As a profession, graphic designing requires a high level of creativity and sound judgment to design visual presentations with a targeted message. Previously, designers relied on manual tools. Nowadays, anyone who is a graphic designer or aspires to be one, needs to invest in a good PC with all the requisite software applications. The best computers for desktop publishing and graphic art are often the most expensive. Since there are constantly newer and better models available in the market, designers often turn to computer leasing as an easy alternative to the cost of upgrading their PCs from time to time.
Traditional Tools and Techniques
Before computers became indispensable, manual tools were used to create extensive page layouts with elaborate designs. Rotring and calligraphy pens, regular drawing pencils, markers, sketchpads, letraset dry transfer lettering and wooden drawing boards were some of the traditional tools that designers used for creating attractive visuals. Many popular designers continue to rely on these tools as they are easy to use and most importantly, extremely flexible. In spite of the introduction of ground breaking computer applications, design professionals continue to use paste-up techniques and hand tools. Most schools for graphic design stress on the importance of good drawing skills especially as hand tools facilitate imagination and are quick to use.
Computer Equipment and Software Applications
Today’s designers swear by digital imaging and publishing. Computers have quickly replaced drawing boards and designers have switched from perfecting their art with pencils to the mouse. This significant change that began in the 1980s has continued, thanks to the vast improvements made to design technology. The best computers come at a price but computer leasing and rental services have made acquiring the right kind of technology easier for budding design professionals.
Digital imaging tools are crucial in preparing design layouts and have gone beyond just clip art and different fonts. Software applications like Adobe Creative Suite, Print Shop Pro Publisher, Microsoft Publisher, Publishing Studio, Page Plus X3, QuarkXpress and others support 3D graphic design.
Best Computers for Graphic Designing
In 1984, Apple computers changed the graphic designing industry with the release of their first Macintosh computer with bitmap graphics. Macs were at first the only option for creative professionals but Microsoft eventually caught up. However, Apple still remains the undisputed leader in providing superior performance, speed and high quality graphic capabilities. The top 5 computers for graphic designing are:
1. Mac Pro Desktop – It features quad-core Xeon Nehalen processor and integrated memory controller. 2. MacBook Pro Laptop – It features LED backlit display, superior NVIDIA graphics card and a battery that lasts up to 7 hours. 3. Dell Studio XPS desktop – This features high definition ATI graphics card and high speed Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. 4. Toshiba Qosimio Laptop – It has high performance NVIDIA GeForce graphics card and Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. 5. HP Pavillion Elite Desktop – This model is powered by AMD Athlon or Intel Core processor with genuine 64-bit Windows 7.
Tags: design for change, graphic design