iLoungeiLounge
  • News
    • Apple
      • AirPods Pro
      • AirPlay
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • HealthKit
      • HomeKit
      • HomePod
      • iOS 13
      • Apple Pay
      • Apple TV
      • Siri
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
      • CES
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Font ResizerAa
iLoungeiLounge
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Apple
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Follow US

Articles

Articles

Great MacBook Tips for Graphic Designers

Last updated: Jul 13, 2021 2:07 pm UTC
By Lucy Bennett
Great MacBook Tips for Graphic Designers

If you are a graphic designer, getting a MacBook is a good idea, given how reliable and flexible these computers are for work.

Advertisements

It is also worth noting that Macs are light, meaning that traveling with the laptop should not be an issue either. For instance, you might want to change your work environment and spend a few hours working at a local cafe or library. Putting the MacBook in a case and taking it with you is not a burden.

Great MacBook Tips for Graphic Designers

At the same time, some new MacBook owners might find it a bit difficult to use their computer efficiently right off the bat.

Advertisements

As a graphic designer, you want to work without distractions and finish projects on time. Learning to use a Mac might take longer than expected. Use the tips below to get down some basics and move from there.

Maintain Mac in Good Condition

If you buy a new model, there should not be any problems with the MacBook’s performance. However, Macs are similar to other devices in the sense that they will slow down eventually. It is important to create a proper maintenance routine for the laptop early and stick to it.

Advertisements

What you want to emphasize to keep the MacBook in good condition are the following:

  • Make sure there is enough free space on the drive
  • Scan the system for potential malware and get rid of corrupted files detected by the best antivirus for Mac
  • Clean the dust that accumulates inside the laptop
  • Get a cooling pad to deal with the overheating problem
  • Keep tabs on background applications via Activity Monitor and quit redundant processes
  • Restart the computer regularly
  • Upgrade hardware if possible

Customize the UI

One of the biggest advantages of a MacBook is how nice it is to work in a responsive environment. The sheer simplicity of macOS UI is a significant reason why Apple computers are popular.

Advertisements

For example, updating and deleting applications is easier on macOS than on Windows. There is a centralized app hub in the Launchpad.

The Dock is another element that you can change on your Mac. If you wish, you can move the Dock to the right or the left side of the screen rather than the bottom. Adding or deleting app shortcuts from the Dock is also simple.

Learn Relevant Keyboard Shortcuts

Great MacBook Tips for Graphic Designers

There might not be as many instances when you need to use keyboard shortcuts working as a graphic designer, but it is still recommended to learn some of the basic sequences to speed up your work.

Advertisements

If you need to remove redundant files to free up the drive’s storage, Option + Command + Delete should be one of the first keyboard shortcuts to learn. Shift + Command + 3 and Shift + Command + 4 should come in handy as well since the sequence lets you take screenshots of the entire laptop screen and a portion of it.

Check Available Applications

Every graphic designer probably has the software they prefer to use for work. Nevertheless, switching from Windows to macOS (if you are making the switch) comes with new opportunities.

Advertisements

Tools that were unavailable for Windows will become available for macOS. Of course, it is not just software for the graphic design itself.

You might be interested in time-tracking applications because you struggle to meet deadlines or find a balance between work and leisure. Check what is available on the official Mac App Store. You are bound to find some great applications that will further enrich your experience working on a Mac as a graphic designer.

Use the Sidecar Feature

Great MacBook Tips for Graphic Designers

The sidecar feature was introduced in the Catalina macOS version. If you have an iPad, you can connect it to the MacBook and use the tablet as a second display. It makes sense to do so as a graphic designer for two reasons.

Advertisements

First of all, Macs have relatively small screens, and making out the contents can be difficult. For some, the only way to see the screen properly is to hunch, which is not great for one’s health.

The second reason is that you can use an iPad as a graphics tablet. There are applications that let you draw directly on an iPad. Thus, if you have an iPad, keep the sidecar feature in mind.

Invest in Accessories

Macs are pretty great by themselves, but you can improve your experience using the computer even more by investing in accessories.

As a graphic designer, you might struggle to keep enough free storage on the MacBook’s drive. If so, invest in an external hard drive, which should cost about 50 dollars.

In case you enjoy listening to music while working, AirPods are worth a shout as well. These wireless earphones provide great sound quality.

Advertisements

Latest News
Apple Pencil Pro
The Apple Pencil Pro is $29 Off
1 Min Read
Apple Maps
Apple Maps updated with ‘Expert Sources’ information
1 Min Read
Android 16
Android 16 ‘Live Updates’ launch
1 Min Read
visionOS 3
visionOS 3 to have eye scrolling function
1 Min Read
Apple AirTag 4 Pack
The Apple AirTag 4-Pack is $19 Off
1 Min Read
Apple
Apple launches new music transfer tool
1 Min Read
HBO Max
Max to be renamed ‘HBO Max’
1 Min Read
Safari
Safari Technology Preview 219 now live
1 Min Read
Beats Solo 4
The Beats Solo 4 is $70 Off
1 Min Read
C1 Modem
The C1 modem gets a security update through iOS 18.5
1 Min Read
watchOS 11.5
New watchOS 11.5 debuts
1 Min Read
visionOS 2.5
visionOS 2.5 comes with Apple TV Vision Tab feature
1 Min Read

iLounge logo

iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
iLounge © 2001 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Submit News
  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?