Design Studio Conceptualization - Topic 1: Power Tools

Task -- Preparation requirements. Students to organize access to the following resources:
Digital resources - computer/ internet/ software/ printing/ digital camera
Analogue resources - personal work-space/ materials/ graphic toolbox
Documentation - presentation/ storage/ collation systems/ workbook - folio 


As a Graphic Design and Arts student, it's important to have some essential set of tools to generate, communicate, and implement ideas in order to execute and complete any given design project. Therefore, to increase effectiveness and productivity as a Graphic Arts Designer, having the right tools is required.

My first task was to organize access to the following resources:


Digital Resources

Computer
A computer is the most essential of all tools for a graphic designer as it is used in virtually every step of the design process from concept making to production and in a range of media design including print, video, and web. 

After carrying out a research on the internet for the best computer for graphic design, I found out that any modern PC's with the following features, a 64-bit Windows 7 or 8, 8 GB RAM and an i5 or i7 processor would be fine for graphic design work. I opted for Lenovo Laptop (Ideapad) Y510P. 

(Figure 1. Source http://shopap.lenovo.com/my/en/laptops/lenovo/y-series/y510p/)

In my experience using this laptop in my graphic design work has been amazingly efficient and effective.


Internet

The advent of the internet is considered one of the greatest invention of the 20th century. The internet as a resource for Graphic Designer serves as an important tool for Graphic Designers in delivery and sharing design ideas, design works and enabling open source interaction between other graphic designers across the world.

In my experience, I recommend a fast broad band internet connection as a useful tool a graphic designer should have. I opted for a YES 4G unlimited Fiz Package. This YES Unlimited Fiz package cost RM 79 per month offering up to 1Mbps downloading speed. Furthermore with unlimited quota for internet browsing. 

(Figure 2. Source http://eaicomm.com/blog/yes-unlimited-fiz/)

Software 
Another important tool for a Graphic Designer are Design Software. The rise of digital technology has made it easy for creating design with software applications. Today, we have numerous design software available in the software market.

(Figure 3. Source http://www.computershopper.com/software/product-profile/adobe-creative-suite-4-design-standard)

In my experience, I recommend Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign for a Graphic Designer. I use Creative Suite 4 Design Standard and can upgrade when necessary. The features in Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Standard has taken my creativity further, giving me more ways to create designs.

Printing 
Graphic designers often need to print designs to share with clients and peers. It is important to know the ways inks, printing, and production process can enhance graphic design. There are a wide number of inkjet printers that can accomplish the task. However, a select few are truly best for graphic designers.

(Figure 4. Source http://www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/articles/best-inkjet-printer-for-graphic-design.html)

Generally, good inkjet printers for graphic design ideally should:

• Be able to print 13x19 and smaller
• Accept light, heavy, and double-sided papers easily
• Have individual ink tanks (4 to 8 colors)
• Be affordable to purchase and operate
• Ideally use dye inks

In my experience, I have used outside printing resource to accomplish my printing task as I have not purchased a personal printer (but, I hope to purchase an affordable one.) 


Digital Camera
A good digital camera is essential for a graphic designer. For the purpose of documenting ideas and gathering images for use as textures/backgrounds and etc. It's great to have a good quality DSLR at your disposal. 

A good starter choice would be the Canon EOS 1100D – which at only £279 including a 18-55mm lens won't break the bank but will deliver 12.2MP images.

(Figure 5. Source http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/tools-every-graphic-designer-should-have-6133208)

Analogue Resources

Personal Work-space
Over the years we have learned that carefully organizing your work space can improve productivity (Resnick and Zanotti, 1998). More than just improving productivity, when you personalize your work space, studies have shown you enjoy work more, you work harder, and you have a greater sense of “organizational well-being” (Wells, 2000).

For a Graphic Designer, a work-space is important and has a serious impact on design productivity. To sum it up, having a orderly work-space can only improve productivity. Graphic Designers must ensure their work-space allows for good organization (like enough space for shelves or a filing cabinet with room for all equipment).

(Figure 6. Vertical Studio B)

In my experience, due to my situation as a Graphic Design and Arts student, I make use of a work-space setup by my school's Graphic Design department. And after school hours, I make use of a small work-space I setup at my hostel.

(Figure 7. Hostel Work-space)

Designer Tool Box

A tool box is important and an essential for graphic designers. A tool box contains materials that are used in creating designs without the use of digital resources.

(Figure 8. My Tools Box)

(Figure 9. Inside view of my "Tools Box")

Some of the basic materials to be found in a tool box are:

Scissors, Pen knife (with extra blade), PVA Glue, Cow Gum, Coloured Pencils / Leds, Rulers, Arrays of Pencil shades, Poster colours, Measuring Tape and any other tools that a designer is likely to use in a design work.


Documentation

Sketch Pad/ Note Pad
It is important to all graphic designers in this world to have as a tool -- a good old fashioned pen and paper to brainstorm ideas and concepts. 


For Graphic Designers, it is essential to keep one note pad / Sketch pad at reach for sketches, jotting down ideas and referring back to it when necessary. In my experience, as a Graphic Design and Arts student, I was advised to have a sketch pad for each of my course module.

(Figure 10. My Sketch Pad)

(Figure 11. Inside view of my "Sketch Pad") 

References

Work Design Magazine. 2011. Designing Your Work Space for Productivity. [online]. Available from: http://workdesign.com/2011/09/designing-your-work-space-for-productivity/ [Accessed 14 October 2014].
Red River Paper. 2014. Best Inkjet Printer for Graphic Designers. [online]. Available from: http://www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/articles/best-inkjet-printer-for-graphic-design.html [Accessed 14 October 2014].
Graphic Design Blender. 2014. 10 tips for creating the ideal freelance design workspace. [online]. Available from: http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/ten-tips-to-creating-the-ideal-freelance-workspace [Accessed 14 October 2014].
Graphic design | Creative Bloq. 2013. Tools Every Graphic Designer Should Have. [online]. Available from: http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/tools-every-graphic-designer-should-have-6133208 [Accessed 14 October 2014].