Having the right tools can make all the difference in graphic design. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, plenty of programs can help you complete your project efficiently. Here are some of our favorites!
Canva is an exceptional platform for graphic artists of all skill levels. The intuitive online tool features a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and hundreds of templates from which to choose. Canva stands out among its competitors due to its accessibility and affordability. You don’t have to be a professional graphic designer to understand it, and you can access most features with a free account. Plus, Canva regularly releases updated templates and features so users can access cutting-edge tools and trends.
Adobe Creative Suite is the gold standard for graphic design. It includes Photoshop (creating and editing images), Illustrator (creating and editing vector graphics), and InDesign (creating brochures and publications), along with additional options like Affinity Publisher and Fireworks Designer Pro for the web. It’s more expensive than others on our list, but it’s worth investing in for those serious about their craft!
Sketch is a versatile graphic design program with an easy and streamlined user interface. The app also serves web designers well by offering features such as art boards and symbols that make creating responsive websites quick and effortless. Sketch’s most remarkable feature is its emphasis on collaboration. Through Sketch Cloud, users can share designs with team members or clients for real-time feedback.
Figma offers many of the same features found in Sketch with an eye on collaboration and accessibility. It lets you share designs easily among team members or clients and collaborate in real time.
Figma stands out with its library of plugins and integrations, which makes customizing workflows and connecting other tools simple.
Affinity Designer offers users an alternative to Adobe Creative Suite with features such as advanced typography tools and vector editing abilities at an economical price. The platform also includes features that help web designers craft responsive pages like art boards. While more expensive than Canva, Affinity Designer remains far less costly than Adobe Creative Suite. It even offers a one-time purchase option to avoid ongoing subscription fees.