How To Use an iPad in Your Graphic Design Projects

Copyright (c) 2011 Mandi Pralle

If you haven't heard about an iPad by now, well, it is a small tablet computer created in mind to be the absolute tablet for individuals involved with any kind of visual and audio files. For those who already own an iPhone, a Mac and/or a subscription to the magazine Wired, this device makes a great addition. It is a gadget intended to enhance the experience of reading online magazines, books and other digital media like music and movies. The first version of the iPad was released by Apple on April 2010 where 3 million of these were sold in just under 3 months. They have become very popular among professionals and businessmen as well as the technophiles.

The iPad makes it easy to work while staying connected to the Internet while traveling. It may not yet replace the desktop as the best device for graphic designing but for those who are not keen to using the desktop but still want to be linked to the internet, this gadget is excellent. The gadget size may limit the user's work space but the availability of numerous creative software and large screen would make designing quite easy.

The beauty of the iPad is that it can easily become a digital drawing board, which gives designers a much more flexible way to draw designs. The few reliable sketching applications, such as Sketchbook mobile, Brushes and Layers support numerous layers and brushes. Though the iPad may be a good gadget to work on, but for those who really want to do serious creative arts, iPad would not suffice and Apple needs to do more changes to make it compatible to other applications. But its exceptional freeform designing application is excellent for doing quick diagrams, drawings or illustrations with the use of the fingers. It can be compared to Microsoft's Paint program but with more features available. Aside from this, iPad also offers its 600 font specimens that could transform graphic text designs into a higher level.

Another excellent application in iPad that enables the user to perform remarkable things with the pen tool is its Penultimate. It is a very powerful but easy to use application that permits the user to take notes or sketch. For more serious sketchers, the Sketchbook Pro is an advanced tool that allows the user to do image designing and editing without difficulty or limitations by just using the fingers.

The Omnigraffle application would make ideas come to life immediately without having to look for a pen and paper. With this application in iPad, the designer can draw whatever he likes and in any way possible. This application is used to make diagrams, illustrations and organizational charts. The user can drag a file or image and drop it on the screen using the WYSIWYG interface. This is one application that would allow a designer to make quick notes, sketches and drawings.

The fundamental design principles will not change regardless of technological advancements. How the designer adapts to new technology is the main concern. All in all, the iPad is an amazing device for lightweight designs; serious professional designers should not abandon their desktop. However, for amateur or casual designers who want to maintain a link to the internet, then the iPad is the best gadget to have around and use. There are 2 great reasons to own the iPad, its excellent graphics and its interactive features.


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