Top Graphic Design Tools Every Designer Should Know

Graphic design is at the heart of modern communication in this world that’s so driven by visuals. The tools designers use play a crucial role in shaping their creative output, from creating attention-grabbing advertisements to designing engaging user interfaces (UI). The right graphic design tools can significantly increase a designer’s productivity. Exploring the various design tools available to you can prove helpful at every stage of your career, no matter if you’re a seasoned professional working on large-scale projects or a beginner just starting to explore your creative potential.

What are graphic design tools?

Graphic design tools encompass a wide range of resources, including software, platforms, and physical equipment, that assist in creating visual content. These tools are essential for tasks like photo editing, illustration, and prototyping.

The role of technology in graphic design

Advancements in graphic design technologies have effectively revolutionized the design process by offering tools that are more accessible than ever. Today’s graphic design tools are feature-rich, offering real-time updates and seamless implementation with various platforms. These tools have also started to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based solutions to push the limits of what designers can achieve.

4 types of graphic design tools

Graphic design tools fall into one of several categories, including software and libraries, each tailored to different parts of the creative process. Explore each in more detail:

Graphic design software

Professional software remains the foundation of most graphic design work, providing precision and flexibility for simple and complex design projects alike:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Industry-standard Adobe tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign cater to a wide range of design needs, from photo editing to vector illustration.

• Affinity Designer: Known for its affordability and collaborative features, this software is a strong competitor to Adobe’s offerings.

• CorelDRAW: A versatile tool for vector-based graphics, particularly popular among beginners.

Online design platforms

For quick, collaborative, user-friendly solutions, these web-based platforms are invaluable:

• Canva: With its drag-and-drop interface, Canva makes it easy for non-designers to create professional graphics.

• Figma: A favorite for team collaboration, Figma offers a broad range of features for prototyping and design, making it ideal for user experience (UX) and user interface projects.

• Adobe Express: Express simplifies the design process with pre-made templates, making it perfect for individuals or small businesses who need to create content quickly.

Prototyping and wireframing tools

These tools help designers visualize concepts and test ideas before full-scale production:

• Sketch: Widely used in UI/UX design, Sketch provides tools for both wireframing and interactive prototyping.

• InVision: This tool focuses on collaboration, allowing teams to share their work and get real-time feedback on their prototypes.

• Marvel: Marvel offers simple tools for creating wireframes and clickable prototypes, making it particularly accessible to beginners.

Asset libraries and resources

Sourcing high-quality assets from these locations can elevate your design projects by helping you save time and ensuring access to professional materials:

• Unsplash and Pixabay: Free platforms that offer a wide range of royalty-free images suitable for personal or commercial use.

• Adobe Stock: Integrated with Adobe software, this library offers high-quality stock photos, illustrations, and videos.

• Envato Elements: This is a subscription service for design resources that provides access to templates, fonts, and other tools.

Who should use graphic design tools?

Anyone can use graphic design tools. However, before choosing one, it’s essential to account for your unique needs or goals.

Professional graphic designers

Experienced designers rely on advanced tools like Photoshop and Illustrator for precise customizations and controls.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs

For those managing their own branding on a budget, platforms like Canva offer accessible solutions for creating social media, posters, and other marketing materials.

Students and aspiring designers

Emerging designers can use tools like Figma and Affinity Designer to develop skills and build portfolios. Many of these platforms even offer student discounts or free plans to make learning more affordable.

How to choose the right graphic design tools

Selecting the best graphic design tool depends on your needs, goals, and available resources.

Assessing your design goals

Consider what you want to create and align your tool choice with your objectives, whether it’s print designs, digital illustrations, or UI prototypes.

Considering ease of use and learning curve

For beginners, user-friendly platforms like Canva may be a better starting point than professional tools with more advanced features, such as those found in Adobe Creative Cloud.

Budget considerations

For those trying graphic design on a budget, free options like GIMP might be a more reasonable choice. The tool has some features comparable to an expensive subscription-based tool like Adobe Photoshop.

The future of graphic design tools

As graphic design tools continue to evolve, driven by advancements in technology and user needs, these trends may shape the future of the industry:

• AI integration: Tools like Adobe Sensei are incorporating AI to automate repetitive tasks, improve productivity, and provide access to intelligent features.

• Augmented reality (AR): Future graphic design tools may offer AR features for creating more immersive experiences, such as virtual showrooms or interactive product displays.

• Improved collaboration: Cloud-based platforms like Figma and Canva are beta-testing features that are expected to further enhance real-time collaboration and make teamwork more seamless.

Unlock opportunities to use graphic design tools on Coursera

Mastering graphic design tools is an ongoing process that requires both practice and structured learning. Different design tasks require familiarity with different graphic design tools. You can advance your creative career by building your skill set and knowledge base. 

Adobe’s Graphic Designer Professional Certificate on Coursera explores the skills needed for a career in the field. This five-course series guides you from beginner-level to pro, helping you build skills in image editing, using AI-powered tools, and more.

For more UX design-focused professionals, Google’s UX Design Professional Certificate on Coursera covers prototyping and wireframing, all of which can be important for a UX designer.