Hoping to be a web/graphic design artist

anna2112 · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 12-29-2011, 04:46 PM

Hi Guys,

I had worked in a web development and design company as Accountant and admin. I got to learn some SEO and ecommerce set up. I want to learn more...I enjoy working with them...but contract wrapped up bec they need a web developer and graphic artist. So now, I want to learn first how to become a graphic artist...where should I start ?what software is best for a beginner ?

Please help me...thanks in advance !

blogfreakz · #2 (**permalink**) 01-01-2012, 11:09 PM

Hi anna you have a very good start over there well there are actually a lot of great tutorials that you wanted to read around the internet. First of all you needed to learn Photoshop to mock up your web design and coded it on a Dreamweaver

Mark_Talks · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2012, 12:10 AM

Free Software: GIMP / Aviary.com

Commercial: PhotoShop and Fireworks

If you've got the money, go for Photoshop. You can find tutorials literally anywhere, just google "web design tutorials" and you'll find them of all levels, basic to advanced.

Just keep practicing, trying new techniques and applying various styles to the design you make.

deryaSavas · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2012, 12:52 AM

I would strongly encourage you to be patient, and it seem you are passionate, which is actually the first ingredient

Then adobe dreamweaver - photoshop - illustrator are good to have in your tool box, from there, you can start online with so many websites offering tuts also check out the local library with some great books on these topics.
Better yet, if you can enroll in a web developer course or graphic designer course (especially with a provider with domain which has .edu )
Then this will be great way to start your path on these topics, and also you may then take advantage of some adobe products as they has offer nearly 80% off for students who study with accredited institutions. Meaning, the savings can be enormous all while you are learning from great teachers

Absolute Logo · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2012, 04:59 PM

I would check out Photoshop and Illustrator for starters. Also check out YouTube they have so many great videos on there, its great because you can watch and listen at the same time and not just have to read a whole bunch of text.

blogfreakz · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2012, 05:25 AM

go for photoshop and Illustrator, lot of tuts over the internet, if you have a good budget you can buy tutorials from lynda.com or vtc.com.. good luck!

simplyamazing12 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-22-2012, 01:33 PM

If the job opening is now and you don't know how to do the job yet, I would pass up on applying for it. My advice is to learn how to use Photoshop and Illustrator for the design part. Tutorials online should help you with this.

For web development, learn HTML and CSS first. PHP should come after those two.

JumboHoster · #8 (**permalink**) 02-08-2012, 07:49 AM

Well, even if it is the most advanced program out there, I woul d advise you just start with photoshop. There are tons of tutorial son the web to do basically anything in photoshop. You really need to pick a "Field" of graphics design, specifying what you want to do from the beginning will save you time, you won't learn things that you will never use. On the word of learning, it is really just the use of google mixed with hard work and dedication. You have to enjoy it to really produce the best product possible.

Creatorman78 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2012, 09:03 AM

1- photoshop
2- photoshop
3- photoshop

photoshop is every thing
u can learn more program after u got photoshop

Anton Zaleski · #10 (**permalink**) 02-10-2012, 08:06 AM

Graphic artist...doesn't that mean that you have to be good at drawing first of all?

I'm not much into graphic design, but I believe that some background knowledge like color compatibility, etc., should come first, and practical skills like Photoshop (yes, that's obvious - it is essential to have a good command of it) - later.

I know, that best coders are those who studied coding systematically, so I suppose that approach is applicable to all work spheres. But I do not insist upon that blueprint of becoming a designer, I just believe in it

Rob Thomson · #11 (**permalink**) 02-13-2012, 01:13 PM

As everyone else has said - Photoshop, illustrator, Dreamweaver, and HTML5, PHP, and CSS. Learn all that and you are good to go!

WebOut · #12 (**permalink**) 02-21-2012, 11:05 PM

Discover more about Adobe software such Photoshop, InDesign, etc. Good luck to your endeavor.

hiqasim · #13 (**permalink**) 02-25-2012, 01:22 AM

well, you said you have learn't some SEO, can you please help me regarding SEO??? PM me please

**snakeair** · #14 (**permalink**) 02-25-2012, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiqasim

well, you said you have learn't some SEO, can you please help me regarding SEO??? PM me please

Please read the thread creators opening post again.

Do you have any tips for the thread creator? I quoted the important part of the OP's post below.

Quote:

So now, I want to learn first how to become a graphic artist...where should I start ?what software is best for a beginner ?

logoonlinepros · #15 (**permalink**) 02-27-2012, 10:54 PM

I think photoshop and dreamweaver is best tool for you to became web designer. If you need any help related to web language so you will visit w3school site for tutorials and tips.

Dreamrage · #16 (**permalink**) 02-28-2012, 12:25 AM

As many here has said, photoshop is important. Graphic artist. You want to design logos, websites etc.? It could take you a while, depending on where you learn, and how you learn and any talent you may or may not have. Sounds a little brutal, but its not.

I'm a digital artist and I believe that anyone with a basic knowledge can do it too. It's more about being creative, knowing how to work with color, knowing how to add dimension to what you're creating, and a lot of it depends on what area you want to work with. Adobe has a lot of work you can read through, there are many sites online that can give you the basic background in graphic design, but in the end, its what you do with it. There are millions of tutorials out there that show you how to create sites, logos, buttons, banners etc. and that information can be used and tweaked into your own personal style.

Good luck with your venture though, I hope it all works out well for you.

Brad Cliff · #17 (**permalink**) 03-07-2012, 12:24 AM

I recommend learning HTML. It's easy and simple and it's the basic for webdesign. I think you should start learning it along with photoshop. That way, when you feel you've learned photoshop you could start converting it to html easily.

romanovich · #18 (**permalink**) 03-07-2012, 06:36 AM

Photoshop is the best pick. Allthough its not the one for you if you dont want to spend some money. They have a 30 days trial, so you can try it out and see how it feel to use the adobe software

Rob Thomson · #19 (**permalink**) 03-09-2012, 01:50 PM

I agree with everyone here. Adobe CS(whatever). But there is also a cool utility (though i hear is spits out dirty code) SiteGrinder for photoshop. It is pretty quick in setting up a site from a photoshop doc. Along with HTML, CSS, PHP, you should look into wordpress and their themes. very easy to set up and work with. little coding knowledge needed too. Hope my 2 cents helps.

the_michael_77 · #20 (**permalink**) 03-17-2012, 02:37 PM

If you have a tight budget start with Photoshop CS2 . You can find it on ebay at times even for 100 pounds or so. I've been working with CS2 over 10 years and can not see a reason to migrate to newer versions. Of course there are some nice features in CS5 ( upcoming CS6 look even better) but for begin you don't it it at all especially for webmastering.

Dreamweaver does the job, but there is free great alternative - Sharepoint Designer 2007 ( not 2010 ). It is free WYSIWYG HTML editor, excellent to take first steps.