Ever heard of Leonardo da Vinci or Pablo Picasso? You sure did! The two most creative lives ever existed among us. Both were known for giving life to the empty canvas through their brush and different colors. Even after countless decades of leaving our side their impact on society has not diminished by 1%. The only difference we can see is that the paint brushes have been replaced by technology.
Creativity is not bound by anything- a line that perfectly resonates with the present day. People today are using tablets, mobile phones, and computers to generate graphic designs. Yes, that is the official name of digital paintings that professionals create for their clients or even for themselves. Graphic designers use certain tools that help them create striking visuals that can be eventually used to promote a business or to settle the self-craving to create something special.
Now, without wasting any further ado let us dive into the best graphic designing tools for both beginners and professionals that are considered the new backbone of the creative world.
Top 10 Graphic Designing Tools for Beginners and Professionals
Check out the list we curated for you below which includes the best graphic designing tools for both beginners and professionals:
Beginner Graphic Design Tools
Canva
Advantages- Being a free graphic design software for beginners Canva will help you create infographics, business cards, and more. Despite being developed by non-designers, Canva offers exceptional templates that are easy to customize and professional at the same time. If you are a fresher graphic designer then this tool will do wonders for you, as it is one of the best graphic design software to introduce students to graphic design.
Drawbacks- On the other hand, there is one very common issue faced with this free graphic design software. Because the tool has become so popular among people now it is used on a large scale and because of this, the clients can easily figure out Canva design in the crowd. Moreover, if you want to explore more templates and designs you will need to pick the paid version.
Subscription Cost- ₹4000 per year for a single person.
Platforms- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Adobe Spark
Advantages- Adobe Illustrator’s free variant, Adobe Spark, which is now named Adobe Express, is as seamless as other graphic design tools from Adobe. Where it does not offer so many features, it surely presents free templates that resonate with the standard of Adobe. Adobe Express is the right tool for graphic designers who are into ad campaigning as it helps you create promising posters and videos.
Drawbacks- Overall, Adobe Express is the right tool for you if you have limited work in hand. As soon as you start getting more projects you will need to shift to the premium version of this graphic designing software.
Subscription Cost- ₹398.84 per month
Platforms- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Design Wizard
Advantages- Considered one of the best graphic design software tools for beginners, Design Wizard offers a vast database of images and enables you to create more than 10,000 custom templates. The good news is that this graphic design software is easy to use, all thanks to its UI/UX team.
Drawbacks- Limited customization options compared to other graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator or Canva can be considered one of the advantages of this tool. If you are looking for the paid version of this design software then you will have to pay:
Subscription Cost- $9.99 per month.
Platform- Windows
Also Read – Best 2D Animation Software for Beginners
Lunacy
Advantages- Here comes the first free vector design tool in this list, the Lunacy. With no hidden charges or locked features, this free graphic design software is the solution for everyone. Lunacy comes out as a big help for UI/UX designers who are not able to afford expensive graphic design software. The wide range of software it brings including eyedropper, UI-Kit, and more is the highlight of this graphic design software.
Drawbacks- In conclusion, it is a nice tool for beginners and professionals. However, the imperfections Lunacy holds are similar to those of the moon, which doesn’t affect the beauty of the celestial body. The limited integration with other design software and platforms is the one area in which the developers can improve the Lunacy’s performance. But besides this, everything seems right.
Subscription Cost– $9.99 per month
Platforms- PC, Mac, Linux
Paint 3D
Advantages- The OG Microsoft tool has reincarnated and now it is free with more functionalities. If you are a complete fresher then Paint 3D can work as the stepping stone for your graphic designing career. With 8 realistic textures to choose from, this design software works magic for everyone. As the product is launched by Microsoft it works seamlessly on Windows 10 across all devices.
Drawbacks- Complex modeling tools, advanced texturing, and high-scale rendering are some of the elements that Paint 3D lacks. Besides this, it is a highly recommended free graphic design tool for beginners.
NOTE: Microsoft Paint 3D is expected to shut down as it will be removed from the Microsoft store on November 4, 2024. However, the existing installations of Paint 3D will continue, but the app will no longer be available for download or any updates.
Subscription Cost– Free
Platform- Windows
Graphic Design Software for Professionals
Adobe Photoshop
Advantages- Things are getting professional now and who else can start the list except Adobe Photoshop right? Adobe has gained the trust of its users throughout these years across the globe. With the introduction of different sets of software for graphic designing and video editing in the past years, Adobe Photoshop has become every graphic designer’s favorite tool. Some of the magnificent tools that it offers are brushes, custom layers, and adjustments.
Drawbacks- The only thing that is slowly taking this exceptional graphic design tool to the niche category is the subscription fee. However, if you fall into the category of industry experts then you wouldn’t mind paying the comparatively high monthly subscription fee.
Subscription Cost– ₹2,435 per month
Platform- Windows, Mac iPad
Adobe Illustrator
Advantages- If you are into drawing detailed art for publishing or printing then Adobe Illustrator is the perfect choice for you. The access to tools, shadows, and special effects you get with one of the best design software can be considered the main USP’s. With such tools, you will be able to create brand designs, posters, birthday letters, invitation cards, and the list goes on.
Drawbacks- Being the right software for graphic designers from almost all aspects, Adobe Illustrator can be an overwhelming yet complicated start for novices. Given the fact that it offers so many tools to choose from, becoming proficient in Adobe Illustrator is not an easy job. No wonder this graphic design software made its place in the list of professional graphic designing software.
Subscription Cost– ₹733.96 per month
Platform- Windows, Mac iPad
Procreate
Advantages- Designed and developed for iOS devices, Procreate is a drawing and painting application. This exceptional software comes with high-quality brushes and a top-notch interface. Procreate works exceptionally well for both quick sketches and even detailed masterpieces. Besides, the community Procreate has created around itself enables newcomers to learn insights from the experienced ones.
Drawbacks- The only drawback is that Procreate is only available for iPad and it makes the reach of this high-scale designing tool very limited. Besides this, it also lacks some of the features that are found in desktop software including, vector editing capabilities and multi-page layout options.
One-time purchase cost from App Store– ₹1,299 (iPad)
Platform- iPad
Figma
Figma is a cloud-based design tool that is preferred for UI/UX designs. This designing software enables team collaboration, where multiple designers can work on the same project in real-time. So if you are a professional who is used to working on the cloud with fellow designers on collaborative projects.
Drawbacks- As you must have figured out Figma does require a consistent stable internet. However, if your place doesn’t have a reliable internet connection then Figma won’t come out as the right choice for you.
Subscription Cost– $15 per month
Platform- Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
Krita
Advantages- The final graphic design app for professionals on this list is Krita! Don’t go by its cute name, as this open-source software is highly capable of competing with the top tools of the globe. The tool primarily helps artists and illustrators design digital art, animation, and concept art. With features like Brush Engine, Color management, Layers, and Animation, Krita is a must-try for every graphic designer.
Drawbacks- However, Krita is also known to be a resource-intensive tool which means that users who don’t have high-end computers can experience lag while working on complex projects or large files.
Subscription Cost– Free
Platform- Windows, Mac, Linux and Android
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. Milton Glaser from New York, USA is considered the world’s best graphic designer. One of his famous creations is the I Love New York logo.
Ans. Yes! We do offer an animation course of 6 Months in which you will learn everything about 2D animation and graphic designing from scratch from industry experts.
Ans. Our 6-month graphic designing course costs INR 35,000.
Ans. Undoubtedly, Adobe Photoshop is the most commonly used graphic designing app in the world. Moreover, the tool is mostly used for the creation, editing, and enhancing images.
Ans. According to Glassdoor the average annual salary of a graphic designer in India is Rs. 300,000. However, as you keep gaining experience, with time your salary will keep increasing. Plus with freelance projects, you can earn some extra income as well.
Ans. Yes! There are many graphic designers in India and abroad who have opted for this job profile and are earning well while making a decent living. The income can however depend on the experience one holds, which he can gain by giving two to three years to the craft.
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