Designer Tools
Author: Rafie

In this entry, I would like to share the tools that I’ve been using since the last few years in both web and graphic designing process.

1. Pencil & Paper

The most fundamental tricks of the trade in web and graphic design. I’m not a genius like Da Vinci or Picasso, thus I need a pencil and paper to sketch. But remember, you need to do your research first. Identify what do you have to do, how can it be represented, and there are many questions that you should ask yourself before you start to doodle or sketch.

2. Microsoft Front Page

This is a very powerful software if you know how to use it. In fact, it is my first web design software and I’m still using it - it has been 6 to 7 years then.

3. Adobe Photoshop

‘Wow-effect’ graphics made possible with this amazing software. I can’t get my finger of this image editing and graphic design software. Simply brilliant! I lost count on how many graphics as well as craps I’ve produced. Tonnes of them. Remember, practice practice and practice. That’s the key to success.

4. Adobe Flash or known before as Macromedia Flash

I’m not a master of Flash but I have to admit that I use it 20% of my works. Either small banner, opening ceremony intro, or even class presentation. Flash does wonder!

5. Dreamweaver

Yup, it is DREAMweaver. Besides Front Page, this is another handy web designing tool. I do touch up all my websites using Dreamweaver. Currently, I’m trying to combine some static page coding, graphic, and CMS (Joomla as well as Mambo) in DW. *But I’m too busy doing something else at the moment.

6. Digital Camera

Don’t Save As and picture from the internet. If you get caught, you’ll possibly be sued by them - and that will include myself. Take your own picture or buy it. Tips: Search for a royalty free photos and buy them as low as 50pence or $1. (i.e. www.istockphoto.com)

7. Some inspiration

Eric Jordan of 2Advanced Studio is my all time favourite web ad graphic designer. Not forgetting his mind blowing Flash animation. Class of its own I might say. Moreover, subscribe a magazine. If you are addicted like me, buy other magazine if they grab your interest. Spend some money. Treat it as a gift for yourself and source of motivation. But remember, you also need to read a lot about design.

8. Time out

This is VERY very important. When you can’t think, don’t push yourself! Take a walk and forget about it. Do what ever you like and wait until the right time. I can produce a website within a day or two, but it is on purpose that I take at least 2 weeks to complete it.

Last but not least,

9. SLEEP when it is time to sleep.

Reflection:

I hope this will solve the mystery. If you can have these tools with you, chances are you can be as ‘good’ as me. If you have more, you are even better than me.But what matter is how you use these tools. You can have the latest tools but if can’t make full use of it, it will become useless. Anyway, God is the one that gives you idea and let thank God for each ideas that we have.

To readers: What are your tools? Which is your favourite? Or any questions?