Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lunar Groove Gardener]

Hello folks~

I am an artist and need get set up with a computer and all of the necessary tools specifically for illustration. I hear that I should get a Mac book and one of those "pads"...a good one and a scanner. Can I get started just using my PC or is this really just a necessary step to get the Mac?

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me just exactly what I might need, names, models sizes...I'm really new to this idea and not knowledgeable at all in this area, but ready to get started.

Also, I need to buy this stuff soon and in Korea. Any great notions on how to purchase it collectively, with English programs, at a fair price (and which programs I should/should not have installed/ specs) would be a great help.
I've been to Yongsan Electronics Mall a long time ago but am a bit wary of just dealing with the myriad of salesmen for this. Any recommends ? I'm going to Seoul this weekend to look around.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

[Underwaterbob]

If you want specific advice, you're going to have to be a lot more specific about what you want to do.

[tfunk]

[Lunar Groove Gardener]

Thanks for the input.
I am accustomed to using traditional pen and ink illustrations for use in print media(comic book/magazine/book illustration). I've used various media to color these (watercolor/colored pencils/markers).

What I am thinking of is scanning my inked line art onto the computer
and then being able to make modifications to the line art and compositions.

I would then be coloring the line art using the computer.
Also, this would allow me to do page layout and design integrated with my illustrations.
By this method I can send things for approval in a more complete, efficient, professional manner and much more easily make changes and improvements at all stages of development of a design/project.

The illustrative artist's responsibilities/tools have changed and I need to step up to attain new skills and capabilities, and it's quite interesting and amazing to me (there weren't computers in use when I attended university).

Everything that I do now is in the "dark ages" compared to using this technology. Drawing talent is not obsolete yet, but without technology I'm really not at all up to speed with the industry.

I have used my PC for learning coloring but need to use more than the "mouse" to gather skill and speed in this area. Would just an excellent "drawing pad" and scanner be sufficient to get started? I've never used one but imagine the better ones have certain benefits/or not...

Let me know if that makes my inquiry more tangible.
Thanks.

[swigs]

If you work at a public school you should be able to get hardware and software at a discounted price. If not, things might get expensive quick. Adobe has the most common creative industry software, but there are cheaper options that do essentially the same thing. Wacom has the most respected tablets, but they are also expensive, they offer a line that is less expensive, but still a pretty penny. Don't cheat yourself and get a small tablet though, you'll regret it, and eventually upgrade.

The most common set up, would be Mac, Adobe, and Wacom. But there are cheaper options, but those are considered the most common and reliable in the industry. (Meaning if you got a job somewhere, you'd be working with those tools)

So it depends on your budget.

Adobe Illustrator with Photoshop would be the most common programs for what your looking to do. But as I said, if your on a budget, there are other alternatives.

[tfunk]

Quote: What I am thinking of is scanning my inked line art onto the computer and then being able to make modifications to the line art and compositions.

This will work.

A wacom tablet will allow you to draw the ink lines on the computer page, layer the lines, delete the lines, gives the lines different widths and material (ink, chalk etc.). As a previous poster mentioned a larger tablet will pay off for this task. Wacom tablets are quite expensive.

Coloring is no problem and there are a host of options for this task. If you're being professional about it and sending your work to print, then a Mac is industry standard because the colors represented on your monitor are more faithful to the printed product. This may have changed but in Ireland the vast majority of design and print companies used Macs and not PCs so if you want to get a job in the design/print industry then it might be a good idea to become familiar with Macs. Unfortunately Macs tend to be pricey in Korea.

Quark Xpress is used for designing the layout of printed pages. The individual graphic elements are not designed using this program, this program is used to arrange the structure of elements(text, illustrations etc.) on a page.

The style of your illustrations will determine the most suitable software for your needs. If you link to your work or link to similar work then I might be able to advice you better.

[tfunk]

Double post.

[Lunar Groove Gardener]

pm sent...thanks!