Graphic design is one of the oldest professions that is still paying high to date. In almost everywhere you look, from the billboard and logos to the package of your food products, you will see the beautiful work of a graphic designer. Graphic design is a skill and career that is always very much in demand, now it is easier to make 100k as a graphic designer with one good gig or a few gigs. There are people who make millions from graphic design jobs, and graphic designers who create logos for the most popular brands earn millions for their mind-blowing works of art. So, if you’re wondering how to make money as a graphic designer, this guide will help you, whether you’re just starting your journey or have already begun.
what kind of software do graphic designers use?
It is common for people who are new to graphic design to ask questions such as what tool to use for graphic design, what graphic designers use to draw on, what equipment is needed to be a graphic designer and many other related questions. Graphic designers use a variety of tools to create visual content, ranging from traditional mediums to digital software including AI tools such as AI art-generating tools, mockup AI tools, and many more. Here’s a rundown of some common tools graphic designers use.
1. Photoshop
Photoshop is an industry-standard in the creative field and is widely used in various industries, including photography, graphic design, advertising, and digital art. Adobe Photoshop is a popular image editing and manipulation software used by professionals and enthusiasts alike. It offers a wide range of features and tools to enhance, transform, and create stunning visual content.
With Photoshop, you can:
• Edit and retouch images
• Create digital paintings and artwork
• Design graphics and logos
• Manipulate and combine images
• Add text and effects
• And much more!
Photoshop comes with a lot of prebuilt features and also allows the installation of plugins to enhance its functionalities.
2. Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector graphics editor used by artists, designers, and creatives to create stunning illustrations, logos, graphics, and icons. It’s an industry-standard tool for vector design, offering a wide range of features and tools to produce high-quality artwork.
Illustrator’s vector-based approach allows for scalable designs that remain crisp and clear at any size, making it ideal for:
• Print design (business cards, brochures, posters)
• Digital design (web graphics, social media assets, UI elements)
• Branding and advertising (logos, icons, billboards)
With Illustrator, you can:
• Create logos and brand identities
• Design icons and graphics
• Develop illustrations and artwork
• Create typography and text effects
• Edit and manipulate vectors
• Work with layers and masks
• Use advanced color and gradient tools
• Export and share designs in various formats
Adobe Illustrator is a versatile tool for creatives, offering a vast range of possibilities for vector design, illustration, and visual art. Its compatibility with other Adobe tools like Photoshop and InDesign makes it a fundamental part of the creative workflow.
4. InDesign
InDesign is like a digital layout tool for making things like magazines and brochures look super professional. It helps designers arrange text and pictures nicely.
Some of the key features include:
• Text to Image: Create images from text prompts using Adobe Firefly models
• Transfer work: Import files from Photoshop and Illustrator into InDesign
• Modify type: Adjust kerning and tracking to format fonts and text
• Share work: Create a shareable link for collaborators to provide feedback
• Make accessible PDFs: Optimize documents for screen readers and assistive devices
• Publish documents online: Turn InDesign documents into interactive versions with buttons, slideshows, and animations
5. CorelDraw
CorelDRAW is a powerful vector graphics editor software used for creating graphics, logos, icons, illustrations, and artwork. It is a popular alternative to Adobe Illustrator and is widely used by graphic designers, artists, and professionals in various industries.
CorelDraw can be used for:
• Graphic Design: Logos, business cards, brochures, and other marketing materials.
• Digital Art: Illustrations, cartoons, and other creative artworks.
• Sign Making: Large-format designs for signs, billboards, and outdoor advertising.
• Fashion Design: Textile designs, patterns, and other fashion-related graphics.
CorelDRAW is a versatile and powerful vector graphics editor, ideal for various design needs. Its user-friendly interface, advanced features, and cost-effectiveness make it a popular choice among graphic designers and artists.
Other graphic design apps include; Figma, Pixlr, Krita, After Effects, Adobe XD, GIMP, Canva, Inkscape, and many others. Some of the software for graphic design on the list supports mobile graphic designing while some require a laptop or desktop computer. While there exist free graphic design software, some offer premium features and can be accessed only by paid users.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the devices used by graphic designers;
Important graphic design equipment
• Pen and paper
• Computers
• Stylus and graphics tablets
• Storage devices.
• Camera.
Where to learn graphic design?
If you want to earn money as a graphic designer online, you need to be great at it because there are others out there so you need to make your graphics unique, i.e. you have to learn from the best to become perfect. You should consider starting with an online graphic design course. KODATECH ACADEMY is a great option because it’s affordable and teaches you how to use a modern-day online graphic design application to create mind-blowing designs.