Gaia Community

Hello Everybody

amberglo [no longer around] said Jun 22, 2008, 2:11 PM:

Hi my name is Amber, and I am into art. I am into fine arts, and classical voice. Voice has always been my first love, but fine arts is what I have studied the most. What is everyone into here? What do you like about your art?

Show Replies

Re: Hello Everybody

Sol said Jun 23, 2008, 12:31 PM:

Good questions! Perhaps others will feel inclined to respond. I myself am into writing, first, and painting, second. I love all types of art, but these are the two I actively engage in on a regular basis.

Re: Hello Everybody

Fedora said Jun 24, 2008, 2:24 PM:

I'm mostly into graphic design and desktop publishing. While I may not be very good at “creating” art, I am pretty good at organizing it so it looks pretty.

Re: Hello Everybody

amberglo [no longer around] said Jun 24, 2008, 6:35 PM:

I have always been interested in graphic design. Can you recommend any kind of beginner software to get me started?

Re: Hello Everybody

Fedora said Jun 24, 2008, 7:56 PM:

Everyone will tell you Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign), but you can do just as well for much less. I absolutely love Serif's products:

http://www.serif.com/store/index.asp

They are inexpensive, functional very easy to use. I've worked in desktop publishing programs for more years than I care to admit and I've found these products to be fantastic. They are also compatable with all the Adobe formats.

If you like to draw or design logos, start with DrawPlus (can use EPS files). As a side note DrawPlus can handle Flash animations. Which frigging rocks - that right there will save you hundreds. If you like to make art of photos/scans go with PhotoPlus (perfectly compatable with Photoshop Plugins and Photoshop). If you want to desktop publish and create zines/documents then PagePlus (I use it for my ezine).

Web Design is a whole different animal. There are enough freebie WYSIWYG editors out there you really don't need to fork over cash on a premium webpage designer and I've found that they muck up with the code so much it's better not to use it. Web Design is best if you can just code it by hand.

If you are using a Mac, you are stuck with Adobe I'm afraid. But the good news is Adobe and Mac get along like peas and carrots. To.. eh, borrow an expression.

Re: Hello Everybody

sandra said Jun 25, 2008, 4:24 PM:

great info for the future, thanks F!

i'm going to art school next year for communication design, which is basically graphic design…but i also love to draw and paint.

i used to play the violin, but it's hard to find the time and place to practice without annoying others in my house!

art transcends medium, so i also love to watch film/tv, live performances whenever i can, and read.

Re: Hello Everybody

amberglo [no longer around] said Jun 25, 2008, 6:37 PM:

Sandra, that's really cool that you are going to school for communication design. I know you said it is like graphic design. Are there any differences?

Re: Hello Everybody

sandra said Jun 26, 2008, 3:32 PM:

i'm not 100% sure, but i think the main difference between graphic design and the communication design program is that the latter is a more comprehensive; that is, in addition to traditional 2D media such as print or graphics, it also studies 3D and new media (audio-visual, web).

i think…i think there are much better definitions…anyone?