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Graphic Designers: What's your set up?

southcounty949

southcounty949

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 4, 2007
53
0
Laguna Beach, CA
I tried searching this forum for a thread like this, but no luck. I apologize ahead of time if this HAS been posted before. ;)

I'm new to the whole graphic design thing and I'm really loving it so far. I'm currently taking a course on "Beginning Graphic Design" and am just interested to see what kind of set up you all have (Keyboard, Mice, Tablet, etc.) Also curious to see what your opinions are of certain devices that are better for graphic design.

Currently, I only have a Wacom 6x8 and the CS3 suite. I'm currently using the mouse that came with the wacom but want to get a Logitech MX revolution. Could you guys also recommend a keyboard that might be better than the average for design?

All opinions are appreciated!
 
might wanna think about getting an optimus maximus keyboard if you're really really serious about it, but it's kinda overkill. As for my set up, I'm using pixelmator currently (saving up for cs3 web premium) with a 5X4 Graphire4 wacom and the wireless apple keyboard and mighty mouse.
 
tominated said:
might wanna think about getting an optimus maximus keyboard if you're really really serious about it, but it's kinda overkill. As for my set up, I'm using pixelmator currently (saving up for cs3 web premium) with a 5X4 Graphire4 wacom and the wireless apple keyboard and mighty mouse.
Click to expand...

Hi, Thanks for your reply. How is your mighty mouse doing? My roommate just got one today. I was also going to get one, but couldn't decide if I wanted that or the Logitech MX Revolution. (I'm talking about the Wireless Laser MM).
 
I use a Logitech laser mouse, an Apple alu keyboard, a Dell 24" LCD, a Wacom Intuous 3 with various accessories (airbrush etc...) a MacPro 2.6ghz with 11GB memory, 3 x 250GB SATA HDD, 1 x 500GB SATA HDD.

Mainly Photoshop CS3, Indesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, and Corel Painter X

That's my desktop. I use a laptop if I have to do small changes away from the studio or have to go and show a client something that they wish to make small changes. For this I use a MacBook Air and I have a small Wacom Bamboo to slip into my bag too.
 
southcounty949 said:
Hi, Thanks for your reply. How is your mighty mouse doing? My roommate just got one today. I was also going to get one, but couldn't decide if I wanted that or the Logitech MX Revolution. (I'm talking about the Wireless Laser MM).
Click to expand...

the mighty mouse is really good, but it eats up batteries within a month or so. the alu keyboard is really nice to type on and it looks awesome
 
edesignuk said:
You're doing graphic design and opted to post using Comic Sans MS? :eek: :confused:
Click to expand...
I knew it! When I saw that he made a post in the design and graphics forum using Comic sans MS, I could already see him at the cross.

OP: Stay away from the Mighty Mouse. It's okay for average everyday use, but the scroll ball will clog up quickly and the overall build quality is not too good. The MX Revolution, on the other hand, is a fantastic mouse. I have one myself, and I love it to bits.

About my setup. Note that I'm not a graphic designer, but I sure like to think of myself as one ;) Seriously though, I have loads of stuff left to learn. My setup:
2.2GHz MacBook Pro | 2GB RAM | 250GB HDD
20" Dell display | MX Revolution | Alu wireless KB
Canon LiDE 600F | 250 GB LaCie
That's pretty much everything, all paid for by myself (I'm 17). Thing is, the MacBook Pro broke some time ago, so I'm currently looking into getting it replaced. Sucks to be me.
 
I probably have the most basics of setups...
Macbook Pro 1.3 loaded with CS3 design premium, a beautiful Cintiq tablet used for everything and the all essential coffee maker, plus a fibre line for sending out work - beats mailing DVD's.
 
excluding the box itself

Software
3ds max 2008
solidworks 2008
poser 7
adobe cs3 suite
Surething CD labeller (for home printing of cd's) - works well too.

Hardware
Currently 20" wide and 17" displays (one on each computer)
MS Natural 6000 wireless mouse
MS Natural 4000 keyboard (sson to be replaced with wireless version)
3D connexion space pilot (3d controller for 3d work)
Logitech NuLooq
A5 Wide Wacom Intuos 3 Tablet + airbrush and marker pens,
Canon Pixma A4 and A3 printers - mostly for proofing and invoicing
HP n6010 doc scanner
Canon Flatbed Scanner - soon to be upgraded
Synology NAS for personal ftp server
Several external usb drives

ADSL Max (8/0.8 meg connection - fastest I can get here)
Think that covers it all
 
2 person studio:

Software

-Adobe CS3 Design premium
-After Effects CS3
-Final Cut Studio
-MS Office
-an assload of fonts
-Assorted utilities


Hardware

- 2.33ghz C2D Macbook Pro / 3GB / 160GB drive
- 20" Viewsonic (soon to be a 23" Cinema Display)
- apple pro keyboard, logitech mouse
- Mac Pro 2.8ghz Harperton "the ocho" / 2Gb (soon to be 6GB) / 320GB (soon to be 1.8TB)
- 20" cinema display + 23" cinema display
- new apple pro keyboard + wacom tablet
- 1.5 ghz Powerbook G4 / 1GB / 80GB drive
- Canon pro9000 printer
- 2 x HP 1020 laser printers
- 6 external firewire drives in various sizes
- 1TB NAS fileserver
- Epson 4990 scanner
- 2 x Canon 350D cameras
- various glass including a few primes, a macro, and a couple of moderate zooms
- Canon ZR850 camcorder
- Seagull TLR
- 4 holgas
- Super 8 camera
- bunch of assorted photographic equipment
 
I just started the graphic design classes at my school this last fall semester, so I'm no pro…yet. I am using a 17" MBP 2.4ghz C2D/4GB/160GB HDD with the 1920x1200 screen. I have a Wacom Intuos3 6x11 somewhere here in the USofA (I wish UPS would keep their tracking info updated). I'm currently using a cheap wired optical mouse from Logitech, but that should change here shortly.

As far as software, the school uses CS3 and focuses on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as well as a little bit of Flash. They are just starting to teach Maya again, but that hasn't really taken off yet. I personally have CS3 Design Premium, but never use Flash or Dreamweaver.
 
At the office:
MacPro Quad
Single button Apple Pro mouse
Apple Keyboard
Dual 20" Cinema Displays
Lacie external Drives + Xserve


At the home office:
PowerMac G5 dual
Single button Apple Pro mouse
Apple Keyboard
Single 20" Cinema Display
Lacie external Drives


I don't see the need for a Wacom (except for specialized niches) or multi-button mouse.
 

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Work:

Mac Pro 2.66
Keyboard and Mouse
Adobe CS3 Design Premium
Xerox Laser Printer
A lot of paper, blue lines, stock paper, mat board, other hands on things

Home:
Mac Pro 2.66
Keyboard and mouse
Adobe CS3: the package with all the programs
Photography:60gigs
Designs:250gigs
1tb of back up and DVDs

I keep it simple, worried I will turn into my friends, get into debt trying to get your setup idealize.

Also I have about 20 books on designs, paintings, typography, manuals and other folios of samples. The most important part of my setup.
 
Adobe CS3 Design Standard, Maxon Cinema 4D R10
Mostly used apps: Illustrator and InDesign

24" iMac 2,8 ghz
I really don't need a Mac Pro for my type of work, additional screen space was a different story though ;)

21" Eizo FlexScan S2110W
Can't beat an Eizo when it comes to colour accuracy, had this one connected to my powerbook before getting the iMac.

15" PowerBook G4 1,67 ghz
Was my main working machine for 2,5 years, and still is used every day for on the go stuff. For me 15" is the ideal size since it's small enough to carry it every day but big enough to work comfortably. I plan to use it until there are quad core mbps with bluray and usb3, so another year or two.

Wacom A5 wide tablet
Connected to my iMac. Took a little while to get used to but now I love it. Since I almost never use a mouse now I use the Wacom mouse when I need it, but use the stylus 80% of the time.

Aluminium Keyboard
Opinions are different, I like both its style and usability.

7 years old Epson A3 printer that still does its job.

8 years old Canon scanner that still does its job too.

That were the most important things I guess.
 
I have a mac pro 2.66 with 3GIG ram. 750GB HD. 20 inch cinema display. The wife, who works with me uses a 20inch imac 2.16 ghz. We both have a macbook air for meeting clients.

I have CS3 premium, and other bits of software.

We also have a "business" 24inch imac.. at home.. :)
 
I use an 2.33ghz MBP 3gb ram.

-CS3 Creative Suite(A must Have I think)
-A used wacom intuos2 (purple! doesn't match but works GREAT!!)
-The wacom pen or the track pad
-Tracing paper/sketch pad
-Pencils
-a couple design books for reference
-A broken all in one HP which only scans and can only use it with my PC
 
For print work and some music recording:
1. Aluminum iMac 24" that's all maxed-out.
2. Aluminum wired keyboard (I don't like the small size of the wireless)
3. Apple wireless Mighty Mouse. I love it, and have no problems with clogged scroll wheel
4. Adobe CS3 Design Premium
5. iWork 08 and iLife 08
6. HP Photosmart All-In-One
7. GretagMacbeth/X-Rite/Pantone EyeOne (aka i1) Display Calibrator. The naming is confusing, but it works great on the new glossy displays.
8. Pantone swatch books: Solid Coated, Solid Uncoated, Color Bridge Coated
9. Elements of Color by Johannes Itten
10. Graphic Artists Guild Pricing and Ethics Guide
11. Designing Identity by Marc English
12. Various publications from Before and After Magazine
13. Canon EOS Rebel 35mm camera with 28-80mm lens


For video work and music recording/editing:
1. MacBook Pro 2.16GHz Core Duo with 100GB 7200RPM HDD, 2GB matched RAM
2. External Iomega 250GB 7200RPM Firewire 400 Hard Disk
3. Panasonic PV-GS320 MiniDV 3CCD digital video camera
4. M-Audio Oxygen 49 USB/MIDI keyboard controller
5. M-Audio FastTrack Pro USB audio interface
6. M-Audio Nova condenser Microphone
7. Various other stuff like sound absorption materials, power conditioner, mic stand, cables, guitars, etc.
 
I currently use an iBook G4 1.2Ghz with 768mb RAM :( with a 15" external monitor and a Wacom graphics tablet.

I do not recommend this set up, hopefully soon I will be getting a new iMac.
 
Work:
Mac Pro 2.8 Ghz 4 GB Ram
CS3 Suite
Microsoft Office 08
2 20" Apple Cinema Displays
Canon Large Format 6400 24" Wide
Xerox DC240
Xerox 275
GBC Large Format Lamination

Home:
Macbook Pro 2.2Ghz Santa Rosa, 2 GB Ram
22" Dell Display
Adobe CS3 Suite
Microsoft Office 08
Linotype FontExplorer X
MacFreelance
Logitech Nano
Wacom 4x5
Western Digital External Drives: 750 GB
Canon Powershot 630

Over 5000 Fonts
Over 1000 PS Brushes

 
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