Hardware For Logo Designers
New to the graphic design industry? The multitude of hardware and software options can be overwhelming. Understanding the necessity and optimal brands is essential.
Luckily, you don’t need extensive hardware. Just ensure you invest wisely in the right hardware and brands before diving in. We’ve curated a list to help Professional logo designers kickstart their journey with the essential hardware.
What to Buy, Key Considerations, and Top Brands
1. Computer
Logo designers require a computer for communication, file uploading, and work. Choosing a computer can be challenging, especially if not tech-savvy. The main choice is between a Mac or PC, as both are essential for communication, file uploading, and actual work.
Graphic designers are increasingly considering PC options over Apple products, as they offer more flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Both Macs and PCs have their pros and cons, but both have their pros and cons.
When choosing a computer, consider whether to use a laptop or desktop. A portable laptop offers freedom for work on the go, while a desktop is often more powerful. Both options are good choices, and the decision is a personal choice.
2. Graphic Tablets
A graphics tablet is essential for graphic designers, serving as a sketchbook and connecting art to the computer. There are various options available for graphic tablets, making them a crucial tool for completing their work.
Wacom is the top choice for logo designers, offering a wide range of graphics tablets from $50 to $1,500.
Choosing the right tablet can be overwhelming, but it’s recommended to start with a decent one for beginners, as upgrading later can be beneficial. Investing in a decent tablet can help you stay focused on your career path.
3. A Reliable Hard Drive
To ensure the success of your logo design project, it’s crucial to have a reliable hard drive, as it’s where all your work is stored, and many graphic designers waste money on unreliable drives.
Or they wind up spending half their paycheck on monthly storage in the cloud instead of just spending one initial big buy and getting a hard drive. When going to buy a hard drive, it’s tempting to buy the first one that you see.
However, this can be dangerous, since although hard drives appear to all be the same, they aren’t. It’s important that before you decide on the one you’ve looked into the brand and know what you’re getting into.
4. Monitor Calibrator
A monitor calibrator is an essential graphic design tool that ensures the quality of your photos or videos. It helps prevent color warping, which can be difficult to spot with the naked eye and difficult to adjust after the fact.
This is especially important when using a quality camera and lens, as no calibration can compensate for poor-quality tools. A monitor calibrator ensures that your images are as beautiful after editing as they were when taken.
5. Procreate
Procreate, a iPad-only tool, is set to replace Photoshop as the go-to graphic design tool. It offers over 200 brushes, including charcoal, ink, paints, and pencils, and allows users to create intricate paintings, sketches, and animations.
Procreate’s ability to create works with layers and texture makes it a valuable tool for graphic design.
6. Ergonomic Furniture
Designers often spend long hours at their workstations, which can lead to health problems. To avoid these issues, ergonomic furniture is essential. Desks and chairs should be considered part of your graphic design toolkit, as they are crucial for creativity and productivity. A comfortable chair is one of the best tools for graphic design, as it is equally important for comfort.
7. Walking/Standing Desk
Designing a workstation should consider the human body’s natural inclination to sit, as prolonged sitting can lead to health issues like weight gain and back pain. Adding a standing desk or treadmill desk can improve health and productivity, while also promoting 10K steps daily without missing work.
8. Headphones
Headphones are essential tools for graphic designers, as they not only design visuals but also coordinate audio experiences in their projects. They are crucial for installation and video projects, and can even be used to create moods by listening to music.
9. Digital Camera
A sturdy digital camera is essential for graphic design equipment, as it captures crisp, beautiful photos and videos. While smartphones can be a substitute, a high-quality digital camera is superior for large projects and special events.
10. Cloud Storage
Cloud storage offers a solution to the limitations of physical computer memory and external hard drives, allowing access to files from any device, anywhere in the world.
This allows for easy retrieval of work in case of disasters like fire or theft. Microsoft and Google offer cloud storage as standard packages, but other options are available for users to choose from.
Conclusion
All things considered, graphic designers depend on reliable gear to finish their work, therefore it’s critical that they understand not only what they need to purchase, but also which companies to choose.
These three pieces of hardware are where you should start and put your money, even if you could require additional pieces depending on what you’re doing. Any graphic designer worth their salt will tell you that these hardware items are essential to design and well worth the investment.