I’ve just learnt how to do Normal Maps and I’m wondering which would be better to do first, Normals or Texture. I’m guessing Normal then texture because (if possible) you can paint overtop the normal as a template for where the colours need to go and you have a better idea of the flow of the graphics.
I might be wrong. Which order is the industry standard? Just Normals and Textures, I’m still a noon 
Hi!
Also a noon! 
Can you show a reference of what are you trying to do? This topic seems very interesting for me also.
When generating textures in Substance Designer you often start with heightmaps, building the “geometry” and filling in color later. This makes it easier to add procedural dirt and scratches for example. It could also be a useful approach for texture painting, but I’m not really experienced in that field.
I’m not trying to achieve anything. I’m simply asking which order would a professional do it or which is better to do first
It depends on the artist and the project…
Me for example, if i’m working with procedural textures, i prefeer to start with the bumps (some times i do bumps and color at same time).
But if i’m working with something hand painted like a cartoon style, i prefeer to do the color first.
So it depends on you, with time you will know if is best to do the normal first