I'm not an expert graphic designer by any stretch, but thought it might be helpful for another new artist out there aimlessly surfing that lonely world wide web, just getting started on their career...
Here's a list of necessities from someone who's recently been there!
But let me make a short story long, first. When I started my first job as a print graphic designer, I didn't have a formal education or any training in the field. I knew some of the programs from dabbling, when I worked in marketing / communications, but I had never done paper mock-ups before. I had never used a straight edge ruler at the same time as an X-acto to get a nice straight cut. I didn't know what the supplies were even called or what you used them for, or what I might even need to buy if I had to do these mock-ups at home. Some friendly coworkers took me under their wing and showed me the ropes (probably with their eyes bulging out of their heads as they thought "how did she get hired?") So fret not like I fretted. Everything will work out. Practice makes perfect! Now I actually think twice before reaching for a scissor as I twirl my X-Acto like a baton after having made thousands of mockups.
So here is the long-awaited list of tools, supplies, necessities that are essential to my little mock-up zone in my home office:
1. X-acto Knife. Do your writer's bump a favor and get the ergonomic handle if you will be doing a lot of cutting. Or get the regular knife and use some of those foamy pencil thingies.
2. X-acto Replacement Blades. They wear out quicker than stone-washed jorts on a white water rafting trip! I don't know what that means either, I just thought it was fun to write.
3. Straight Edge Ruler
4. Double-sided Tape
5. 3M Positionable Mounting Adhesive*****
*****We used to use rubber cement or spray mount until I got pregnant and I was worried about health hazards. I was so excited to find this! Hey, all you graphic artists out there, especially the soon-to-be mothers, you should all stop using that toxic crap! Use this easy to use fume-free stuff
6. Self-healing Cutting Surface. They come in various sizes.
7. Bone Folder / Scorer. I use the back/dull side of my X-Acto blade most times, but I think the real pros use these.
8. Hole punches (if doing packaging a Euro-slot can be invaluable, I'm pretty good at freehanding these, but a punch is quicker)
9. Rounded corner cutter. You can round the corners manually, but just like with #8 - this is faster & neater.
10. Backing boards. I believe they're also called mat boards or mounting boards. In the art departments where I worked, we carried black or white.
11. Foam Board or Foam Core. In the art departments where I worked, we carried black or white for these too.
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