I'd like to weigh in as an Artist/Coder. I think maybe I can shed some light to the GIMP/PS debate given my experience with both sides of the divide (creative/artist versus coder/hacker).
I do web design as my primary job, but I'm also doing freelance print design, web development, photography, illustration and video. I use almost all of the Adobe products (and formerly Macromedia;) I have also been dabbling with Linux since Red Hat 5 and been using the GIMP since before version 1.
I deeply respect the OSS community and believe in it, support it with Creative Commons and use the tools it provides. I want to use Linux and hate that I'm forced to use Windows: I would switch to Linux in a second, if it did what I need my computer to do.
What do I need my computer to do? I need my computer to not get in the way of my creativity. Period.
I've installed many distros of Linux, and setup "equivelant" installations to my Windows box, but when it comes down to doing what I do (being a creative digital person) I can't create without recompiling some code, (re)searching through hundreds of webpages to figure out what OSS app will do something close to After Effects (or even Photoshop), or just running into wierd GUI setups that aren't intuitive enough to me. When I'm creating, I don't want to stop in the middle of it to decipher how a tool works (or hack it if it doesn't work). I just want to keep drawing/recording/editing/playing.
I know how to program, I know how to open the box and fix everything. I can do what i need to do. But as a creative, this is too much of a hindrance. As soon as the creative flow stops, that's it. Adobe's products keep me moving and focused on my work instead of how to do my work. This is the single most annoying thing about Linux for me.
I'm at the point now where I don't have time to spend a whole weekend installling a system and tweaking its settings. I just want to make stuff. Adobe + Windows allows me to do this. If Adobe could just support Linux for its apps, I'd convert right away. Sure GIMP is a good equivalent to Photoshop, but any creative person using a computer isn't only using PS for all their work you know. Where's the equivalent of Illustrator, or inDesign, or After Effects, or Premiere, or Flash? (I know of the Linux equivalents, but that doesn't mean they're actually equivalent).
As a person I want to use Linux. As a multimedia artist, I can't. Adobe + Linux would be a dream.
Seriously. Artists are not that expensive to hire, and a HELLUVA lot cheaper than buying Maya/Photoshop/etc. If you want something creative done, then why not get a Creative to do them?
You're a professional, right? You wouldn't expect an artist to be able to code his/her own database, why do you expect to be able to create your own art? A big reason why we all hate those banner ads and billboards and posters and signage plastered all over our lives is just because the person making them was too cheap to get the right person for the right job: when I see ads created by actual designers (i.e., with talent) it doesn't offend me, I actually *enjoy* looking at the ad, and as a result am interested in the product.
It's all about attitude. Do you want your app to have a unconfident, backseat attitude, or do you want to grab the user's attention, hold their interest and give them a good experience with your software (to the point that they want to use it and tell others to use it too)? Professional designers and artists can do that for you (me included).
In this tough world of competition you need to stand out from the pack to be successful and your first line of attack is the look and feel of your product (i.e., the art of it). So go out get yourself some good artists on your project and reap the rewards of impressive attitude.
www.whitehaze.com
www.designiskinky.com
www.k10k.net
www.pixelsurgeon.com
www.surfstation.lu
zed.cbc.ca
www.24-7media.de
www.iconbuffet.com/stock_icons/index.html
www.superfamous.com/empire/
These sites should give you some ideas of what can be done with the right creative consultancy. Us artists are hurting for work. Give us a chance man.
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I'd like to weigh in as an Artist/Coder. I think maybe I can shed some light to the GIMP/PS debate given my experience with both sides of the divide (creative/artist versus coder/hacker).
I do web design as my primary job, but I'm also doing freelance print design, web development, photography, illustration and video. I use almost all of the Adobe products (and formerly Macromedia ;) I have also been dabbling with Linux since Red Hat 5 and been using the GIMP since before version 1.
I deeply respect the OSS community and believe in it, support it with Creative Commons and use the tools it provides. I want to use Linux and hate that I'm forced to use Windows: I would switch to Linux in a second, if it did what I need my computer to do.
What do I need my computer to do? I need my computer to not get in the way of my creativity. Period.
I've installed many distros of Linux, and setup "equivelant" installations to my Windows box, but when it comes down to doing what I do (being a creative digital person) I can't create without recompiling some code, (re)searching through hundreds of webpages to figure out what OSS app will do something close to After Effects (or even Photoshop), or just running into wierd GUI setups that aren't intuitive enough to me. When I'm creating, I don't want to stop in the middle of it to decipher how a tool works (or hack it if it doesn't work). I just want to keep drawing/recording/editing/playing.
I know how to program, I know how to open the box and fix everything. I can do what i need to do. But as a creative, this is too much of a hindrance. As soon as the creative flow stops, that's it. Adobe's products keep me moving and focused on my work instead of how to do my work. This is the single most annoying thing about Linux for me.
I'm at the point now where I don't have time to spend a whole weekend installling a system and tweaking its settings. I just want to make stuff. Adobe + Windows allows me to do this. If Adobe could just support Linux for its apps, I'd convert right away. Sure GIMP is a good equivalent to Photoshop, but any creative person using a computer isn't only using PS for all their work you know. Where's the equivalent of Illustrator, or inDesign, or After Effects, or Premiere, or Flash? (I know of the Linux equivalents, but that doesn't mean they're actually equivalent).
As a person I want to use Linux. As a multimedia artist, I can't. Adobe + Linux would be a dream.
What do we do next?
Seriously. Artists are not that expensive to hire, and a HELLUVA lot cheaper than buying Maya/Photoshop/etc. If you want something creative done, then why not get a Creative to do them? You're a professional, right? You wouldn't expect an artist to be able to code his/her own database, why do you expect to be able to create your own art? A big reason why we all hate those banner ads and billboards and posters and signage plastered all over our lives is just because the person making them was too cheap to get the right person for the right job: when I see ads created by actual designers (i.e., with talent) it doesn't offend me, I actually *enjoy* looking at the ad, and as a result am interested in the product. It's all about attitude. Do you want your app to have a unconfident, backseat attitude, or do you want to grab the user's attention, hold their interest and give them a good experience with your software (to the point that they want to use it and tell others to use it too)? Professional designers and artists can do that for you (me included). In this tough world of competition you need to stand out from the pack to be successful and your first line of attack is the look and feel of your product (i.e., the art of it). So go out get yourself some good artists on your project and reap the rewards of impressive attitude. www.whitehaze.com www.designiskinky.com www.k10k.net www.pixelsurgeon.com www.surfstation.lu zed.cbc.ca www.24-7media.de www.iconbuffet.com/stock_icons/index.html www.superfamous.com/empire/ These sites should give you some ideas of what can be done with the right creative consultancy. Us artists are hurting for work. Give us a chance man.