Photoshop, Illustrator or Indesign?
October 14, 2010 | Published by Chris Takakura |
Today I would like to cover a lot of misconceptions but most importantly the best practical approach on using “three” basic design software created by Adobe. This article/tutorial covers mostly the three practical softwares to use for art and design, which are, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign. As more and more features get added from version upgrades and update patches, it is important as a designer to understand which software is the best solution to reach the optimal results in your freelance projects or your personal projects.
Adobe Photoshop
There are a lot of tutorials on Adobe Photoshop. As a matter of fact, there are so many tutorials that focuses on Photoshop that many people contact me or comment on this site stating that there are not enough tutorials on Illustrator or Indesign. (One factual tidbit: My Illustrator tutorial section is the most popular page in the tutorials section according to Google Analytics. To be even more honest, it is the most popular page in the whole domain.) It is a good thing that there are a lot of tutorials on Photoshop, but there are some negative side effects within widely vast available information. These tutorials help you become an expert on this software, and to my honesty, that is how I learned most majority of the techniques with Photoshop. The problem: The vast information network on Photoshop tutorials also causes people to become “too comfortable” with Photoshop and tend to “try” to do everything with Photoshop alone.
What is Photoshop?
The most important thing to know about Photoshop is that it is a pixel based program. Photoshop was primarily created in the beginning as a photograph enhancing tool and not so much anything else like it is used today. Adobe has recognized that many users were starting to use Photoshop to create elaborate UI designs, web page graphics, banner ADs, text effects and more. Adobe then started rolling out features that help designers create images for print, web, motion graphics and so on. However, again, the problem is that there are certain times when Photoshop is not needed (gasp!) to create certain projects.
Photoshop is generally used for:
Common mistakes/misconceptions
One common misconception is the idea that it is good to use Photoshop to create stationary systems and logo’s. For the sake of yourself, please take this idea outside the window. Let’s talk about business cards as an example. There is an alarming number of tutorials online that shows you how to create business cards in Photoshop. These are what I call “bad tutorials” that teaches you the wrong way of creating a business card. Despite the result and outcome of these tutorials being amazing, or perhaps you can even get it printed and it will look fine, it is a bad practice to get into an habit. Just because the result looks fine don’t mean the practice is the best way.
First off Illustrator type is by far superior in print output than Photoshop is. Yes Photoshop can output type, and even in vector “paths”. Yes Photoshop can bring in vector objects as “smart objects”. Yes Photoshop can draw paths using the pen tool. But the most important thing out of all this is that IN THE END, it is outputted as pixel data. Yes I am aware that it also depends on the file output. For instance, .TIFF does not output vector data but does output layer information and transparency. But .EPS does support vector output, yet it still doesn’t mean this is the best practice to do so. So should you never use Photoshop to create business cards? There are times you actually want to use Photoshop to create business cards.
When it is justified to use Photoshop for business cards and other print projects
If your business cards contain any textures, photography, special effects, blurs (not that I am encouraging this), or any type of pixel based design, Photoshop is obviously the best way to go. However, remember to output ANY pixel based art work in 300 ppi resolution with CMYK color mode. Do not output it RGB. If you have Photoshop filters in your artwork, changing your work to CMYK mode, or even applying certain filters in CMYK mode seem to look desaturated or not look too good.
The work around to this: Create all your special effects, filter effects, etc in RGB mode. Flatten the work (merge layers) after you feel that your work in Photoshop is complete, and change the color mode to CMYK. Again, you will regret not switching color modes to CMYK after you send it off to the printer. Your result will look significantly different than you hoped for.
When you should never use Photoshop for print projects
For the love of all things that you love, do not use Photoshop to set type in your print projects. It is important to note that I am not saying you should never use the type tool in Photoshop. I am stating that it is not a good idea to use it in print projects.
Never use Photoshop to create logo’s. The obvious reason is because pixel data cannot be enlarged without distortion. If you create the logo in vector format, your logo will be scalable to any size forever.
Adobe Illustrator
What is Adobe Illustrator
Well as the program states, Adobe Illustrator is a vector based drawing program. It is primarily used to create vector graphics that require to be scalable in print and for future uses. Adobe Illustrator is very similar to drawing programs like Adobe Fireworks (Macromedia Fireworks in the early 2000′s), and Corel Draw. It is superior in creating logo’s and logotype, and has an awesome type setting system within the program. Adobe Illustrator does one thing Photoshop can never meet up to its standard, and that is vector output. Whatever you create in Illustrator is scalable to the infinite power.
Illustrator is generally used for:
Common mistakes/misconceptions
Although Illustrator can be used to create websites in the fullest degree, Photoshop is still ideally the best program in creating UI designs and other graphical elements for your website. Of course it will not be as harmful as creating business cards in Photoshop, but you will quickly find that the snapping feature in Photoshop is much precise in terms of pixels than Illustrator is.
Illustrator cannot do animation. If you are looking to do flash animation, Illustrator will not do this for you. The best practice is to create graphics in Illustrator and bring them into Flash for the principle animation.
Illustrator filters do not work the same way as Photoshop filters. You will be surprised in how many people think the filters work the same way as Photoshop. This is false.
The prime time to use Illustrator
As stated above, Illustrator is excellent for logo design, trademark design, logotype, type setting stationary systems, and creating greeting cards or wedding invitations.
After the release of Illustrator CS4, it is now possible to create simple to complex brochures, annual reports, and even books in Illustrator CS4 and up. The only draw back to this is that it does not have master page utility in Illustrator like Indesign. It also does not support book templates and page numbers like Indesign. Although Illustrator CS4 and up has support for multiple artboards to create “pages”, it is simply there to create short page brochures, or when you want to output multiple PDF pages of your design variations to show your clients.
Illustrator also has cross platform compatibility with Aftereffects. Importing .EPS files that contain text drawn in Illustrator is essentially better than importing .TIFF files that contain text drawn in Photoshop. Aftereffects support vector data to a certain degree during production (continuous rasterize).
Adobe Indesign
There isn’t much confusion making when it comes to Adobe Indesign. Since Adobe Indesign itself is pretty specific in terms of what it can do and what it doesn’t do, while Photoshop and Indesign both share similar tools, interface, and abilities to create web graphics to in almost identical level.
Indesign is generally used for:
Common mistakes/misconceptions
Although it is possible to “draw” objects in Indesign, it is not superior to drawing as it is with Illustrator. You should not draw elements in Indesign, but instead, use programs such as Illustrator or Photoshop to draw out the elements and import them into Indesign. Indesign also does not have filters like Photoshop. Creating a logo in Indesign is next to impossible.
Although there isn’t much misconception with Indesign, there is much wide spread debate about Illustrator having better layout support than Indesign. Indesign however has better layout support, if not, identical to Illustrator.
When to use Indesign
If your project consist of a print project that has multiple pages or a master layout, Indesign has the master page function to do this. Indesign also has excellent support for 3 column layouts and so on. Creating type wrap in Indesign is much straightforward than Illustrator.
Illustrator vs. Indesign
Illustrator vs. Photoshop
Indesign vs. Photoshop
I hope this article was helpful to you. If you have some insight please let me know by commenting below. If you feel like I was wrong or I should add something to this article, please mention it in the comment section. Happy designing!
Posted in designers resource, tutorials
Hi
Which application is the best to design a logo with Photoshop,illustrator or fireworks?
Thanks so much for this easy comparison. Many years ago I was taught Photoshop to use for a small component of my job for the company I was with at the time. Fast forward NOW and I have started my own wedding invitation business and am STILL using Photoshop for many of the reasons you stated above. I know I need to switch to Illustrator. I’ve played with it here and there but honestly it is SO different to Photoshop I don’t even know where to begin. But I think I’ll start now by going through your tutorials! Thanks again. Great information.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mychal Sargent, Mychal Sargent. Mychal Sargent said: Great article for design junkies!http://www.dreaminfinity.com/nocturne/2010/10/photoshop-illustrator-or-indesign/#more-3058 [...]
Indesign has gotten so good in the vector department I actually prefer to use it a lot of times instead of Illustrator when I’m editing vector graphics. At some point they should just bundle all of IA features with Indesign and get rid of Illustrator all together.
Couldnt agree more with that, very attractive article
Hi, great article thank you.
Very informative, good article
Great article..thanks for the information
[...] Great article validating my points and going much more in depth: DreamInfinity.com [...]
Loved this article, exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you very much.
Thanks a bunch, this was soooooo helpful
Perfect! A thorough and accessible answer with precisely the information I needed to answer my questions. Thanks much!
Thanks for clearing that all up with so many comparisons and examples!
a very informative article, thx alot for the info.
i am working of a children book, with lots of drawings, and less text, i used photoshop to color the pages and place the items, then at print it was all low quality, should i use ilustrator or indesign?
thx for helping out.
@Sindy:
Hey Sindy,
I sent you an e-mail regarding your issue. Let me know if you got it :)
Thank you for the clarity of this article. I provide basic design for print and online, and I’ve been confused about when it is best to use each program; I’ve talked to friends and colleagues but I’ve found that they don’t actually know either. Usually they recommend their “favorite” program, assuring me that it’s the best.
[...] Well, the programs are pretty similar, in appearance and functions. I am fluent in both and go back-and-forth on which is my fav. I’m a list-maker, the easiest way for me to make a hard life decision (and yes this is a hard life decision) is to write out a list of pro’s and con’s (and yes I actually do this). So let’s make a list..and feel free to comment and add more if I missed one or you think I’m crazy and everything on my list is nonsense… which ehh sometimes happens.. also, here is a link to another blog that does a great job of explaining the benefits of each Dream Infinity Studios. [...]
Very Informative. Good article. Thank You So Much!…
Very understandable — well written.
If your life depended upon, for general use, what would be the best of the three — particularly how it relates to website creation and development?
Much thanks and keep up the good work….
@Charles Amann: For web design, I generally stick with Photoshop since the pixel controls in Photoshop is far better than any other Adobe program.
i might have a similar problem as sindy. i’m writing my MSc-thesis right now and i can handle ai and indd the way it serves my purposes.
for this work i have to do a sh*tload of infographics. i’m quite unsure if i should do them all in illustrator and import them or use the tools in indd.
how do you guys handle this?
Thanks,i found your article on the first page of Google and went no farther! i usually do small bi or tri fold brochure in illustrator but most of my peers believe inDesign would have been better? i say as long as its not a numbered project i really have no need for inDesign no matter how much i love it!!
@Adina:
Adina I agree! I like Illustrator better as long as I’m not doing nore than 3 pages!
IMHO Indesign is where you bring your rasterized work (photoshop) and bring your vector work (Illustrator) bring everything together in one happy print friendly place.
*to all you Graphic Designers laying out BC in Illustrator 4up on an 8.5X11 sheet.
Talk to your printer (litho or digital) how they REALLY want your files…
Bonus pet peeve: People that actually create a 12X18 sheet in InDesign and have 24(3X8 w bleed) instances of the same business card
Wow. And here I thought that Photoshop was the only tool you need for anything design. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’m currently looking into purchasing a program for designing my brochures. I’ve gotten by all this time without using any Adobe products. Fortunately, I’ve realized, I can’t dodge them anymore. Thank you for this post, as I now know I should be looking into Indesign for my current needs. I be sure to share this!
Two words! LIFE SAVER
Thank you
Very understandable explanation. I like the way you describe them short and to the point, thanks~! :)
@leev: Thank you for visiting! :)
hi – i need a software program to design pages to send as a pdf doc to create our own in-house one page ads text and photos we upload for custom magazines – i think indesign seems the way to go from this article? if i needed to choose just one – which would you suggest from illustator photoshop or indesign? im willing to learn any of the three and have enough experience with photoshop and dreamweaver that i feel comfortable with any –
again – just single pages, color, custom text and photos of homes and profile images of realtors etc.
@lori: I would use indesign for sure for the scope of the project that you are talking about. :)
@Chris Takakura: thank you!
Thank you for the comparison. I use Photoshop for most things but occasionally am asked to do business cards, brochures and the like. I do not like MS Word for so many things (except writing a letter) I used Photoshop instead but want to learn how to use Illustrator for business cards etc. I have Photoshop CS5. I don’t know whether to buy Illustrator now or if I can bundle it later with an upgrade. Also, I can not draw. Would I still find Illustrator useful to me?.
It’s a good thing I passed by this article because I needed several things cleared for me. I understood what Photoshop and Illustrator are mainly for, however I was confused about what InDesign is used for. Opening the program, I realized it looked very similar to Illustrator and almost worked the same way.
When I was a younger, I used Photoshop for practically everything, and even to make logos which was a big no-no. While I was making logos for my friend’s project, I realized, “well what happens if she wants the logo big?” So to be safe, I made the logo like 1000 x 1000 and hoped she won’t ask for a larger one.
Years later, I installed Illustrator and I had NO clue how to work the program because it was so new to me. I was confused about how to use the pen tool so the program was practically deemed useless for me. It took me some time and I recently learned how to use the pen tool properly and it was the best day of my life. Now, I create almost everything on Illustrator and then bring it into Photoshop so I can use my graphics there.
Having things on Illustrator was such a life saver and such an easy task. I can use everything in any size I want.
Hi, I am trying to create sublimation artwork for making mugs. So I need to create the artwork, put 4 to a page, print in mirror image, or flip it. The printer wont flip so the software needs to. Can you tell me which is better for this: Photoshop Elements 10 or Illustrator? Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for this post. Seriously, I am entirely new to the world of learning how to use the Adobe Suite. I joined Lynda to work my way through a bunch of tutorials. The problem right now is that I really need to work on a logo, and I just didn’t think that Photoshop was genuinely the program that I needed to be working with to create that. This post is very helpful. To Illustrator I go.
oh my god. finally a simple and straightforward venn diagram-esque comparison. I’m just getting started with all this graphic design stuff and nobody could give me a straight answer when it came to comparing some of the CS programs. thank you so much
oh my god. finally a simple and straightforward venn diagram-esque comparison. I’m just getting started with all this graphic design stuff and nobody could give me a straight answer when it came to comparing some of the CS programs. thank you so much
Indeed a great article! Thank you!
I am a super newbie to the Adobe world.
I am currently working on making my business into life. Online business. Before I can outsource and pay someone to do a Graphic design Im doing everything myself. I have hundreds of Pencil Drawings (including a LOGO) I made and NOW its time to start editing them in Photoshop ( this is what I was told is my next logical step)
I am confused on which program do I need to learn and work in?? Photoshop? or Illustrator? Or BOTH ?? Please please advice !! Thank you!
@Marinatrump: I would do the logo in Illustrator but any pencil drawings that get converted to digital art, or digital paintings should be done in Photoshop. Of course if you want to create vector artwork from your pencil drawings, Illustrator is the best way to go. Good luck!
@Chris Takakura:
Thank you so very much Chris!
One last question pleeease!
My friend (he is Photoshop amateur, well so am I) told me that all the drawings I made are useless and if I start using Photoshop i need to DRAW it IN Photoshop. This is so upsetting. I dont believe him..
In your response you mentioned “pencil drawings that get converted to digital art”. Does it mean I convert them all into digital art and continue working on them using Photoshop? Editing, adding new details and effects. Is it possible?
Than you so much!!!
@Marinatrump: Never say never in Photoshop. Photoshop can do things I never thought possible and still blows me away till this point in my life here and there.
Digital drawings, line drawings and such can be imported into Photoshop by scanning the artwork. Photoshop is the #1 tool for digital paintings, matte paintings and more. Once you scan in your line drawings, you can use the Photoshop’s level tool to thicken and darken up the line and start your drawings/coloring from that line drawing. All sorts of options are possible. I am not too familiar with Illustration techniques in Photoshop so I suggest you to google it for more resources.
Your friend is unfortunately incorrect in all levels. You should never start a drawing or design on the computer first. I highly recommend sketching as the best pre-production method for any type of projects.
This article was super helpful! If you have time for one more question . . .
I’m fairly well versed in Photoshop (I have CS3). Up until now all of my design has been in this, but as my work expands more and more to print and logo design, I’m realizing I should break away from PS and start using Ai. I’ve done a great deal of design in PS (business cards, logos, etc.) that should have been done with illustrator in the first place and now, of course, run into issues with pixelation and such. My question is, will those designs have to be re-created using illustrator if I have any hope of using them in decent quality prints?
Thank you again! – Traci
@Traci: if you already did your design in photoshop, it might be possible to do an auto trace method in illustrator to ressurect your design to vector format. But please note that I stated as an if. Auto trace is really tricky and does not always do a good job. Please google illustrator auto trace tutorial to find out, more.
Hi, I have never used any of the above and was wondering, if I’m doing comics/manga, character design, general pictures and such, which is the best for me to use?
When I put my pencil drawings in and start to colour etc, I want them to be of the highest quality when I print them, so again, which is best for me to use?
Thank you in advance.
I want to design my own book cover for both print and ebook copies. Should I use Photoshop or Illustrator, or can I use either?
I’ve seen a video of a book cover made in Photoshop, (google: design a book cover in 5 minutes contest) and it looked great, but I need to purchase used software, and Illustrator seems to be a lot cheaper. Can I get by with it?
Thanks!
JAN
Tanks for the explanation. Very good …
Thank u so much. This article is really helpful . :D