Designers are constantly on the lookout for more efficient methods of completing their projects. Different design softwares and applications can make any type of design process easier, ranging from logo design projects to vector illustrations or web design.
AI-powered design tools are also becoming increasingly popular, as they can help speed up the design process by automating repetitive tasks, or even generate new ideas based on a designer’s input.
This blog post will explore some of the most popular tools designers use today. We will also look at some new software released recently and how they are changing the way designers work. So without further ado, let’s get started!
The ABCs of Design Tools
A design tool can be used for purposes other than regular artboard creations. You can use it to make illustrations, edit designs, create cartoons, and edit photographs. It’s common to see that not all design tools can work with various electronic gadgets.
Electronic gadgets are designed with certain specifications. As such, there are gadgets that would not be able to run some design tools. It is important to make sure that your preferred design tool aligns with the specification of your electronic device.
There are design tools available for a range of devices which include Phones, Tablets, iPads and Laptops.
Review of the Best Tools for Design
These reviews aim to show you what the features of these tools are and why they are our best tools for design. Pay close attention to the differences and their unique features.
Review of the Best Tools for Design
Adobe Photoshop
Best Overall
In terms of graphic design software, Adobe Photoshop is unrivaled. This already established application software is intuitive and full of features that make the creative process quick, simple, and enjoyable. In spite of its reputation as a software for graphic designers at the highest level, anyone may give Photoshop a try.
All of the functions on this App are outlined clearly with a detailed pop-up attached to them whenever the cursor is placed on them, making its use apparent even to beginners. Photoshop is restricted to specific functions such as design and photo editing.
Features
- Adobe photoshop has layering masks that help in maneuvering designs.
- It has different formats in which a document can be saved in. This includes png, ppt, jpg and so on.
- Perfect landscape to make photo editing easier and more realistic.
- It has a pleasant user interface with a visible tool section.
- Adobe Photoshop saves designs and edited pictures in high definition such that the quality of the file does not diminish.
- The blur feature on the Adobe Photoshop app is one of the features that set it aside from the others. The focus is often profound, creating a soft but clear blur, ensuring that the picture is just as it needs to be.
Pros
- Unlimited editing options.
- The brand is highly trustworthy in the web market.
- Access to the adobe ecosystem
- Multiple tools for sharpening designs.
- Workflow is uninterrupted; you can pick up from where you stopped without any hindrances.
- It’s this software that is responsible for translating “to make PhotoShop” into practically every language.
Cons
- Adobe Photoshop is very technical to understand
- Subscription plans may be too pricey
- Starts lagging as the file size gets bigger and more layers are added
- High System Spec – Requires high system specifications to run the application smoothly
Pricing
Adobe Photoshop has three different pricing structures. These prices have different offers attached to them and are drafted so that more means less.
- Adobe Photoshop Plan
Adobe Photoshop subscription goes for $21 per month. This plan offers cloud storage of 100gb alongside access to a wide range of design features. This plan has a mobile version.
- Adobe All Apps Plan
Adobe all apps plan consists of all of the applications on Adobe. It includes Photoshop, Lightroom, XD, Illustrator, Indesign, Premiere Pro and 20+ more applications available on desktop and mobile devices. The subscription plan for Adobe all apps is $54 per month with a cloud space of 100gb.
Figma
Best for UI/UX Designs
Figma is a vector graphics editor and prototyping tool. It’s web-based, making it easy to use anywhere, and it has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to get started with. Figma also has a growing community of users and developers, which means there are plenty of resources and support available if you need it.
Figma is one of the best collaborative UI/UX design tools on the market today. This web application offers an extensive range of design functions which cuts across product design, web design, graphic design, and other design forms.
Figma, unlike Photoshop, does not need to be installed as an application on a mobile or desktop device to function. It also has a wide range of features, such as interface design, that photoshop does not have.
Features
- Figma adapts to different design forms. It can build a website, create a flier design and still build the user interface of an application.
- Designers on Figma can design in a team in real-time. A project lead can view and guide project members while designing.
- Though you might need to bring in mockups and photos from elsewhere, Figma has a collection of them to save your energy and time.
- It is a user friendly tool making it a good choice for those new to the creative process.
- The designers that use Figma are part of a community where they can share and refine their work with feedback and suggestions.
Pros
- The application is entirely cloud-based
- Easy and quick file sharing option
- Has a wide range of design prototype
- Has many plugins
- In-browser design collaboration
Cons
- No Internet = No Figma
- High amount of RAM and a graphics card needed
- When a UX/UI build is complete, default settings can make it hard to find specific assets
- The libraries are very confusing, unlike Sketch files, which can easily integrate libraries
Pricing
- Figma Starter: This option is available for free figma users.
- Figma Professional: Figma professional is billed at $12 per editor per month but for annual billing. Month-to-month subscription stands at $15 per month. With this plan, you have access to audio conversations, unlimited Figma files and file-sharing options.
- Figma Organization: Figma organization costs $45 per editor, and it is billed only per year. Figma organization features design system analytics, org-wide libraries amongst other benefits.
Adobe Illustrator
Best for Illustrations
As a design tool, Adobe Illustrator is top-notch. Adobe’s Illustrator is a creative software that may be used to make illustrations, cartoons, artworks, and more. A lot of people in the design industry use it, including graphic designers, fine artists, web designers, and illustrators.
Designers using Adobe Illustrator can import photographs into the application, use the app’s tracing and cartooning tools to recreate the photo, and then export the result as a new illustrated photo design. It is possible to create vectors and mockups in Illustrator, which can then be used in other applications like Photoshop.
Features
- Free form gradients.
- Real-time drawing and editing.
- Cut, copy, and paste artboards between documents
- Adobe Illustrator has a panel editing feature that allows a designer to work on more than one similar design simultaneously.
- Resizing handles, widgets for editing corner radius, number of sides.
- You can use the Shape Builder to make new shapes by dragging existing ones together.
Pros
- The application offers step-by-step assistance with its built-in UI components user interface. With Adobe Illustrator, navigation has never been more assisted.
- With Adobe Illustrator, you are dealing with mathematical equations other than stored pixels, so you never have to worry about losing image resolution.
- Files are made in manageable sizes. The sizes are so small that you can mail them.
- It functions well in the adobe eco-system
- Increases artiste/designers hand freeform precisions.
- Unlike Photoshop and Figma, it does not need a high-power system to function
Cons
- The App requires a lot of space to function correctly on any system.
- Although the files are small, they can be difficult to share
- It may have a problem of crashing easily
- Illustrator does not do so well on mobile devices but is astounding on any system
Pricing
- Adobe Illustrator students’ plan costs $20 monthly.
- Adobe Illustrator annual Individual plan costs $21 paid monthly.
- Adobe Illustrator Individual monthly subscription costs $31.50
Canva
Best for Beginners
The design plan with this amazing app was to create an easy-to-use app where you can create simple and fast designs. Canva is a free online tool for making all types of graphic designs including logos, presentations, posters, and book covers.
Canva’s simple interface makes it an ideal tool for newbie designers. Canva simplifies design in a way that the other applications we have discussed don’t. The majority of designs come pre-made and require minor alterations to satisfy the designer’s sense of aesthetics.
Features
- Canva can create a range of multiple photos and fit them to make a perfect blending video.
- You can use Canva to add or remove audio from videos, pictures or designs and then add another audio form to suit whatever the design stands for.
- Canva can translate designs and videos to gifs, as this would make it easier to share and reduce its size.
- There is no need to worry about space as canva is a very light design application that can run on mobile and desktop devices.
Pros
- Super easy to use
- Easily accessible
- Has cloud storage for the paid versions
- Helps with lots of template designs for ideas
- No design skills are required
Cons
- Canva does not offer a wide range of design options
- Designs are ready-made hence less uniqueness
- Alignment on designs are difficult to achieve
- File download format is very limited
Pricing
- Canva Free.
- Canva Pro at $200 Annually.
- Canva Team; Five seats:$147. 100 seats: $12,424 annually.
Sketch
Best for MacOs
Sketch shares a great similitude with Figma. Both design tools offer almost the same functions; however, they are distinct from themselves. Unlike Figma, Sketch is available only for Apple devices. Also, it is not a built-in web application. Instead, it is a desktop application.
Sketch is a UI/UX software for Apple system users. It is designed as a desktop application downloaded and installed like photoshop. Designers can use it to design portfolios, business cards, user interfaces, and posters, amongst other things.
Features
- Sketch has built-in templates designed to fit different purposes and themes. There are email templates, website templates and so on.
- Extra features can be added by using third-party software and plugins, such as Zeplin.
- Sketch supports lots of keyboard shortcuts which makes designing faster.
- Several identified and specific artboards on Sketch make design smooth and exact.
- Auto Saving your work
Pros
- Easy-to-use Interface
- Allows Design collaboration
- Efficient for building prototypes.
- Price point for teams is an excellent value
- Custom Plugins
- Responsive customer care staff
Cons
- It works for only MacBooks
- Team designing is not efficient
- Doesn’t have web version
- File sizes can get rather large
Pricing
- Standard – $9 per editor or $99 yearly
- Business – Requires at least 25 editors and priced accordingly
FAQs on the Best Tools for Designing
There are a series of User Interface designs used to build applications. They range from Adobe Photoshop to Figma to Sketch, amongst others. Some design tools operate on the web, which means you can only access them when you are online, while some of them are fully built offline applications.
e efficient design process by allowing designers to quickly iterate on ideas, try out different concepts and find the best solutions to problems. Additionally, using design tools can help improve communication between team members, as well as speed up the overall design process.
There are a variety of ways to approach color design, and the best tools for the job will vary depending on your needs. Some designers prefer to use traditional methods like paint swatches or colored pencils, while others may find that digital tools like graphic design software give them more control and flexibility
Graphic design is the process of creating visual content to communicate messages. Graphic designers use a combination of typography, color, and imagery to craft designs that inform, engage, and inspire audiences. Designers often work with clients to understand their needs and develop concepts that meet their objectives.
ols include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Sketch. Each design tool has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important for graphic designers to choose the right tool for the job at hand.
There isn’t necessarily one design tool that’s best for illustration. Different tools can be better or worse depending on the specific project you’re working on. However, some popular tools used by illustrators include Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Both of these programs have a wide range of features that can be helpful for creating illustrations.
There are a variety of design tools available in Illustrator, each with its own unique purpose and capabilities. These tools help to make illustrating easier and allow for a wide range of design possibilities. Some of the most commonly used design tools in Illustrator include the Pencil Tool, the Brush Tool, and the Shape Tools.
Design tools like Adobe Illustrator can be used to edit pictures. However, they are primarily designed for creating vector graphics, so you may not have all the same features as you would with a traditional photo editing program. That said, many design tools do have some basic photo editing capabilities.
Design tools like Adobe Illustrator use something called vector graphics. Vector graphics are made up of points, lines, and shapes that are all connected together. The advantage of vector graphics is that they can be scaled up or down without losing any quality.
Bottom Line
Designing can be an excellent way to express your thoughts and ideas to the rest of the world in the form of graphical representations and using the right design tools can make the process much easier. These programs provide a variety of functions, allowing you to select the one that best suits your needs.
Designers have several software tools to select from while creating their designs, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, if you have a Mac, you may prefer to use Sketch or other Mac-compatible tools. If you are a beginner or just someone in need of a quick-fix kind of design, we recommend Canva.
However, our overall top pick is the Adobe Photoshop design tool as it offers the best features and possibilities for users who are willing and patient to grow in the design space and become pros at designing. Notably, each of these apps has its own specific purpose and target audience, but we can make generic conclusions on the abilities of each tool which is why we have ranked Adobe Photoshop as the overall best.
