In the fast-paced world of visual arts, having the right tools for graphic design can significantly enhance your creative process and output. If you’re a professional designer or an aspiring artist, utilizing the best design software graphic options is essential to bringing your visions to life. From powerful software for graphic design to innovative graphic art software, these tools provide the features and flexibility needed to create stunning visuals.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top software for graphic designing that will help you elevate your projects, streamline your workflow, and maximize your creative potential. Let’s get into the world of graphic design and discover the essential tools that every designer should have in their arsenal.
Best Graphic Designing Tools
Best Graphic Designing Tools
Table of Content
Best Graphic Design Softwares
Adobe Photoshop
Canva
Figma
Adobe Illustrator
Procreate
CorelDRAW
Adobe InDesign
Sketch
Affinity Designer
Gravit Designer
Best Graphic Design Softwares
Here we will be covering software for graphics designing which are efficient and can accomplish your designing tasks.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a professional-grade image editing software developed by Adobe Inc. It is widely used by graphic designers, photographers, and digital artists to manipulate and enhance digital images.
Features of Adobe Photoshop
Layer-Based Editing: Organize and edit different elements separately.
Selection Tools: Precisely select and manipulate parts of an image.
Retouching Tools: Easily remove flaws and enhance details.
Filters and Effects: Apply various effects to create stunning visuals.
Text Tools: Add and customize text within your designs.
Drawing and Painting: Create artwork with a variety of brushes and tools.
Pros
Cons
Powerful image editing tools
Versatile for graphics, web design, illustrations
Seamless integration with other Adobe products
Industry standard used by professionals
Steep learning curve for beginners
Resource-intensive software
Subscription model can be expensive
Complex for casual users
Pricing of Adobe Photoshop
Single App Plan: $20.99/month.
Photography Plan (20GB): $9.99/month (includes Lightroom).
Photography Plan (1TB): $19.99/month (includes Lightroom).
Creative Cloud All Apps: $54.99/month (includes 20+ apps).
Go to Official Websites of Adobe Photoshop by clicking here
Canva
Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to create various types of visual content such as presentations, social media graphics, posters, flyers, logos, and more. It was founded in 2012 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams in Sydney, Australia.
Canva offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of design templates, graphics, fonts, and photos that users can use to create their designs. It also provides a drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for users to add elements and customize their designs.
Features of Canva
Content Creation: Create various types of content.
Drag and Drop: Easily add elements to designs.
Templates: Access a large library of templates.
Photo Editing: Enhance images.
Stock Images: Use free stock photos, icons, and fonts.
Collaboration: Work with others.
User-Friendly: Accessible to users without design experience.
Free: Create professional designs without expensive tools.
Pros
Cons
Easy to use
Affordable
Lots of templates and graphics
Good for teams
Limited formats
No backup option
Restricted search
Alignment issues
Pricing of Canva
Free Plan: Basic features with limited templates and elements.
Pro Plan: $12.99/month per user or $119.99/year per user.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for larger teams with additional features.
Go to Official Websites of Canva by clicking here
Figma
Figma is a cloud-based design tool used for creating user interfaces, web and mobile apps, and other digital designs. It was launched in 2016 and has quickly gained popularity among designers due to its collaboration features, accessibility, and ease of use.
Features of Figma
Collaboration: Multiple users can work together in real-time.
Design Flexibility: Figma supports various design stages, from sketches to high-fidelity mockups.
Prototyping: Interactive prototypes can be built and tested directly on smartphones.
Design System Management: Figma helps define and manage design systems for consistency.
Handoff to Developers: Easy sharing of design information, including redlines and measurements.
Customization: Figma’s API and plugin system allow for customization and extension of the tool.
Pros
Cons
Real-time Collaboration
Platform Agnostic
Version Control
Free to Use
Easy to Learn
Internet Dependency
Limited Offline Support
Performance Issues
Pricing of Figma
Free Plan: For individuals with basic features.
Professional Plan: $12/month per editor (billed annually) or $15/month (billed monthly).
Organization Plan: $45/month per editor (billed annually).
Go to Official Websites of Figma by clicking here
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor which has been developed by Adobe Systems. It is widely used by graphic designers, artists, and illustrators for creating illustrations, logos, icons, typography, and other vector-based graphics.
Features of Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Stock Integration: Access to millions of high-quality images and graphics.
Faster Performance: Improved speed and performance.
Smart Guides: Align and space objects with ease.
Shaper Tool: Convert natural gestures into geometric shapes.
Real-Time Drawing: Draw and edit in real-time.
Cloud Libraries: Store and access design assets from anywhere.
Integration with Other Adobe Products: Seamless integration with other Adobe apps.
Pros
Cons
Powerful vector graphics editor
Scalable designs
Customizable workspace
Integration with Adobe Stock
Wide range of tools and features
Steep learning curve
Expensive for commercial use
Limited support for raster graphics
No support for pixel art
Pricing of Adobe Illustrator
Single App Plan: $20.99/month.
Creative Cloud All Apps: $54.99/month (includes 20+ apps).
Go to Official Websites of Adobe Illustrator by clicking here
Procreate
Procreate is a popular digital painting app for the iPad that is used by artists and designers for creating detailed illustrations, designs, and animations. It offers a wide range of features that allow users to create stunning artwork with ease.
Features of Procreate
Powerful brush engine for creating textures and effects
Over 200 customizable brushes for painting, animation, and 3D model painting
Advanced color management for precise control over palettes and adjustments
Multiple layers for complex compositions and easy management of artwork elements
Transformation tools for scaling, rotating, and moving elements
Apple Pencil integration with advanced features like barrel roll, squeeze, and haptic feedback
M2 chip support for smoother and more efficient performance, especially in 3D painting
Freehand selection with hover preview for precise control
Intuitive gestures for on-the-fly brush control and adjustments
Pros
Cons
Intuitive interface
Wide range of tools
Affordable one-time purchase
Simulates real painting with Apple Pencil
Easy to share artwork online
Limited to iPad
Limited animation features
Can be slow with many paintings
Limited file compatibility
Not ideal for large prints
Pricing of Procreate
One-Time Purchase: $12.99 (iPad app).
Go to Official Websites of Procreate by clicking here
CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor that is popular among designers for its powerful tools for creating logos, illustrations, and other graphics. It offers a wide range of features that enable users to create complex designs with ease.
Features of CorelDRAW
Vector illustration tools for creating complex designs
Page layout tools for creating multi-page documents
Typography tools for arranging and styling text
Photo editing tools for adjusting and enhancing images
AI-powered tools for improving image quality and creating HDR photos
Cloud collaboration for real-time feedback and commenting
Scripting support for automating tasks and cross-platform scripting
File format compatibility for easy import and export
Pros
Cons
Easy to use with powerful features
Supports various formats and scalable vector graphics
Extensive customization options
Competitive pricing with a one-time purchase
Unlimited cloud storage and font usage
Learning curve for complex features
Printing preview and layer management could be better
Customer support issues reported by some users
Occasional glitches and crashes
Short free trial period
Pricing of CorelDRAW
Subscription: $249/year.
One-Time Purchase: $499.
Go to Official Websites of CorelDRAW by clicking here
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign is a page layout software used for creating print and digital documents such as brochures, magazines, and ebooks. It offers a range of features that enable users to create complex layouts with ease.
Features of Adobe InDesign
Page Control: Add objects, scale, and create sections for better page layout.
Collaboration: Share work with peers using cloud storage and capture text or color from images.
Integration: Works seamlessly with other Adobe apps like Illustrator and Photoshop.
Text and Image Features: Modify text spacing and apply styles, and generate images from text.
Sharing and Feedback: Share links for feedback and read comments in-app.
Accessibility and Publishing: Create accessible PDFs and publish interactive documents.
Pros
Cons
Wide range of features
Easy to Use
Works with Other Adobe Tools
Good for Page Layout
Streamlines Design Process
Expensive
Hard to Learn
Limited Export Options
Pricing of Adobe InDesign
Single App Plan: $20.99/month.
Creative Cloud All Apps: $54.99/month (includes 20+ apps).
Go to Official Websites of Adobe InDesign by clicking here
Sketch
Sketch is a vector graphics editor and digital design tool that is popular among designers for creating user interfaces, web designs, and icons. It offers a range of features that enable users to create designs quickly and easily.
Features of Sketch
Drawing and Editing Tools: Standard tools for creating and editing shapes, text, and other design elements.
Grids and Precision Tools: Grids and precision tools for precise design work.
Hotspots and Linking: Create interactive prototypes by defining hotspots and linking elements.
Importing Images and Text: Import images and text to populate their prototypes.
Customizable Design Elements: Create reusable design elements and customize their designs.
Templates and Integration: Preloaded templates and integrates with various prototyping, collaboration, and version control tools.
Pros
Cons
Quick mockups and wireframes
Intuitive and easy to learn
Wide range of plugins and integrations
Precise vector editing
Expensive pricing
Limited vector drawing tools
No cloud storage or collaboration
Pricing of Sketch
Standard License: $9/month per editor or $99/year per editor.
Volume Licensing: Custom pricing based on the number of editors.
Go to Official Websites of Sketch by clicking here
Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a vector graphics editor that is popular among designers for creating illustrations, logos, and other graphics. It offers a wide range of features that enable users to create complex designs with ease.
Features of Affinity Designer
Non-Destructive Editing: Unlimited layers, real-time views, and precise selections.
Vector and Raster Capabilities: Vector pen and shape tools, custom brushes, and dynamic symbols.
Performance and Compatibility: Handles thousands of objects, zooms up to 1,000,000%, and supports various file formats.
Design and Layout Tools: Unlimited artboards, advanced typography, and professional output options.
No Subscription: One-time purchase with no monthly costs.
Pros
Cons
Affordable one-time purchase
Intuitive interface
Seamless vector and raster editing
Excellent gradient tools
Unlimited undo history
Available on desktop and iPad
Lacks some advanced Illustrator tools
Smaller plugin ecosystem
Occasional performance issues
Fewer online tutorials
Cannot export to Adobe AI format
Pricing of Affinity Designer
One-Time Purchase: $54.99 (Mac/Windows), $21.99 (iPad).
Go to Official Websites of Affinity Designer by clicking here
Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a vector graphics editor that is available both as a web app and a desktop app. It is a popular choice among designers for creating illustrations, logos, and other graphics.
Features of Gravit Designer
Cross-Platform: Works on web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and mobile (iOS, Android).
Vector Graphics: Create high-quality illustrations, logos, etc., scalable without losing quality.
Tools: Includes Pen, Shape, Text, Knife, and Bezigon tools for easy design creation.
Layers: Organize designs efficiently with a layers panel.
Typography: Advanced text features like styles, text on path, and typography controls.
Cloud Storage: Save and access designs from Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
Templates: Pre-made templates and design assets for quick starts.
Responsive Design: Design for various screen sizes and devices easily.
Pros
Cons
User-friendly interface
Compatible with multiple OS
Free Version
Customization
Limited Vector Graphics
Performance Issues
Pricing of Gravit Designer
Free Plan: Basic features with limited functionality.
Pro Plan: $49/year (includes advanced features and additional cloud storage).
Go to Official Websites of Gravit Designer by clicking here
Conclusion
Mastering the right tools for graphic design can transform your creative process and elevate your work to new heights. The top design software graphic options, from versatile software for graphic design to specialized graphic art software, provide the functionalities and ease of use required for both intricate and large-scale projects. By incorporating these essential software for graphic designing into your workflow, you can streamline your efforts, enhance your artistic capabilities, and produce professional-grade visuals that captivate and inspire. Embrace these tools and watch your graphic design skills flourish, paving the way for endless creative possibilities.
Best Tools for Graphic Design – FAQs
Which tool is best for graphic design?
The best tool for graphic design depends on the specific needs of the designer, but some of the most popular and highly regarded software includes:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
CorelDRAW
Affinity Designer
Sketch
Canva
What are graphic design tools for beginners?
For beginners, the following tools are excellent starting points:
Canva
Gravit Designer
Inkscape
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
Vectr
Which gadget is best for graphic design?
The best gadgets for graphic design include:
Apple MacBook Pro
Microsoft Surface Studio
Wacom Cintiq Pro
iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
Dell XPS 15
What is best device for graphic design?
The best device for graphic design depends on your specific needs and preferences. Options include desktop computers (like iMacs), powerful laptops (such as MacBook Pro or Dell XPS), graphics tablets (like Wacom Intuos), or even iPad Pro with Apple Pencil for on-the-go work.
What are graphic tools?
Graphic tools are software applications and devices used by designers to create, edit, and manipulate visual content. These tools can range from basic photo editors to advanced design software, as well as hardware like tablets and styluses.
