Best design programs?

[Wahoo Redux]

Okay Hivemind,

Does anybody have any suggestions about a good application for graphic design, specifically for working with words and images combined, essentially designing a book with graphics and text?

The is a bewildering array of products out there.  Cheaper is better but not crappy-cheap.

Thanks in advance, WR

[polly_mer]

Hire an editor or service to typeset your stuff nicely.

[Parasaurolophus]

InDesign. The basics are relatively intuitive, and YouTube can teach you the rest. But it's probably easier and possibly cheaper to just farm it out.

[spork]

Okay Hivemind,

Does anybody have any suggestions about a good application for graphic design, specifically for working with words and images combined, essentially designing a book with graphics and text?

The is a bewildering array of products out there.  Cheaper is better but not crappy-cheap.

Thanks in advance, WR

You're probably going to be looking at something like Adobe InDesign, which is only a few hundred dollars but will take you months to learn how to use. Graphic design is best left to professionals. If, for example, you've got a manuscript you want to self-publish, you probably want to hire someone. You might be able to find an undergraduate graphic design major who could do a basic job on the cheap, but it would require a lot of guidance from you as the client.

[Wahoo Redux]

Thanks all.  I appreciate the suggestions.

I'm looking to stretch my little artistic wings, do a bit more than simply write, play with image and words (been reading and teaching about surrealism).

[jimbogumbo]

Thanks all.  I appreciate the suggestions.

I'm looking to stretch my little artistic wings, do a bit more than simply write, play with image and words (been reading and teaching about surrealism).

Spouse is a graphic artist. I'd say InDesign, but given what I've witnessed I'd strongly urge at least one class. It's really easy to be bad with it, and some formal instruction really helps.

[Wahoo Redux]

Thanks all.  I appreciate the suggestions.

I'm looking to stretch my little artistic wings, do a bit more than simply write, play with image and words (been reading and teaching about surrealism).

Spouse is a graphic artist. I'd say InDesign, but given what I've witnessed I'd strongly urge at least one class. It's really easy to be bad with it, and some formal instruction really helps.

Hmmmm...that is a very interesting perspective.  Thank you.

[Vkw10]

Check on whether your university offers free or discounted. Mine does as part of Adobe Creative Cloud.

Consider studying a good book about design,too. Non-designer's Design Book and White Space Is Not Your Enemy are two good options. You can find software tutorials online easily, but design principles are more difficult to find.

[Wahoo Redux]

Check on whether your university offers free or discounted. Mine does as part of Adobe Creative Cloud.

Consider studying a good book about design,too. Non-designer's Design Book and White Space Is Not Your Enemy are two good options. You can find software tutorials online easily, but design principles are more difficult to find.

Great.  Thank you.

[mamselle]

Yes, get some visual graphics training. Or maybe see if you can find someone who agrees to work with you in tandem as a hands-on consultant.

Learn about layout, color gradations, eye movement, balance, perspective, color theory, metaphoric and iconic imagery, and the DNA of type fonts.

Stuff done by people who can manipulate the software but have no 'eye,' whether innate, trained, or (best) both, drives me nuts.

And people can spot it a mile away, whether they know exactly what's wrong, or not.

There's a reason the graphic design programs in college take four years, you know...

M.

[Wahoo Redux]

Yes, get some visual graphics training. Or maybe see if you can find someone who agrees to work with you in tandem as a hands-on consultant.

Learn about layout, color gradations, eye movement, balance, perspective, color theory, metaphoric and iconic imagery, and the DNA of type fonts.

Stuff done by people who can manipulate the software but have no 'eye,' whether innate, trained, or (best) both, drives me nuts.

And people can spot it a mile away, whether they know exactly what's wrong, or not.

There's a reason the graphic design programs in college take four years, you know...

M.

Excellent points.