How do "real graphic designers" do this stuff. Maybe if I had a couple 20 inch screens side-by-side, I would have enough space to make compositions before I downsample the source material. Now I get it. Real graphic designers use software that doesn't downsample until output time.
To be honest, the only software I have for graphics is photoshop. While I use it competently (I dare say, "deftly.") It just isn't the right tool for print. I confess, I don't know crap about illustrator, except how it is similar to photoshop. I don't have pagemaker, and I don't want it. I know quark, and I hate it. This giant desk doesn't have room for two big monitors anyway, not that I could afford them. I have to overcome this design block the way I always do.
Perch like a crow on my chair and stare at the screen, or pace around for a moment with a cup of coffee. I already had enough coffee.