Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

MacFreak07 · Jan 28, 2007, 07:33 PM

What is the best graphic software to use for advertisement? I landed a new job and need some good software for graphic design.

Thanks

Thorzdad · Jan 29, 2007, 10:01 AM

Depends on what you mean by "advertisement". Simple one-page ads and flyers? Multi-page booklets? Web banner ads?
The best, all-around, tool would be to get the Adobe Creative Suite. You'd have Photoshop, In-Design, and Illustrator. That would pretty-much cover 98% of the bases.

And remember...Photoshop is NOT a print layout tool.

art_director · Jan 29, 2007, 01:29 PM

BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING, speak with the printers / publications / service bureaus you'll be using to best determine their preferred application(s).

That said, Thorzad has given you good, sound advice.

andi*pandi · Jan 29, 2007, 05:35 PM

I'd be a little worried that the place where I'm starting a new job doesn't have everything set up! Good luck!

art_director · Jan 29, 2007, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

I'd be a little worried that the place where I'm starting a new job doesn't have everything set up! Good luck!

Dare I say HUGE EFFING B-I-N-G-O-!

duoikari · Feb 8, 2007, 01:11 PM

Well i'd would agree and say either Indesign or illustrator.

If it's something like a magazine advertisement i would do it in Indesign. I recently had to do a poster for my graphic design course and i did the majority of it in photoshop but did stuff like text in illustrator, but that is because i prefer photoshop out of them all.

But if you create it in illustrator then it keeps it properties, which means you can in large it and it won't get pixelated

Thorzdad · Feb 9, 2007, 03:10 PM

Truth be told, it generally doesn't matter what app you use to create the ad. Most print workflows these days prefer the final art be delivered as a PDF, anyway (as opposed to the raw Illustrator or InDesign files) So, really, it just comes down to which app you are most comfortable with...or which one meets certain job-specific requirements.
Personally, I do most of my graphic design work in Illustrator. This includes ads, brochures, and booklets. It's what I learned on and what I'm more comfortable with. Try them both and see what you think!

glypht · Feb 12, 2007, 10:47 AM

Graphic design is one of the rare professions where in order to start you need only the programs - no training, experience or skill is necessary.

I recommend you pirate a copy of Photoshop, make extensive use of bevel/emboss and drop shadows, and most importantly be sure to create everything in RGB at 72dpi (this is necessary for print work) and supply all work to the printer as JPEG without bleed or crop marks - if he needs them he'll be able to add them.

If Photoshop seems too complicated or if you don't like pirating software, you could try PowerPoint or MS Paint, either of these is capable of creating high-res artwork for print.

Originally Posted by duoikari

I recently had to do a poster for my graphic design course....

Graphic design course? Pfff! Quit wasting your time! This shît's easy, just ask MacFreak...

Thorzdad · Feb 12, 2007, 11:03 AM

glypht,
While I love the sarcasm (most of it personally witnessed, myself), let's cut MacFreak07 a break. He's in a difficult position and he's asking for help. That's a good thing. The least we can do is try to steer him in the right direction so he doesn't end up doing everything in your post.

Sadly, the position MacFreak07 is in seems to be the direction the business is heading in many corners.

glypht · Feb 13, 2007, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Thorzdad

Sadly, the position MacFreak07 is in seems to be the direction the business is heading in many corners.

Indeed. Luckily however, if the business does go down the pan we can all just quit and get jobs as doctors. Or mechanics. Or fighter pilots, yeah I'd like that - just need a plane....

Thorzdad · Feb 13, 2007, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by glypht

Indeed. Luckily however, if the business does go down the pan we can all just quit and get jobs as doctors. Or mechanics. Or fighter pilots, yeah I'd like that - just need a plane....

I'm holding out for double-0 spy.

duoikari · Feb 13, 2007, 03:02 PM

Anyway if freak can tell us what he is gonna being doing we could recommend the best software for him.

Because i remember when i was asked to do a magazine spread and i thought i would do it in MS picture it, which was obivously the wrong software and then my i was told after i done it that i could have done it in indesign >(

As you can guess i was pissed off
so the moral of the story is to make sure your using the right software for what you are trying to design.

andi*pandi · Feb 13, 2007, 07:24 PM

?!?!?! what? don't they teach MS Publisher anymore? Schools these days!

KeriVit · Feb 13, 2007, 10:29 PM

I'm not sure if I was shocked or amused more as I read this thread.