Graphic Design Software, Tools & Packages
Have you been thinking about upping the ante with visual communication for your business?
Perhaps you’re a new business wanting to find an easy-to-use software for basic designs, or maybe you’re an experienced graphic designer wanting to invest in new software to work across all projects. Whatever it is, you’re in the right place.
We have a range of great offers from graphic designers, agencies and big brand names in graphic design. If this is your first time looking for graphic design software and you have no idea what’s good for small businesses, don’t worry!
All of our offers are curated and recommended by our community, so you can be confident in knowing you’re buying tried and tested products.
The world of graphic design is quite niche compared to other areas of business, so we’ve put together some of the most important things to consider before buying software and tools.
What is graphic design software?
The market of graphic design software is vast, and there’s a huge range of programs and tools available to cater for graphic design amateurs and experienced digital and graphic artists.
A good trades(wo)man never blames their tools… While we whole-heartedly agree with this old adage, when it comes to the world of graphic design, the software available nowadays is pretty amazing.
Well-built graphic design software is intuitive and gives designers the opportunity to maximise their artistic talent and capabilities.
What are graphic design tools used for?
Here are some of the things you can do using graphic design tools:
- Image resizing
- Image editing
- Graphics for social media adverts
- Brochure design
- Newsletter design
- Catalogue design
- Logo designs
- Business card design
- Watermark design
- Vector design
- Web design
- Gravit design
What is the best graphic design software for beginners?
If you’re new to using graphic design software, it can seem like there are a gazillion buttons and you have no idea how to use them. You’ll be happy to know that the basic functionalities are the same across all design tools. It’s a learning curve, but like any software, it gets easier the more you use it (we promise).
Here are some of the most popular graphic design tools for beginners and experienced graphic designers:
- Canva
- Vectr
- Inkscape
- Procreate
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Affinity Designer
- Adobe Indesign
- Sketch
What are the benefits of graphic design software?
Well-built graphic design software allows you to bring your creative vision to life. Here are some of the benefits that a great graphic design software will give you.
Cost-effective
Paid software usually provides excellent value for money when you consider the scope of tools you can access at the click of a button. There’s some wonderful free software out there with basic features that allow you to create stunning designs, and you can also do a free trial with some programs.
Flexibility
You can get creative and play around with ideas to see how it will work best. There’s also the added bonus of creating beautiful graphics and visuals without having to shoot them yourself. Once you’ve created something, it’s easy to export the file into multiple file-formats to distribute across all marketing channels.
Build brand identity
If you want to build your brand identity, consistency is key. Graphic design tools allow you to create templates with brand colours, logos and watermarks to maintain consistency with every design you create.
What should I consider when choosing graphic design software?
We’re spoilt for choice with the number of design tools available, and it can be overwhelming trying to narrow down your choices.
There’s no real right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing the best software… that’s a matter of our individual opinions, needs and style. However, we think these are some of the most important factors to consider.
1. Features
Have a good think about what you actually need the design software for. If you need it for general graphic design tasks like image resizing and basic editing, go for a tool such as Canva. If you’ll be working on more advanced tasks such as creating detailed vector designs, look into a higher-end tool such as Adobe Illustrator.
2. Cost
Every graphic design program has different fees and payment plans… it could be a one-off annual payment or a monthly subscription. There could even be a free plan with basic features or a free one-month trial period. Assess if you can afford a paid tool or not and compare the features offered in several tools to get the most for your money.
3. Collaboration
If you’ll be working with others on design work, you’ll need to choose a tool that is equipped for seamless file sharing and collaboration.
4. Reviews
Shop around and read reviews from other businesses to see what they like and don’t like about a tool. They may use software for the same reasons you need it, so it’s worth asking.
What is the best free graphic design software?
We all love a freebie. Here are some of the most popular (and free!) graphic design tools:
- GIMP
- Gravit Designer
- Inkscape
- Scribus
Have any more questions about which graphic design tools you should use? Reach out to our community or get advice from an experienced graphic designer.
