There is a variety of different software pertaining to Adobe that can be utilized in business.  Understanding what each type of software does is your first step in successfully using each to its full potential. In fact the reason I am writing this post is because up until now I hadn’t really ever had to break down the concept and purpose of each Adobe software.  However, most recently I was contact by a limousine company in Phoenix, they were looking to design and make their own business cards for their company. After a couple of attempts with a printing business they did not get the results they wanted in terms of design etc. so they set out to create their own.  When contacting me their question was, “Which Adobe software is best to use to create business cards, Illustrator, Photoshop, or Indesign?” In a nutshell ALL of them. Here’s why:

Illustrator- Basically this software creates branding, logos and graphics using vector graphics.  What are vector graphics? They are polygons with 2D points that signify computer graphics.

Photoshop- This software basically allows the manipulation of an digital image, whether it’s been scanned or is a digital photo.  It can also manipulate raster graphics? What are raster graphics? raster graphics are basically a bitmap image that is formed by a dot matrix structure.  It allows for computer monitors to show color, and such where the user wants it.

Indesign- is the software that creates the layout onto a screen or size sheet.  It generally places the logos that are created in Illustrator, and the raster images enhanced in Photoshop.

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With the emergence of Instagram and SnapChat the word filters and it’s meaning have taken on a whole new light! In fact the filters offered for your photographs on both of these apps have in my opinion helped to strengthen social media and the amount of users on these platforms everyday.  How so? With a much more pronounced importance put on appearance in today’s society people want to present literally there best face to the camera. With millions of people able to view multiple profiles that are centered around you, your pictures and activities it’s no wonder filters are all the rage!

Instagram-  With various filters to choose from, all by different names, individuals are able to choose what filter they like the best and to better present the picture they are choosing to post. Now if you don’t like the affects of the instagram filters you can download other apps that will help you digitally enhance your photo before they even make it to the instagram app!

SnapChat- It’s safe to say we all love Snapchat probably the most because of its various filters.  From puppy ears to fairy eyes, and a headband of flowers, you look cute and flawless at the same time.  Because it’s the norm and both men and women choose to use snapchat filters you don’t feel at all silly when you are snapchatting puppy ears and tongues with your bestie!

Some wonder what this says for society as a whole.  Is there too much prominence being placed on image and how you are viewed by others?  Some parents feel as if it put more pressure on their adolescents and teenagers to conform to perfection and what society deems as beautiful, or attractive.  Perhaps those involved in the digital world understand the concept a bit more, because haven’t we entered the digital age? What is safe to say however, is that photoshop and filters on various platforms for magazines and modeling catalogos have been around forever.  Magazine pictures are digitally altered and enhanced on a regular basis. Now, however, with the addition of filters on social media platforms they are just available to the mainstream public. Afterall if professionals, celebrities and models to name a few can use them why can’t everyone else?  

Adobe Illustrator & Adobe Photoshop are image and vector editing software that allows the designer to create large digital images for many applications, from billboard designs to brochures. They work hand and hand and and help create beautiful wrap designers to install on vehicles. Vehicle vinyl wraps have become increasingly popular and more and more businesses are using them to brand their business vehicle, representing their brand and company info.

My good friend is experiencing the benefits of his recent vehicle wrap for his water damage company. He said it is one of the best return on investments he’s experienced. I mean think about it. You are essentially creating a mobile billboard, allowing thousands upon thousands of people see your business information.

That begin said Illustrator and Photoshop allow designers to get very detailed when producing a graphic wrap for one or twenty vehicles.

Our buddy, both a photoshop guru a wrap installer, does a lot of commercial vehicle wraps in the Dallas area. He says Photoshop offers a great way to show a mock up design to the client, as well as provides the installer with an overall idea of how it will look on the specific vehicle.

Photoshop and Illustrator really allow you to create nearly anything!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when designing a vehicle wrap with Adobe’s image and vector graphics editing software.

You  must have an accurate template. These templates are available online and are 100% essential. They make sure you create the correct size for your project. Make the scale 1:10. meaning for every inch of space on your screen equates to 10 inches real space.

Setting up your template correctly with all the layers is also essential.

The vehicle wrap will be viewed from different angles and locations. With this is mind when designing the wrap, you will be able to ensure no weird or unexpected results.

When working with Photoshop, use only high resolution images (720dpi), much higher than typical offset printing.

Be mindful os state laws. Each state law determines the area of windows that can be legally wrapped. make sure you take this into consideration when designing the wrap.

Simple tends to be better. Getting overly detailed or coming up with a super complex design can not only be confusing and messy for people visually, but can also be hard to install.

Watch the corners! Your design needs to be tiled into panels, so keep corners in mind.

Allow for bleed area (at least 3 inches).

Double check measurements with file and actual vehicle. Work closely with your installer or printer to make sure that things are where they need to be. This is a key factor in avoiding expensive mistakes.

Photoshop is a wonderful tool to work with, that is widely used by many companies, business’, and people alike.  While most like the enhancement the tool can provide to photos, videos, and such, there are those that feel as if it promotes false advertisement.  Where do we draw the line between perfecting our marketing images and promoting an image that isn’t really true to form?  That was a question two computer scientists from Dartmouth College took upon themselves to answer. Or perhaps rather made the opportunity to decipher a Photoshopped image possible for those who wanted to know.  

Hany Farid, an Associate Computer Science Professor, along with Alin Popescu, a graduate student from Dartmouth developed a mathematical scale to determine the difference between an “original” image and one that has been altered or enhanced.  They say that all digital images have statistical clues that are left on them, and that the algorithm they have developed is able to read the altered statistics.  While both scientists agree that digitally altering photos is a technique that is only becoming more and more advanced their main concern is to help that of the legal system. While they realize they have developed a tool that can be used against marketing ads and the like, they are working more towards the legal aspect of it. Hany Farid believes that we are still quite in the dark when it comes to really making a great deal of advancement in showing the proof that images have been altered. He hopes to strengthen his and Alin’s tool so that it may be used in the court of law and hold up against the legal system. He makes a point by saying, “If a photo can be altered to depict a picture of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein shaking hands, what else can be done to manipulate photos.  He and his partner hope to help the legal system when reviewing images that can help to greatly affect a case in court.  

As a matter of fact these Dartmouth scientists are being funded by Alfred P. Sloan fellowship, The U.S. department of Homeland Security, and the National Science Foundation.  They will continue to work with law officials and other government representatives to aid in the growing knowledge of authenticating digital images.

So while Photoshop is a great tool being used to help with marketing it also has it’s darker effects. In all actuality if an image can be altered it was only a matter of time that there was a tool made to decipher image altering as well.