Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Design and Content : Graphic artist or graphics program?

[gamemaster]

Which is more important?

Which is more important? The graphics program or the graphic artist using any program? I always hear everyone discussing which program is better, but isn't it more about how talented the person is rather than what program they use? What do you think?

[Xymbiant]

Personally, I think that the graphics artist is more important than the software. The artist would be quite knowledgable on the graphics program. Without the artist, there wouldn't be any good graphics out there. Then again, without the graphics programs, there wouldn't be any good graphics made...

[BowlingShoe]

The artist is more important - they choose whatever program and learn the ins and outs, and ways to accomplish things without all the tools other programs might offer.

[NE-Andy]

Originally posted by BowlingShoe
The artist is more important - they choose whatever program and learn the ins and outs, and ways to accomplish things without all the tools other programs might offer.

I agree, but this does not goes to say that a professional graphics guy can achieve the same quality of work on MS Paint...

[etogre]

It's definately the tool.

Uncreative color-blind people like me can create some extraordinary things.

[AdidasROXX]

hmm..depending on the type of graphics I guess. for like desktop publishing, I would say artist, cuz that relies on knowledge/education. but where as web graphics..ermm, like crystalization or those sort of things, those can be learnt through tutorials by anybody. so that would be the software.

[VRonline]

Everything depends on the person, the tools and assistance is just some extra help.

Of course most of the top designers use the best programs, but that is because they are already so advanced that anything less would be a downside to them. But I guarantee you, that hardly anyone would know Adobe Photoshop, completely.

[Firefuze]

Depends what kind of graphics your talking about, if your talking about like a graphics artist who makes digital paintings, posters, etc. Then its the person... well actually it'll be the person for everything, it takes creativity and talent to be successful as a graphics artist/designer there are many of them out there and most of them work for really cheap, while there are others making over 10k per project. It's definatly not the program, because the program can't do anything by itself. Sure you can follow tutorials and learn how to do stuff, but learning how to make that stuff good is where creativity and talent comes in.

[rrdega]

When you look at the Mona Lisa, do you attribute Leonardo DaVinci, or the brushes and paints he used?

Its the Artist, all the way...

[anon-e-mouse]

Speaking as a graphics dabbler, I never had an artistic bone in my body, but with the help of tutorials and software I was able to turn out some rather impressive stuff (to me ), but certainly nowhere near the scale of the real artists that I am seeing of late.

I think you need to be an artist to fully utilise the software available these days. Either that or spend hours a day dabbling I haven't had time to make any progress in the graphics area for well over a year

[maxoc]

Ya its true..you have to have some kind of skill at art to make "good stuff". I mean yea, you could hit a couple of layer styles in photoshop and do a filter, but where does that get you...

[TheOtherOne]

Artist as the program only does what the artist tells it to.

Or you could argue that they are both important in thir own right.

[beatz]

Combo of both.

The designer plus the software he knows how to handle and that fits best for him.

Plus something that is difficult to learn: Taste.

[Fsiano]

I must agree with many. It takes Training and understanding to design actual concepts and create successful graphics that work. whether it be printed or web. Although for background designing and stuff like that, the tool does the work, you just have add a little creativity to make it happen. Overall, if you want something done right, hire an actual graphic designer, if you want to play and surprise yourself, get a tool and play away.
good luck
frank

[Shrill]

It's really a mixture of both. Artist and software working together.

It takes time, patience and skill to learn the software and understand it's potential, it's limits and what tools are available to you.

You can then begin the creative process of using your skills and imagination to create and conceptualize your ideas into designs and images.

I've seen some people do amazing things with just MS Paint (pixel-art wise, but also larger works), and I've seen some people who have all the software in the world (Maya, 3DS Max, Bryce, PS 7 etc...) and just don't have a clue what looks right