you connect a Wacom tablet to the computer, while the iPad is stand-alone. Therefore, many of the same rules and guidelines apply. Let’s take a look at how it works.

Start in the gallery, then click on the plus button on the right side of the screen. You will see several options including “New Document” and “New Project. You can create a new folder by tapping on “New Project” with your pen, which will then give you the option to name it whatever you would like. Once it has been named it should appear in your gallery and you can move documents into it.  

To edit or work within a document, click on it. You will see many buttons, but the ones you want to focus on are the three on the far right of the set of buttons at the top left of the screen. These buttons are called the personas and they include:

1. The Vector Persona. With this persona, you can create coordinates and smoothly connect them. They can also be sized up and down without changing the appearance of the picture.
2. The Pixel Persona. With this persona, you can draw lines, but they will be more jagged and will get blurry as you increase the canvas side.
3. The Export Persona. With this persona, you can choose a picture that you have created and move it to a different part of the screen

Next to the three personas buttons is an ellipses button. If you click on the ellipses, you will see options for changing the document, including converting it, resizing it, and exporting it.

From there, if you want to learn more about Affinity’s interface, you can focus on the three buttons on the top right of the screen. There will be a plus mark button, a question mark button, and a circular button. The plus mark button does the same thing as the plus mark button in the gallery, but if you are not in the gallery, it can be a helpful shortcut to creating a new folder or project.

If you are at a complete loss as to how everything works and need an intensive guide, then the question mark button will be your best friend. If you click on it, you will see a list of all the things Affinity Designer can do including (but not limited to) Painting with Raster brushes, Gestures, and Symbols. If you click on any of these options, you will see a detailed guide on how to create and design, sometimes with video guides and sometimes just with text.

The final button you will notice in the top right corner is the circular button, and if you click on this one you will be able to set your preferences. This includes changing your interface, color, tools, and fonts. So, no matter what you are designing and how often you need to change it, the option will be right there at easy access, or you can set your tablet to behave in the way that is most comfortable for you.

There is much more to learn about how Affinity Designer works on tablets, and this video provides step-by-step, detailed guidance on it all.

Conclusion

Both Wacom tablets and Affinity Designer are highly popular tools amongst graphic designers. In order to be able to use Affinity Designer with your tablet, you need to make sure that your computer has the WacomDriver and Display Link Software.

Once you have both of those, then you should be able to transfer your work from your tablet to your computer. To use Affinity Designer, you can create a new folder by clicking the plus button in the top right of the screen or on the right side of the screen when you are in the gallery.

For detailed instructions about what is included in Affinity Designer and how to use it, click on the question mark button in the top right. To change preferences, such as font click the button with the circle on the top right of the screen.

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor; it is incredible for drawing vector art, digital painting, and image manipulation. As we all know, Inkscape comes with many amazing features, including hundreds of different tools to help you draw almost anything.

The five reasons that Inkscape may be slow on your computer include:

1. Not enough RAM
2. Multiple Plugins
3. Slow or outdated hardware
4. Computer default settings
5. Large file sizes

However, sometimes Inkscape also becomes the reason for your computer’s slow speed. This article presents some common reasons behind Inkscape’s slowness problem and solutions as well.

1. Not Enough RAM Capacity Makes Inkscape Run Slowly

When using old computers or those with limited RAM capacities to run graphic applications such as Inkscape, it is common to experience a sluggish response and slow rendering.

If you are using an old machine with lower performance, it will undoubtedly start running slow after opening any program for a longer time. The reason why Inkscape is slow on your device can also be an insufficient amount of RAM that makes your system take more time to process files with too many objects.

What to Do

The best way to fix this issue is to upgrade your computer hardware. However, if you cannot do so for financial or other reasons, other suggestions can help speed up Inkscape.

You could also install additional RAM. If you are running an application that is memory-intensive, such as Adobe Photoshop or Inkscape, it is best to have a minimum of 4 GB of RAM for optimal performance. However, 8 GB or more will give much better results in processing large files and large drawings.

2. Plugins Make Inkscape Run Slower

Another reason for Inkscape’s slowness problem may be the installation of unnecessary plugins which you never use. When Inkscape starts up, it needs to load plugin libraries into memory even though they are not being used. This will cause the startup process longer, thus leading to slowness.

What to Do

To solve this problem, it’s best to remove or uninstall any unneeded plugins. To do this:

1. Open Inkscape and click ” File > Inkscape Preferences > Input/Output “
2. Choose the Plugins tab and find the plugin you want to uninstall or disable and click on it, then choose ” Disable Plugin. “

If you don’t know which one is slowing down your workflow, you can try disabling them all one by one until you notice a speed difference in your work.

3. Slow/Outdated Hardware Causes Inkscape Slowness

Inkscape may run slower on older computers with less memory or hard-drive space since it needs enough resources to load all its data each time it starts up. Outdated hardware can also cause problems working with larger files or images since the hardware can no longer handle all the data.

What to Do

If your computer is outdated or a bit small in size, try locating the Inkscape files into a folder with at least 500MB of free space for processing temporary data during the startup process, then restart Inkscape. You can also try:

• Upgrade your Operating System – Major upgrades happen every few years, which often include huge updates to your computer’s memory management system. These can significantly improve performance on older computers.
• Run Disk Cleanup – More memory means less use for your hard drive, which leads to faster speeds. You can free up hard drive space by uninstalling unnecessary programs and files that are just sitting on your desktop or old Downloads folder that you never visit anymore.
• Run System Cleanup – When your computer is running more slowly than it should, deleting unused applications and temporary internet files will help speed things up again.
• Install Extensions – Extensions are little programs that add extra functionality to your copy of Inkscape. They can be found all over the Internet for free, but some are only available when purchased from professional software developers.

Another way to fix many performance issues with Inkscape is to simply re-install the application. If you’ve got an old version of Inkscape lying around, try removing it completely with Software Manager or Synaptic and then downloading a fresh copy from the official website.

4. Default Preference Settings are Not Optimal for Your Computer

The default settings of Inkscape are not optimal for all systems, especially when you try to use it on old hardware that can barely run up the software.

If you don’t want to change all the preferences in the program, go to Edit > Preferences and uncheck or disable these features: “Use antialiasing text” option, “Enable ‘Smooth’ zoom,” tool options “Convert objects” and “Convert paths.” These actions will increase the speed performance of your system.

What to Do

Your computer will be faster if you disable antialiasing in Inkscape preferences. Also, delete all paths and shapes created after choosing the “Convert objects” tool option. The same steps should also be followed under Windows operating system.

5. Large File Sizes Create Slowdowns for Inkscape

Since SVG is a document-based format, there are many ways to create an SVG file. For example, bitmap images can be imported to Inkscape as well.

If you have many SVG files in your project, this may be the reason behind their slowness that makes Inkscape slow. It can be anything from a large file size or a huge number of elements within each file, which slows down the rendering process and takes a much longer time opening multiple files simultaneously.

What to Do

To solve this problem, it’s best to reduce the size of each file and divide it into multiple parts. If your system is slow while opening large-sized images inside Inkscape, then delete the images that are not required for work.

If possible, convert these bitmap images into scalable vector formats instead of using them directly inside the software application. Working with other types of formats may decrease work speed dramatically so it’s better for final users if they choose the proper file type which matches their business requirement excellently rather than other types.

Conclusion

Inkscape may be running slowly on your computer, and there are a multitude of reasons for this, but working with different file formats can be one of the leading causes. Also, if your system has a slow processing speed, then the automatic thumbnailing feature should take place that will quickly generate small-size images instead of larger ones.

These are just a few steps you can follow to increase your productivity while using Inkscape; there are many other tried and tested procedures to make the software run faster, no matter how large or complicated an image is.