Whats your level of expertise with gfx?

Are you a beginner, intermediate, or expert user when it comes to creating graphics? I'm interested in knowing your abilities.

 

I tend to know what im doing with photoshop, would love to improve with illustrator

 

no clue what im doing tbh everything is a mystery to me

 

I'd say between intermediate and expert.

 

Novice.

 

I know the basics with photoshop and video editing but prefer not to do it myself

 

Prenovice. All I can do is use paint and add text to already set images. I've never even been on photoshop or anything else

 

I'm not sure, I'd say I'm Novice. But I do know the basics of Photoshop or relative. And have done some gfx before, but nothing amazing..

 

Intermediate for sure. I still have lots to learn.

 

Novice, I guess. I've been only able to produce decent/sub-par signatures.

 

I consider myself a novice. I have little to no formal training, I only go off what I feel is aesthetically pleasing to me

 

I'm a nooby still have lots to learn but with time I can throw something great looking together

 

Id say I'm Intermediate, but definitely not expert. Ive been doing graphics for 3 years now, and I still have a LOT to learn. There is so much you can do with Graphics Design.

 

meh, i think i'm a beginner only because i just do simple things

 

Intrested to see people whos graphics I look up to and who have been in graphics design for a look time label themselves as "intermediate"

 

None, but I've always wanted to try and get started. Anyone recommend a good program that's easy to learn just for the basics at least?

 

You can get ps for free but we are not allowed to talk about stuff like that on sythe.

Anyways GIMP would be a good program go check out dun.


It's more user friendly than P'S imo

 

I wouldn't get used to GIMP as it can be hard to switch to Photoshop after. But you might be asking yourself.. why switch to photoshop? Because GIMP is very limited. I would start with Photoshop right off the bat. There is so much more things you can do + it's not that hard, Just follow some tutorials on youtube & youll be okay. As for getting Photoshop, there is a free full version by Adobe. You don't have to do the "not allowed to talk - stuff". Photoshop CS2 is a completely free software on Adobe's website & it is very similar to the newest version of Photoshop. I used Photoshop CS2 for a year before installing the new version, it's not bad at all. Yes, it might seem like it is a old version.. but all you need is in there. Later, when you'll switch to a new version, youll see that everything is the same. Theres just a bit more things you can do. I would say that Photoshop CS2 is definitely better than GIMP.

Hope I helped

 

This. Number one problem I've witnessed with those starting out in graphic design while I was at school (taking these graphic design classes as electives and hobby-seeking) is that people treat art programs as stepping stones. They spend months learning a program, only to abandon it for whatever program they deem is "the next step up". The problem with this is it's majorly wasted time, you're spending time learning a program only to switch to a new program with new functions, layouts, shortcuts, and capabilities. Now you have to start from square one and completely relearn this new environment.

The thing about this too is that even GIMP and MS Paint can be used for incredible pieces of art.
This was made in MS Paint

And this in GIMP

It's not because GIMP, Paint, or Photoshop are any better than the other, it's because the artist took the time to master the program they're using, a program which they feel most comfortable with, NOT because it's the most popular.




Side note: it's not to say that Photoshop isn't the most powerful of the three programs I mentioned, there's a reason why it's the most widely used. It's just as thers said, don't start with one program with the intention of switching to another. Certainly make the switch if you find you aren't comfortable with GIMP, but if you're already planning on switching, then just start with the program you INTEND to use.

 

If all you need is a small subset of Photoshop features, and want to learn the basics of graphic designing, GIMP is a good option. But most Gimp users tend to transition to Photoshop due to better functionality, and end up having troubles familiarizing themselves with the software.

GIMP is a decent alternative to Photoshop, but it's definitely not a substitute for it. If you think you'll keep graphic designing in the long run, I'd suggest Photoshop.