This week I began my internship at Image Works in Orange City, Florida! Image Works specializes in creating vehicle graphics and all types of brand building products for local businesses in Volusia County. Going into the week I was really nervous because I did not know what to expect. I was confident that the techniques I learned from some of the digital arts courses would give me an advantage but I still felt unsure about things. When I arrived Monday, Mrs. Sherri the owner of Image Works, prepped me for the week and introduced me to her assistant Marissa. She gave me a tour of the shop which is filled with printing machines and designing tables. She also assigned me a desk next to the main printer. After being assigned a desk I was introduced to the applications that I will be using throughout the internship. In order to create the products they use a software named Corel Draw X7. Its very similar to Adobe Illustrator so I was able learn techniques really fast which made them become impressed and even more interested in me as an intern. We use Corel in order to make our banners, signs, and magnets. Another application we use is Flexi Sign. On Flexi Sign we are able to print and cut out vinyl for vehicle installations. Overall this week gave me the opportunity to begin working and building experience at Image Works. In upcoming weeks I will get in the drivers seat and begin to create branding products and design graphics for customers.
Glad to read you are getting started! I’ll be curious to hear more about the differences you see between Abode Photoshop and Corel Draw. Photoshop is used more in print production, but Draw seems to have it’s supporters in sign production. Obviously, it sounds like the transition was simple for you. Where were the key differences you might point out to someone else? Did you ask the owner why they use one over the other?
I believe the key differences between Photoshop and Corel Draw is that Photoshop focuses more on creative photo manipulation while Corel helps produce accurate screen printing designs for signs, banners, and T shirts. Both applications have a lot of tools and features in common but Corel is more consistent with the printing services we offer here at Image Works.