12 essential tools for graphic designers in 2018 By Nick Carson, Rob Carney 2018-02-02T03:05:46.32Z Graphic design Our guide to the must-have hardware, software and equipment to have at your disposal this year. Best graphic design software for beginners,The first choice of Graphics Designers is Adobe's These 5 Softwares. Best graphic design software for beginners - ShouterCorner-Technology News,Digital Marketing,Software,Apps,Gadgets,Auto,Mobile,Laptop,reviews.
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This buying guide brings you the essential graphic design tools you need to work smarter and more creatively this January. Whether you're taking your first steps in graphic design, or you're a seasoned pro looking to upgrade and expand your existing creative kit, we’ve got you covered.
Graphic design tools
Jump straight to the section you want with these quick links:
- Creating vector-based graphics on the Mac isn’t just Adobe Illustrator’s purview. We rounded up a few great alternatives that let you make your own vector art without breaking the bank.
- In this Adobe Illustrator CC tutorial, we will learn to create a flat fish arrow illustration design for beginners If you don't understand any part of the video tutorial, please let me know in the comments section, as well as the timing of the specific part of the illustrator cc video tutorial, and I will be more willing to respond if I can.
- Adobe Creative Cloud (which includes Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, premiere Pro or After Effects, InDesign and more), is an essential package that you will need to get started in graphic design. The package includes access to 30 desktop apps and 20 mobile apps.
- Laptop or desktop
- Monitor calibrator
- Reliable hard drive/SSD
- Graphics tablet and stylus
- Top-end smartphone
- Studio camera
- High-res monitor
- Creative software
- Quality sketchpad or notebook
- Pantone swatch book
- Office desk
- Ergonomic chair
- Monitor calibrator
- Reliable hard drive/SSD
- Graphics tablet and stylus
- Top-end smartphone
- Studio camera
- High-res monitor
- Creative software
- Quality sketchpad or notebook
- Pantone swatch book
- Office desk
- Ergonomic chair
Of course, being a good designer isn't about having the latest hardware or software (see our best free graphic design software post if you're on the hunt though): ideas and execution are far more important than shiny new equipment. But it's always worth investing in the best kit you can afford.
We've split the products here into four sections: hardware (covering everything from workstations to extra storage); creative software; creative tools (think sketchpads and Pantone books); and home office items. You'll find our list of essential graphic design books elsewhere on the site.
Here are 12 must-have graphic design tools to get you started…
Essential hardware
01. Laptop
MacBook Pro With Touch Bar (2018)
Processor: Intel Core i7-i9 | Graphics: Radeon Pro 555X-Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB of GDDR5 memory | Screen: 15-inch 1920x1200 IPS display | Storage: 256-4TB SSD | Memory: 16-32GB RAM | Ports: 4 x Thunderbolt 3, 1 x headphone jack | Dimensions: Starting at 349(w) x 240(d) x 15.5(h)mm | Weight: 1.83kg
Extremely powerful
Expensive
Apple's latest MacBook Pro refresh might be pricey, but there's no denying this is the closest that creative professionals can currently get to laptop heaven.
Apple dropped eight-generation Coffee Lake processors into its most recent MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models, and now includes up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM in the 15-inch models. And if money is no object, the new availability of optional Radeon Pro Vega 16 and 20 graphics cards on the high-end 15-inch models ensures that designers with souped-up performance needs are also catered for, handling demanding tasks, such as video editing and 3D, with ease.
Other than that, Apple has packed in super-fast SSDs and a more robust keyboard, and yet the laptop manages to remain thinner and lighter than Microsoft's Surface Book 2. Just remember that you've only got four USB-C ports to play with, so you'll need a decent dock or adapter if you want to plug in an Ethernet cable or legacy hardware.
Also read:The best laptops for graphic design
02. Desktop
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
A great Windows PC for graphic design
CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060-1070 | RAM: 16GB-32GB | Storage: 1TB or 2TB SSD
Big performance improvements
When the Surface Studio came out two years ago, its huge 28-inch touchscreen pivoting display took all the plaudits, and rightfully so. Its inspired design allowed creatives to lay it almost flat like an easel and draw on it with the Surface Pen. The only problem was that Microsoft was offering a desktop-class workstation powered by underwhelming laptop-class internals.
That's no longer the case, thanks to the arrival of the Surface Studio 2, which keeps the best bits of the original model and improves upon it by significantly upgrading the internal specifications. The Studio 2 features a more powerful processor and faster graphics, while the hybrid hard drive has been replaced with proper solid-state storage. Unfortunately that makes it pricier than ever, but digital artists are still unlikely to find a better suited creative workspace.
That's no longer the case, thanks to the arrival of the Surface Studio 2, which keeps the best bits of the original model and improves upon it by significantly upgrading the internal specifications. The Studio 2 features a more powerful processor and faster graphics, while the hybrid hard drive has been replaced with proper solid-state storage. Unfortunately that makes it pricier than ever, but digital artists are still unlikely to find a better suited creative workspace.
Also read:The best desktops for graphic design
03. Monitor calibrator
X-Rite i1 Display PRO
A top calibrator for professionals
Settings: Unlimited | Laptop and desktop: Yes, plus projectors | Connector: USB
Bag of options
If you're looking for the calibrator with the most options, the X-Rite i1 Display PRO can't be beat. It enables you to use your custom profiles on several displays, either on the same computer or the same network. It will even analyse the ambient light in your work environment so you can set up your monitor for optimal results.
Elsewhere, X-Rite's Flare Correct technology is able to measure and adjust display profiles for reduct contrast ratios caused by screen glare, while video editors can benefit from the included video colour standards. It's an expensive bit of kit, but the extra pounds go far.
Also read: The best monitor calibrators for creatives
04. Reliable hard drive
LaCie Porsche Design External Hard Drive (4TB)
Offers both USB-C and USB 3.0 connectivity
Capacity: 4TB | Interface: USB 3.0 and USB-C
Fast transfer speeds
If you've ever suffered the torment of losing work because your computer died or your hard drive went kaput, then you'll know the importance of backing up, either manually or using automated solutions like Time Machine in macOS.
There are plenty of great external hard drives and solid-state drives that will do the job for you, but not all of them have the sort of future-proof connectivity as LaCie's Porsche Design Mobile drive. It boasts a USB-C port for connecting to the latest computers, and also includes a USB-C to USB 3.0 adaptor cable in the box for backwards compatibility.
With fast 5 GB/s transfer speeds, the LaCie can perform fully encrypted backups in super-quick time. Measuring in at 84mm × 128mm × 21mm and weighing 315 grams, the sleek all-aluminium enclosure is also highly portable, so you can take up to 4TB of data with you.
With fast 5 GB/s transfer speeds, the LaCie can perform fully encrypted backups in super-quick time. Measuring in at 84mm × 128mm × 21mm and weighing 315 grams, the sleek all-aluminium enclosure is also highly portable, so you can take up to 4TB of data with you.
05. Graphics tablet and stylus
iPad Pro and Apple Pencil (2018)
A new breed of creative tablet
CPU: A12X Bionic | RAM: 6GB | Screen: 11-inch 1668 x 2338 | Storage: 64GB - 1TB | Ports: 1x USB-C | Size: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm | Weight: 468g
Versatile design tool tool
Wacom once held the monopoly on industry-standard graphics tablets, but the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil have quickly become the go-to tools for designers who can't justify splashing out on a dedicated drawing hardware. Not only is the sketching experience first-class, the iPad Pro handles plenty of other tasks too.
Apple's latest 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models have adopted the signature slim-bezel design of the company's flagship smartphones, with stunning results. Both tablets feature crisp edge-to-edge displays twinned with an integrated TrueDepth camera, enabling Face ID authentication in lieu of a home button (plus there's no notch).
But that's not all. Thanks to Apple's A12X Bionic processor, these models are also blazingly fast, able to reach speeds that would leave many PCs behind. Additionally, Apple has had the foresight to replace the Lightning Port with USB-C, which opens the device to a world of creative connectivity, including 4K/5K displays, cameras, and more.
Pair it with the new Apple Pencil, which is smaller and lighter than the original, and you have a perfect marriage. Apple has dropped the Lightning connector in favour a magnetic function, so the Pencil now snaps smartly onto the top of a new iPad Pro for pairing, charging, and storage. What's more, gesture support has also been added, allowing you to switch between app tools with a quick double tap, for example.
But that's not all. Thanks to Apple's A12X Bionic processor, these models are also blazingly fast, able to reach speeds that would leave many PCs behind. Additionally, Apple has had the foresight to replace the Lightning Port with USB-C, which opens the device to a world of creative connectivity, including 4K/5K displays, cameras, and more.
Pair it with the new Apple Pencil, which is smaller and lighter than the original, and you have a perfect marriage. Apple has dropped the Lightning connector in favour a magnetic function, so the Pencil now snaps smartly onto the top of a new iPad Pro for pairing, charging, and storage. What's more, gesture support has also been added, allowing you to switch between app tools with a quick double tap, for example.
The tools you need does, of course, depend on your practice, however. So if a dedicated, high-end graphics tablet features on your personal list of essentials, then a Wacom Intuos, or higher-specced Wacom Mobile Studio Pro and Pro Pen 2 are an incredibly powerful duo, albeit incredibly expensive to match.
Also read: The best drawing and graphics tablets
06. Top-end smartphone
Google Pixel 3
The best camera on a smartphone
Screen: 5.5-inch FHD+ Display | Processor: Snapdragon 845 | Memory: 4GB RAM | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Camera: 12.2MP | OS: Android Pie | Connectivity: USB-C
Great value
A decent smartphone is essential for any professional creative, whether it's to use the latest creative or productivity tools, take photos, or test app or website designs. It might not be the sexiest smartphone on the market (that plaudit goes to Apple's iPhone XS), but the third iteration of Google's Pixel is its finest yet, due in no small part to that magnificent 12.2-megapixel camera on the back. For this reason alone, if you tend to take a lot of photos on your mobile device, the Pixel 3 should be your next upgrade.
Surprisingly, there's no secondary lens on the phone, but it doesn't really need one because most of the magic is software-based, and the results are formidable. Portrait mode shots are unnervingly accurate, while regular photos are similarly loaded with detail. And then there's the new Night Sight – a dedicated low-light mode that boosts brightness in scenes that have almost no light at all.
But enough about the camera. The Pixel 3's OLED screen renders your pictures naturally and beautifully, while the optimised hardware under the hood makes navigating through the Android-based interface a smooth, lag-free experience. Suffice to say, this is our go-to Android phone for capturing creative inspiration.
But enough about the camera. The Pixel 3's OLED screen renders your pictures naturally and beautifully, while the optimised hardware under the hood makes navigating through the Android-based interface a smooth, lag-free experience. Suffice to say, this is our go-to Android phone for capturing creative inspiration.
Also read:The best smartphones for designers
07. Studio camera
Nikon D3500
The best cheap DSLR camera
Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Resolution: 24.78MP | Lens: Nikon F mount (DX) | Viewfinder: Optical | Screen type: 3.0-inch screen, 921,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 5fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner
Comprehensive guide mode
Like the D3400 before it, the Nikon D3500 has a straightforward control layout and puts a tremendous amount of power and flexibility at the fingertips of the novice photographer.
The sensor is a great foundation for taking quality pictures, and combined with a decent lens kit, has the capability to make your photos soar. Plus the 1,550-shot battery life means you can keep shooting without worrying.
It might lack 4K video capture and touchscreen functionality, but the D3500 does so many things so well that we can overlook those shortcomings. Anyone looking for their first DSLR need look no further.While most modern smartphones can capture some pretty decent shots for reference materials and moodboards, if you're shooting images for clients, or documenting physical work for your folio, it's worth investing in a quality camera.
The sensor is a great foundation for taking quality pictures, and combined with a decent lens kit, has the capability to make your photos soar. Plus the 1,550-shot battery life means you can keep shooting without worrying.
It might lack 4K video capture and touchscreen functionality, but the D3500 does so many things so well that we can overlook those shortcomings. Anyone looking for their first DSLR need look no further.While most modern smartphones can capture some pretty decent shots for reference materials and moodboards, if you're shooting images for clients, or documenting physical work for your folio, it's worth investing in a quality camera.
Also read:The best cameras for creatives
08. High-res monitor
LG 34WK95U 34-inch 5K2K UltraWide Thunderbolt 3 Display
Upping the resolution
Display: UltraWide Nano IPS | Resolution: 5K2K WUHD (5120 x 2160) | Connectivity: Thunderbolt 3 | Color: HDR 98% DCI-P3
IPS panel
Not true 5K
This Thunderbolt 3 display may not be a true 5K display (it only has 5K resolution on the horizontal x-axis), but coming from a 4K or lesser resolution display, it's still a fantastic upgrade and one we can highly recommend.
The LG 34WK95U boasts a crystal clear nano IPS panel and a wide 21:9 aspect ratio with a native resolution of 5120 by 2160. It also features enhanced wide colour support, thanks to 98 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space (the digital film industry standard), and a maximum brightness of 450 nits.
Also read:The best monitors right now
Software
The right software for you (and your budget)
Adobe’s Creative Cloud is the industry standard for design professionals – the range and depth in its suite of tools is unrivalled by any other company. But it comes at a cost. As an individual designer, prices for the entire suite start at £50 per month if paid annually, or nearly £80 per month if paid on a monthly basis. It’s a lot of cash.
Still, you get Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects and loads more. If you’re looking to be truly multi-disciplined and regularly share a workflow with other designers, go for it. But if your work revolves purely around vector design and photo-editing/manipulation, it's not the only choice.
Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo are both excellent tools from Serif – even topping Photoshop and Illustrator in some areas – and cost around £50 each, outright, with free updates. Superb file compatibility means you can collaborate with Photoshop and Illustrator users too.
Corel Painter 2018 (£359.99) is also a worthy investment for artists looking to give their artwork a more authentic, painterly feel. You could also check out these 6 amazing free Adobe CC alternatives.
Here are a few more software services that graphic designers should have in their toolkits:
09. Antivirus software
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019
OS: Windows | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Protection: Ransomware and remediation, privacy tools, VPN, Safepay
Secure browser
Not the cheapest
Bitdefender maintains its reputation as one of the best software security solutions on the market with this latest version. Virus detection and web filtering is as accurate as ever, while its secure browser keeps online shopping transactions equally safe.
Adobe photoshop for macbook. This year's edition also comes with multi-layer ransomware protection, which learns the behaviour of such evolving threats to keep your browsing safe. And if that's not piece of mind enough, it also includes the Bitdefender Mobile app, which can scan devices linked to the same account.
Adobe photoshop for macbook. This year's edition also comes with multi-layer ransomware protection, which learns the behaviour of such evolving threats to keep your browsing safe. And if that's not piece of mind enough, it also includes the Bitdefender Mobile app, which can scan devices linked to the same account.
Also read: The best antivirus software for designers
10. VPN software
ProtonVPN
OS: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Server locations: 14
Swiss legal model
No logs policy
Encrypted email provider ProtonMail launched its own VPN service in 2017 called ProtonVPN, which includes a free user tier in its pricing plan. The Swiss-based company behind the service set out to address many of the common pitfalls that other VPNs have. To that end, a subscription includes access to its Secure Core servers which route traffic through multiple encrypted tunnels in multiple countries to better defend against network based attacks.
It also boasts a no-logs policy backed by Swiss law, not to mention seamless integration with the Tor anonymity network. The Basic tier costs 4 euros a month and includes access to all ProtonVPN servers across 14 countries, high speed bandwidth, and usage on up to two devices, while the Plus tier (8 euros) offers the highest bandwidth, connection on up to 5 devices, Tor servers, and access to Secure Core data networks hosted in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden. The Visionary tier costs 24 euros a month and includes a premium ProtonMail account.
It also boasts a no-logs policy backed by Swiss law, not to mention seamless integration with the Tor anonymity network. The Basic tier costs 4 euros a month and includes access to all ProtonVPN servers across 14 countries, high speed bandwidth, and usage on up to two devices, while the Plus tier (8 euros) offers the highest bandwidth, connection on up to 5 devices, Tor servers, and access to Secure Core data networks hosted in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden. The Visionary tier costs 24 euros a month and includes a premium ProtonMail account.
Also read: The best VPN deals
11. Productivity software
Google Docs
Free suite of apps
Lacks some MS Office features
In 2019, Google Docs is much more than a web-based version of classic productivity suites like Microsoft Office, and has come along in bounds and strides since it first appeared as a free service.
Apart from making your documents, spreadsheets and slides accessible from any browser (as well as supremely easy to collaborate on with other users), the online suite employs an intuitive interface that even integrates Google's vast search features when you need them.
There's a range of quality templates ready for you to use, plus third-party add-ins available that offer features you'd normally find in Microsoft Office, like mail merge and a more advanced equation editor. You can also use Google Translate to convert one of your documents into another language. And if you want more collaboration features, you can always plump for the subscription-based version of Google Docs, now called G Suite.
Apart from making your documents, spreadsheets and slides accessible from any browser (as well as supremely easy to collaborate on with other users), the online suite employs an intuitive interface that even integrates Google's vast search features when you need them.
There's a range of quality templates ready for you to use, plus third-party add-ins available that offer features you'd normally find in Microsoft Office, like mail merge and a more advanced equation editor. You can also use Google Translate to convert one of your documents into another language. And if you want more collaboration features, you can always plump for the subscription-based version of Google Docs, now called G Suite.
Creative gear
12. Quality sketchbook or notebook
Moleskine Ruled Cahier notebook
This three-pack comes in black, lined, squared and ruled options
Lots of size and design options
Sometimes there's no substitute for putting pen to paper in your favourite sketchbook or notebooks. It's the staple of every designer – whether it’s for creating quick wireframes, doodles, or simply jotting down notes.
Designer-favourite Moleskine boasts a beautiful range of task-specific products, geared up for everything from sketching to storyboarding to planning and note-taking. Or invest in one of Field Notes' equally stylish range of checklists and memo books to stay on top of your to-do list in an refreshingly analogue way.
If you prefer to push the boat out, Wacom's range of smartpads bridge the gap between analogue and digital. The Wacom Bamboo, for instance, comes in A4 or A5 sizes and enables you to translate handwritten notes into Photoshop or Illustrator-compatible files.
13. Pantone swatch book
Pantone Plus ColorBridge: Coated and Uncoated
The most cost-effective swatch book for nailing spot colours
1,867 solid colours
If you’re doing a lot of print work, you’re likely to encounter spot colours. The only way to get a truly accurate idea of how they're going to print is to invest in your own Pantone swatch books – but they don't come cheap.
There are almost 2,000 spot colours in the Pantone Plus range, so consider what you need them for before splashing out. The hardest colours to simulate on screen are neons and metallics. You can buy dedicated swatch books for these, or a five-part Pantone Plus Solid Guide Set that will cost you £288/$329.
For more versatile day-to-day use, the Pantone Plus Color Bridge Set presents the spectrum of spot-colours alongside their closest CMYK match – ideal where your client’s budget doesn’t stretch to a fifth colour for a certain job. Books of Pantone 'chips' are also available, which are great to pin to printers' proofs to ensure everyone's on the same page, colour-wise.
If you specialise in quality print and packaging work, and spot colours are a significant part of your daily workflow, it may be worth investing in the full-blown Pantone Reference Library for your studio to have the entire range at your fingertips, complete with fetching display stand. But you'll be paying £1,179/$1,620 for the privilege, so make sure you really need it.
Home office
14. Variable desk
There's no two ways about it. However careful you are about the ergonomics of your workstation setup, sitting down for eight (or more) hours a day isn't great for your body – especially if you're hunched over your screen undertaking a painstaking creative task, or working into the night on a heavy deadline.
The solution is simple: a variable desk. Changing position between sitting and standing helps keep your body moving, and you'll feel and work better as a result. You can pick up a decent adjustable sit/stand desk for a few hundred pounds from IKEA, but if you're attached to your existing desk there is another option.
Varidesk offers a range of adjustable-height converters that quickly transform any surface into a sit/stand workstation. They can accommodate either a single or dual monitor setup, as well as your keyboard and mouse. At around 400 Euros they're not much cheaper than buying an entire sit/stand desk, but are versatile enough to cater to any number of studio situations.
15. Ergonomic chair
Herman Miller Sayl chair
Half the price of Herman Miller's iconic Aeron chair
Back support: 3D Intelligent Back tech, PostureFit sacral support, Dynamic support | Design: Responsible design
Stylish design
Every bit as important as your desk – if not more so – is an ergonomic chair for your studio to help combat the back pain, RSI and other health issues that are all-too common for designers who spend long hours slaving over Creative Cloud.
Put simply, a good-quality office chair is an essential accessory for any creative professional who values their health. It's worth spending as much as you can afford: don't splash all your cash on top-of-the-range hardware only to slump over it in a rickety £50 chair.
If cash really is no object, Herman Miller's iconic Aeron chair is the gold standard when it comes to offering ergonomic comfort. It adapts naturally to your body and seating position, and the design is effortlessly stylish. But at £900+ for some models, the price will put off most.
Fortunately for your wallet, Herman Miller has also created a more 'budget' offering. Tasked with creating a highly affordable chair without compromising (too much) on style and comfort, designer Yves Béhar created the Sayl. It comes in several colours, and is less than half the price of the Aeron – although you do sacrifice many of the customisation features.
Lead image: Brad Neathery.
Related articles:
There are lots of excellent graphic design programs available in the market, but not all of them are free. Thanks to some free graphic design software, you no longer need to burn your pocket for paying premium designing software cost. With the millions of graphics being designed and visuals being created now and then, it becomes quite important to have the best graphic design software to compete in highly artistic design sphere. Though Adobe Photoshop is a powerful designing software program that makes the work of designers incredibly comfortable as well as advanced. It is not the only way to go.
Many free design software programs and image editing tools might also be considered as Photoshop alternatives. I have compiled the best graphic design software list to help you in creating stunning visuals. Some of these are free design software online while others are available for free download on your PC – [Windows, Mac, Linux] as well as smartphone and mobile devices – [Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry, etc.].
Check out: Top 10 {Free} Best Screen Recording Software for Windows
Contents
- Vector Drawing Art
- Image Editing Tools [Pixel Art]
- 2D/3D and Animations
- Infographic Designing [Data Visualization]
- Other Graphic Design Software Programs
- New Graphic Design Software for Free
- The Pro Review from TechReviewPro
31+ Best Free Graphic Design Software to Create Stunning Graphic Visuals
No matter whether you want to get started in graphic design or want to take your designing skill to advanced level – you’ll surely enjoy it. I have categorized the big list of graphic programs in various sections like vector art, image editor[pixel art], 3D and animations, infographics and other graphic design programs.
Vector Drawing Art
1. SVG-Edit – Vector Graphics Design in Browser
If you want to reproduce your drawing or vector art programmatically then, Scalable Vector Graphics [also known as SVG] is the format to do it. And the name of scalable vector graphics design software is SVG-Edit.
It is an open source software which means you may download it and tweak the codes to program it to work as per your needs. SVG-Edit is a powerful tool that lets you design or edit your SVG elements. The tool is built on CSS3, HTML5, and JavaScript. You may quickly edit and process two-dimensional (2D) vector graphics using this tool.
Though modern browsers come with capabilities to display PNG, GIF, JPEG, etc. files, if you are having trouble in viewing SVG files, you may fix it by installing Adobe SVG Viewer. Visit this SVG Tutorial page to learn more about various SVG element examples.
2. DrawPlus Starter Edition from Serif – Free Graphic Design Software for Windows
The starter edition of DrawPlus is amazingly 100% free graphic design software from Serif. It is a 2D vector graphics editor that lets you draw, design, edit and creates a perfect professional looking design.
DrawPlus has some outstanding features that let you make object 3D via extrusion, apply a broad range of 3D styles with a vast collection of brushes.
You may easily create bespoke designs, logos, technical drawings, animations and so much more with DrawPlus. There are various pre-defined templates and beginners tutorials also available to help you get started quickly.
3. InkScape – Vector Graphics Editor for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
Looking for a perfect alternative to Adobe Illustrator or CoreIDraw, then InkScape is the editing tool to go with. InkScape is an open source vector graphics editor with many powerful features.
It also has good SVG integration with advanced features for print as well as web design. It is a professional graphic editor with straightforward and easy to use user-interface.
There are also various tutorials and previously created work galleries as well as tons of information to help you get started.
4. Skencil – A Vector Drawing Program for Unix/Linux OS
Skencil is free software interactive drawing program which is known for vector designing on Linux/Unix OS. It is a flexible and powerful tool for illustrations, diagrams, and other purposes.
5. Ultimate Paint – Image Manipulation Tool for Windows
Ultimate Paint is a full featured 32-bit Windows graphic program for image creation, viewing and manipulation. The latest version comes with all basic functionality which you may use without any limitation.
It has a flexible brush handling method which encourages creative drawing. It supports PEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PCX, AVI (reading only), TGA, WMF/EMF, ICO (reading only), IFF/LBM and WAP BMP image formats and Twain compatible scanners.
6. SmoothDraw NX – Free Handheld Drawing Tool for Tablet Users
SmoothDraw is an easy, natural painting and digital free-hand drawing software that you may use to produce high-quality pictures. It supports many kinds of brushes (pen, pencil, dry media, airbrush, bristle brush, image hose, etc.), retouch tools, layers, etc.
7. Fat Paint – Best Page Creator Draw Program
Fat Paint is known as web’s best graphic design software, paint, and logo maker. It is free to use image editing software that lets you create pages, vector illustrations, logos, edit photos and design products online.
8. My Paint – Open Source Graphic Design Application for Windows and GNU/Linux
If technical programs make you scared, then My Paint is a powerful digital graphic application that lets you focus on art rather than technical programs of software management so that you may concentrate on canvas without distractions.
It is a fast and easy to use open-source graphic design applications for digital painters and is available for Windows and Linux Users also.
Also See:6 Best Free Online Photo Collage Maker to Make Photo Collages Online
Image Editing Tools [Pixel Art]
9. Paint.net – Free Image Editing Software for Windows
Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software for PCs that runs on Windows OS. Paint.NET is a perfect alternative to Windows inbuilt Microsoft Paint. It is simple to use image editing tool with some basic as well as advanced features.
Due to its powerful features, it is often compared to other digital photo editing packages like Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop Pro, Microsoft Photo Editor and the GIMP.
10. GIMP – GNU Image Manipulation Program for Linux, Windows and Mac OS
GIMP is another powerful image manipulation program which is widely used for photo retouching, image manipulation, image authoring and image composition, etc.
It is an open source free graphic design software that is popularly known as a Photoshop alternative. Though GIMP was debuted on Unix based operating systems now, it is available for other OS like Windows, Mac OS X, etc. also.
11. Pixlr – Photo Editor for iPhones, iPad, Mac OS and Android
Autodesk Pixlr also known as Pixlr is a powerful image editing app for iOS and Android users. You may get it for free from App Store or Google Play Store. It is a fun and powerful photo editor that lets you quickly crop, rotate, and fine-tune any picture.
With Pixlr, you may choose over 2 millions combinations of free effects, overlays, and borders to further personalize your image. It is so easy to use that you may perform fantastic photo editing even if you have never edited the photo before.
12. Sumo Paint – Free Graphic Design Software Online [Browser]
If you want to start Photoshopping in your browser – Sumo Paint is there to help you. It is a free online image editor that you may either use online for photo editing or download to access all its app in offline. However, it is worth noting that you need to pay a subscription cost to access offline.
Using Sumo Paint, you may edit photos right through your web browser without the need of installing anything. Though having Adobe Flash is required to use it.
13. Image Magick – Bitmap Image Converter for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, iOS, and Android
Image Magick is a powerful tool to convert images from one version to another. For e.g. convert .Jpeg into .Png. It is a free bitmap image editor that lets you create, compose, edit and convert bitmap images to other versions.
Useful features like shearing, rotating and transforming images into flip or mirror, etc. makes it even handier for graphic designers.
2D/3D and Animations
14. Daz Studio – 3D Models, 3D Animations, 3D Software for Windows, Mac
If you want to start learning 3D animation design, don’t look further and just visit Daz Studio now. Here you’ll get enough tutorials that would make you a 3D animation ninja – no matter, whatever your skill level is.
With Daz Studio, you may create your custom 3D characters, avatar, graphic design elements or create your virtual world with virtual moving animals, places, buildings, people and much more.
Create your artwork for short films & animations, illustrations for books and magazines, etc. This free 3D Animation software is beneficial in developing your 3D skill.
15. Sculptris – 3D Sculpting Design Software for Windows, Mac
If you want to unleash the power of 3D Sculpting, 3D Painting and move in an exciting World of 3D, then Pixologic has brought a powerful 3D sculpting tool for you.
It is a powerful 3D sculpting software with some robust features that lets you enter in a world of digital world without barriers. Whether you are new to 3D sculpting and 3D painting, or you want to take your sculpting skills to the next level, Sculptris is the best place to start with.
16. Blender – Free and Open Source 3D Creation Software for Windows, Mac, Linux
Blender is one of the best 3D graphics program available for 3D art creation. It is an open source software which is available for free download on various platforms including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc.
Blender has a bunch of 3D artwork tutorials and previous creations available on the website to learn 3D graphics design. There is also a very helpful community who are willing to answer your queries and help you succeed in 3D design.
17. Google SketchUp – 3D for Everyone Windows & Mac
3D SketchUp is so far the easiest way to draw in 3D. It is a powerful 3D modeling software that allows you to build 3D models quickly. The 3D graphic design program is quite simple to use. You can create almost anything with your imagination.
No matter whether you want to learn 3D drawing for educational purposes, use it for personal projects or professional 3D work – various versions of Google SketchUp is available for your needs.
18. 3D Canvas – 3D Crafter, 3D Modelling Software for Windows
3D Crafter (also known as 3D Canvas) is an intuitive 3D modeling software which comes with real-time 3D modeling and animation tool. It provides you with an easy control over 3D scenes with its drag-and-drop approach for 3D modeling. Adobe animate cc free download.
It is a powerful graphic design software developed by Amabilis Software. It comes in three versions – 3D Crafter, 3D Crafter Plus, and 3D Crafter Pro. The basic version is free while Pro and Plus costs money. Though advanced version provides you with an edge, still basic 3D Crafter has many advanced features. It runs on Windows 7/8/Vista.
19. Art of Illusion – Open Source 3D Modelling Software for Java
The Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modeling and rendering studio software. It is written in Java, so it is a powerful 3D design software to be used in many Java virtual machines.
On its website, you’ll get lots of tutorials, galleries of previous work as well as an active member forum who don’t mind helping you. So even if you are new to 3D modeling and looking to get started, Art of Illusion is perfect graphic design program for you.
20. Anim8or – 3D Modeler Software for Windows
Anim8or (pronounced as “animator”) is one of the oldest 3D modeler software which was introduced in 1999 and is still actively used all around. It is a 3D modeling and character animation program for Windows.
Anim8or has many powerful features like 3D modeler to create and modify 3D models, TrueType font support for 2D as well as 3D text, built in the 3D object browser, Joint character editor and much more. You may also sign up for Ian’s new fantastic Anim8or course.
Want to Explore More? Checkout:11 Best Free 3D Modeling Software for Beginners to Make 3D Printing Easier
Infographic Designing [Data Visualization]
21. Google Developers – Google Chart Tool Web Apps
Google Chart is a powerful tool offered by Google developers to create and customize charts from various data on the web. It is a simple to use free data visualization tool that helps you in creating interactive pie charts, line charts, column charts, area charts, tree maps, bar, etc.
With Google Chart, you can easily create your data representation visuals and get the code to embed them into your web pages, spreadsheets, etc.
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22. Visual.ly – Create Interactive Infographics Web Apps
Infographics are the new way of visual data representation which is blooming at a faster pace. Visual.ly is the best visual design software to create stunning infographics. It is a free graphic design software that lets you create and share interactive visuals.
Since Visual.ly is a social platform to create and share infographics, so you may also interact with other infographic designers and share your interactive visuals.
23. Infogr.am – Create Infographics and Visual Charts Online
Infogr.am is another powerful online tool to create stunning visuals and infographics. With Infog.am, you may create infographics, charts and other visuals in 3 simple steps: choose a pre-built template, visualize your data then publish and share.
You may also select charts and graphs from over 30 interactive chart types including bar, line, area, map and much more for free.
24. Easel.ly – Create and Share Visual Ideas Online
Easel.ly is another powerful infographic maker where you may start creating best of infographics easily. Even if you don’t know how to make an infographic, all you have to do is click on an infographic template after visiting the website and get started.
Easel.ly is a free graphic design software where you’ll find a huge number of graphic shapes and objects as well as infographics templates to create easily and share visuals online.
25. Visualize.me – Visualize Your Resume Online
Visualize.me is a personalized resume builder tool that lets you set up and Visualize your resume in one click. It enables you to create your infographic resume for free.
With over 500,000 infographics already created, Vizualize.me is the #1 infographics maker for resumes. There are many powerful tools present here that help you in creating a killer infographic resume.
Other Graphic Design Software Programs
26. Favicon Generator – Free Favicon Generator
It is a free favicon generator tool that lets you generate free favicon icon of your website. Just upload your file and click on generate favicon to get your favicon for free.
27. ColorPic – The Desktop Color Picker
ColorPic is a free desktop color picker to pick any color quickly from the screen. It allows you to grab color palettes of up to 16 colors at once. You may also use four advanced color mixers to pick a spectrum of possibilities.
28. Fast Stone Image Viewer – Photo Viewer, Editor and Batch Converter
With advanced features like red-eye removal, color adjustments, photo browsing and emailing, cropping, etc. Fast Stone Image Viewer is another full featured powerful photo viewer, editor and batch converter.
29. Pixel Toolbox – Design Desktop Graphics for Windows
Graphic Design For Beginners Adobe Machine
Pixel Toolbox is a powerful tool designed to help you create stunning graphics for your Windows systems. Create, edit, and apply 1-bit patterns, wallpaper tiles, icons, and cursors – all from a single pixel tool.
30. Prezi – Free Presentation Software
Prezi is a powerful free presentation software that helps you create, edit and explores presentations remotely from anywhere at your ease. It is available for desktop PCs as well as smartphones and tablets users which mean you may access it from anywhere. There is also inbuilt cloud integration that adds advanced features to it.
New Graphic Design Software for Free
31. Canva – Amazingly Simple Graphic Design Software
Canva is a new sensation in the list of graphic design programs. It is a free web-based app that let you ideally design almost anything. The simple drag-an-drop feature makes it so easy that you don’t need to be a designer to design stunning graphics.
Graphic Design For Beginners Adobe Mac Update
Checkout: 9 Best Free Online Logo Maker Sites to Create Custom Logo for Free
The Pro Review from TechReviewPro
Graphic Design For Beginners
Neither you have to be an expert designer, nor you need to pay the premium graphic design software subscription cost to create stunning graphic designs. All you have to do is find out some free graphic design programs and get started to put your imagination on canvas and join the artistic sphere.
As I have already provided you with best design software tools – so just get started! I wish you all the best!