I just installed the CS5 Master Collection and am having some trouble knowing where to start. I want to expand my knowledge to work efficiently and quickly as both a web and graphic designer by integrating these programs the way they are meant to be.

Currently I am:

Proficient in Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Bridge
Competent in Illustrator

I know some of these programs are for video/music but I was interested in maybe learning:

Contribute
Device Central
Fireworks
Flash Builder
Flash Catalyst
Flash Pro
InDesign

So what do you all think would be the best next step to take to improve my web and graphic design.

Hm. Forget all about Dreamweaver unless you just code in it, improve your skills in Illustrator and if you plan on doing anything in print design learn InDesign.

Flash is soon to be pretty much dead, and by default Contribute will follow. Fireworks is worse than useless.

Of course, all of these answers depend on what you plan to do next.

tim

Illustrator is a strong 3D software so I recommend you improve on it because it helps when used with Photoshop. Flash is on its way out so don't bother with it.

Filmography is a HUGE industry now. Learning Premiere is a good and solid choice if you are serious about it. YouTube and the photography industry heavily depend on film editing.

I write my own code in Dreamweaver if that is what you mean. I just like the ability to open one page and have tabs for any linked style sheets and script pages.

Is Fireworks not useful for quick interactive mock-ups to show clients?

Why is Flash on its way out?

I think I'll focus on sharpening my Illustrator skills.

Right, Dreamweaver has some good tools, it's just not good to use in design view. You got it.

I'm sure Fireworks has some uses, but for mock-ups, especially variations of a design, using layer comps in Photoshop is preferable. I haven't seen anything it can do I can't do using the programs I usually use to create content.

Support for Flash is being dropped by several companies, among them Microsoft with it's next OS. Adobe's rushing to create a version that uses HTML5 and javascript in place of actionscript.

The big 3 you need to know inside and out are Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop for most graphic design work. Learn to love grids, in use and breaking thereof, and typography.

tim

I've been studying grid work here and there on my own time. I am currently a student at the Art Institute, studying Web Design and Interactive Graphics, where I'm learning typography. I'll try to improve my knowledge and skills in Illustrator and learn InDesign, as I plan on doing some graphic design as well.

Thanks alot for your help.

Here's my 2cents. I would follow exactly what Seranfae said about getting really comfortable with Illustrator and learning InDesign. Both are extremely valuable to know if you want to make it as a graphic designer.

One way to learn them well is to practice doing different tutorials. You can google 'Free Illustrator Tutorials' and do the same for InDesign to get a list of choices.

Originally Posted by Mystical Pippin

Here's my 2cents.

Thank you, I've been practicing with Illustrator and have been surprised with the software's abilities.

Good for you Day. I love Illustrator. Its my favorite of all the art programs. I like to draw and paint and mix my own gradients - it takes me back to my old oil painting days.....

IMO its the best vector program out there. If you have any questions feel free to ask me I'm pretty familiar with Illustrator - going on 6 years now.....I use CS4 and I worked on CS5 at school last year

Try to learn adobe premiere pro its best for video editing. Sony vegas is also most demanding soft for video editing tool.

Originally Posted by logoonlinepros

Try to learn adobe premiere pro its best for video editing. Sony vegas is also most demanding soft for video editing tool.

I'm using Final Cut at school for editing class but I'm not really looking to dive to deep in to video editing. Thanks anyway.

I agree Day. Don't waste your time on something that doesn't interest you. I took video editing once a few years ago but wound up dropping it because it wasn't what I thought it would be. The class was actually called "animation and video editing". But the teacher only spent 3 weeks on animation which was the main reason I took the class. I never had any plans to get into that field of design and since I didn't find it interesting I dropped it.

Its good for you to learn Adobe Premiere or After Effects, because if you learn it you can improve your knowledge from photo effects to motion graphics.

Increasing your knowledge in Illustrator seems to be the most complimentary/beneficial software to learn on top of what you already know!

flash is good