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Best program to design a business card/letterhead in?

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THX1139 said:
If you have to ask how, then you have no business doing it!

Oh well, the world is full of cheap and crappy logos that reside on the sides of pickup trucks that promote hauling rubbish or mowing lawns. Your logo might as well join them even though it cheapens the profession.

Be sure to post what you wind up doing so that I can have a laugh or eat my words.

Seriously though... do you have ANY clue to the process that goes into designed a good logo? Do you even care?
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Wow. Was this and your following post really necessary? All the OP wanted to know is what appropriate programs to use. A lot of beginning designers do not have any knowledge of print production. You make assumptions that the OP doesn't have any talent or work ethics. You do not need technical knowledge to be a great creative. I've known many creatives who only used markers and paper.

While there is a lot of poor design out there, I believe it gives my work more value. Great design stands out from all the mediocrity. If everything was award winning quality, why would anyone pay for a good designer?

To the OP, I hope you'll share some of your designs with us.
 
THX1139 said:
WRONG!!!

Sigh... let me see if I can bring some reality to what it takes to do a GOOD logo mark.....


...4. Now it's time for Illustrator! Scan your "final" sketches and trace them in Illustrator. :rolleyes:
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I don't know how to reply other than you obvious missed the mark at what I was trying to say.

He was asking about what program to use to design a business card, not about the total design process. And when designing a logo, as you said as well, the program that I use is Illustrator.
 
bbeers said:
I don't know how to reply other than you obvious missed the mark at what I was trying to say.

...
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No, just like some of the other responders (who didn't like my post), you didn't understand what I was saying.

Let me try to be brief this time:

You don't use software to design logos. You use software to finish a logo AFTER it's been designed. If the OP would have said something like, "hey, I just finished drawing a logo and want to know what program I should use to convert it to digital format..." then I would have given a different response. Or in the case of needing to layout an identity system, I would have probably suggested Indesign or Quark.

As for the other poster who implied (by referring to the Forbes article) that Graphic Designers are snotty and over-paid, well... all I can say is that most of us are tired of having amateurs devalue the service we provide. Enough said. I won't bother posting anymore because you just don't get it.

PixelFactory said:
Wow. Was this and your following post really necessary? All the OP wanted to know is what appropriate programs to use. A lot of beginning designers do not have any knowledge of print production. You make assumptions that the OP doesn't have any talent or work ethics. You do not need technical knowledge to be a great creative. I've known many creatives who only used markers and paper.

While there is a lot of poor design out there, I believe it gives my work more value. Great design stands out from all the mediocrity. If everything was award winning quality, why would anyone pay for a good designer?

To the OP, I hope you'll share some of your designs with us.
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So, you are promoting mediocrity? Good for you. It wouldn't be so bad if people would give a disclaimer instead of just throwing out advice. Why not say, "I don't recommend that you tackle a logo for an existing/new business unless you know what you are doing, but if your set on doing it, then try blah, blah, blah..."

Hey, I'm thinking of trying to jump 10 buses like Robbie Knievel... what kind of motorcycle do you think I should use?

I guess I'm so adamant about discouraging amateur logo design is that a mark is the business identity and because of public perception it can help make or break a business.

As for you knowing creatives that only use markers... well good for you. That's the way it's supposed to be done and that supports my original statement that you don't design in the computer.
 
THX1139 said:
As for the other poster who implied (by referring to the Forbes article) that Graphic Designers are snotty and over-paid, well... all I can say is that most of us are tired of having amateurs devalue the service we provide. Enough said. I won't bother posting anymore because you just don't get it.
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That other poster was me, and I wasn't implying that designers are snotty or overpaid, I was simply drawing attention to the blatantly obvious: the conduct of some in this thread doesn't provide much support for those who disagree with the claims in that article.

Anyone who read and disagreed with the Forbes article wouldn't be encouraged after a glance at this thread.
 
THX1139 said:
No, just like some of the other responders (who didn't like my post), you didn't understand what I was saying.

Let me try to be brief this time:

You don't use software to design logos. You use software to finish a logo AFTER it's been designed. If the OP would have said something like, "hey, I just finished drawing a logo and want to know what program I should use to convert it to digital format..." then I would have given a different response. Or in the case of needing to layout an identity system, I would have probably suggested Indesign or Quark.

As for the other poster who implied (by referring to the Forbes article) that Graphic Designers are snotty and over-paid, well... all I can say is that most of us are tired of having amateurs devalue the service we provide. Enough said. I won't bother posting anymore because you just don't get it.
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I have to fully agree with THX1139. All these software we use daily, are just tools. The same as a pencil, marker, brush, etc.

People buy (or steel) software and thinks that they are now ready, to do serious work. I've got NeoOffice on my Mac, but this doesn't make me a writer...*

That what's THX1139 did wan't to tell you, but the funny (or sad) thing is, i as a foreign macuser member did understand this, yet you, who's main language is English, didn't.

*Also, i cannot be a doctor, a lawyer, a priest etc. simply because i don't have a license, nor do i have the graduation, that one needs, if he wants to "play" in any of these fields. Why are some professions protected by law, but others aren't?
 
THX1139 said:
You don't use software to design logos. You use software to finish a logo AFTER it's been designed.
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Well said.
applause.gif
 
But now to the original poster: you can also use free tools like a combination of Inkscape and Scribus, since Scribus can make solid PDF/X-3 exports.
 
THX1139 said:
No, just like some of the other responders (who didn't like my post), you didn't understand what I was saying.

Let me try to be brief this time:

You don't use software to design logos. You use software to finish a logo AFTER it's been designed. If the OP would have said something like, "hey, I just finished drawing a logo and want to know what program I should use to convert it to digital format..." then I would have given a different response. Or in the case of needing to layout an identity system, I would have probably suggested Indesign or Quark.

As for the other poster who implied (by referring to the Forbes article) that Graphic Designers are snotty and over-paid, well... all I can say is that most of us are tired of having amateurs devalue the service we provide. Enough said. I won't bother posting anymore because you just don't get it.
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The OP asked about what software to lay out a business card in. It should be (and was) a two or three word answer until you went off on your tangent. I understand some of what you are saying but have no idea why you are saying it here. I'm sorry you have so much pent up rage. Don't give the rest of us designers a bad name.
 
I'll be brief:

I sketch it first on paper then use Photoshop to create the design digitally.

Short & sweet.
 
Wow, some people here must be the same people who correct those who use "can I" when they mean "may I." :D
 
Adobe Illustrator and InDesign will both do the job as well (they're the best out of all toher programs) but I would choose Illustrator because it's better dealing with illustration effects, and small-scale projects, like a business card. Photoshop is much more difficult and longer to do the same types of tasks for making a business card in Illustrator.
 
arkitect said:
Although if you really don't understand the difference between "design" and "layout" you should ask your teacher for some help.

:D
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I'll look them up next time I'm designing a layout or laying out some designs. Thanks for the tip.
 
THX1139 said:
[long post]
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Yeh right... and i guess you do this for every logo you design including ones for £1000?
Sorry but you are so up your own a** .. don't try and make design seem like some kind of mystic ability. If you're a good designer you can get some great things together in half a day. Otherwise you're wasting your time.
Yes it annoys me when people thing as long as they download dodgy copy of illustrator they suddenly become a good designer but what you say is even more rubbish.

A professional with years of design experience in a quality agency does not piss around like this unless they are getting upwards of £10,000 for a corporate identity.. i'm guessing the original poster is doing this for a favour or for little payment make your feedback relevant.


In answer to the original question - indesign would be your best bet - some use illustrator but I prefer to produce only logos/non-text artwork in illustrator.
 
Either Illustrator or Photoshop as have already been suggested or Belight Business Card Composer; The most specific for the job.
 
Wow. Just wow.

I know most designers on here are generally courteous and helpful, but it's easy to see reading this thread why so many people have the opinion that designers are elitist and up their own ass.
 
fluidedge said:
Wow. Just wow.

I know most designers on here are generally courteous and helpful, but it's easy to see reading this thread why so many people have the opinion that designers are elitist and up their own ass.
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Yup, it comes down to the same thing as so many other situations - some people are just rude.

I hope people can see that its not because he's a designer that makes him rude, just that a rude person became a designer.

Saying that, he wasn't being untruthful, just giving more information than was needed to answer the question, and giving it in a less than helpful manner.
 
Although I probably shouldn't think this way after one thread, but I've kind of lost respect for this board.
 
I've carried my share of pitchforks and flaming torches. I admit that. fluidedge has seen it. But even I will admit this thread went off the rails a bit. (Probably why I stayed clear of it).

Good luck on your project OP. Google is also a good resource for figuring out what to do. Same info. Less snark. And most folks will be happy to help via PM.
 
orangeillini14 said:
Although I probably shouldn't think this way after one thread, but I've kind of lost respect for this board.
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I think i'd be worried if you didn't come away with that opinion. For some reason design threads on this site are full of the worst kind of 'designers'. There's probably a good site somewhere with people much more inclined to actually take part in the community spirit - sadly I don't know it myself..

It's exactly because of these kind of people where now I actually feel slightly embarrassed if I have to tell anyone my occupation...

Hope whatever you were trying to do worked out.
 
Consultant said:
It's like asking, I am commissioned to do a painting, what paint brushes I should buy...
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People wonder why designers have little respect.. Although I am not disagreeing with your post, in fact I strongly agree with if you don't know the BASICS how will you be able to produce what is in essence at professional brand to your organisation?

If other industries has the same issues as design there I think they could accept the point...

Just because I take an Asprin doesn't make me a Dr, and just because I buy a copy of Illustrator it doesn't make me a designer. Design take years to master and it as much knowing the philosophy of type, colour, etc as knowing the applications.

I strong suggest teaming up with someone who knows design or is a designer, a robust rapport with a designer is worth every cent from a business POV. It will help you grow your brand.
 
SwiftLives said:
I've carried my share of pitchforks and flaming torches. I admit that. fluidedge has seen it. But even I will admit this thread went off the rails a bit. (Probably why I stayed clear of it).

Good luck on your project OP. Google is also a good resource for figuring out what to do. Same info. Less snark. And most folks will be happy to help via PM.
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Well this happens every time an amateur tries to get help with a design job. Someone has to bring up how valuable design work is and how they have no business being in the field. A lot of people are literally unable to see the difference between a job for a large corporation and a job for a friend or family member. So I would say the train stayed on the tracks.
 
stainlessliquid said:
Well this happens every time an amateur tries to get help with design. Someone has to bring up how valuable design work is and how they have no business being in the field. So I would say the train stayed on the tracks.
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Yeah...but he was asking help on the mechanics of creating the business card, not the creativity of it.

Personally, that's where I'll draw the line. I won't be your creative brain without some form of fair compensation.

However, I don't see the problem with helping someone who is simply asking which program to use. Even in this economy, giving someone advice as to which program is best suited for a particular job does not make me feel as though I'm betraying my career.
 
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