DESIGN TOOLS · 4 MIN
Photoshop vs Illustrator: Where to Begin
Choose based on the material you need to create, not on which software looks more advanced.
Photoshop is strongest for pixel-based images: photography, retouching, compositing, texture and digital campaign artwork. Illustrator is strongest for vector work: logos, icons, diagrams, typography systems and graphics that must scale cleanly.
Most professional brand production uses both. A learner might design a logo and icon family in Illustrator, prepare photography in Photoshop, then combine the assets in a campaign layout. Begin with the tool that matches your immediate output, but learn the shared foundations of hierarchy, contrast, alignment, colour and file preparation.
Put this knowledge into practice
Explore the related IMAX Academy program or speak with our team about the right learning pathway.