[Fade]

What do people reckon is the best program to use for different things?

Like...

Web Layout - Photoshop...?
Logos - Illustrator....?
Posters - ?
Print - ?

etc. etc.

I ask because I've only really ever done Web and a bit of logo design, but want to branch out more, so what do people think?

[JMCDesigner]

web layout-photoshop/after effects/fireworks
Logos - Illustrator
Posters - Illustrator
Print - InDesign/Quark/Illustrator

I sometimes use photoshop to do posters, but only because I'm more familiar with the prog. Should probably use Illustrator tho, for clarity of text

I think that covers it?

[Helen]

I use illustrator for practically everything, transferring into photoshop if needed

[Pixels Ink]

I'm pretty much the same as yourself Helen and I've not hit any brick walls so far.

[dogsbody]

Horses for courses. I use Quark, ID, Il, PS depending on what I need to achieve.

[LovesPrint]

Originally Posted by Fade

What do people reckon is the best program to use for different things?

Like...

Web Layout - Photoshop...?
Logos - Illustrator....?
Posters - ?
Print - ?

etc. etc.

I ask because I've only really ever done Web and a bit of logo design, but want to branch out more, so what do people think?

Can't speak for web
Logos - illustrator
Posters - illustrator or InDesign (maybe photoshop if there are images involved and they require touching up)
Print - InDesign or Quark generally. Some single page stuff can be done in illustrator, multipage (brochures etc) should always be done using a page layout programme like InDesign or Quark.
Photoshop for pics.

[iguana_02]

web layout: Illustrator, Photoshop, Notepad

Logos: llustrator

Posters: Illustrator

Print: Illustrator, Indesign

But Illustrator is the base for everything...;)

[NeedForBleed]

Illy, Quark and Indy for print.

All else in photoshop and illustrator, sometimes fireworks for those animated gifs for web.

Microsoft publisher for creating fridge posters for my nan.

[jamjar]

Yeah, I'd agree with the general consensus. I came to the party as a web designer and software developer so very much in the same vain as you Fade.

My business partner, Emma is the graphic design genius and she swears by Illustrator for almost everything. We do use InDesign a lot for document origination - a lot of designers will still use Illustrator (and Emma did for quite a few years) but this can really affect your workflow, InDesign is very, very powerful - my advice, don't overlook it.

Another really important consideration is that some clients may need adaptation to existing documents or ask you to work with specific software - this is a pain if you aren't up to speed with other programs. Don't get me started with Quark, for example, it is so lightweight compared with InDesign but you will probably need to invest in a copy at some point otherwise you will miss out on revenue.

Tom

[JohnRoss]

Originally Posted by jamjar

...Quark, for example, it is so lightweight compared with InDesign but you will probably need to invest in a copy at some point otherwise you will miss out on revenue.

Dunno what you are using them for, but I don't really get that 'lightweight.' Quark is still the application of choice for editorial design. If you only have to do brochures or business cards (I know you don't have to do business cards, I've looked at your website - and I'm pretty damn impressed - but if you did), InDesign would probably be more suitable.