If you work as a graphic or web designer, you are almost certainly using a variety of tools daily. Choosing the right set of tools to make your day productive and your work exceptional, on the other hand, is easier said than done, especially when there are virtually countless tools for web and graphic design professionals on the market.
The question now is, how do you find the right one?
To assist you with this task, we have compiled a list of the best graphic design tools for web and graphic design professionals. Examine the list and select the ones that best meet your requirements! #TWN
Designers used to have few options for professional graphic design tools.
Now that the field has been leveled, designers can choose from a variety of design tool options, including open-source platforms.
Graphic design software is no longer restricted to PC or Mac operating systems. Many have iOS and Android mobile apps, as well as support for Linux and Chrome OS.
Choosing the best graphic design software can be difficult due to the dizzying array of editing tools available. Our roundup includes some oldies but goodies, such as Adobe Photoshop, as well as some newcomers, such as Affinity Photo.
Let’s explore the best graphic design tools:
Adobe Illustrator invented vector graphics software. It establishes the benchmark for professionally designed logos, artwork, infographics, icons, and more. You can start with a freehand sketch and work your way up to a vector image that is scalable to any size. Adobe Illustrator handles graphics differently, employing mathematical formulas rather than pixels for seamless resizing.
Adobe Illustrator provides a seven-day free trial, but you must first provide a credit card. If you choose the annual plan, paid monthly, the cost is $20.99 per month. Otherwise, the monthly plan will cost you $31.49 per month. It's costly in either case. Adobe Illustrator, on the other hand, is one of those products that will keep you learning new things all the time, even if it isn't the most user-friendly software available.
Key Features:
Platform: Windows, Mac, Android, iPad.
With its simple user interface, Affinity Designer is an excellent choice for personal projects or inexperienced graphic designers. It's a worthy rival to Adobe Illustrator, offering a similar set of design tools as well as new user-friendly features. It's a good fit for people who want a low-cost option without sacrificing functionality.
Affinity Designer has a 1,000,000-percent zoom, putting it squarely in the CAD category. If that's too fine a resolution for you, you can adjust the levels to your liking. Another notable feature is its version history. Because you can go back up to 8,000 steps, it's an excellent choice for working with clients. That, combined with the zoom, puts you in charge of revisions.
Key Features:
Platform: Windows, Mac, iPad!
Procreate bills itself as a full-fledged art studio designed specifically for the iPad and Apple Pencil. There is no free trial or version available, and it is a one-time purchase. You immediately dive into its vast library of templates, fonts, and customizable brushes. You can also import your favorite Photoshop images into the app, which will run faster thanks to the Valkyrie engine. The designers went above and beyond to make it user-friendly.
One of its distinguishing characteristics is its ability to work in 3D and preview it in real-time in AR. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at animation, Procreate is a great place to start. However, the app contains so many tools and functions that beginners may find it overwhelming. If you select one type of brush, you will be presented with a number of options. Every time you use it, you'll learn something new.
Key Features:
Editing tools: 200 customizable brushes.
Color management: ColorDrop tool for fill and intuitive selection of complementary colors.
Finishing filters: Image management is being unified in order to create the perfect look.
One-time purchase: There are no in-app purchases.
Platform: iPad.
Adobe Photoshop has long been the desktop publishing industry standard. It is a popular choice among graphic designers for a good reason. Its collection of image editing tools caters to everyone from the novice to the expert, with a user-friendly interface and a wealth of well-written tutorials. You have complete control over the graphic design software, from the canvas size to the artistic filter.
Photoshop, like Adobe Illustrator, provides a seven-day free trial. Surprisingly, Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom are less expensive. Photoshop trial includes 100 GB of cloud storage, while the Lightroom trial includes 1 TB. Adobe Fresco, its paint application, and Adobe Spark, its storytelling program, provide additional functionality. The collaboration between the programs is exceptional.
Key Features:
Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android!
Affinity Photo is a low-cost alternative to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator for image touch-ups. It uses layers and filters to produce stunning effects with vector and raster images. Like CorelDRAW, the software supports the SVG file format. While templates can be created, none are included with the program. It is, however, lightweight, with a generous 90-day free trial.
Because of its versatility and functionality, Affinity Photo has received numerous awards in recent years. For the price, it has a lot of features. With its 360-degree image editing, panoramic stitching, and HDR merge, you can perform sophisticated editing. It offers real-time editing without the extraneous bloat. PSD files can also be used. It also supports non-destructive live filter layers for maximum creative freedom.
Key Features:
Powerful digital editing tools: HDR merge, raw editing, and layer editing are all included.
One-time purchase: There are no subscription plans or in-app purchases.
Optional overlay packs: Additional editing tools are available for free with registration.
Platform: Windows, Mac, iPad!
Canva is a one-stop-shop for creating a wide range of projects, including infographics, web design, and T-shirts. It employs an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that is simple to use even for those with no prior experience in graphic design. To get started, the program includes a plethora of images, templates, backgrounds, and fonts. While some of these items are available for free on Canva, many of the images and graphics require in-app purchases.
Canva excels in that, thanks to its extensive template library, it can work with a wide range of industries. The samples we saw appeared professional and provided excellent starting points for brainstorming. There are three pricing plans available, including one that is free for individuals and small teams. The paid plans include everything but only 100 GB of cloud storage.
Key Features:
Platform: Web browser, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS!
1. DesignWizard: Platform: Windows
2. Setka Editor: Platforms: Windows, Mac
3. Canva: Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
4. Adobe Spark: Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
5. Krita: Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, Linux
6. Gravit: Platforms: PC, Mac, Chrome OS, Linux
7. Blender: Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
8. Inkscape: Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
9. SketchUp: Platforms: Windows, Mac
10. Gimp: Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux