Questions, Questions, Questions!

[Shelby]

Ok, I have a few questions for anyone out there that does web/graphic design (I know a couple of ya do).

What kind of web/graphic designing skill do you have? I am looking to get into this and I am wondering what all I need. Do I need to know Flash, cgi, JavaScript, VB Script, ColdFusion? What do you know...thats what I want to know http://www.chud.com/board/ubbhtml/smile.gif Also what programs do you use? I basically use frontpage and photoshop 5.5 right now, but Im thinking about learning some other stuff (starting with Flash). Your advice would be helpful http://www.chud.com/board/ubbhtml/smile.gif

This is a list of the programs I have:

Photoshop 5.5
Illustrator9.0
Page maker 6
Fireworks 3
Flash 4
Bryce4
Corel Draw 9
Dreamweave3
and a few others

[Coyote]

Do you need to know them? No. You've seen what I've done without them. However, if you can't master them, your worth grows phenomenally.
I also reccomend Micgrografix's Picture Publisher. It's relatively cheap compared to the others, and is pretty damn powerful (with a slightly different look).
Most important tip: remember you can use multiple programs on a single piece.
And plugins are exceedingly useful.
(This may seem obvious but remember A) I do help desk work, I start small & build, & B) You get purists who think Adobe is the end all be all because it's the industry standard, forgeting that you can use multiple programs to achieve effects, then save it as an Adobe file if that's what's required.)

[This message has been edited by Coyote (edited 08-14-2000).]

[chenzzo]

Illustrator is a great program, that I use in conjuction with Photoshop.

It uses vector paths instead of pixels, so greating shapes and distorting fonts is a piece of cake. All of the logos I did for Butane I created in Illustrator, and only brought them into Photoshop to make a jpg.

Illsutrator allows you to change the size of object (both bigger and smaller with no edge distortion, as it uses paths rather than pixels) grab any piece of the design and move it independently (even if it's all on the same layer) and it's really helpful for screwing around with type for logos, as you can grab letters individually and move them, scale them, rotate them whatever, just by clicking on them.

Illustrator is a great companion program to photoshop.

[chenzzo]

and Coyote, Adobe is the industry standard for a reason.

Photoshop, the best pixel-pusher out there.

Illustrator, there's a reason why all service bureaus want art in Illustrator format.

PageMaker, top of the line page layout stuff, although I use QuarkXpress more often.

and that's just the design programs.

[Shelby]

Thanks for the answers guys http://www.chud.com/board/ubbhtml/smile.gif I may be asking more later hehe

[Coyote]

Oh, I didn't say Adobe was crap, I just meant that some people will swear by it and nothing else will do, ever.
Which is kinda like wearing yellow shooting goggles to a swatch session. You may have some pretty patterns and shades afterwards, but they're all going to be the same colour.