Which one is best to make living: Photoshop or illustrator

Hi all,

Take a look at the following article to move designs between Photoshop and Illustrator for different workflow that suits your design objectives: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/move-designs-between-photoshop-illustrator.html

Also, if you are looking to work with Illustrator design in Photoshop? See this: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/use-illustrator-artwork-in-photoshop.html

Hope it helps.

Thanks,

Mohit

There is some great advice in this thread. Decide the career path you want to follow then learn the skills and applications appropriate to that path.

As an aside, I have never been asked what camera, software or hardware I will use to create an image. I have though been asked for a portfolio of images.

Build up uour skills in the software but importantly build up a portfolio that shows off your skills in relation to the type of work you want to gain. It is that portfolio that could be the difference between a client, or employer, being impressed by you over another Photoshop or Illustrator skilled person.

Dave

Photoshop and Illustrator are the tools used for the career, they are not the career itself.  As such, focusing on one or the other depends on what field you go into. 

I'd suggest reaching out to individuals doing what you'd like to be doing and ask them about what tools they use.

That said, while a particular career may use one more than the other, you probably want to be comfortable in both.

Here's what I'd say for some common careers (in no particular order):

• Graphic Designer - Photoshop and Illustrator and InDesign
• Photographer - Photoshop
• Freelance Designer - Photoshop and Illustrator and InDesign
• Web Developer - Photoshop and Illustrator and XD
• Designer - Photoshop and Illustrator
• Graphic Artist - Photoshop and Illustrator and InDesign
• Art Director - Photoshop and Illustrator and InDesign
• Production Artist - Photoshop and Illustrator
• Interactive Developer - Photoshop and Illustrator and XD
• Motion Design - Photoshop and Illustrator and After Effects
• Illustrator - Illustrator and a little Photoshop

Or course, those are my thoughts on it.  You'd really want to talk to someone doing it.

Another way to look at it is by ways in which Photoshop and Illustrator are used:

• Careers That Use Photoshop
  https://work.chron.com/careers-use-photoshop-11310.html
• 7 Awesome Ways Illustrator is Being Used Today
  https://www.creativelive.com/blog/how-illustrator-is-used/

This may also be worth a quick read:

• Become a professional illustrator
  https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/illustrator-career-opportunities.html

- Warren Heaton

Senior Designer, CBS Brand Creative & Marketing

Hi

Since you have already started with Photoshop, keep going with it until you feel comfortable. Photoshop is raster and Illustrator is vector, so they do different things, and many of us both back and forth between both, depending on which one is best for a specific task. Neither is "best".

The Photography plan (annual) is less expensive than the Illustrator or All Apps plan.

Neither is "easy" to learn — they both have a steep learning curve, and you'll need to put the time in to learn them well. Take a class or get a subscription to LinkedIn Learning. You can get a 30 free trial.

~ Jane

That question cannot be answered until you describe what it is you will do to make a living. Photoshop an Illustrator are just tools. Each is the best for different jobs. So what jobs will making a living entail.

Dave