Design & Creative Software - Tools for Visual Expression That Improve Productivity
By acquiring appropriate design software knowledge, you can effectively visualize ideas, significantly improving communication quality and work efficiency.
The Value Design Software Brings to Productivity
In modern business environments, design skills are no longer just for specialists. Visual communication is required in daily situations including presentation materials, proposals, social media posts, and websites.
With appropriate design software knowledge, the power to communicate your ideas to others dramatically improves. Also, in collaboration with designers, having a common language makes communication smoother, leading to overall project efficiency.
Points for Design Software Learning
What's important when learning design software is understanding not just tool operations but basic design principles. By grasping universal principles like proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast, you can maintain a certain quality regardless of which software you use.
Also, tool selection according to purpose is important. Illustrator for print materials, Photoshop for photo editing, Figma for UI/UX design - each tool has its specialty.
Recommended Design Software Related Books
Here we introduce books for effectively learning design software. Selected for step-by-step learning from basic theory to practical operations.
The Non-Designer's Design Book (4th Edition)
Even people without professional design education can dramatically improve design quality just by understanding four basic principles. Using familiar creations like business cards, flyers, and presentation materials as examples, it visually explains the differences between good and bad design. The Japanese edition also includes explanations of Japanese typography, making it immediately applicable to practice.
- The four principles of proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast form the foundation of design
- If you know design rules, you can create good design even without natural sense
- Understanding how to combine fonts greatly changes impression
- Learning through before/after format makes improvement points clear
![ノンデザイナーズ・デザインブック [第4版]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61JAysNAYBL._SL1000_.jpg)
ノンデザイナーズ・デザインブック [第4版]
Robin Williams, 米谷 テツヤ, 小原 司, 吉川 典秀 / マイナビ出版; 第4版 / 2016-06-30
デザイナーでない人のための、デザインの定番基本書。待望の第4...
A worldwide bestseller for learning basic design principles. The four principles proposed by author Robin Williams - "proximity," "alignment," "repetition," "contrast" - become the foundation for all design. Essential reading not only for those aiming to be designers but also for business professionals wanting to improve material creation and presentation quality. Abundant specific before-and-after examples allow practical understanding of principles.
Illustrator Proper Introduction (Expanded Revised 3rd Edition)
This book is an introductory guide that systematically explains from basic operations to practical techniques in Adobe Illustrator. By learning while creating actual products like logos, business cards, and flyers, skills are reliably acquired. It supports the 2024 latest version and comprehensively covers the knowledge needed for creating vector graphics.
- Understanding Bezier curves is the key to mastering Illustrator
- Practical skills are acquired by learning through actual production
- Layer and object management enables efficient work
- Understanding both print and digital output formats is important
Illustrator しっかり入門 増補改訂 第３版 ［Mac & Windows対応］
高野 雅弘 / SBクリエイティブ / 2025-02-28
最も売れているAdobe Illustratorの入門書！ ...
An introductory book for systematically learning Adobe Illustrator from basics to applications. Structured to learn operations while creating actual productions like logos, icons, flyers, and business cards. Corresponding to the 2024 version, covering the latest features. Abundant illustrations allow learning to proceed without confusion even for first-time Illustrator users. Essential skills for those with opportunities to handle print materials and vector graphics.
Photoshop Proper Introduction (Expanded Revised 3rd Edition)
This book carefully explains from basic operations to practical image editing techniques in Adobe Photoshop. You can learn functions frequently used in practice such as photo correction, compositing, and retouching. By understanding important concepts like layers, masks, and adjustment layers, you acquire a non-destructive editing workflow.
- Understanding the concept of layers is the basis of mastering Photoshop
- Non-destructive editing allows modifications at any time later
- Distinguishing between selection areas and masks enables precise editing
- Knowing the principles of color adjustment brings out photos' maximum appeal
Photoshop しっかり入門 増補改訂 第３版 ［Mac & Windows対応］
まきの ゆみ / SBクリエイティブ / 2024-02-01
知識ゼロから、きちんと学べる入門書！ Photoshop最新...
A book for learning Adobe Photoshop operations from the basics of the standard image editing software. It explains frequently used functions in practice including photo correction, compositing, and retouching. Important concepts like layers, masks, and adjustment layers are carefully explained, making it a structure that's hard to give up on even when self-studying. Essential skills for those handling digital content like web image creation and banner production.
Getting Started with Figma for Web & UI Design
This book explains from basics how to use Figma, the rapidly spreading design tool in recent years. By actually creating UI designs for websites and apps, you can master features like auto layout, components, and prototyping. You can learn workflows that leverage Figma's characteristics of browser-based real-time collaborative editing.
- Efficient design systems can be built through component reuse
- Auto layout enables flexible and responsive design
- Real-time collaborative editing accelerates team collaboration
- Prototype functionality allows checking actual operation feel in advance
これからはじめるFigma Web・UIデザイン入門 (Compass Web Development)
阿部 文人, 今 聖菜, 田口 冬菜, 中川 小雪 / マイナビ出版 / 2022-09-26
Figmaでのデザイン制作のながれを学べる1冊！ ■本書の特...
An introductory book for Figma, the design tool that has spread rapidly in recent years. Being browser-based with real-time collaborative editing capability, Figma is ideal for team design work. This book allows learning functions like auto layout, components, and prototyping while actually creating website and app UI designs. Recommendable even for those learning design tools for the first time since the free plan is sufficient for use.
Summary
Design software mastery is not mere tool operation learning. It's about acquiring skills to visually express your ideas and effectively communicate to others. By first understanding basic design principles, then selecting and learning tools matching your purpose, you can steadily build skills. Through continuous practice and application, improve work productivity and output quality.