I’m blessed with ability to spend more time practicing and learning in the broad field of web design. A big hurdle for me in the past is graphics — I don’t know Photoshop from a hole in the ground. And so I’ve set out to educate myself in this area as well.

I started out by asking for recommendations for the best tool to start with on Twitter. Since I happen to have some amazing designers on my list of followers, I asked the following question:

“If you had to recommend only one graphical app for someone getting into design on a Mac, what would it be?”

Included in the responses were the industry mainstays, Photoshop and Fireworks. And I was not surprised to see people suggest Pixelmator. But what did surprise me was that Acorn was not mentioned. I’ve seen many positive comments from talented designers about the potential of Acorn and the approach [Acorn developer] Gus is taking.

Here’s a chart of the overall response (built in Acorn by the way):

I think I’m lucky with the fact that I have never used Photoshop. I can choose from one of the new up-and-coming tools instead. Experienced designers seem to complain a lot about Photoshop, but they stick with it — due largely to the fact that it’s what they are used to. I have no such constraints.

Now it’s your turn — what do you use?

  1. torbjornlunde reblogged this from chrisbowler and added:
    complain a lot about Photoshop,...still do. However, after trying several alternatives...
  2. coreyfloyd answered: If your a native app developer, try Opacity
  3. dankydevan answered: photoshop(:
  4. joelcipriano answered: Unfortunately, I can’t switch to Pixelmator. Yet. If you choose Photoshop, I desire that God gives patience to you.
  5. ramymajouji answered: I use Pixelmator (and hate Photoshop with a passion). Never tried Acorn in-depth but I’ll give it another shot for sure!
  6. deux-echarpes answered: Photoshop, simply because I’ve been using it the longest. Sometimes DrawIt for illustrations.
  7. mattada answered: photoshop. works everytime.
  8. weatherbody answered: Photoshop, hands down.
  9. matthewb answered: Fireworks since v1.0. Its native vectors-as-pixels, always-editable approach is spot on. Going back to Photoshop frustrates me no end.
  10. minimalmac answered: I don’t have need for such a thing often but when I do I use Acorn
  11. titlecase answered: my chart would read Photoshop 95% | Illustrator 5%
  12. schwuk answered: Tried both Pixelmator and Acorn, and for my use - like yours - the only reason for using Photoshop is because that’s what everyone uses…
  13. danieleden answered: definately photoshop - i’ve tried an awful lot of editors and while it might not be intuitive, photoshop is powerful and very versatile!
  14. gampleman answered: I hover between Pixelmator and DrawIt. I’ve tried Opacity and really liked it, but haven’t purchased it yet.
  15. brndnblog answered: Photoshop, and I’ve experimented with Pixelmator and Acorn and like them both. I abhor Fireworks, I’d rather change fields than use it.
  16. diversions answered: Vast majority in Acorn. Rest in Pixelmator if I need it.
  17. chrisleboe answered: Photoshop
  18. esquareda answered: For me it’s 100% Fireworks
  19. thisstuff answered: Pixelmator.
  20. chrisbowler posted this

All opinions expressed here are those of the author, Chris Bowler. Cupertino Kool-Aid may have had some affect. More laughs and giggles to be found here.

If you like what you've read, some of the my favorite posts are compiled here.