Back to: Jss2 Computer Science  – ICT (BST)

Introduction

In the olden days, artists would create graphics for posters, handbills, newsletters and other printed materials by hand. These talented individuals would meticulously draw and design each element of the graphic using pencils, pens, and paints on paper. After the design was complete, it would then be transferred onto special printing materials by printers for mass production. This process was both time-consuming and expensive.

However, with the advancement of technology, the traditional method of producing graphics has been revolutionized. The use of computers has made it possible to design and produce graphics in a more efficient and cost-effective way. The traditional approach of hand-drawing graphics has been replaced by using digital tools, software, and design applications.

These days, artists use a range of digital tools, such as graphic tablets and software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, to create high-quality graphics. These digital tools not only save time but also allow for more precision and flexibility in the creation of graphics. The designs can be easily saved, edited, and shared digitally, making it easy for collaboration among teams and reducing the need for physical materials.

Moreover, the use of digital design tools has also revolutionized the printing process. Instead of having to manually transfer designs to special printing materials, digital printing technology allows for quick and accurate mass production of high-quality prints. This has not only made the printing process more efficient, but it has also reduced the cost and waste associated with the traditional printing process.

Meaning of Graphic Packages

Graphic packages are software applications used for designing and editing various types of visual content, including logos, images, illustrations, and animations. These packages come with a range of tools and features that enable designers to create stunning graphics and visual effects for different purposes, such as marketing, branding, and communication. With the advancement of technology, graphic packages have become more user-friendly and accessible, allowing even novice designers to create professional-grade graphics. In this article, we will explore the different types of graphic packages available and their key features. We will also discuss the benefits of using graphic packages and how they can help businesses and individuals enhance their visual communications.

Computer graphic packages have become an essential component of software applications in the realm of graphic design. These packages are specifically created to address the unique challenges that arise when designing handbills, posters, and other graphics. Much like word processing applications are used to process text, computer graphic packages are utilised for graphic design.

One of the most significant advantages of using computer graphics in design is the ability to visualise and manipulate the design in its digital form before final production. This makes it possible to make changes and adjustments to the design without incurring additional costs that may arise when using traditional printing techniques.

Computer graphics packages have made it possible to create more than just static graphics. Animations, such as mobile or moving images, can also be produced using computer graphics. These animations are used to create engaging content that can capture the attention of an audience and convey complex ideas in a visually appealing way.

The impact of computer graphics on the field of design cannot be overstated. By eliminating the need for traditional manual production methods, computer graphics have made the design process faster, more efficient, and cost-effective. This has led to an increase in the quality of design and the production of more creative and visually appealing graphics that can capture the attention of an audience.

Examples of graphic packages

There are different types of graphic packages and they include:

Paint

Paint software is a popular graphics editing software that allows users to create and modify digital images. It is a widely used tool for various image editing purposes. It was first introduced by Microsoft and has been included in every version of Windows since Windows 1.0.

Paint software has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to use. It includes basic tools such as brushes, shapes, lines, and text. Paint software is also equipped with a colour picker tool that enables users to select and apply colours to their images. It also has a basic image manipulation feature that allows users to crop, resize, and rotate images.

With Paint software, users can create simple drawings, edit existing images, or create designs from scratch. It is perfect for creating banners, logos, and other graphic elements. The software is not as advanced as other image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or CorelDraw, but it is still a great option for those who need to complete simple editing tasks.

One of the benefits of Paint software is its small size. It takes up very little space on your computer, making it a great option for those with limited storage space. It is also free and comes pre-installed on all Windows operating systems, making it a cost-effective option for those who need to do basic editing.

CorelDraw

CorelDRAW is a leading graphic design software that is widely used in various industries and for various purposes. It is a vector graphics editor that allows users to create and edit digital images and graphics with ease.

With CorelDRAW, users can create illustrations, logos, designs, and other graphics that can be used for branding, advertising, publishing, and more. The software provides a wide range of tools and features that allow designers to unleash their creativity and produce stunning and professional-looking graphics.

One of the key advantages of CorelDRAW is its user-friendly interface. The software is easy to use and has a customizable workspace that can be adapted to suit the user’s preferences. The software provides a range of templates, images, and fonts that can be used to create designs quickly and easily.

CorelDRAW also provides advanced features such as the ability to create 3D designs, adjust colours, and work with layers. The software supports a wide range of file formats, making it easy to work with other software programs and share designs with clients and colleagues.

Another significant advantage of CorelDRAW is its affordability. It is a cost-effective alternative to other graphic design software programs that can be quite expensive. This makes it an ideal choice for small businesses, startups, and individuals who are looking for a powerful design tool that won’t break the bank.

Instant Artist

Instant Artist is an innovative art software that allows users to create beautiful and professional-looking artwork in no time. This software is a perfect tool for both beginners and professionals who want to unleash their creativity and turn their artistic ideas into reality.

One of the key features of Instant Artist is its user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Users can easily access various tools and options that help them to create different kinds of art, including paintings, sketches, illustrations, and digital art.

With Instant Artist, users can choose from a wide range of brush styles, colors, and textures to create their artwork. They can also adjust the opacity and size of the brushes to create different effects and add depth to their artwork. Moreover, users can add text, shapes, and images to their artwork to create unique and creative pieces.

Instant Artist also provides a variety of filters and effects that users can use to enhance their artwork. These include colour filters, blurs, gradients, and other effects that can make the artwork look more professional and polished.

Furthermore, Instant Artist comes with a wide range of tutorials and resources that help users to learn new techniques and improve their skills. These tutorials are designed for all skill levels and are easy to follow, providing step-by-step guidance on creating different types of artwork.

Instant Artist is a versatile and powerful art software that allows users to create stunning artwork quickly and easily. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, Instant Artist has all the tools and resources you need to unleash your creativity and create beautiful art.

Photoshop

Photoshop is a powerful and versatile image editing software developed by Adobe. It has become the industry standard for graphic designers, photographers, and artists alike. With its numerous features and tools, Photoshop allows users to edit, manipulate, and enhance digital images in a variety of ways.

One of the key features of Photoshop is its ability to work with layers. Layers allow users to separate different elements of an image, making it easier to edit and adjust individual parts without affecting the rest of the image. Users can also add filters, adjust color and brightness, crop images, and use various selection tools to precisely control which parts of an image are edited.

Photoshop is also useful for creating digital artwork, with a range of brush and drawing tools available. Users can create new artwork from scratch or manipulate existing images to create collages, surreal landscapes, and other imaginative designs. The program also supports 3D modeling and text manipulation, making it a versatile tool for graphic design and branding.

While Photoshop can be an incredibly powerful tool, it can also have a steep learning curve. New users may find it overwhelming at first, but there are many tutorials and resources available to help them get started. Additionally, Adobe regularly releases new updates with new features and improvements, keeping Photoshop up-to-date and relevant.

Logo Design Studio

Logo Design Studio is a software tool that helps you create professional-looking logos for your business or brand. It offers a wide range of features and customization options that allow you to design logos that are unique and reflect your brand identity.

The software provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use, even for those who have no design experience. You can choose from over 2,000 pre-designed logo templates and customize them with your own text and colors. You can also import your own images and graphics to create a completely custom logo.

One of the main benefits of using Logo Design Studio is that it allows you to create high-quality logos quickly and easily. You don’t need to spend hours learning complex design software or hire a professional designer to create a logo for your business. With Logo Design Studio, you can have a professional-looking logo in just a few minutes.

The software also offers a variety of file formats that allow you to use your logo on different platforms and media. You can export your logo as a vector file, which is ideal for printing and scaling, or as a raster file, which is better for digital use. You can also save your logo in different file formats, such as JPEG, PNG, and PDF.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation software developed by Microsoft. It is widely used for creating engaging and interactive presentations for various purposes. PowerPoint comes with a vast array of features and tools that make it a powerful tool for creating presentations.

One of the key features of PowerPoint is the ability to add multimedia elements such as images, videos, and audio files to presentations. This feature allows users to create highly visual and engaging presentations that capture the audience’s attention. PowerPoint also includes a range of customizable templates that allow users to create professional-looking presentations quickly and easily.

Another important feature of PowerPoint is its ability to create interactive presentations. Users can add hyperlinks to external resources, create interactive quizzes, and use animations and transitions to add visual interest to their presentations.

PowerPoint is also widely used in the business world for creating sales and marketing presentations, training materials, and reports. With PowerPoint, businesses can create engaging and informative presentations that help them communicate their message effectively.

Indesign package

Indesign is a powerful desktop publishing software package that allows designers to create high-quality print and digital publications. The package provides a range of tools that make it easy to lay out text and images, design graphics and manage page elements.

One of the key features of Indesign is its ability to handle multiple page layouts. This means that designers can create complex publications such as brochures, catalogues, and books that span multiple pages and easily manage the different elements within each page. Indesign provides a range of tools that make it easy to adjust the size, position, and layout of different elements on a page, allowing designers to create visually engaging and aesthetically pleasing publications.

Indesign also provides a range of typography tools that allow designers to manipulate text in creative ways. This includes tools for adjusting fonts, kerning, tracking, leading, and more. The software package also provides a range of pre-built templates, which makes it easy for designers to get started on a new project without having to create everything from scratch.

Another key feature of Indesign is its integration with other Adobe software packages such as Photoshop and Illustrator. This allows designers to easily import graphics and other elements from these programs into Indesign, and to make adjustments to them as needed. Indesign also provides a range of export options, allowing designers to create print-ready PDFs or digital publications that can be viewed on a range of devices.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design software that is widely used by graphic designers, illustrators, and artists for creating vector-based designs, logos, icons, typography, and illustrations.

The software is known for its precision, scalability, and versatility in creating high-quality vector graphics that can be resized without losing quality. Adobe Illustrator offers a range of features and tools that help users create and edit vector graphics, including customizable brushes, pen tools, layers, and a range of drawing and painting tools.

One of the main advantages of using Adobe Illustrator is that it allows users to create scalable designs that can be used across a range of mediums, including print, digital media, and web design. With Illustrator, you can create designs in a range of file formats, including EPS, AI, and SVG, making it easy to use your designs across various platforms and devices.

Another key feature of Adobe Illustrator is its integration with other Adobe software, such as Photoshop and InDesign. This means that you can easily transfer files between these programs and work seamlessly across multiple design projects.

GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source graphic software used for image editing, retouching, and composing. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

Sketch

The sketch is a digital design tool designed for Mac users. It is commonly used by web designers and graphic designers to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.

Procreate

Procreate is a digital painting and illustration app designed exclusively for iPad and iPhone. It is commonly used by artists to create illustrations, comics, and concept art.

Graphic Software package Features

Each graphic software package shares certain features, while there are specific features associated with the type of problem the software is designed to solve. Common features of graphic software packages include:

The Title bar

This bar is typically located at the top of the application window and serves as an identifier for the current document or project. It allows users to quickly identify what file they are working on, and the buttons on the right-hand side enable them to minimise, maximise, or close the window.

The Tool bar

The Tool bar provides quick access to frequently used commands and tools. In some applications, the contents of this bar are organised into ribbons, which are groups of related commands and tools. Users can customise the Tool bar by adding or removing buttons based on their preferences.

The Menu bar

The Menu bar contains a list of commands and options organised into various categories based on their functionality. Each menu item may have a keyboard shortcut associated with it to allow quick access. In addition, some applications provide context-sensitive menus that appear when users right-click in a specific area.

Status bar

The Status bar typically appears at the bottom of the application window and displays information about the current state of the application or document. For example, it may display the current page number, the zoom level, or the amount of free memory available.

Scroll bars

Scroll bars enable users to navigate through a document or image that is too large to fit on the screen. The horizontal scroll bar moves the view left and right, while the vertical scroll bar moves it up and down. In addition, some applications allow users to zoom in and out using the scroll wheel on the mouse.

a. Printable area: The printable area is the space where users can create their drawings or designs. It represents the maximum size of the document that can be printed or displayed on the screen.

b. Colour Palette: The Colour Palette provides a range of colours that users can choose from to apply to their designs or drawings. Some applications provide a customisable palette that allows users to create and save their own colour schemes.

c. Tools: The Tools section provides a range of options for creating and editing designs or drawings. These may include tools for drawing shapes, lines, or text, as well as options for selecting, moving, and resizing objects. Some applications provide advanced tools for creating 3D models, animations, or visual effects.