Design Tools | Manage & Grow | Communities | Colors
Templates | Images & Vectors | Typography
Adobe Creative Suite has pretty much become the standard software for many graphic designers. But there is a huge amount of online tools that range from web apps to desktop software. All of which are able to meet the needs of designers and artists no matter what niche they are working in. There is also a large online graphic designer community that is willing to help any way necessary.
Manage and Grow your business
WP Engine
Wp Engine was created to work with WordPress hosting. Which means they are able to offer a sturdy server option that can handle everything. They also able to provide some of the greatest customer services. This allows you to have access to a WordPress expert whenever you find yourself in need of assistance. With automatic security updates, daily backups, automatic caching, top-tier security, and many other features, WP Engine allows you to a build a site that is hacker proof. There are many popular websites, such as FourSquare, and HTC that use WP Engine for all of their hosting needs. Starting at only $29 a month makes it the perfect priced hosting for those that are just starting out.
FreshBooks – get 30 days free trial
The most useful tool that any designer has to have is a time tracking application. Freshbooks is one of the best time tracking apps on the market. It is well designed with an easy to use interface, that has the ability to be used on mobile and mac platforms. This tool will allow you to keep track of the time you spend on every project. Freshbooks has the option for you to be able to invoice your clients directly from the application. Making invoicing a breeze. Any growing business will find this application to be a real time saver. Having the option to invite team members to work on projects will make time tracking an easy task. They also offer 30 days free trial. Which means that you can try it out and fall in love before purchasing a membership.
Personal Capital
Personal Capital is able to handle all of your financial business needs. This completely free online tool can track all of your spending and account balances. Which means that every credit care transaction and automated payment will be kept tracked of. So, there is not more guessing when and where transactions took place. Personal Capital has the ability to categorize your spending, and provide you with a itemized list of purchases.
Sprout Social – get 60 days free trial
Having the power to save when it comes to social media is a must-have for every busy designer. Sprout Social is able to make posting and uploading content simple, fast, and reliable. They allow you to be able to connect all of your social networks in one place. Which means that you can easily post the same article across all of your social media accounts in one easy step. It also allows you to be able to schedule when posts will be uploaded to one or all of your social media outlets. The best part about Sprout Social is that it will track how engaging your posts were, and how they compared to other people’s posts. There is no better tool to help organise the week’s posts. This will eliminate the need to worry throughout the week about posting content. Sprout Social has the option of 60 days free trial.
Design Communities
Dribbble
Is the artist’s version of Twitter. But instead of using words, you take pictures. Dribble is an online place where designers can upload images or GIFs of their work. This will allow you to be able to build an online portfolio. Unlike other sites, Dribble is picky about who is able to post images. Which means that you will have to put some effort into getting noticed.
Behance
Behance is the world’s leading platform that allows designers to not only showcase their work but can also discover new works of art. Which means that you are able to create an online profile that companies are able to look through and find new artistic talent.
DeviantArt
DeviantArt is the largest online art community. The artwork that can be found on this ranges from fan art to unique drawings. Users are able to share, save, and buy art from other artists through this site as well.
Design Tools
Adobe Creative Suite
Is the highest rated program for designers, photographers, and producers. Using this tools makes it easy for you create a portfolio that can host a number of programs.
-Canva
Canva has become one of the favorite tools among designers. It is very easy to use and comes with a wide variety of media templates that you can use for any project. Canva has a library of free pictures and illustrations, or you can buy new pieces for only $1. It also has a design school that comes with free design books and tutorials.
-Pixlr
Being one of the most popular online photos editors is not an easy to earn title but Pixlr has done just that. The website is a completely free graphic design software that has more than 600 effects, borders, and overlays. With all these tools in one place, you will be able to create some stunning pictures.
-GIMP
This is an open-source free graphic design software that is sort of similar to Photoshop, while still mimicking the look and feel of Adobe.
Piktochart
Finding the right infographs can be a challenge. But Pictochart allows you to create interactive infographs for presentations.
-PhotoLesa
This is a professional image editor, that was created by Lesa Snider. Through this site, she gives free tutorials on Photoshop, Photo Gift, and any other picture related programs
Font Resources
Typekit
For a small subscription fee, designers and developers will gain access to a huge library of fonts. As any good designers know, finding the right font can be time-consuming, but Typekit makes that a simple and easy task.
What Font
This tool works to instantly identify font types and font families from other websites. What Font can also be downloaded as an extension for Google Chrome or Safari.
Google Fonts
Google has also made a splash but creating a list of open source fonts. This list of fonts are free for everyone to use.
Font Squirrel
Looking for that perfect has never been easier. With this Webfont Generator, you are able to search through thousands of fonts to find the best one. The fonts are also broken down into different collections that you allows you look them. All the fonts on Font Squirrel are free.
Coloreminder
This will allow you to be able to design color palettes. From tiled color, samples to hexadecimal values. It will also generate the CSS codes for the colors that you picked
-Color Explorer
This tool will be able to create, manage, and evaluate color palettes that will be used in graphic designs.
-Color Matters
This tool allows you to learn everything there is to know about color information, design, and experimentation. It also has information about colors and branding options.
Check My Colours
This site will scan color elements, while also looking for problems or failures on your website. It works to generate information about the brightness, color differences, and contrast. Which will allow users to be able to make adjustments for optimal viewing.
Finding the right free stock images can be very time-consuming. But having all the right tools will make this task an easy one. By taking the time to compile this list of the best designing tools, we have done all the hard work for you.