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What are the common programs you have to learn to be a graphic designer?

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Jess’s Answer

Hi Lori! I am a product designer at Verizon. I focus on building applications for our customers but studied graphic design. I normally use a couple of different tools depending on what deliverable our team needs to provide. For research, we normally document using google slides, google sheets and Microsoft Office products. Once we get to the design phase, our team uses Sketch and InVision. We love integrating our designs with the Verizon Design System. In the past we used Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and XD but found it was easier with the shared libraries in Sketch. For handing off to development, we will likely use InVision for prototyping and tracking any questions and Zeplin for css and html. Other's within the industry use Figma.
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Rua’s Answer

Hello Lori! I would definitely say getting acquainted with Adobe Creative Suite is a really good start. I work in branding, video production and motion graphics, hence I rely on Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign for creating branded deliverables, on the other hand After Effects, Animate and Premiere are my go-to whenever I'm working on video editing or animated videos. Also for photography (my hobby) I work a lot with Lightroom. I would really say the Adobe Creative Suite have the full package and would be a great asset in a design career.
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Krista’s Answer

Hi Lori! As a starting point, it may be good to get acclimated with the Adobe Creative Suite. When starting my career as a graphic designer, I worked heavily in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Photoshop. Now, I work as a User Experience Designer so I've added programs like Sketch and Invision to my skillset. These programs are used to create website layouts and designs.

If you're a student, you may have free or discounted access to an Adobe Suite membership. You should look into that and see if you can play around in those programs. When I was trying to get into animation, I actually registered for a Lynda.com course of which brought me through a 'Design Challenge'. Essentially, it was an active tutorial of how to use the program (Adobe After Effects) and then as homework, you created your own animations using the files and directions the video provided. It was a great way to get quickly acclimated to the program and develop my skillset. I would suggest you do something similar! You can find courses online at a low cost or for free. Right now, I'm using Udemy.com to enhance my knowledge and skills as well. The more practice the better - and doing trainings that include things like a 'challenge' also gives you some portfolio work :)
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August’s Answer

To reiterate, Adobe Creative Suite. A good focus to a good all rounder is place emphasis on InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere, Audition, and AfterEffects. Some 3D, such as Rhino, will be incredibly helpful, especially if you've the good fortune to work with industrial designers. You'll be able to pivot and get into CMF (colours, materials, and finishes) from there.
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Susie’s Answer

Hi Lori, I've been a graphic designer for over 20 years and I tend to use most of the adobe products - Adobe illustrator and photoshop for sure, as well as inDesign. I also do a lot of video editing so I use Premiere (but not all GD's do that kind of work ) I think the biggest one to focus on if you want to start playing around with one, I'd go for Illustrator.
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