Improving Computer’s Performance for Graphic Design Work

As a graphic designer, you rely on your computer for work a lot. Sure, some could argue that it is a graphics tablet that you do the actual designing on, but it is still usually connected to a computer. Not to mention that there are designers who still rely on a mouse and a computer for their work.

For the most part, graphic designers should not encounter significant issues with their computers. Overall, popular graphic design software does not consume too many computer resources, meaning that you should have a device that does not crash or freeze.

Having said that, computers do not last forever, and you are bound to notice some issues here and there. Even if some performance problems are tolerable, you should not ignore them because they will snowball and leave you with a computer that is not good enough for simple tasks, not to mention how working on it would feel like.

Thankfully, there are ways to create a computer maintenance strategy and apply it to your device so that you can improve its performance and longevity. Let’s take a look at some of the best methods for that.

Start With Potential Viruses Inside

Corrupted files are not something you can detect on a computer without proper antivirus software. That is why you should get an anti-malware tool and put it to use. A custom system scan should reveal corrupted data, and the software will give you instructions on how to get rid of infected files.

In addition, you want to have an antivirus running in the system background when the computer is on, even if it is idle. You cannot know when a potential cybersecurity attack might threaten the device, and it is better to be prepared. 

Check the Drive’s State

Temporary file accumulation is easy to miss when you are working as a graphic designer. You might be using Photoshop and other software that clutters the scratch disk and other computer drives with temporary storage. 

Now, as for what you can do to circumvent the issue, there are a few approaches. One would be to get a cleanup utility tool and use that to remove unwanted junk regularly. The second is to do the work manually and check the accumulated files yourself now and then to delete them.

Besides temporary storage, you should also keep an eye on other files, like media, downloads, localization data, and even something like video games that could consume a lot of drive space.

Of course, it helps if you use the computer only for work. However, if you also rely on it for entertainment, there will be more files that accumulate over time.

Pro tip: use external storage, such as HDDs and cloud services to free up the computer’s drive space.

Track Background Processes

Paying attention to background processes is another good piece of advice. There are bound to be some applications running in the computer’s background without you realizing it. Sometimes, you forget to close the software after you finish using it. Sometimes, it is the result of too many startup items.

Now and then, check whether there are redundant background processes on your computer. After noticing that an app should not be running, close it manually or via Task Manager/Activity Monitor (depending on what operating system you are using).

Deal With Overheating

If you have a desktop computer, dealing with potential overheating issues is probably easier because the problem often depends on the amount of dust inside a computer. Taking a PC’s case is easier than taking a laptop and cleaning it thoroughly.

Regardless of the computer type you have, it is still important to keep the device clean. Get in the habit of cleaning the dust at least every couple of months. Failing to do so will lead to more dust accumulation inside, and the overheating and loud fan noises will only increase.

Pro tip: if you have a laptop and cleaning the dust does not solve the issue, get a cooling pad.

Run the Latest OS Version

As a rule of thumb, a computer should have the latest operating system version, and not just for the latest features and security upgrades. These updates also improve the overall performance. 

Moreover, the graphic design software version you use might become incompatible with an outdated OS, and that is another reason why you should not forget to download and install operating system updates as soon as they become available. 

Conclusion

To sum it all up, there are quite a few things to consider when you are looking to optimize your computer as a graphic designer. It is nice to have a device that works without problems so that you do not have to be bothered with work delays and other annoying things while using the computer. 

Hopefully, the few ideas mentioned in this article will prove useful for graphic designers who are experiencing issues with their device.