Illustrator or InDesign for a VERY early starter

Hello, I am a highschooler and I'm just starting to get into graphic design. I always have a lot of art drawing and another, but I'm just starting on the graphics. So far, I only used a few freeware online as SumoPaint and Aviary program if you are familiar with those. I have a bamboo tablet that I'm starting to use, but I need some advice. I'm a bit confused as to what software I should get in a first time. I always thought that Illustrator is like the must have program, but I now hear about InDesign and I'm a bit confused now. I want a program that I can use for the logo design as well as to have brushes sensitive realistic pressure start getting into some portrait drawing. I don't know if it's a bit on the wall or not, but that's what I do with my drawing now, so I would like to try it on a computer.

I really just need someone to explain the basics for me. What software do I need to start, and where I should go from here with my hobby. I would really appreciate any help you can give me and feel free to ask more questions about what I want in a program, etc. Thank you!

InDesign = page layout. Place different elements on a page and organize them.

Photoshop = edit photos or 'paint' similar to canvas and traditional brushes. Pixel-based editing

Illustrator is Draw - similar to a pen and ink on paper - object-based editing.

These are generalizations , but the main applications. A little blurry lines in many areas. You can make layout in Photoshop and Illustrator. Whether or not you should depends on the project. You can draw in Indesign. Whether or not you should depends on the drawing. And so on...

When I get a project I immediately know the tool that I want to use. A logo - always done in Illustrator. A booklet or manual - always done in Indesign. A web banner animated - for the most part made with Photoshop. I'll mix and use other applications according to your needs, but the bulk of the work is done in what I feel it's the appropriate application.

Foot solid in Illustrator will almost always benefit you to proceed. Many professionals do not know or understand of Illustrator. If you have a good handle on that, you will be in front of many are already working in the industry. Which is posted, Illustrator is far as intuative as Photoshop for most users (this is why many do not like or understand.) It is sometimes easier to start learning Photoshop, and then slowly move to Illustrator. Things like the pen tool are quite similar on all Adobe applications. So if get used you to the tool pen in Photoshop, you will have a beginning of a grip on what makes pen tool in Illustrator. Although the Pen is much more powerful in Illustrator.

If option start with Photoshop, Elements would be an inexpensive start. Much can be done with Photoshop Elements, but there are some limitations when comparied to Photoshop itself. I can't detail because, well, I don't have ued elements in many versions. But the general procese is the same whether elements or full blown Photoshop.

Tags: Illustrator

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