I'm looking for a recommendation for a good graphics package for designing headers, logos, banners etc. Is the likes of Photoshop etc the one to go for, or do Adobe, or someone else , do one that's better. Looking for good professional results.
Graphics packages
- Thread starter JEB
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If you want the best then PS is probably the way to go. Depends if you want PS or want to do illustrations in which case get illustrator.
If you want to try a free alternative I believe a program called GIMP is supposed to be quite good. But I havnt tried it out.
If you want to try a free alternative I believe a program called GIMP is supposed to be quite good. But I havnt tried it out.
Soldato
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I've tried GIMP, but IMO the UI is the most retarded thing I've ever had the misfortune to stumble accross.
Photoshop/Illustrator is without doubt the way to go.
Photoshop/Illustrator is without doubt the way to go.
Try GIMPshop.. It's GIMP, but with a redesigned UI, key shortcuts and layout - all designed to make the photoshop user feel at home.
I haven't tried gimpshop myself yet, but I agree that vanilla GIMP is a bit unintuitive.
Getting the package is all well and good, but if you don't have the design skills, your work still aint gonna look any good. It's kinda like the saying "you can't polish a poo" 
Sketch out some design ideas before you move to the PC, so you get a feel for what you want first.
For logos you should really use Illustrator cos its a vector app, which means no nasty artifacting/scaling rubbish, and more friendly for the printer. Photoshop rocks everything else really, and it's pretty easy to learn.
Sketch out some design ideas before you move to the PC, so you get a feel for what you want first.For logos you should really use Illustrator cos its a vector app, which means no nasty artifacting/scaling rubbish, and more friendly for the printer. Photoshop rocks everything else really, and it's pretty easy to learn.
... or Xara Xtreme if you don't [and would rather not be a skanky buccaneer]. Vector and raster manipulation, easy to use and not too shabby in the feature-set department. As others have pointed out, you'll need vector capabilities if you're serious about doing logos and repro print work.
Incidentally, reflux touched upon the most important thing here: if you're looking for good professional results you'd better be a good professional designer. And in my opinion, as a salaried Photoshop user for over ten years, you're not a professional unless the first thing you do after a fresh Photoshop install is dive straight for the "Color settings..." menu.