Xara for professional graphic design course

[seabirch]

Hi
i am about to start an online graphic design degree. They are encouraging us to use Adobe CS4 or above. I am teaching myself to use it step by step but am aware of the huge costs when i want to use if professionally as a freelancer. Are there any major limitations to using the Xara software e.g. for layout, photo editing etc.
Having played with a trial of Xara I fin the drawing tools far more intuitive

Jonathon

[handrawn]

the honest advice from me is use what they recommend you to use, especially if it is a full time 3 year undergraduate type degree - sure you might get away with using something else if you were already familiar with the differences and the plus and minus of both, but otherwise you might just make it more difficult for yourself in the long run

[mwenz]

In addition to handrawn's reasoning, via most all design schools, you can get an educational discount which can be substantial. So go with AI.

Take care, Mike

[seabirch]

Hi
Yes I know I can but you can't then use the software for professional work

Jonathon

[handrawn]

I think you can upgrade it afterwards - cheaper than buying it outright

[pauland]

The really important thing is not the cost of AI when you graduate, it's the fact that anywhere you wish to be employed will expect you to be skilled in the use of AI. It would be foolhardy not to use it.

[handrawn]

yes indeed, one aspect of : 'more difficult in the long run'

the odds are you will need to be employed for a time at least - and even on placement [intern] it will be difficult if you are not using what they use

[pauland]

Another concern is that when interacting with the tutor and other students, you can end up looking prretty silly if you have problems exchanging files and are lacking knowledge and skills that everyone else will expect you to have.

You really can't afford to ignore the Adobe toolset.

[MarcT]

Hi,

I still would teach a Xara course, as it would take 1/500 of the time it takes to learn Illustrator.

As working from home is also the the reality of graphic work, it would be nice for them to know alternatives in graphic creations.

Although it's important to know Illustrator, Xara is systematically easier and faster to use. At the end of one day, I get much more done with Xara.

Marc

[pauland]

I'd agree that Xara is easier to learn and it's very capable. It all depends whether you will be working alone or in a team (which you can be, even while working at home). I get Adobe files sent to me all the time and an expectation that I will be able to use them.