Graphic designers combine their technical know-how with artistic ability to create various materials for clients including brochures, advertisements and logos. As part of their job, graphic designers use software programs to help them execute creative ideas.
Adobe Illustrator is a program that allows a user to draw images in 1-, 2- and 3-point perspective. Other features of Illustrator include tools that mimic variable-width brush strokes, and effects such as blurs and shadows. To handle digital imaging, many graphic designers turn to Adobe Photoshop. In Photoshop, users can bring in 3D elements, professionally color images, and track the editing changes made to a file.
For print and digital publishing, Adobe InDesign is a program that allows cross-media publishing, the ability to track changes in a document and a function that creates pages of different sizes in a document.
CorelDRAWGraphicsSuite X5 is a comprehensive software program that permits users to explore more than 1,000 professional tools, export files in a number of different formats and add one of more than 3,000 fonts to a document.
QuarkXPress is a desktop publishing program that includes features such as keyboard shortcut controls, design support for more than 30 languages, and hanging character settings for use in typography. The software can be downloaded for free for 60 days.
Graphic design software gives creative professionals the freedom to carry out their ideas. While some learn how to use the various software packages on their own, others learn in the course of completing their formal training in graphic design. Certificate and degree programs often contain courses dedicated to specific software packages, such as Illustrator or QuarkXPress. This ensures that aspiring designers attain mastery in different programs.
In professional settings, it is important for graphic designers to stay abreast of updates to various software programs. That is because updated versions of software can include new design tools.