For as long as humans have been communicating with each other, they have relied on graphic design to convey thoughts, ideas, and messages through visual means. Where once upon a time the implements of graphic design were pen and paper, now they are cutting-edge computers and powerful software.

Graphic design and computer science are two distinct fields but the interrelationship between them has never been stronger, and many graphic designers are finding that being proficient with computer systems and coding provides a strong boost to their skill sets while enhancing their job performance.

While there is no substitute for creativity and artistic talent in graphic design, the field is quickly evolving, and computer technology is becoming instrumental to how projects are completed. Graphic design and computer science are not the same things but there are undeniable connections between these two disciplines and graphic designers would be wise to learn computer science skills. Here’s why.

Is Graphic Design Related to Computer Science?

If the topics of popular graphic design courses and curricula are any indication, the fields of graphic design and computer science are converging on multiple fronts. As businesses and organizations seek to increase their digital reach, graphic designers are being called upon to lend their artistic, creative, and storytelling talents to areas like UX, UI, video game programming, and software development.

Graphic designers have long utilized indispensable software programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop as tools of their trade and commonly spend long hours in front of their computers. But now, much of their work is crossing over into the realm of computer science and graphic designers are now performing important tasks in an industry that once ran parallel to theirs.

Graphic designers are not only finding themselves working in fields once reserved exclusively for computer programmers and software engineers, but they are now collaborating with them in the same professional cohorts. In fact, a growing trend among graphic designers is learning the fundamentals of coding in order to gain advantages like these:

• Mastering the basics of HTML and CSS, the building blocks of website development enables graphic designers to oversee an entire website project from preliminary storyboarding to design and layout to implementation
• By becoming proficient in coding, graphic designers can assume a managerial role for projects and ensure they are completed on time and within budget
• Having the capability to code the front-end and back-end of web-type projects consolidates the creative and developmental aspects of digital projects and all involved parties stand to benefit (e.g., the client, the employer, and the graphic designer)
• Proficiency in coding and other developmental aspects of digital projects will enable graphic designers to see things for how they really are and assess for themselves how the technical aspects (as they relate to the creative elements) are coming along
• Being able to code in HTML, CSS, or even JavaScript expands the boundaries of creative expression while adding an element of interactivity with the audience
• From a creative perspective, knowledge of computer programming languages and developmental platforms puts powerful implements in the graphic design toolbox

At first glance, graphic design and computer science seem like completely different fields. One is associated with creativity and artistry while the other seemingly relies on cold, hard logic and syntax. But there is significant overlap between these two disciplines and the boundaries between the two are fading away.

Jobs that Combine Graphic Design and Computer Science

One needs to look no further than some of the more popular positions held by graphic designers today to see the close relationship between graphic design and computer science. All of the following graphic design jobs require extensive knowledge of computer systems and software on top of the kinds of skills that graphic designers are typically expected to have:

• User Experience (UX) Design – where the field of UX was once considered to be the exclusive domain of computer programmers and tech-savvy developer types, its doors have been flung wide open to graphic designers, particularly those who bring artistic sensibilities to the functional aspects of designing the digital journey of website visitors and the like
• User Interface (UI) Design – graphic designers are also a hot commodity in the field of UI, where graphic design skills are used to create engaging interfaces that allow users to interact with everyday technologies
• Software Design – graphic designers are increasingly being called upon to collaborate with software engineers and computer programmers to develop the interactive and communicative aspects of software design that represent its “look and feel”
• Video Game Design – within the video game space, graphic designers bring valuable storytelling skills to the table in addition to their ability to create captivating, eye-catching graphic designs, typography, interfaces, and digital wayfinding implements
• Web Design – the role of graphic designers in web design has steadily grown from holding primarily artistic responsibilities to those that encompass website architecture, navigational features, and working directly with programmers (and even doing some of the coding)

These are but a few examples of career paths where the fields of graphic design and computer science converge. As the boundaries of graphic design continue to broaden and evolve, it is all but a certainty that the interrelationship between these two disciplines will continue to deepen.

The Future of Graphic Design

As far as what the future holds for the interrelationship between graphic design and computer science, a glimpse of it may already have arrived in the form of a new discipline known as creative coding. Unlike graphic design software (like Adobe Illustrator, for example), creative coding enables graphic designers to create artistic pieces through code. In other words, it is computer programming with aesthetic intent.

Here’s how it works:

• Graphic designers can choose to download and install a coding tool that simplifies the programming process
• Browser-based platforms allow coding newbies to write a short piece of code, observe the correlation to pixels on the screen, code some more, see the results in digital form, and so on
• There are also open-source platforms that are text-based or drag-and-drop interfaces, or a combination of the two

According to industry insiders, coding is the new frontier in graphic design, providing a highly malleable and responsive medium through which to create visually communicative pieces.

For graphic designers looking to highlight their computer-related skills, creating eye-catching mockups promoting capabilities like coding, gaming interfaces, and website development is a sure-fire way to garner attention, earn new clients, and add valuable pieces to your portfolio.

Conclusion

New advancements in computer science are seemingly flowing without end, and as they continue to develop, their technological reach is branching out to every field imaginable. Graphic design is no different. As graphic designers are finding out, computer science is extending the boundaries of what graphic design entails, if not removing them altogether.

And this is an exciting development for graphic designers and the masses who interact with their work.

The modern world is quickly getting more and more digital, meaning that more and more jobs are needing a professional to make things look nice to their customers. This is where a Graphic Designer comes in to play.

Graphic Design is such a broad field that it can include anything involving graphical design. Some jobs requiring a lot of photography and manipulation of it may require a background in photography as well, meaning that some programs even offer a course on the subject.

If there is anything graphical involved, technically a Graphic Designer could be hired for the job. For photography, often times the job is interchangeable with a Graphic Designer and might require skills of both. Keep reading to learn more about Graphic Design and its relationship with photography.

How Does Graphic Design Include Photography?

There is a lot more to Graphic Design than simply adding text over a picture, designing business cards, or even making assets for websites. It can also pick and choose from various other art forms, which includes photography.

Some ways that Graphic Design might include photography are:

• Taking a picture for an ad
• Adding a pretty flair to a package
• Touch up for a beauty shot
• Restoration of old photos
• Showcasing a product
• Photomanipulation

Photography is only one of the many tools in a Graphic Designer’s belt. While not every job is going to want or need photography services from their designer, many jobs actually look for someone with a photography background when selecting appropriate candidates.

Why Might a Graphic Designer Benefit from Learning Photography?

A lot of a Graphic Designer’s work is going to involve layout, placement, staging, and how to make things look aesthetically pleasing. This can also be used to make some amazing photography as a Graphic Designer is also adept at composition. This knowledge of composition is also extremely beneficial to photographers as it will in turn lead to a much more stunning photograph.

Learning photo composition, how lighting works, how to stage things to still look natural, and generally how to make things look pleasing is a skill both professions can utilize to great effect. It can then be turned into making better composition for other pieces and help get the best representation of a product or service.

Additionally, being proficient in photography helps make the designer more marketable and hirable within the industry. People with more tools in their belt are suddenly much more likely to be a worthwhile risk when hiring, and it shows that the candidate has strong skills and a good eye for aesthetics.

Pro Tip: If you’re not a photographer, you can use Placeit.net to create mockups, or download photos, with full usage rights that allow you to sell their graphics in your clients final product.

What are some Jobs a Graphic Designer with Photography Skills?

Graphic Design is an extremely versatile degree which can be used in a lot of various professions, and often times these skills are going to be overlapping with another job. Therefore, it is definitely worth pursuing if there is enough interest. However, having an idea of where to start can be daunting.

Here are some jobs that a Graphic Designer with strong photography skills can obtain:

• Advertising Photographer
• Art Director
• Creative Director
• Digital Retoucher
• Fashion Photographer
• Forensic Photographer
• Layout Artist
• Package Designer
• Photojournalist
• Studio Manager
• Commercial Photographer
• Travel Photographer

Additionally, there is never anything wrong with branching out alone and picking up freelancing. That way, all interests can come together to make one source of income. Just be sure to mind any tax information ahead of time to ensure things don’t quickly go south.

How are Graphic Design and Photography Similar?

Both Graphic Design and Photography have a lot of similarities. The point is to make something that is aesthetically pleasing to look at in both professions, which is why a lot of the jobs will overlap.

Here are some ways that Graphic Design and Photography are similar:

• Heavy focus on aesthetics
• Branding
• Using images to communicate an idea
• Layout and composition
• Need for a portfolio

Neither profession really needs to have a degree as well. However, having a degree strongly advances the resume and makes the candidate far more hirable with a chance at a greater payout. Having a degree in both advances the possibility even further of landing a more lucrative position due to the fact that both of these skills are so overlapping.

What Should be Included in a Graphic Design/Photography Portfolio?

There is nothing like having a fantastic portfolio that highlights the best skills of the candidate, just be sure that anything included is work that can be done consistently and not just an amazing fluke. At the same point, potential jobs will assume that all of these are going to be some of the candidate’s best work, and they will use that to judge if they are a good fit for their company.

Some things that could be included in a blended Graphic Design and Photography portfolio includes:

• Before and after retouching or restorations
• Heavy layout work
• Multiple views of the same object
• Mockups of products utilizing these skills
• Great photographs of varying subjects
• Interesting photomanipulations
• Mixed media designs

Remember that a portfolio is like a resume in and of itself. Therefore, what is included should be relevant and obtained through means such as education or previous jobs rather than just something done for the day. However, not everyone has a stellar portfolio, so making mockups relevant to the job at hand could also help boost the portfolio in a pinch.

Conclusion

Graphic design is an extremely broad topic of study, with their graduates going on to such a broad range of professions that most things that also focus on aesthetics are going to overlap with it. This includes photography, with many jobs wanting a strong background and skills in both fields. This will in turn make the candidate much more desirable and help boost their portfolio to lucrative heights worthy of some of the best jobs out there.

When you think of logos and infographics, you often also think of graphic designers. But what about video editing? Is this a part of graphic design, or is it its own discipline?

Graphic design doesn’t necessarily include video editing. Graphic designers generally deal with static photos, either in a digital or physical format, such as:

• Posters
• Business cards
• Printed Marketing Materials
• Banner Ads
• Social Media Posts
• Advertisements
• Infographics

So if you want to create a promotional video for your business, would you hire a graphic designer or a video editor? The best option might be to hire both. Many graphic designers and video editors collaborate on projects involving motion graphics and animations, which can appear in either still images or videos. In this article, we’ll look at the relationship between graphic design and video editing.

Video Editing and Graphic Design: What’s the Difference?

Video editors and graphic designers don’t have to work together, but they often do. The distinction between the two professions comes down to their individual goals. Graphic designers are concerned with typography and color theory, working with images on a flat surface in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

Graphic designers work with static images, infographics, text, and other still visuals. Video editors work with moving images; they prepare video content that will be seen later as movies, ads, or promotional pieces such as commercials.

Video editors are focused on capturing moving images through video cameras or stock footage libraries, then assembling them into finished videos that can be posted online or played back on television screens. That’s why most advertisements you see on TV are created by video editors, not graphic designers–although professional graphic designers may still play an important role in creating the logo for the company whose advertisement is being shown.

The Relationship Between Video Editing and Graphic Designing

While there is some overlap between these disciplines — for example, an infographic can turn into a motion graphics piece — the two roles are usually kept separate because they require very different skill sets and equipment. While graphic designs layouts can be changed by using simple commands on a computer, all video editing must be done using specific film editing tools.

Suppose you want to create an explainer video for your business. One option would be to hire a separate video editing professional who may or may not be experienced in graphic design. Alternatively, you could look for a talented graphic designer skilled in motion graphics and call on them for assistance.

Collaborating Between Video Editors and Graphic Designers

Graphic designers may also collaborate with video editors in the course of producing a video. However, this is not generally part of graphic design itself because each professional specializes in their own craft to create two separate pieces that are then combined into one piece representing both fields.

Video editors who work on documentaries or other types of videos often contact designers directly for help because these professionals offer valuable skills like:

• Photo or image editing for film
• Adjusting color elements or using transitional effects
• Designing dynamic presentations for corporate events, etc.

For example, a graphic designer may create an animated logo to be used in the opening sequence of a video. Once this animated logo is complete, it can then be imported into the editor’s editing software to become part of the final video during playback. This means that graphic design is only one component of the process; it has to be combined with video editing before it is complete.

Could You Be Both a Graphic Designer and Video Editor?

Since there are many skilled professionals who work in both fields, someone may start out pursuing graphic design and later decide they want to try video editing as well. If you enjoy creating effective designs but also have an interest in learning how to edit videos, you could explore these opportunities by taking additional classes or learning through practice so you can develop your skills on your own time.

Becoming both a graphic designer and video editor would take time and effort, but it can definitely be worth it if you enjoy this type of work. You may be able to appeal to more clients and find more jobs if you choose this career direction.

No matter how many skills you may want to acquire, working in two different branches at the same time is not easy. It would require more than just an interest in video editing; here are some of the most important things to keep in mind if you’re interested in becoming a graphic designer who creates videos:

• Acquiring the skills for both graphic design and video editing takes time.
• Know what the job market looks like for each field before starting your journey.
• Try to choose one area where you’d like to specialize in over another

These are just some of the main things to think about when embarking on this journey. If you feel like graphic design is your calling, but you also have an interest in video editing, then there are ways that you can develop both skills simultaneously. It’s important to take into account all of these factors before getting started with something new.

Video editing can be done in many different ways and may require specific software packages that graphic designers don’t necessarily need to use. If you learn how to use video editing software to help create videos, it could benefit your career because you’ll know what types of effects will work well with your designs and clients’ needs.

A nice way to offer video editing without diving deep into learning the skill and buying the software, it to use online graphic design tools. These are becoming more popular because they offer a “Drag and drop” approach to graphic design and video creation. Choose from templates, customize with the clients materials, tweak to make it perfect, download in full resolution with full usage rights. Our favorite online graphic design tool so far is Placeit.net because it offers the best overall experience, by far.

Conclusion

Graphic Designers make visuals come alive through illustrations, typography, and layout design. Video Editors work on the actual footage that is recorded to prepare it for different mediums such as television and online media. These two professions are vastly different but often overlap.

Video Editors generally use:

• Adobe Premiere
• Final Cut Pro
• After Effects

Graphic Designers generally use:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator

When a Graphic Designer needs to edit a video for a client, they usually hire a Video Editor. If you’re thinking about getting into either profession, it’s best to do your research and find out if that path is one you want to pursue.

Graphic design is a form of visual art that is designed to be functional in its purpose. It is intended to convey a specific message to a target audience through design elements like typography, colors, symbols, and so on. Fine arts is all about self expression and aesthetic beauty. Its purpose is purely for visual enjoyment and is accessible to anyone.

Typically graphic design does not count as fine art. Though there is an underlying structure between the two that are one in the same, graphic design is considered “low art” while fine art is considered “high art”.

Though graphic art does not fall under the umbrella of fine art there are notable similarities, as well as differences that place them both under the umbrella of visual art. While distinctions between art styles are important to know, the parallels are just as important to understand.

What is the Difference Between Graphic Design and Fine Art?

Art in general is subjective in terms of its desirability. Not everyone will agree with a pieces’ popularity or anonymity. Art defers to the viewer’s personal tastes and emotional connectivity. However, it does take a certain skill and structure to practice art. There is no question when it comes to graphic design and fine art that they both fall under the category of art and more specifically visual art, but that may be where the similarities end.

What makes graphic design and fine art different from each other are found in a few notable factors:

1. Client Versus Artist
2. Functionality Versus Existence
3. Data Versus Intuition

Looking into each one of these elements will give you a greater understanding of why graphic design is not a subcategory of fine art.

1. Client Versus Artist

One of the primary differentiating characteristics of graphic art versus fine art is for whom the art is created. Graphic art is a profession in which a designer is hired to communicate a very specific message to whomever it is intended for. This typically means that there are a particular set of requirements handed down to the designer by a client. Therefore, the client is essentially in control of the finished product.

Fine art is entirely in the hands of the artist and the work, even if commissioned, is left to their unique style and interpretation. This type of art is more about expression and therefore requires a level of freedom to the work that does not require the artist to defer to the particularities of a client.

2. Functionality Versus Existence

The beauty of fine art is that it does not need to have a specific purpose or message, it can simply exist. The artist may have had intention in what they were wanting to communicate through the work, but the work is valid even if that does not come across to the viewer. Fine art allows for the viewer to have their own unique experience with the piece and draw their own conclusions.

Graphic art was created primarily with the purpose of communication. It is functional in nature and that function is based on what the client is trying to convey to their target audience. Graphic design is used a great deal in commercial industries and so it markets or advertises a message. It could be enticing you to pick up a book because of the design of the cover or it could help you to remember the name of a coffee shop because of the unique typography the designer chose. The point is simply aesthetics, it’s to sell the book or the coffee.

3. Data Versus Intuition

The actual process of graphic design work is vastly different from fine art. Where fine art is about the artist’s style, instincts and intuition, graphic design is a sort of mathematical process that relies on data. Which means that the graphic design work is more rational, based on facts versus perceptual, which is based on the senses of the viewer.

Due to fine art being perceptual, it tends to arouse certain thoughts and emotions in its viewer. While graphic design does provoke it’s own response from an audience it is primarily concerned with solving the problem associated with those thoughts and emotions. It’s not simply about feeling or thinking, it’s about  a resolution of an issue.

To give you an example, you don’t have a book to read, you want one but you don’t know which one to choose, that is the problem. A designer creates an intriguing and beautiful book cover that captures your special attention. While the cover does evoke certain feelings, those feelings are not the primary purpose of the work. The purpose is to get you to buy the book which in turn solves your problem.

Where do Graphics Design and Fine Art Intersect?

As in with any visual art, graphic design and fine art share the same fundamental principles. This includes balance, shape, color, contrast, line, and so on.

Graphic designers and artists intersect at education. They both study the same artistic methods like painting, sculpting, drawing and so on in order to develop their individual abilities. This is why individuals with a fine arts degree are able to branch out into graphic design as a possible career path.

As stated earlier, they are both meant to be displayed and viewed by an audience of sorts and they both evoke certain feelings and thoughts in the viewer regardless of purpose. There can even be some graphic design elements incorporated in fine art. We certainly know that fine art influences graphic design.

Conclusion

Regardless of whether you are into fine art or graphic design there is a close enough relation that knowledge of both would benefit any designer or artist. If nothing more than to extend your abilities and give more room for the work to expand beyond the borders of its category.

Not everyone who has an interest in graphic design has the opportunity to earn a degree in fine arts or similar major. Thankfully there are resources available on the internet and sites like Placeit.net that allow you to start the journey of learning graphic design.

Photoshop and Illustrator are two graphics editor and design programs/software commonly used by graphic designers of all skill levels and interests. Both offer a wide range of features and can be great for creating professional designs as well as works of art. However, if the choice must be between one or the other, which is best for graphic design?

Ideally, graphic designers should have access to both Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator but determining which is best for graphic design largely depends on the task. Photoshop should be used for bitmap/raster-based tasks and Illustrator should be used for vector-based tasks.

In this article, we’ll compare Photoshop to Illustrator and describe how their vector or bitmap/raster-based software affect how they work and which graphic design tasks they’re best suited for. Keep reading to learn when to use each software and which you should invest in first.

Should Graphic Designers Use Photoshop or Illustrator?

When it comes to graphic design software, Photoshop and Illustrator are always at the top of any recommendation list, so it can be difficult determining which is best for your and your graphic designing, particularly if you have limited funds or resources and can only acquire one.

It is usually recommended that graphic designers opt for Photoshop first, especially if they are new to graphic design software, as it has more tools and features, and its bitmap/raster-based software is more beginner friendly than Illustrator’s vector-based software.

Photoshop certainly isn’t the be-all-end-all graphic designing software, but there’s a reason it’s so reputable, and that’s because of its versatility and ease of use. While beginner graphic designers might struggle at first to get the hang of this resolution-dependent software, most find the process easier than the object-based confines of Illustrator; and once they do, they can do anything from digital painting to video graphic designing to photo editing and beyond.

Once you have the hang of Photoshop, it is easier to move on to Illustrator. However, there are certain tasks that are going to be much easier to perform on Illustrator than Photoshop based on the software they use. The key component to opting for one over the other is knowing what type of software is most advantageous to your graphic design style and tasks.

Vector Versus Bitmap/Raster

The two predominant graphic groups are vector and bitmap/raster and knowing the difference between them is essential to create effective, timely, and impactful graphic designs.

Illustrator’s vector-based software creates vector graphics which are object-based documents and editing tools that allow the graphic designer to create images using custom lines, points, curves, and common shapes. Because of this, the software is optimal for images you’re confident will need to increase or decrease in size, as zooming won’t cause blurring. Vector-based software is also the best for graphic designing involving text and crisp lines and images.

Comparatively, blurring is something you’ll need to keep in mind with Photoshop as it utilizes a bitmap/raster-based software that creates raster graphics. As opposed to the object-based structure of Illustrator, Photoshop works with chunks of pixels and the paths you create with them. Although increasing and decreasing size is more of a challenge with raster-based software, it is extremely advantageous for graphic designers who want to manipulate and blend color or add various textures.

When to Use Photoshop Versus Illustrator?

Now that you know the difference between Photoshop and Illustrator’s software, lets discuss which option is best for various graphic designs. If you’re looking for the most versatile software, Photoshop is usually the place to go, but there are times using Illustrator will be much easier and less time-consuming.

The best times to use Photoshop versus Illustrator include:

Ideal for Photoshop	Ideal for Illustrator
– Photo enhancement and editing – Video graphics – 3D animation – Digital painting – Editing existing works	– Logos – Business cards – Icons – Sketching/creating images from scratch – Reports and brochures

A simplified way to determine this is to ask yourself if your graphic designing needs to be scalable or if it is pixel-based. Any graphic that needs to easily increase and decrease in size with minimal affect on its overall quality should be made in Illustrator, and any graphic that relies heavily on pixels should be created in Photoshop.

Graphics like logos and icons are almost always created in Illustrator because it is assumed these images will need to alter in size to fit on papers, websites, merchandise, and more. Business cards, reports, and brochures should also be done here because they are usually very text-based, and since Illustrator creates vector graphics, it excels over Photoshop at providing crisp, clean text.

Pro Tip: For creating graphics from scratch, consider a tool like Placeit.net because it has 90,000+ pre-made templates to start from. This saves a ton of time and expands creativity.

Something graphic designers might be surprised about is the fact that Illustrator should be your first choice if you enjoy having the freedom to sketch out a new idea or create graphics from scratch. Thanks to its software and the many accessories you can pair with Illustrator, it is the best choice for any free-hand graphics as opposed to Photoshop that excels at editing pre-existing works as well as enhancing and editing photographs.

Any time you want to involve a photo in your graphic design, Photoshop needs to be the first place you run to. Additionally, its bitmap/raster-based software makes it the clear choice for any video graphics, digital painting, or even 3D animation. This is because you’re bound to need as many tools and features as possible to blend colors rather than being confined to the clean lines of Illustrator.

Final Thoughts

If you’re trying to find the graphic designing program that is inherently better, we can tell you that both Photoshop and Illustrator or equally excellent. They’re simply created for different tasks, and so, which software is best for you depends on the type of graphic designs you intend to create. Most graphic designers with an artistic or photographic flare will opt for Photoshop while those that are more business-oriented find Illustrator more advantageous. Our advice: have both in your graphic designing arsenal. That way you vastly increase your graphic designing possibilities and can create vector or raster graphics as you please.

Graphic design relies heavily on technology to create some of the most impactful art pieces and effectively communicative visuals. Typically, graphic designers will rely on a customized desktop, a high-quality laptop, or an easily portable drawing tablets for these tasks, but considering the rapid pace of technological advancement, particularly for cellular devices, many are wondering if graphic design can be done a phone as well.

Graphic design work can be done on a standard Smartphone to a degree. Several mobile apps for iOS and Android devices allow you to perform many of the same tasks as other devices. However, there are significant limitations to these apps and using a phone as well as some unique advantages. Placeit.net has become the leader in mobile graphic design tools, and after our testing, we highly recommend it too.

In this article, we will discuss some of the best mobile apps that will allow any graphic designer to work and create from their everyday phone. Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of this device compared to other devices more commonly utilized for graphic design.

How to Create Graphic Designs on a Phone

Few devices are as portable, convenient, and accessible as phones, making them the perfect device for a graphic designer on-the-go (in theory).

Of course, in order to create stunning graphic designs on any device, you need to use a graphic design software/application, and not all of these are offered on every device. So, which of these applications are accessible on phones?

Graphic design on a phone is most easily achieved using a graphics design application. The best mobile applications for graphic design include:

• Placeit.net (our recommendation)
• Adobe Spark Post
• Photoshop Sketch
• Canva
• Autodesk Sketchbook
• Infinite Painter/Design
• Procreate Pocket
• Adobe Capture
• Lightroom
• Autodraw

The features and graphic design capabilities vary widely between these apps. Some are ideal for sketching or creating a quick graphic while others can be used for scanning or more detailed work. Determining which app is best for you will largely depend on your graphic design style and needs.

Pros and Cons of Using a Phone for Graphic Design

Using phones for graphic design is a topic highly debated by graphic designers today. Most believe it isn’t beneficial to use your phone due to its limitations whereas others see the potential phones pose for graphic designing, especially as their technologies improve.

In the end, there are several pros and cons of using a phone for graphic design that you should consider before downloading your first graphic design app.

A phone is one of the most budget-friendly, convenient, and accessible devices you could use for graphic designing. However, these devices also lack the power, extensive features, and size advantages larger devices like laptops and drawing tablets possess.

While it certainly couldn’t hurt to have a graphic designing application or two on your everyday Smartphone, it isn’t the recommended device to use for all your graphic designing.

However, there are new popular internet based graphic design tools that solve this problem by simply allowing us to use the internet to access their full suite of tools. This means we don’t have to download any apps with large file sizes that fill up your device’s storage. (These internet based graphic design tools are quickly becoming popular because they can be accessed from any device, anytime).

This will become clearer as we describe the pros and cons of using a phone for graphic design in more detail below.

Pros of Using a Phone for Graphic Design

It might seem easy to roll your eyes and scoff at the idea of using a phone for graphic designing versus other superior devices, but you’d be surprised by the number of benefits they pose for graphic designers of various skill-levels.

Accessibility

The first pro of using a phone for graphic designing is the sheer accessibility of these devices. Owning a Smartphone is becoming common place more and more, which means you have the opportunity to create graphic designs using something you already have versus investing in a drawing tablet, laptop, or desktop setup that often costs hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Budget-friendly

This pro easily plays into the next benefit of this being arguably the most budget-friendly way to create graphic designs, apart from sketching in a sketchbook. Not only are phones usually cheaper than the aforementioned devices, but you can also download a number of free applications to get started and save money. This is a fantastic approach for artists interested in graphic design who either:

1. Aren’t sure if this art form is for them and want to test it out
2. Don’t have the funds to purchase better equipment yet

Convenience

And finally, the last pro of using a phone for graphic design is something all graphic designers can benefit from regardless of skill level: convenience. Phones are devices we have on us nearly 24/7, which means you can whip it out and use one of your graphic design apps to:

• Quickly sketch an idea before the inspiration is gone
• Scan and edit a rough sketch until you can get the image to a more advanced device
• Create a graphic on the spot for a client

The possibilities are nearly endless, and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised with how often having these apps on your phone come in handy for your graphic design work.

Cons of Using a Phone for Graphic Design

Of course, there’s a reason most graphic designers don’t run to their phones when inspiration strikes, and it’s because these devices have some significant limitations.

One limitation lies purely in a phone’s size. Although phone screens are getting bigger and bigger with each model, they are still a fraction of the size of a monitor or tablet screen. Working on such a small screen makes graphic designing much harder and less comfortable, especially for lengthier tasks.

The most influential con of using a phone for graphic design is that, despite how far phones have come technologically, their power can’t hold a candle to the power you get from a desktop setup or even a drawing tablet.

Because phones aren’t capable of running larger, more extensive programs, their graphic design apps offer fairly simple features that focus on sketching, scanning, and maybe some more refined work. But overall, any extensive editing or highly detailed work you intend to do can’t be accomplished on a phone. This is where the internet based graphic design tools like Placeit.net start to excel.

This means extremely popular and proficient apps, like Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator aren’t available on phones either. Not having access to these programs will make it difficult to compete against other graphic designers who are proficient with these software and can create higher quality graphic designs than anything you could create on a phone.

Overall, for the sake of an artists’ success and career, it’s not recommended to use a phone for anything more than quick sketches and edits when you’re away from your primary graphic designing device.  

Final Thoughts

Phones are becoming increasingly relevant in the world of graphic designing as tools of convenience and accessibility, especially internet based graphic design tools.

While Smartphones might not be the best choice as a primary graphic designing device, technology for Smartphones is constantly improving. Who knows? In time, they might be a viable option for graphic designer on a more extensive scale. But for now, it’s good to be aware of the benefits and limitations these devices have to offer any graphic designer.

Like many artists, graphic designers need specific tools of their trade to create exceptional pieces of artistry and other visually impacting works; but there is some contention over whether a drawing tablet is one of those vital tools or if you can be a successful graphic designer without these popular gadgets.

A drawing tablet is not required for graphic design. Graphic design can be done with several devices, including drawing tablets; but they do have unique advantages. Online based graphic design tools are making graphic design accessible on mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and more.

In this article, we’ll discuss the alternative tools you can use for graphic design apart from a drawing tablet and the benefits of each. As you keep reading, you’ll also learn a few reasons why you might want to use a drawing tablet and why this device is so favored amongst graphic designers, and new popular online graphic design tools that you can use on any device.

Devices You Can for Graphic Design Use Instead of a Drawing Tablet

Drawing tablets are just one of the many devices and tools you can utilize for graphic design. Although they are undoubtedly popular, particularly amongst professionals, you’ll find that even the most skilled graphic designers have an array of devices in their arsenal to create the most effective and exceptional works.

Most notably, internet based graphic design tools are becoming popular. These tools allow you to use the internet connection on any device to access a full suite of graphic design tools. (Our favorite is called Placeit.net).

Some of the best devices you can use for graphic design, apart from a drawing tablet, include:

• Laptop
• Desktop
• Smartphone

If you’re torn between which option to invest in first, don’t worry. Below, we’ve briefly discussed the benefits of each option for any graphic designer. We’ll also list some specs and other aspects to look out for to ensure you choose the one best suited to graphic design tasks.

Laptop

A laptop is a great option for graphic designers as it offers mobility and flexibility. While most laptops are a bit bulkier than the average drawing tablet, they still provide the same benefit of portability, allowing you to work wherever you go. A laptop’s increased size can also be a benefit, as this means they tend to have larger screens than other devices making them ideal for detailed design work.

When it comes to specs, you’ll want a laptop with:

• As much memory (RAM) as possible (to handle large graphic design files)
• Solid state drive (SSD) over hard disk drive (HDD) (for increased speed and accuracy)
• At least 15-17inch. monitor with HiDPI (for a large enough work screen that has higher density of pixels for detail)
• 100% of Adobe RGB (for ultimate color accuracy)

Another feature you can look out for is a laptop with a touchscreen or even a convertible touchscreen laptop, giving you nearly all the benefits of a tablet with the versatility of a laptop.

Laptops are the best way to use internet based graphic design tools because they have the largest screen with the most portability.

Desktop

A desktop can be extremely beneficial for graphic designers because you can purchase a much larger monitor for your work, they have a reduced risk of overheating, and are easier to upgrade and customize to your specific needs.

While their initial sticker price might be daunting, especially if you need to buy all of the pieces for the setup separately, a quality desktop setup is often cheaper than a laptop with comparable specs, making this a potential budget-friendly option for graphic designers purchasing equipment with limited funds.

Additionally, if you’re the type of graphic designer who is more productive when they have a set workspace, like an office, rather than designing on the go, then a desktop setup is perfect for you.

Specs you’ll want to prioritize in a desktop setup include:

• 4+ cores for CPU
• SSD over HDD
• At least 16GB RAM
• Intel or AMD processor (64-bit Support)

Ideally, you’d pair a decent tower with 4K monitors for color accuracy, although much of this will also rely on having an exceptional GPU. If you enjoy being able to multitask while designing, we recommend purchasing an ultrawide monitor or dual monitors so you can split your tasks between screens (ex. research and references on one, designing on the other).

Desktops will give you the most potential for performance upgrades to increase speed and efficiency when designing online.

Smartphone

It’s definitely not any graphic designer’s first choice, but many people are surprised to read that you can actually use your everyday Smartphone for these tasks in a pinch.

There are a multitude of graphic design apps you can easily download and use on your phone, such as:

• Placeit.net
• Adobe Capture CC and Adobe Comp
• Infinite Design
• Sketchbook
• Photoshop Express

Having access to these apps on your phone can be useful for sketching ideas, making quick fixes on a design you’ve already made, or creating crude visual examples for clients. Ultimately, you won’t be able to build your entire graphic design career off mobile phone apps, but they can come in handy more than you might realize.

Smartphones are our personal favorite way to use internet graphic design tools because you can do it anywhere, from the palm of your hand. Using Placeit on a Smartphone is the first time we’ve truly been able to access a full suite of graphic design tools on-the-go.

Reasons Why You Might Want to Use a Drawing Tablet for Graphic Design

If you told a graphic designer that they could only use one electronic device for their work and ask which they would choose, most would likely answer with a drawing tablet for a number of reasons.

Drawing tablets are often viewed as the ideal device for graphic designing due to their:

• Portability
• Comfort
• Price

Thanks to their sleek and slender design, drawing tablets are the easiest device to have by your side when you need to squeeze quality work time in-between travel or enjoy having the freedom to work in nearly any environment. While mobile phones might win the category for most portable device, their features can’t even begin to rival a drawing tablet.

Many graphic designers that focus on freehand also prefer drawing tablets because it allows them to utilize a stylus for increased comfort and ease while designing versus the typical touchpad or mouse.

Lastly, drawing tablets give you more bang for your buck compared to a bulky laptop or an extensive desktop setup. If you want a high-quality laptop that can handle graphic design software and tasks without wearing out after a year or two of use, you’ll usually have to pay a hefty sum.

Finding a desktop setup with comparable specs is often cheaper, but you lose the perk of portability that many graphic designers prioritize. Drawing tablets are a nice in-between. Because they’re specifically designed for graphic design tasks they’re just as efficient, if not more efficient, than a laptop or desktop setup for a significantly reduced priced.

Final Thoughts

If you want to be a graphic designer but you don’t have a drawing tablet or you can’t quite justify having one of these devices, you can still pursue this career by investing in a laptop or desktop setup that can handle graphic design tasks. You can even use your Smartphone if you’re in a pinch, especially if you’re using an online graphic design tool like Placeit.net.

However, investing in a drawing tablet is highly recommended for those who do freehand drawing, considering its economic, ergonomic, and convenience advantages, but the choice should ultimately rely on which device is best suited for you.  

Modern graphic design is more than having a good artistic sense and knowing how to draw or illustrate. It is a compilation of valuable skills, each geared toward shaping or implementing an aspect of visual communication. In today’s business world, graphic design is a highly sought skill set and with the growing availability of online resources and digital content, it is faster and easier than ever to learn.

There are a number of online design schools and boot camp-style programs that can teach you the fundamentals of graphic design in as little as a few months. There are also online courses covering specific elements of graphic design, many of which can be completed in a matter of weeks or even days.

Using a graphic design tool with customizable templates is the fastest way to create professional designs as a graphic design beginner. We recommend Placeit.net for this because it has 90,000+ pre-made templates to choose from, comes with full commercial usage rights (both fonts and graphics), auto-suggests colors to use together, and we personally use it ourselves and highly recommend it!

As it turns out, the fundamentals of graphic design can be picked up in a surprisingly short period of time. Whether you plan to enroll in a formal graphic design program or aspire to become a self-taught graphic designer, there are different paths you can take. Read on to learn how to get started and the unique approach required by each.

This is How Fast You Can Learn Graphic Design

Earning an undergraduate degree in graphic design from a university or major design college is at minimum a four-year commitment. For many people, particularly those who have already embarked on a career in a different field or who lack sufficient time or financial resources, pursuing a full-fledged graphic design education is simply not a viable option.

Fortunately, there are faster ways to learn the fundamentals of graphic design, including programs that drill down to the nitty-gritty of graphic design using an intensive, boot camp approach that expeditiously prepares students to take their newfound graphic design skills into the working world. Some design schools, for instance, offer full-time programs that can be completed in as little as three months while providing:

• Comprehensive instruction in graphic design theory
• Extensive training in graphic design programs including those on the Adobe and Figma platforms
• Immersive classroom environments with close interaction with instructors and mentors
• Collaborative peer projects that allow students to showcase their talents
• Nearly 600 hours of intensive coursework and study

If attending a full-time program is not feasible due to work or personal obligations, then there are also part-time programs that take less than one year to complete. For those seeking instruction and training in specific graphic design subjects, there are specialized courses that can be taken, many of which are available online or on-demand. Courses cover a broad range of topics that are relevant to modern graphic designers, including:

• Key graphic design principles, including color, composition, and typography
• Logo design
• Branding principles
• UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) design
• Photography theory
• Layout theory
• Adobe Suite workshops (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign)

Whatever your ambitions, there are graphic design schools, programs, and courses that can fit your schedule and enable you to learn graphic design at a pace that suits your needs. If you are looking to jump on a fast track to a graphic design career, then a full-time program can get you there in a few months.

But if you need to budget your time between different obligations, then a part-time graphic design program is your best option and in as short as nine months’ time, you can join the ranks of professional graphic designers. Alternatively, you can take specific graphic design courses addressing particular topics and each can usually be completed in a matter of days.

Learning Graphic Design on Your Own

For motivated individuals who are adept at keeping themselves on task, the wealth of online graphic design instructional resources (many of which are free of charge) makes becoming a self-taught graphic designer a viable option. While this path will afford the greatest flexibility in terms of deciding which areas of study to focus on, it also requires a lot of forethought.

These are the key steps to learning graphic design on your own:

• Master the fundamentals of graphic design
• Become proficient in graphic design software
• Never stop building your body of work
• Put your talents on display
• Cultivate peer relationships
• Seize any opportunity to demonstrate your skills

When it comes to learning graphic design on your own, determination and persistence will be instrumental to achieving your goal of becoming a professional graphic designer. But most importantly, having an actionable game plan will allow you to track your progress and make sure that you are heading down the right path.

Inspiration can be found in the success stories of self-taught graphic designers who learned graphic design on their own in as short as six months by:

• Starting with the most basic of design skills – drawing, understanding graphic design theory, and learning how to become an effective writer
• Mastering Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Dabbling in specific graphic design fields like web design, mobile app design, and logo design
• Finding creative ways to build a marketable portfolio of projects, ideas, and concepts

Learning graphic design on your own adds another challenging layer to the pursuit of becoming a professional designer. While certainly not suitable for everyone seeking a career in graphic design, for those who choose this path and successfully reach their goal, it does add to the overall sense of accomplishment.

Putting it all Together – Building Your Portfolio

What better way not only to practice your newfound graphic design skills but also to put your talents on full display than creating design projects on Placeit. Not only does this platform enable graphic designers of all experience levels to test their competencies on real-world applications, but it also affords them an opportunity to develop the most important asset for getting hired – their portfolio.

Here are some examples of the types of graphic design projects that can be created on Placeit:

• Place logos that you design on items like clothing, mugs, and album covers
• Design business cards, letterhead, and other corporate branding collateral
• Create videos and social media posts
• Use the power of digital mockups to transform graphic design concepts into powerful visual demonstrations of your talent and skill

To aid in the composition of custom design pieces and projects, Placeit offers a number of specially curated templates that streamline the creation process.

Final Thoughts

As more and more businesses and organizations seek to increase their online presence and digital visibility, graphic designers are being called upon to lend their expertise in the ever-expanding visual communication space. Thanks to a wealth of educational and vocational resources, you can learn the fundamentals of graphic design in a matter of months and pick up specific skills even faster than that.

Logo design is something that is constantly evolving and changing. Sometimes these changes are ones that we might not like or understand the reasons for. The perfect example is a logo for a company that used to be bright and colorful and have complex designs which was changed into something that uses simple colors and solid shapes that no longer stands out.

The reason logo design is so simple nowadays is because these logos are viewed on lots of different devices, they need to meet new accessibility standards, and they want to be more memorable and grab your attention faster.

Want to see the most trendy logo templates? Check out Placeit’s logo templates made by professionals and customizable by you to be used for your business.

The actual reasons why logo designs are changing to this new trend Might not be so obvious to the naked eye. Read on and you’ll see that the logos of today are the results of years of research and iteration.

Why Do Logos Look So Simple Nowadays?

We often don’t make a distinction in our minds when something is simple and when it is boring or unappealing. This is because we are trained to like exciting things like bright colors or exaggerated shapes. In reality though, the opposite might be more beneficial to businesses and their users. These are the reasons why we’ve seen the shift to more simple logos.

The Biggest Reasons for New Logo Design

Here are the real reasons why logos are so basic nowadays, so you can understand why graphic designers and businesses have gone in this path.

• To Make Logos More Memorable. In today’s day and age, you’ll see dozens if not hundreds of different logos wherever you go about your business. This is a problem for companies who want your attention, so they keep their logos simple and distinct so that you’ll be more likely to remember them.
• To Make them more Accessible. Two things matter when you think about logo design. The first being, who is looking at it, and the second being, are they getting the message that the logo is supposed to deliver. By meeting accessibility standards and taking into account different viewing situations, companies can ensure their logos reach the widest audience.
• To Ensure a Larger Reach. Compatibility is a huge consideration when thinking about logos. There are so many different situations where you might see a logo. Like on TV, or on a label, or on a phone screen. A logo design has to account for all these situations to make sure the brand is consistent.

Basically, the reason why logos have become so simple is because they have a lot more to do than before. They have to deliver a brand’s message, stay in the viewer’s mind, and account for all the different situations where they could be seen. Each of these reasons are of vital importance when a company thinks about their brand, and here’s why.

Does it Matter Where You See a Logo?

Logos are everywhere. You see them all the time in all kinds of different places, and the more simple a design is, the more places and situations that design can be applied. For example, a color on your phone might look different if it was printed on a t-shirt, so a good logo has to account for that.

One way you may have seen this kind of style applied is if you are somebody who does any kind of digital art or graphic design yourself. You might have noticed when you make a design that logos that are simple are more versatile and can be used in different situations.

If you’re not primarily an artist and you would like to try your hand in seeing how this works, you should check out a site like Placeit.net where you can design your own logos and see how they work in different settings.

Are Today’s Logos More Memorable?

Modern logos simplify things so that users don’t have to digest as much information. This requires that customers should be able to recognize the logo at a glance. As a result, instead of the elaborate patterns that were previously employed, many firms have changed to basic colors and distinct outlines in their logos.

They keep logos simple so you don’t have to think about it when you look at it. By reducing distracting aspects, a corporation can make its logo stick in your mind. As a result, you’re more likely to recall simple logos, which is exactly what companies want: for their brand to pop into your head every time you think of a product or service they provide.

Why is Accessibility Important for Logos?

Everyone’s capacity to comprehend information at the same rate is not the same. Some people may take longer to read text or may have difficulty seeing, and might not understand what they’re looking at.

Web Accessibility is about reaching as many users online regardless of their personal impediments, and this extends to logo design. Accessibility is currently a major concern when a company builds a product, and there are internet-wide guidelines for it. The higher the quality they reach, the more consumers will be able to use their products and services. The simpler a logo is, the more accessible it is to everyone.

Will Logos Always Look Like This?

One major reason logos have evolved is that the things we see with them have evolved.

Previously, we would see logos on billboards, t-shirts, or retail ads, where they had to be large and showy.

That’s not to say logos will be like this forever. We have made massive shifts in our aesthetics and designs over the past couple years so who’s to say that we won’t make such shifts again.

It’s totally possible that design standards could shift and require the use of more colorful and exciting logos once again and companies will change their logos to meet those new demands. This could happen because logos are getting simplified and companies will have to work harder to make them stand out in a sea of vastly similar ones.

Is this a familiar scenario? You’ve seen a company announce a brand new logo and your first thought is “why does this look so boring, it looked so much better before”

The reason why modern logos look so boring is that graphic design has evolved a lot over the past few years, And these logos reflect the needs of businesses and their consumers more.

Want to see the most trendy logo templates? Check out Placeit’s logo templates made by professionals and customizable by you to be used for your business.

Once you see the actual reasons why logos are so simple nowadays, you may have a better understanding of why graphic designers and companies have gone in this direction.

Why Modern Logos Are the Way They Are

Here are the top 10 reasons why modern logos look so boring to us, from how they started to change to why they look the way they do now.

1. They Emphasize Simplicity for Users

Modern logos keep things simple for people to reduce the amount of information they have to process. This means that consumers should be able to identify the logo at a glimpse. This is why many companies have shifted to plain colors and distinct shapes in their logos compared to the intricate designs used previously. They keep logos plain so that you don’t have to think when you look at it

2. They Appear Uniform Everywhere

Nowadays, you can see a logo everywhere, from billboards, to commercials, to the homepage on your phone. A logo has to appear consistent in all these places because there’s no telling where a logo could appear on what kind of screen or surface. Therefore, the simpler a logo is, the less likely it appears out of place. The last thing a business wants is for their logo to appear distorted in a place where people will see it.

3. They Appear Consistent With Other Brands

Sometimes, companies collaborate or share space with other logos. Like on your phone screen, you have different logos from different companies appearing in a row, and there are standards for that.  If a logo was stylized so differently than everything else around it, it could be distracting. It’s not always a good thing to stand out, sometimes If an element is too distracting users will gloss over it because it looks unnatural, this could actually drive people away from the brand instead of to it.

4. They Are More Memorable

As busy humans, we must process a lot of information every day. Take a wild guess how many logos you’ve seen today alone, it’s probably not even close to the actual amount because you might have forgotten some.

A company can make their logo stick in your mind by removing distracting elements. Therefore, you’re more likely to remember simple logos, and that’s what businesses want, for their brand to appear in your mind every time you think about a product or service they provide.

5. More Room for Artistic Interpretation

This may sound like a paradox since it would appear that a more complex logo would naturally be more artistic. However, with simpler designs, a logo can experiment with more elements like color and shape and not seem out of place. This is why you may see more variations of simple logos than you did in the past with complex ones.

The best way to see this is to try it yourself. Have you ever done any art projects or graphic design? In fact, sites like Placeit even let you make full designs in seconds, which can really put you in the mind of a graphics designer and business to see why these kinds of logos are the way to go.

6. Synergy Across Products

Companies want their products to reflect their brands, and with a simple logo, this can happen more easily. The less design elements are in a logo, the more a product can incorporate it into their designs.

For example, take Google’s logo, and their 5 main colors. Every product and service Google puts out incorporates those 5 colors in their branding, so you immediately recognize a Google product just at a glance, no matter how obscure it is.

7. Legibility and Accessibility

Not everyone has the same ability to process information at the same rate. Some might take longer to read words or might have trouble seeing. Therefore, the more simple a logo is, the more accessible it is for everyone. Accessibility is a huge consideration now whenever a company designs a product. The more accessible they are the more users will be able to utilize their products and services, and all that starts with a recognizable logo.

8. Marketing

Companies want to put their logos everywhere, and that means the simpler a logo is, the more likely it fits another company’s guidelines. Say for example a business wants their logo advertised in the home page of a tablet whenever a user logs on.

If the logo doesn’t fit the style guidelines of the tablet company, the business might lose that opportunity. A simple logo on the other hand typically can slot itself anywhere.

9. To Let You Use your Imagination

Sometimes, the most interesting images are the ones that let us use our own imaginations to fill in the blanks. One example is an old company logo that used a real person’s face. A user would have never met that person before and wouldn’t identify with it.

However, when the company replaced that logo with a simple smiley face, now the user or viewer can imprint on that logo a lot more and relate to it better, as they could the ones smiling. Letting our minds fill the blanks is something we don’t often think of, but can have a major impact on how we identify with not only logos, but art as a whole

10. To Fit with Evolving Times

One huge reason logos have changed is because the things we view with them have changed.

Previously we would see logos in places like billboards, t-shirts, or store advertisements, which required them to be big and flashy.

Nowadays, technology and society have evolved so we mostly see logos appearing on screens, like our phones. This requires a change in design philosophy as logos have to become more subdued to fit where users will be looking at them the most.

What Makes These Changes Work?

So to summarize, a logo should have its brand, company, and identify all established from just a quick glance. The reason logos are so simple nowadays is because they want to communicate much more to you than ever before, and they do that by making their logo simple and easy to understand.

What might seem boring to us is actually the result of years of iteration and fine tuning