The Equipment that I Use for Graphic Design Work

So here goes, so far I have never shared what equipment I used to design logos, banners, web designs, or the like. Okay, let's get to the point, since the middle of 2016 I use a Notebook Dell Inspiron 14 3458 Core i3-5005U. I bought it at that time for around IDR 5,000,000 (somewhat forgotten). Actually I want to save more so I can buy with even higher specifications. Due to work demands, I finally bought this notebook. Yes because before I bought a motorcycle vehicle in cash so the remaining savings.

Why not buy a PC? Initially I thought to buy a PC so that it is easy to upgrade in the future. Because I have high mobility, I finally decided to buy a notebook. When I want to buy, I thought about what OS to use. And I chose linux bundle in it or DOS. Why GNU/Linux? Because I have been comfortable and easy customization of desktop display with many choices. Like desktop themes to icons. If in the Windows OS most just change the color. Besides that what I like about GNU/Linux is its light weight, lower RAM consumption, fast, and not too much thinking about common problems in the Windows OS. Although there are disadvantages, like most office work formats, most use Windows software formats such as documents, cdr, ai, and others. Even so, I still survive working with GNU/Linux.

In matters of graphic design, I rely on Inkscape, Gimp, Blender, and Shotcut. I currently work as an online shop graphic designer in the advertising section from video to landing page. The chairman did not mind me using what software was used. The important thing is the outcome. For work in the office, I use Windows OS because Notebooks are available there. But for the software I still use the FOSS application. When at home, more precisely when WFH (Work from Home) I use my notebook that is installed GNU/Linux which is Linux Mint 19.1 (Although it is permissible to bring office notebooks but I prefer to use my own notebook).

The following is a list of hardware and software tools that I used (when this post was made):

• Notebook Dell Inspiron 14 3458 Core i3-5005U
• Samsung Galaxy A8 2018 (used as a wifi hotspot modem)
• Logitech B100 mouse
• Linux Mint 19.1
• Inkscape 0.92.3
• Gimp 2.8.22
• Blender 2.79
• Shotcut 20.02.17

During this time I have received logo design services (at most), web design, business cards, and packaging design. There are also my clients from local and abroad (mostly from the USA and Russia). Alhamdulilah, it is enough for side work. Sometimes I take part in design contests like those at 99designs or the like. For payment, I rely on BCA Bank and Paypal because they are the most widely used. In the future I will think of other payment options especially for overseas clients (possibly cryptocurrency like bitcoin).

After 4 years, I began to think about upgrading a new notebook. The plan, at the end of the year or at least next year. For the OS, it seems I still use GNU/Linux.

Thank you for reading this article, I hope more and more FOSS users are recognized by the world. See you later...