If you are interested in getting started in graphic design or want to take your graphic design career to the next level, here are five things that every graphic designers should be using.
A Notebook and Pen
It may seem simple but having a great notebook to hand where you can jot down ideas as you get them and sketch out concepts when they come to you is very handy. Choose a portable notebook size that can fit in a bag easily so that you can take it out with you wherever you go. You never know when inspiration may hit.
A Tablet & Stylus
Another great tool for allowing you to work on the go is a drawing tablet and a stylus. Tablets offer graphic designers a wide range of creative opportunities, as well as creative freedom and mobility. It means you can get creative and work almost anywhere, whether it’s sitting on a train or in a park. A tablet is also easier to take with you to show work progress to a client.
A Desktop PC
While portability is highly beneficial, it is also a must to have a desktop PC for Graphic Design. Desktop computers, as opposed to laptops, offer greater processing power for graphic designers, as well as the ability to offer connection to larger screens, which is another vital tool for graphic design. Make sure the PC you choose has a good memory and storage capacity to allow for all the large file sizes you will no doubt be creating. If you can afford to, go for the maximum power for optimum performance. Whether you will be doing logo and branding design, or creating graphics for the web or social media, a desktop PC with suitability for graphic design is going to be indispensable.
Creative Software
Once you have your high-end graphic design PC, it’s very important to have the right software tools too. Whether you are a complete newbie, or more experienced in graphic design, having the right creative software can make a remarkable difference to your work. Make sure you shop around and see which one works best for you and the work that you will be doing. Many will offer a free trial before you have to commit to one.
An External Hard Drive
When creating such large files as a graphic designer, one of the most important things you can do is back up your files. By having an external hard drive, you can have access to all your files at any given moment. If your computer is in for repair but you still need to access your work, or you need to take certain files with you, then having an external hard drive is highly convenient. They can also increase your computer storage dramatically. They are extremely easy to use, and every graphic designer should consider adding one to their list of must-haves.
There are of course many other things that can aid the work of a graphic designer, but these are just some of the most important tools in the world of graphic design.