Graphic design is one of those fields that are based on creativity, proper formal training, and the use of modern sophisticated tools. As the requirements of the society grow even more sophisticated or quite simply increasing progress in technology and graphic artistry industries, graphic designers will have to depend upon professional tools providing efficiency. Next, we discuss the top 10 graphic designing tools that every graphic designer must consider and their role and relevance in the current context of workflows in design engagement.
Also Read: Why Graphic Design is Essential for Modern Businesses
- Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite is perhaps one of the most popular products amongst graphic designers all over the globe. It has well-known applications like Photoshop for photo editing, Illustrator for vector design and InDesign for layouts and publishing which have become industry standards. Each tool meets certain requirements and all of them serve key functions within the suite making it ideal for design works ranging from logo creation to various types of brochures.
- Figma
As noted by Statista, Adobe is in first place in the world of graphic design software, this just accentuates how credible and powerful graphic design tools they put forward. The model which is subscription-based provides a guarantee of timely additions and new features thereby making designers adopt trends beforehand.
Figma has dramatically changed the way design is done, the online application enables users to edit a single file collaboratively in real time, making it the go-to designing tool, especially for team work. Figma is mostly used for UI/UX design because it comes with prototyping, versioning, and sharing capabilities.
It is amazing the length of Figma’s reach as this offering has cross-platform compatibility which means any device can be used. The Figma user active monthly stood at 4 million and above which justifies its importance as a designing tool in the perspective of modern designers in the year 2023.
- Canva
Canva is a design tool that is both simple and caters for the advanced designer as well. Starting with basic features, the drag-and-drop feature can have even the simplest of users design graphics. Pretty much easy to use for flyers, social media and presentations alike.
Canva has 125 million users monthly designing with minimal effort. Because it’s so inexpensive and straightforward to operate, it’s perfect for freelancers and tiny companies looking for a design tool.
- CorelDRAW Graphic Suite
Corel graphics are vector graphics that have been in existence for quite some time now and are still widely used in designing logos, illustrations, and other complexities. The package contains CorelDRAW which is a vector graphic designer and Corel PHOTO-PAINT which allows editing of images.
What does the software lack, even though it is perceived as a competitor to Adobe Illustrator because it offers one time purchase of edition and has a wide range of file formats supported? Yes, a subscription based service. On the other hand, Corel DIgital uses a user friendly interface as well as provides AI graphic tools.
- Wacom Tablets
Graphic designers need an accurate and correct device as part of their work, and Wacom Tablets serve the right purpose. These devices give a paper touch with the hope of clenched illustrations and editing. Wacom tablets work together with software like Photoshop or Illustrator for more creativity and productivity.
Wacom Intuos and Wacom Cintiq models fit the requirements and budgets of various designers as there are plenty of them available in the market.
- Procreate
If you are a designer working on digital illustrations then Procreate is a “must-have” application. This app is only available on iPad. It features an easy to use interface and comes equipped with a variety of brushes, textures, and even effects. Its best feature is the speed with which it operates and its capacity of facilitating high-resolution projects.
The reviews on Procreate testify to the fact that it is a versatile app allowing an artist to produce works from a single well-done high-resolution image to quick concept sketches. As for the price of Procreate, it is only payable once and thus is affordable to both professionals and amateurs.
- Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is one of the best value vector graphic design software that is a great substitute for Adobe Illustrator. Its highlights are the ability to edit vectors precisely, real-time interaction and Mac and Windows compatibility.
One of the reasons Affinity Designer is so popular among freelancers and agencies is the fact that they don’t have to commit to a subscription and have to pay just for the program and its updates. The complexity of the designs required to be made with the use of the software will be executed without issue thanks to the commendable performance of the software.
- Pantone Color Manager
Color accuracy is of the utmost importance in graphic design, especially for brand and print-oriented graphics. The greatest advantage in using the Pantone Color Manager is that it provides access to the PMS, thus ensuring correct colour representation. Advanced designers also have the ability to import, match and export colour palettes for several other designs.
This application gets rid of the guesswork associated with color matching and assures that the output brings forth the conception that was intended. It’s helpful, especially for items where a specific color standard is needed – like packages or items marked with a logo.
- Slack
Although Slack isn’t a design software, it is a management tool that can prove to be beneficial for design teams. Designers are free to create channels and share files and feedback with other designers instantly, using Slack. Plus, the integration of other apps such as Figma, Trello, or Google Drive allows us to work on several processes and projects simultaneously.
For any design project to be successful, good communication among team members is necessary and this is what Slack provides the needed organization and versatility for.
- Trello
Trello is a project management platform that allows primarily designers to properly arrange their tasks while being aware of deadlines. With Trello’s card-and-board system, designers can make task lists, delegate duties, and, with a Batched task approach, see how active the board is.
The synchronization of Trello with design applications like Adobe Creative Cloud or Figma enables designers to reach their creative goals while meeting deadlines with the desired level of quality.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Tools
Enable productivity increase: With such features, functions that are repetitive and time consuming are automated.
Encourage the use of creativity: Development of user friendly interface and variety makes the task of instilling creativity easier.
Produce high turn out designs: The escalated cost of manufacturing tools is worth it as they allow high resolution and rip ready designs.
Interact and work together: With the availability of storage tools and communication tools, team work is greatly enhanced.
Conclusion
Graphic design is an ever-evolving and fast-paced industry that can be predicated on one’s creativity coupled with skill and technology. The tools and applications that have been mentioned assist graphic designers to be productive in their visual creations, manage their graphic projects and interactions between clients and teams. Graphic designers adopting these applications will be able to improve their productivity and performance in an already fast saturating market. If you are already a practitioner or embarking on your graphic design career, listing these materials is the key to success in the graphic design field.