subject: Graphic Designer Applications - A Look Into The Assorted Options Obtainable [print this page] Gone are those days when a designer's tools included a pen, brush, pencil, illustration board and exacto knife. Today's designer relies almost exclusively on graphic design software which is both expensive and constantly changing. The comes a point when the designer is forced to choose between upgrading or migrating to another software. And, the designer needs to understand how this new type of software functions. Changes in the look and feel of a program can have a dramatic effect on the graphic designer, as they may spend more time re-learning how to use the program than actually using it to design. And on top of all that, there are numerous different graphic programs available for illustration, desktop publishing, photography and web design.
Quark Express has dominated desktop publishing for the past ten years. Over the past few years, Adobe has been making a serious bid to regain its preeminence in desktop publishing with In Design. If Adobe squashes Quark it will pretty much have a monopoly in graphic design software, having already swallowed up Macromedia and much of its other competition.
At the end of 2005, Adobe concluded its acquisition of Macromedia which made it the owner of Dreamweaver - usually acclaimed as one of the best and sometimes the most difficult to use web design software available. Within the field of professional Web design, Dreamweaver has little competition. Microsoft offers Front Page, which is still used by non-professionals and a handful of professionals who have been using it for a very long time. Although, Adobe, with the Dreamweaver application, has gained a semi-monopoly in this area also.
In graphic design software for photography there's only one acknowledged leader - Adobe Photoshop. While there are simplified options available for beginners, Photoshop is the industry standard for professionals. Other companies exist by producing "plug-in's for Photoshop, until Adobe buys them.
To illustrate, could graphic arts software be used? Because the vast majority of professionals recognize and use Adobe Illustrator, it generally wins across the board against the competition, making Adobe recognized as the leader. The choice may involve more than simplicity and features. You should look for the greatest overall compatibility. Corel Draw, Canadian illustration competitor to Illustrator is acknowledged by many to be easier and have more functions - but the files are hard to use anywhere but with Corel. This limits across program functionality and therefore it's popularity.
One reason InDesign is making up so much ground is through the ease of use with all the other graphic design programs in the Adobe family. You can move quickly and effortlessly back and forth. Adobe now has all it's programs together as a "Creative Suite" which makes it easy for one-stop shopping.
