dice.camp is one of the many independent Mastodon servers you can use to participate in the fediverse.
A Mastodon server for RPG folks to hang out and talk. Not owned by a billionaire.

Administered by:

Server stats:

1.5K
active users

#adobephotoshop

1 post1 participant0 posts today

Photoshop vs. Illustrator vs. InDesign: Which One to Learn First (and Why It Matters)

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you click on them and make a purchase. It’s at no extra cost to you and helps us run this site. Thanks for your support!

Stepping into the world of digital design presents a big question right away. You see three titans of the Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. They all look powerful. They all seem essential. This often leads to a tough decision: which one should you learn first? The choice you make can shape your creative journey, so it’s important to get it right. This guide on Photoshop vs. Illustrator vs. InDesign is here to give you clarity.

This is not just another technical comparison. It’s a practical roadmap. It’s designed to help you align your learning with your personal and professional goals. Are you an aspiring photographer? A future branding expert? A budding publisher? Your answer points to a different starting line.

We will explore what makes each program tick. You will understand their core strengths, see how they handle different tasks, and discover which one is the best fit for your ambitions. We will also look at how these tools are designed to work together, creating a seamless workflow for almost any creative project. By the end, you will not only know where to begin but also feel confident in your choice.

What Is Adobe Photoshop Best For? The Pixel Master

Think of Photoshop as the master of the pixel. It is a raster-based editor, which means it works with images made of tiny dots (pixels). This makes it the undisputed champion of photo editing and image manipulation. If you need to retouch a portrait, remove an unwanted object from a background, or blend multiple photos into a single, stunning composite, Photoshop is your go-to tool.

But its power doesn’t stop at photography. Photoshop is also a fantastic tool for creating digital paintings, concept art, and graphics for the web. Social media posts, website banners, YouTube thumbnails—these are all prime candidates for Photoshop. Its advanced layering system, selection tools, and powerful brushes give you complete control over every detail. With the recent integration of Adobe Firefly, its generative AI capabilities have opened up a new universe of creative possibilities.

Common Uses for Photoshop:

  • Retouching, color-correcting, and manipulating photographs.
  • Designing eye-catching social media graphics and banner ads.
  • Creating mockups for websites and mobile apps.
  • Digital painting and creating detailed concept art.
  • Making animated GIFs and simple video edits.

When should you learn Photoshop first?
If your creative work revolves around images, photography, or digital content for screens, starting with Photoshop is the most logical and practical step. It provides the foundational skills for understanding digital imaging that are valuable across the entire creative industry.

What Is Adobe Illustrator Best For? The Vector Virtuoso

Now, let’s talk about Illustrator. Unlike Photoshop, Illustrator is a vector-based program. This is a crucial difference. Instead of pixels, it uses mathematical equations to create shapes, lines, and curves. What does this mean for you? Scalability. An image created in Illustrator can be shrunk to the size of a postage stamp or enlarged to fit on a billboard, all without losing a single bit of quality.

This makes Illustrator the industry standard for creating logos, icons, and any other graphic that needs to be used in multiple sizes. It is the tool of choice for branding experts, illustrators, and graphic designers who require precision and flexibility. If you are designing a company logo, a set of custom icons for a website, or a complex infographic, Illustrator gives you the clean lines and infinite scalability you need.

Common Uses for Illustrator:

  • Designing logos and complete brand identity systems.
  • Creating custom illustrations, characters, and vector art.
  • Developing icons and infographics for web and print.
  • Designing packaging and merchandise like t-shirts and mugs.
  • Crafting beautiful typography and custom lettering.

When should you learn Illustrator first?
If your passion lies in branding, logo design, or illustration, Illustrator should be your starting point. Learning to think in vectors is a core skill for any graphic designer focused on creating original, scalable artwork.

What Is Adobe InDesign Best For? The Layout Legend

Finally, we have InDesign. This program is a specialist in page layout and publishing. While Photoshop and Illustrator can handle some text, InDesign is built to manage large documents with ease. Think magazines, books, brochures, and multi-page reports. It is the bridge that brings together the images from Photoshop and the logos from Illustrator into a cohesive, professional document.

InDesign excels at handling typography and organizing content. It offers powerful features like master pages (for consistent headers and footers), automatic page numbering, and paragraph and character styles that let you update formatting across an entire document with a single click. It is designed for both print and digital publishing, allowing you to create everything from a printed catalog to an interactive PDF with clickable links and embedded videos.

Common Uses for InDesign:

  • Laying out magazines, newspapers, and books.
  • Designing brochures, flyers, and annual reports.
  • Creating professional resumes and portfolios.
  • Building interactive PDFs, digital magazines, and eBooks.

When should you learn InDesign first?
If your goal is to work in publishing, editorial design, or any field that requires creating text-heavy, multi-page documents, then InDesign is the place to start. It is the essential tool for anyone serious about layout and typography.

Key Differences at a Glance: Photoshop vs. Illustrator vs. InDesign

Sometimes, a simple chart makes everything clearer. Here is a breakdown of the core differences between these three powerful applications.

FeaturePhotoshopIllustratorInDesignFile TypeRaster (Pixel-based)Vector (Path-based)Page LayoutBest ForPhoto Editing, Web GraphicsLogos, Icons, IllustrationMagazines, Books, BrochuresScalabilityLimited (Loses quality)Infinite (Never loses quality)Depends on imported assetsPrimary FocusEditing and Creating PixelsDrawing and Creating PathsArranging Text and AssetsOutputWeb & PrintWeb & PrintPrint & Interactive Digital

So, Which Adobe Software Should I Learn First for Graphic Design?

The answer truly comes down to what you want to create. There is no single “best” starting point, only the one that is best for you.

Start with Photoshop if you want to:

  • Become a photographer or photo retoucher.
  • Create stunning graphics for social media, blogs, or websites.
  • Explore the world of digital painting and concept art.
  • Use powerful AI tools to generate and enhance visual content.

Start with Illustrator if you want to:

  • Design logos and build brand identities for businesses.
  • Become a digital illustrator or create vector-based artwork.
  • Design merchandise, packaging, or anything that requires printing at various sizes.

Start with InDesign if you want to:

  • Work in publishing and design books, magazines, or newspapers.
  • Create professional, multi-page brochures, catalogs, and reports.
  • Focus on the art of typography and complex document layouts.

It is also important to remember that these tools are not rivals; they are partners. A professional designer rarely uses just one. A common workflow involves editing a photo in Photoshop, placing a logo from Illustrator, and arranging it all in an InDesign layout. Learning one makes it easier to learn the others.

Learning Tools and Resources to Get You Started

Embarking on your learning journey is exciting, and there are fantastic resources available to help you succeed.

  • Adobe Creative Cloud: The All Apps plan is the best value if you are serious about design. It gives you access to Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and over 20 other creative apps. Adobe often offers discounts for students and teachers, so be sure to check for those.
  • Domestika: This online learning platform features courses taught by top industry professionals. The project-based approach is perfect for hands-on learners. You can find excellent, affordable courses for all three programs, whether you are a complete beginner or looking to master advanced techniques.
  • Adobe Stock: Feeling stuck or short on time? Adobe Stock is a massive library of high-quality photos, illustrations, templates, and mockups. Using an Adobe Stock template for a presentation or brochure can save you hours of work and give your project a professional polish from the start.

Final Thoughts: Choose Your Path and Begin Creating

The debate over Photoshop vs. Illustrator vs. InDesign is less about which tool is superior and more about which tool is right for the task at hand. Your first step is to identify your primary creative goal. Are you manipulating pixels, drawing scalable shapes, or arranging layouts? Your answer is your starting point.

Choose the program that aligns with your passion today, but stay curious about the others. The skills you learn in one will make you a better user of them all. The most important thing is to move from decision to action. Stop worrying about the “perfect” choice, pick your path, and start creating something. You will be amazed at how quickly you can learn and grow.

Additionally, feel free to take a look at our guide to the best graphic design software in 2025 or find creative inspiration in the Graphic Design category. The latest news on professional software can be found in the Technology category.

The M48 #Severn #Bridge (or potentially both of them, I can't tell whether it is)! Taken over 20mi away in Standish Wood (near Randwick and Whiteshill, Stroud; roughly 290m altitude afaik) using a #GooglePixel 6 Pro. Edited in #AdobePhotoshop 2021.

I know the Cardiff one from Weston was far (~20km), but this definitely takes the impressive capabilities of this phone further. Sure, the image isn't high quality but I'm not bothered when it looks as beautiful as this.

1/640 ISO 34 f/3.5, location 51.774, -2.241

#photography #photo #landscape #hill #river #riversevern #image #uk #gloucestershire #picture #phonepicture