As a graphic designer, I was really eager to continue my love affair with Apple products. I couldn’t wait to add the new iPad to my list of gadgets. But I also wondered whether this new technology would change the way I created designs or conducted business.
The iPad isn’t quite ready to replace my MacBook Pro. With no flash support, no USB ports, and no memory card slots, it definitely has shortcomings. The device would not be my first choice for creating magazine layouts or developing new branding for a product. But it could be a helpful tool in getting me the business to do so — making this handy device a graphic designer’s dream.
Let’s say you’ve scored a meeting with a new client and they have requested to meet at Starbucks for a creative session. You discuss ideas and concepts but instead of using the traditional sketchpad and pencil, you use your iPad with Adobe Ideas, a free application from the iTunes App store. With this app, you can sketch design concepts, or capture and store color themes all while impressing your client. The dream part about this app is that it gives you the ability to e-mail ideas as PDF files for editing in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
On the business side, all black designers should have great support applications to help them in presentations, conducting online meetings and also handling the organizational flow of clients and projects. Check out Keynote for giving a great presentation or WebEx for viewing one. GoodReader is also another a great app used to view local files, including PDF, Word, Excel, PNG, TXT, JPEG and more.
With over 5,000 iPad apps to choose from, there are a great number of applications geared for creative types. That is the beauty of the iPad, the ability to download and use apps that will help you become more creative and be successful while doing it.
Quick tip: Buy a case with a built-in stand. It helps with productivity.
Prices range from $499 to $829. The costlier models have more memory, 3G or both. –lynnette “lboogie” pope
