what programs do i need to create the buttons and logo for my store?

I guess this really depends on how extravagent you want to be. I have Adobe Photoshop, which is great, because it allows me to keep the same sizes as the original button images (which is a must!) and provides the layered look that I really like with shadows and everything.

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Hi cali,

I use adobe photoshop. Some people use jasc photopaint.

If you need to learn it, a place to start is http://www.planetphotoshop.com/tutorials_effects.html

you can also do a search for photoshop tutorials or tutorials for any program for that matter.

Adobe Photoshop is a large investment for someone starting out in graphics though. You can get a program that is a lot cheaper than PSD called Paintshop Pro. It's pretty powerful too I think it costs about $80

For a real beginner, the easiest and cheapest option for creating graphics is just to use Microsoft Paint. If you have Windows, it comes with Paint. To get to this program, go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Paint. It is kind of silly and really designed more for kids and learners than professionals. The other programs --like Photoshop-- are great, but so crammed full of features that you almost never know where to start.

If you are first starting out with graphical design, this is a good place to start. Once you get used to it and have stretched beyond its small set of features, you can test the waters with something more powerful. I would definitely recommend Adobe Photoshop Elements which should be about $99 or less. The full version is usually 5 or 6 times more expensive... Here is a pretty good price on the full version.

Compare it to Adobe's Prices for Photoshop and Elements

I recommend Ulead's PhotoImpact for the best bang for your buck. It has even won an PC Mag "Editor's Choice" award. Very easy, very powerful.

actually, I would HIGHLY SUGGEST using Macromedia Fireworks.
Its easier to use then photoshop and so much more powerful.
You can easily create graphics DESIGNED for the web.

Adobe Photoshop was made for PHOTOS not the web ahhhhh ;p

Here is a Link, go download a fully working DEMO version of MacroMedia Fireworks Just Signup (its free) and enjoy!

MacroMedia Trial Version of Fireworks

QUOTE

Adobe Photoshop was made for PHOTOS not the web ahhhhh ;p

You must NOT know Photoshop to well, v7 is ideal for all types of graphic design, as well as web graphics, I have both Fireworks and Pshop and use pshop 90% of the time for all my web graphics.

I guess its just what you prefer Like Windows or Linux

Personally I use Photoshop 7.0, although it is geared more towards advanced users. There are tons of decent image creation software packages online. BUT, for those just looking for some quick pics here and there checkout the Animation Factory. They've got some great stuff on there that we've used in the past.

If you are already in the middle of a project and are wanting to creat buttons etc. It's too late to use a powerful program like Photoshop...you will need a couple months (at least) to learn this program. It has INCREDIBLE tools, but it is for advanced users. I would recommend using site that has free buttons for web designers if you are trying to find something fairly quickly. http://www.freebuttons.com/ Something like that might help you out. For logo design you will probably need to go with Photoshop, but I guarantee you don't need photoshop 7.x, get photoshop elements. Like ArcoJedi said, you can probably find it for under $100.00. Espically if you can find someone at a college, they can get hooked up with a student discount for like 40% off. No i would never do something like that...

Wow, I guess I will join the photoshop ban wagon. Its a great program that will do anything you need it to do. Than switch over to Imageready which comes with photoshop to shrink the file size of the picture but keep the quality.
Great programs, I wouldn't trade for anything

Ok here is a trick that I have used to obtain PhotoShop at resonable price.

I look around the web for older version(s) and when the new version comes out I take advantage of the upgrade price.

You get the older version for a good price and then the upgrade is a good price. I realize to some spending $ 150-$200 might be a little spendy still. But I assure you PhotoShop is one of the Kings when it come to graphic editors..

I agree with the Photoshop advocates. I use PhotoShop on all of my websites, and image ready has most of the web graphics tools you need to complete most any web design project.
I have fireworks and I need to get more familiar with it, it may have some of the features I could use such as the menu drop downs previously mentioned.
Just my 2 cents