Start with a simple one-color design, then dig around in the program and figure out how to set type and add an outline stroke. Try importing a piece of clip art and putting type around it. As you get more comfortable with the software, import a more complex piece of artwork that requires color separation.
Template programs, which offer pre-designed layouts, are also helpful. Simply put, you type in your text and choose the clip art to get a finished design. Need a mascot for the City High Tigers? Just choose a template form, choose a tiger image, and type in the school name. The artwork quality will depend on the program you choose. These range from simple line art to full-color raster images. With a template program, you will quickly create usable images, which can be a big confidence booster while you’re still learning the software’s intricacies.
—Great Dane Graphics
