Adobe Starterpack Resources for the Adobe Suite
Render Q
28th Apr 22 1:16 am
By Abby O’Malley & Andrea Rosado
Welcome back to another starter pack, this time for the Adobe suite! Adobe offers a collection of industry-level software that can be applied in multiple fields. Knowing how to use these programs is essential for being a professional digital artist today. SCAD offers several classes that teach these programs where you can develop your skills, but if you are looking for ways to get started learning on your own or get a head start in your classes, this article is for you!
The quickest and most efficient way to learn the Adobe suite (as well as any software) is to learn by doing. It is good to have a project or end goal in mind that you will create using these programs. For example, if you want to learn how to draw with photoshop, have a sketch or idea in mind that you will execute using the program. Maybe you want to learn video editing with Premiere or After Effects; you can bring in your own content or find some stock footage to edit while learning the program. Don’t be afraid to google tutorials specific to what you want to do with a software; there are high chances that you can find a quick tutorial that helps you achieve your goal, and in the process, you gain a new skill. Take your time learning each program by having fun exploring what you can make!
Your tuition at SCAD includes a student license to use the whole Adobe Creative Suite. This article contains a list of some of the main applications that we use at SCAD as digital media artists. Purchasing the adobe suite on your own can be expensive, so at the end of the article, there will be a list of free or cheap alternatives that you can use. As a SCAD student, you also have access to Linkedin Learning and its hundreds of courses on almost any program or skill. Take advantage of their concise video tutorials that clearly teach the software’s essentials. YouTube is an excellent resource for more specific and advanced tutorials and techniques when you want to learn even more about a program.
Photoshop
Photoshop is probably Adobe’s most popular program. Various artists with multiple skills use it for photo editing, digital painting, matte painting, animation, graphic design, and even 3D art. Here are some links to get you started whether you’re looking to learn illustration or photo editing with photoshop!
Linkedin: Photoshop 2022 Essential Training https://www.linkedin.com/learning/photoshop-2022-essential-training/welcome-to-photoshop-essential-training?autoplay=true&u=2208146
Linkedin: Learn Digital Painting https://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-digital-painting/welcome?autoplay=true&u=2208146
Linkedin: Introducing Photoshop: 3D https://www.linkedin.com/learning/introducing-photoshop-3d/welcome?autoplay=true&u=2208146
Youtube: Photoshop Training Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/Photoshoptrainingchannel/featured
Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is another popular program among digital artists that focuses on vector graphics as opposed to programs like Photoshop that focus on raster or bitmap graphics. It is used primarily by graphic designers to create logos, icons, graphics, typography, and illustrations. Try out the software by creating your own logo design!
Linkedin: Illustrator 2022 Essential Training
Youtube: Learn Illustrator in 5 MINUTES! Beginner Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GzumUieDPY
After Effects
After Effects is a software designed for video editing, animation, visual effects, puppet animation, and motion graphic design; try creating a lyric video using motion graphics to get started using the program. You can also create puppet animation or edit effects on top of existing footage!
Linkedin: Learning After Effects 2022 https://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-after-effects-2022/amazing-things-happen-in-adobe-after-effects?autoplay=true&u=2208146
Youtube: Ben Marriott
https://www.youtube.com/c/BenMarriott
Youtube: AE Tutorials
https://www.youtube.com/c/AETutorials007
Youtube: How To Make a Cartoon | For Beginners – After Effects Tutorial | Ross Plaskow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX7lW8t4Jxc&t=10s
Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro is Adobe’s video editing software. It is a powerful tool used by industry professionals to edit live-action footage. As a beginner project, create a process video for a piece of art that you made!
Linkedin: Premiere Pro Essential training 2020
Linkedin: Commercial Editing Techniques https://www.linkedin.com/learning/premiere-pro-commercial-editing-techniques/welcome?autoplay=true&u=2208146
Youtube: Adobe video and Motion – stuff for PR and AE
https://www.youtube.com/c/AdobeVideo
Youtube: Free Adobe Premiere Pro Essentials Tutorial Course – Video Editing Basics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqwlW76sFCM
Media Encoder
With this software, you can render out videos from After Effects and Premiere Pro. It can also be used to convert files of all types and to optimize your file sizes.
Adobe Animate
The approach of this software is similar to that of Adobe Illustrator because it is based on vector graphics. However, the primary purpose of this software is to create 2D animation content for television, commercials, video games, films, and any interactive media. So, give it a try, and animate your own vector graphics by following the tutorials below.
Linkedin: Adobe Animate Essential Training
YouTube: Intro to Adobe Animate 2021
Lightroom
This software is similar to Adobe Photoshop since you can manipulate and edit raster images. However, this tool is only focused on simple image editing and is not as broad as Photoshop. If you want to keep your pictures organized within the software and focus on editing them without Photoshop’s many tools, I believe Lightroom is just for you.
Linkedin: Lightroom Classic Essential Training
YouTube: Lightroom Tutorial for Beginners
You can check out Ed Gregory’s channel on YouTube since he goes more in depth about lightroom in multiple videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpCPQcqqmRLPz5xNY-veblw
Adobe Alternatives:
Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint is an incredible program made for digital illustration, comics, and even animation. The workflow is similar to photoshop, though some features unique to Clip Studio make it one of the best digital drawing programs out there. Even better, you can get it with a one-time purchase! (Look out for the 50% off sales!) So get started with this program using the tutorials below to create and format comics, try out fun brushes, or use the 3D human figure models to create dynamic poses for character designs!
Buy Clip Studio:
https://www.clipstudio.net/en/purchase/
Clip Studio official tutorials:
https://tips.clip-studio.com/en-us/official
Linkedin: Learning Clip Studio Paint
Linkedin: Creating a Comic Book Using Existing Art in Clip Studio Paint https://www.linkedin.com/learning/create-a-comic-book-using-existing-art-in-clip-studio-paint/creating-comic-books-in-clip-studio-paint-14147771?autoplay=true&u=2208146
Youtube: How to Use CLIP STUDIO PAINT – Digital Art Tutorial for BEGINNERS (step by step) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp4KDLMsQcY
Youtube: Clip Studio Paint Tutorial: The Basics for Beginners
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNaKamtSlB0&t=4s
Youtube: Animating in Clip Studio Paint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8X-1js76rM
Youtube: How I Make a webtoon in Clip Studio Paint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPWR-43ydRY
Youtube: How to Use 3D Models + Poses in Clip Studio Paint [13+]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3J8GXeMZS8&t=230s
iMovie
iMovie is Apple’s built-in video editing software. The program is free with any apple product purchase, but it is best used on a Desktop or laptop. So go ahead and get started with the basics below!
Linkedin: iMovie 10.1.16 Essentail Training https://www.linkedin.com/learning/imovie-10-1-16-essential-training/create-videos-people-actually-want-to-watch?autoplay=true&u=2208146
Youtube: iMovie – Tutorial for Beginners 11 minutes! [2021 – UPDATED] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WlXYrStaIY
Autodesk sketchbook
Autodesk sketchbook is a free drawing program available for desktop and mobile devices. It includes all of the essential tools that photoshop has and a similar workflow. It is a great way to get into digital art without spending a lot on software.
Official Website: https://www.sketchbook.com/
Youtube: Autodesk Sketchbook – Tutorial for Beginners in 11 MINUTES!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R47ZnlUwD8M
Youtube: Autodesk Sketchbook Mobile Beginner Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCJKoENUzgs
Davinci Resolve:
This is an editing software where you can create video content just like Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro. The best part is that there is an entirely free version where you can access many editing tools. This software is one of the most effective tools for color grading. You can download and learn more about this powerful tool by clicking the following link:https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/
YouTube: How to Use DaVinci Resolve 17- Tutorials for Beginners
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UguJiz9AYM8
Linkedin: DaVinci Resolve Fundamentals
As a digital media artist, it is crucial to understand the basics of any software that you use. Even if you are exposed to it for the first time or just looking to refresh your mind with the tool, knowing the fundamental aspects is essential because you can expand your skills. This article provides many resources regarding some of the main products of the Adobe Creative Suite and several alternatives. At first, it can be overwhelming, but you can definitely master your skill with practice. It is like learning a new language. So be patient with yourself, and most of all, have fun!
