There are seven typical tools for graphic designers. Along with creativity, these tools help to produce a perfect design.

They say “a poor workman blames his tools” but lets for a moment consider this workman’s argument. Maybe he is working without the right tools, leading to a bad job done. Even with the right tools, defects in even his simplest tool could lead to errors. And, no matter how skilled he is, he will need some kind of tool to do his job.

Storytime

Back in late summer 2011, my first MacBook was stolen from a locked car!  I reported my loss to the local police and the long and short of it, in less than a month, I was able to get back my MacBook from it ‘new’ owners!

Earlier that the summer, I mistakenly downloaded a software, marketed as a way to secure, clean, protect and optimize a computer operating system. I remembered that the online advert had something about tracking your computer, more specifically, your mac. So, I called the company and they activated the ‘find my Mac’ Anti-theft function. About two weeks later as my mac went online. An email entitled: Anti-Theft: Your Computer’s location has been detected was sent to my inbox! I was so excited! This email had an IP address, the Wifi Tower being used and my mac took photos of the people using it! The police were able to use this information. They took the photos to a high school in the area that the IP address specified. They spoke to the principal and found the teenagers in the photos. My mac was cleaned of all files and physically cleaned too

Seven Typical Tools for Graphic Designers

Let’s get on to the seven typical tools for graphic designers. This list may not be exhaustive but covers a few important tools. Feel free to add other typical tools in the comments below and say how this tool helps in the design process.

1. Computer
   

   This biggest initial investment you will have to make should you desire to become a graphic designer. I prefer using an Apple product, a MacBook or an iMac for several reasons, however other Windows personal computers may be used. Happily, I currently am able to use both –  my MacBook at night for freelancing and a DELL PC for the 9-5. Whatever you decide to use, be sure to take care of it. As a graphic designer, you will have files that are large and so be sure to manage your files well to avoid duplication and unnecessary files on your computer (see How to Manage your Clients’ Files). I would not recommend downloading movies onto your device or going to suspicious websites that may give your computer a virus, especially if you do not have an antivirus software. Do not drop your computer, spill tea on it, leave it alone with your 4-year-old toddler or leave it in your car. This computer will provide a return on your investment. Protect it well.

2. Adobe Creative Cloud

   The most widely used software is Adobe Creative Suite or Creative Cloud

   Main Software Programs

   • Illustrator – used for creating vector images. It uses a mathematical formula to ensure that your designs never get pixelated, no matter how large they are displayed. It is a fun program once you learn how to use it. I feel like once you have mastered the pen tool and you are great at drawing, you are well on your way in using this program.
   • InDesign – is a multi-page “fill-in-the-box” type of program. It is great for creating magazines, event programs, and books, for example. It can also create single page flyers or business cards, however, you will more than likely be pulling in images from Illustrator and Photoshop to obtain a cool design
   • Photoshop – one of the most powerful tools, and it should be used smartly. Don’t just use the magic wand tool to eliminate backgrounds and drop shadows to make things “pop”. Learn to use the program well. Use the pen tool to for better accuracy to create masks and paths. Use your channels and layers. Study how about how to properly use brushes, levels, curves and hue and saturation. Keep learning new techniques.
   • Acrobat – This program may feel more like a must–use just to get your design in the print-ready format. But now, Adobe Acrobat is even cooler with the Creative Cloud, with full access to its Tools – like Create and Edit, etc. It gives you the edge over everyone else in the world who think it is impossible to edit a PDF. You can add text, images, create an editable PDF to name a few

    Get your Adobe Creative Cloud here. 

   There may be other old or upcoming software programs emerging on the market, however, right now, Adobe is King. Never attempt to use Microsoft Office programs like Word or Publisher, as you cannot accomplish the professional results needed.

3. Drawing Tablet

   Designing with a touchpad or a mouse is possible but not optimal. If you want a combination of speed, preciseness and an easier time working, a drawing table may just want you will need. Not only does it get you a better-curved stoke on the pen tool faster, it’s better on your wrists than holding a mouse.

4. In-house Printer

   Test prints help you feel confident about the final outcome of your design job. It is wonderful to have a printer nearby to help you determine if a font is too small or whether an image is pixelated when test printed at 100%. Note though, that test printing for colour can get tricky so you may want to get a final test print from the exact printer you will be sending your job to.

5. Scanner

   If you are an illustrator as well, scanning hand-drawn sketches and importing them to illustrator is an easy way convert your illustrators to a digital format. You can also scan images to be re-touched with a high-resolution option. A scanner is great for logo designs that start with your pencil and paper concepts.

6. Exacto Knife +  Metal Ruler  + Cutting Mat

   I believe every graphic designer should have this combo to pull out and use every once in a while to do mock-ups. Also, if you are designing a small number of flyers, for example, you may decide to print in-house. Cut away a bleed and forgo printing at a large print-house. Your exacto knife is your mini cutting machine that can trim your bleed away. The metal ruler helps to keep your exacto knife straight while cutting and don’t slice your tables while doing this. Use a cutting mat. These tools can save you some money.

7. Pencil and Sketch Pad

We are never too old for a pencil and sketchpad. These are good to draw on (pun intended) when you suddenly come up with an idea or concept. There is technology now at allows drawing on your devices. Whatever works for you, always have something close by to take a note or make a sketch.