Illustrators’ Basic Knowledge 01: “Get Your Digital Equipment Ready!”
（I am writing based on the circumstances of the Japanese illustrator industry. )
Modern illustrators need digital equipment
When I was just starting out, only a small number of illustrators owned a computer.
A landline telephone and fax machine were essential, but mobile phones had not yet become widespread.
Times, however, have changed dramatically.
For today’s illustrators, digital equipment—starting with a computer—is essential.
A smartphone is also indispensable.
On the other hand, landline telephones and fax machines are no longer necessary.
I believe that, as illustrators, it is also important for us to keep updating our equipment in line with the times.
This time, let’s learn about the digital equipment that modern illustrators should have.
Digital equipment you should prepare
1) Computer
Above all, a computer is essential.
With the exception of some older veteran illustrators, there are almost no professional illustrators who continue to work regularly without a computer.
Even if you create your artwork with traditional materials, it is now standard practice to digitize the artwork and deliver it via the Internet.
You need a computer when digitizing and delivering your work.
Communication is mainly done by email.
You can use email on a smartphone, but it is still better to have a computer as well.
So—
what kind of computer should you choose?
Recommended Computer ① iMac
If you do not have any particular preference, I recommend an iMac.
There are also notebook-style Macs, but I think the iMac, with its larger screen, is easier to draw on.
When you proceed through the iMac order page on Apple’s website, you can customize the storage and memory.
At ordinary electronics retailers, you often cannot customize the storage or memory, so I recommend purchasing from Apple’s website.
As for storage, if your budget allows, a larger capacity is better.
Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator use storage as a scratch disk.
If you have plenty of storage capacity, you can work more comfortably even when handling heavy artwork files.
Therefore, if you create large artwork files in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, 512GB of storage would be good.
If you have the budget, or if you regularly handle large-capacity artwork, 1TB is better.
However, if you create your artwork traditionally, or if your budget is limited, 256GB is also acceptable.
If you start using it and feel that 256GB is not enough, you can always add external storage later.
More memory is also better.
I think you need at least 16GB.
If your budget allows, order it with 24GB.
If your budget is limited, one option is to purchase an Apple Certified Refurbished product.
Apple Certified Refurbished products are items that were returned due to initial defects or similar reasons, then inspected and refurbished by Apple and sold in like-new condition.
They cannot be customized, but they are cheaper than ordinary Macs.
If you want to get one even more cheaply, you could look for a used iMac.
However, if someone without much knowledge buys a used Mac, they may make a poor choice.
If you are buying a Mac for the first time, it is safer to avoid used models.
If you really want to buy used, do so while getting advice from a friend who knows Macs well.
The reason I recommend Mac over Windows is that Macs can display colors for print data more accurately.
In general, graphic design offices and printing companies use Macs, and display color temperatures and other settings are standardized.
For illustrations intended for print, the standard display color temperature is 5000K, and the gamma value is 1.8. This looks slightly yellowish.
For illustrations intended for the Web, the color temperature is 6500K, and the gamma value is 2.2. This looks bluish-white. These are the values used by many Windows computers and smartphones.
A professional switches the display color settings when creating illustrations according to the medium—print or Web.
With a Mac, you can easily set the color temperature and gamma value.
This allows you to create your work with accurate colors.
However, recent Macs are sold with settings aligned with Windows: color temperature 6500K and gamma value 2.2.
With the default settings, they are not suitable for producing printed materials.
If you care about color accuracy, make sure to set your display properly for print: color temperature 5000K and gamma value 1.8.
How to adjust display color
Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of the Mac screen.
Choose “Apple menu” → “System Settings.”
Click “Displays” in the menu on the left. You may need to scroll down.
Click the pop-up menu next to “Color Profile” on the right and select “Customize.”
A list of display color profiles and other color profiles will appear.
Hold down the Option key on the keyboard and click the “+” button.
The Display Calibrator Assistant will open.
Click “Continue” and follow the instructions to configure the settings.
If you are creating a profile for illustrations used in printed materials, choose “1.8” for the gamma setting and “5000” for the white point.
At first, the adjusted display may look quite yellowish.
If you are creating a profile for illustrations used on the Web, choose “2.2” for the gamma setting and “6500” for the white point.
This will look slightly bluish-white.
Switch between these two profiles depending on the intended use of your artwork.
Display calibration device: Datacolor SpyderX
If you want even more accurate colors, use a display calibration device.
It measures the color of your display and automatically adjusts it to more accurate settings.
The product I use is called “Datacolor SpyderX.”
Recommended Computer ② MacBook
Once your professional activities start to get on track, you will want to purchase a MacBook—a notebook computer—as your second computer.
This is because computers can suddenly break down one day.
And for some reason, they tend to break down when you are busy or right before a deadline.
I do not want any of you to experience the despair of having your computer break down the night before a deadline.
Once your work becomes somewhat stable, please consider adding a MacBook.
Another good thing about a MacBook is that you can use it during a power outage.
When there is a risk of a power outage due to lightning or a typhoon, it is safer to work on a MacBook.
If you live in an area with frequent power outages, or if the circuit breaker in your home often trips, choosing a MacBook as your first computer is also a good option.
If you want to work on a larger screen, you can connect a larger display to your MacBook.
I will introduce recommended displays below.
“Lightning Buster” for lightning protection
If lightning strikes a nearby utility pole or similar object, an excessive current may flow into your computer and cause it to break down.
For such situations, it is reassuring to plug a “Lightning Buster” into the power strip connected to your computer.
Simply plugging this into your power strip helps prevent excessive current from flowing into computers and other electronic devices even if lightning strikes nearby.
Recommended Computer ③ Surface
If you prefer Windows, or if you are more accustomed to Windows, then choose a Windows computer.
About one quarter of “Illustrators Tsushin” members use Windows.
For a Windows computer as well, it is good to have at least 512GB of storage.
If your budget allows, choose 1TB.
If your budget is limited, around 256GB is also acceptable.
Memory should be at least 16GB.
If you create digital illustrations, 32GB will make things run more smoothly.
Many Windows computers sold at electronics retailers are designed for general office work or hobby use.
For that reason, their display quality is often low.
Many of them are not suitable for illustrators who need accurate color display.
Among Windows computers sold at electronics retailers, I recommend Surface.
Surface is a notebook-style computer.
The good thing about this computer is that it can also be used as a tablet, allowing you to draw directly on the screen with a pen.
In other words, it can also function as a pen display.
Because you can draw directly on the screen, it is recommended for people who create digitally.
If you have this, you probably do not need a pen display tablet or an iPad.
However, with Windows OS, you cannot set the color temperature to 5000K.
If you use a Windows computer, purchase a separate display calibration device like the one introduced above and adjust the display colors.
If you want to check your work on a larger screen, you can connect a separately purchased large display to your Surface.
I will introduce recommended displays further below.
2) Display
If you purchase a computer that does not have a built-in display, or if you purchase a notebook computer and want a separate large display, what kind of display should you choose?
Conditions for a display recommended for illustrators
High resolution: 4K, 5K, or 6K
Large screen size: 24 to 30 inches
Adobe RGB coverage of 99% or higher
IPS panel (IPS panels have a wide viewing angle, so colors do not change even when viewed from an angle.)
Flat screen (Curved displays exist, but straight lines can look distorted, so I do not recommend them for illustrators.)
Recommended Display ① Apple Studio Display / Pro Display XDR
If you are connecting it to an Apple product, I think Apple’s Studio Display is still a good choice.
It is expensive, but if your budget allows, I recommend it.
Recommended Display ② EIZO ColorEdge Series
The EIZO ColorEdge series has a strong reputation for beautiful color.
With the separately sold EX4 color measurement sensor, even more accurate calibration is possible.
You often see these displays in professional workplaces that require accurate color, such as graphic design offices and printing companies.
However, they are rather expensive.
Recommended Display ③ BenQ AQCOLOR Series
This is a high-quality display series at a relatively affordable price.
BenQ AQCOLOR Series
It seems that you need to purchase calibration equipment separately.
Recommended Display ④ ASUS ProArt Series
ASUS ProArt is also relatively affordable and high quality.
It seems that you need to purchase calibration equipment separately.
Color temperature and color rendering of lighting
This is not digital equipment, but I would also like to touch on lighting here.
Illustrators sometimes check color proofs.
However, the color of a proof can look different depending on the lighting.
If you are a professional illustrator, you should also use room lighting and desk lamps that reproduce accurate color.
The first important point is color temperature.
Choose lighting and desk lamps with a color temperature of 5000K.
If a lighting fixture says “daylight white” in Japanese, it is generally around 5000K.
5000K is the same color temperature as daytime sunlight.
That is why it is used as the standard in the printing industry.
Just as important as color temperature is “color rendering.”
This refers to the accuracy of the color produced by the lighting.
When sunlight passes through a prism, it separates into seven colors, doesn’t it?
The sun does not emit only slightly yellowish 5000K light.
That color is created by a mixture of light with many different wavelengths.
However, ordinary lighting does not contain light of many different wavelengths.
Even if the light emitted by a lamp is 5000K, if it does not include blue light, blue objects will not appear properly blue.
Unless various wavelengths of light are mixed together to create 5000K, the colors of a proof cannot be seen accurately.
The closer the color rendering index is to Ra100, the closer the light is to sunlight.
Ordinary fluorescent lights are around Ra70.
Therefore, even if the color temperature is 5000K, colors will not appear accurately.
For room lighting, I recommend Ra80 or higher.
For desk lamps, I recommend Ra90 or higher.
Color rendering 93, 5000K LED bulb type
Color rendering 92, 5000K LED fluorescent tube type
Color rendering Ra90, SwitchBot LED ceiling light, compatible with Apple Siri and Alexa
Color rendering Ra93, Panasonic LED ceiling light, where “normal light” is 5000K
Color rendering Ra93, desk lamp with adjustable color temperature
Color rendering Ra97, 5000K desk lamp
3) Printer
It is not unusual to need to print things for work.
For book cover or novel illustration jobs, the text of the novel is sent to you, but reading it on a computer screen can be tiring.
So it is better to print it out on paper before reading.
You may also want to print your own artwork beautifully.
That is why a printer is essential.
Recommended Printer ① EPSON Pigment Ink Printer, A3+ Size
There are two types of printer ink: pigment ink and dye ink.
Pigment ink has better light resistance, water resistance, and preservation quality, and it does not bleed even when printed on plain paper, drawing paper, watercolor paper, and similar materials.
If you want to print your artwork for sale or exhibition, it is useful to have a printer that supports the larger A3+ size.
SC-PX7V2
SC-PX1V
Recommended Printer ② EPSON All-in-One Printer, A4 Size
The printers listed above are suitable for outputting artwork, but they are not suitable for everyday use.
They take time to print, and the ink costs are high.
For everyday use, an A4 all-in-one printer is more suitable.
An “all-in-one printer” is a type of device that combines a printer and scanner.
It can also be used as a copier, so it is very useful to have.
This is what beginners should prepare first.
I recommend EPSON as the manufacturer.
Both its printers and scanners offer high image quality, and many professional illustrators use EPSON products.
EP-M476T
Since it uses four dye-based inks, text printed on copy paper tends to bleed.
EW-M754TW1
Since it uses four dye-based inks plus pigment-based black ink, monochrome text printed on copy paper does not bleed.
4) Scanner
For traditional illustration, it is common to scan the artwork, convert it into digital data, and deliver it that way.For jobs with larger budgets, such as book covers, there may also be cases where original artwork delivery is accepted.
Even people who create digital illustrations need to scan printed materials from past jobs and post them on websites, social media, portfolios, and so on.
Therefore, if you are going to work professionally, a scanner is essential.
Recommended Scanner ① EPSON, A3 Size
DS-50000
This is an A3 scanner made by EPSON. It is quite expensive, but if you often create larger traditional illustrations, such as book covers or double-page magazine spreads, it is useful to have.
Recommended Scanner ② EPSON, A4 Size
GT-S660
This is an A4 scanner made by EPSON. It is reasonably priced.
Recommended Scanner ③ EPSON All-in-One Printer, A4 Size
A3 scanners are expensive, so people who do not create large traditional illustrations probably do not need one.
In the past, illustrators generally owned an A4 scanner and a printer separately. But now that all-in-one printers have improved, I do not think there is much point in purchasing a scanner-only device.
If you are a beginner, I recommend purchasing one all-in-one printer instead of buying a printer and scanner separately.
EPSON products are well known for their image quality.
EP-M476T
Since it uses four dye-based inks, text printed on copy paper tends to bleed.
EW-M754TW1
Since it uses four dye-based inks plus pigment-based black ink, monochrome text printed on copy paper does not bleed.
5) Pen Tablet and Pen Display
It is difficult to draw with a mouse.
Therefore, when creating digitally, you use a pen tablet.
There are two types of pen tablets: board-type tablets, often called “pen tablets,” and display tablets, which allow you to draw directly on the LCD screen.
With a board-type pen tablet, the screen is not displayed on the area where you draw with the pen, so it can be difficult to use until you get used to it.
With a pen display, the screen is displayed on the area where you draw, so it is
easier to use. However, it is expensive.
Recommended Tablet ① Board-Type Pen Tablet: Wacom Intuos Pro
For board-type tablets, I recommend the Wacom Intuos Pro.
Wacom products are used by professional illustrators, manga artists, and animators around the world.
There are three sizes: S, M, and L.
A size close to your computer display is easier to draw with.
However, budget is also a factor, so a small one is sufficient for beginners.
Recommended Tablet ② Pen Display: Wacom Cintiq
For a pen display, Wacom Cintiq would be a good choice.
The 15.6-inch model is 99,880 yen.
The 21.5-inch model is 154,800 yen.
These are prices that require quite a bit of courage to purchase.
They are expensive, so I do not own one myself. I use a board-type pen tablet.
6) iPad
With an Apple Pencil, an iPad allows you to draw directly on the screen.
Recently, it seems that more illustrators are using iPads instead of pen displays.
You can also connect an iPad to a computer and work while checking your artwork on a larger screen.
Reference page: https://pentablet.club/ipad-ekitabuka
Moreover, an iPad can be used like a computer or smartphone.
You can write emails, search the Web, use it as a camera or calculator, and so on.
When going out for work, it can also serve as a notebook or schedule planner.
It can also become a sketchbook.
I would not go so far as to say that it is an essential digital device, but it is certainly a remarkably useful work tool.
Choosing a MacBook as your first device and an iPad as your second is also a valid option.
7) Smartphone
We are now in an era where landline telephones are no longer necessary.
Fax machines are also unnecessary.
However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to work without a smartphone.
Many companies now provide one smartphone per salesperson.
That is how indispensable smartphones have become in modern business.
Of course, they function as telephones, but they also handle email, chat, social media, Web searches, translation, photographing reference materials, schedules, notes, and more.
There are so many functions that it would be impossible to list them all.
You can receive urgent calls even when you are away from home.
You can check and reply to emails and chats on the train.
You can even look through proofs or reference materials that have been sent to you.
The faster someone responds, the more likely people are to want to work with them again.
I use an iPhone.
Of course, Android is also perfectly fine.
8) External Storage
Connect external storage to back up your computer data.
Storage refers to recording media such as hard disks and SSDs.
It is reassuring to have a capacity about two to four times larger than your computer’s internal storage.
There are also services that back up data to the cloud, but I recommend using them together with external storage.
This is because there is always a possibility, however small, that you may be unable to access data in the cloud due to Internet connection problems or a cloud service being targeted by hackers.
On the other hand, if you only have your computer and external storage, both may be damaged in a disaster.
I think you should keep two backups: one on external storage and one with a cloud service.
Mac has a backup system called “Time Machine.”
Reference page: https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/column/macinfo/1542733.html
The advantages of using Apple products
I use Apple products for many of my digital devices: computer, smartphone, and iPad.
This is simply my personal preference.
You do not have to use Apple products.
However, there are several advantages.
Let me list them.
1) You can copy and paste across devices
You can copy text on your Mac and paste it on your iPhone or iPad.
This is surprisingly convenient.
2) You can sync passwords
Passwords for websites and other services that are automatically saved on your iPhone can also be automatically entered from your iPad or Mac.
If you use Face ID or Touch ID, you no longer need to type passwords.
3) You can sync photos, videos, and illustration data
Photos and videos taken on an iPhone are saved to iCloud, so they can be accessed in the same way from any device.
If you create illustrations while saving them to iCloud, they will also sync across all your devices.
4) You can sync Apple’s built-in apps, such as Contacts, Notes, and Calendar
You can sync Contacts, Notes, Calendar, Reminders, Safari bookmarks, and more across all your devices.
You can use them in the same way from any device.
5) You can easily transfer data with AirDrop
With AirDrop, you can easily transfer all kinds of data.
There is no need for the hassle of moving data with a USB flash drive or similar device.
Reference page: https://join.biglobe.ne.jp/mobile/sim/gurashi/airdrop180118/
6) You can answer calls to your iPhone on your Mac or iPad
When a call comes in to your iPhone at home, your Mac and iPad will also ring.
You can answer the call from any of them.
Of course, if you do not use this feature, you can turn it off.
Reference page: https://support.apple.com/ja-jp/102405
7) You can use Instant Hotspot
When you are out and want to connect your Mac or non-cellular iPad to the Internet in a place without Wi-Fi, the Instant Hotspot feature is convenient.
As long as your iPhone is connected to your mobile carrier’s network, you can connect your MacBook or non-cellular iPad to the Internet through your iPhone.
It can be described as an evolved form of tethering.
Reference page: https://www.teach-me.biz/iphone/tips/instant-hotspot.html
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