In the fast-evolving world of digital art and design, having the right tools can streamline the creative process and help designers deliver high-quality work. From powerful design platforms and collaboration tools to resources for fonts, color schemes, and mockups, graphic designers today have access to an expansive array of online tools. Whether you’re a freelance designer, part of a design team, or a business owner looking to make your branding stand out, here’s a comprehensive guide to the 15 Best Online Tools for Graphic Designers that will elevate your work.
1. Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is the industry standard for graphic designers and a comprehensive suite that includes tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe XD. These tools are essential for everything from image editing and vector illustrations to layout design and web prototyping. With regular updates and powerful features, Adobe Creative Cloud allows designers to work seamlessly across multiple design applications.
Key Features:
- Access to industry-standard tools like Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Cloud storage for easy file access across devices.
- Integration with other Adobe apps and services.
- Creative Cloud Libraries for storing assets and elements.
Why It’s Great: Adobe Creative Cloud offers unparalleled versatility and professional-grade tools, making it essential for serious graphic designers.
2. Canva
Canva is an intuitive, user-friendly platform that allows designers of all skill levels to create visually appealing designs quickly. Its drag-and-drop interface, combined with a vast library of templates, fonts, and images, makes it ideal for designing social media posts, presentations, and marketing materials.
Key Features:
- Pre-designed templates for social media, presentations, and print.
- Easy drag-and-drop design interface.
- Access to thousands of stock images, fonts, and icons.
- Collaborative features for team projects.
Why It’s Great: Canva is perfect for designers who need to create visually engaging content quickly and effectively, even with limited design experience.
3. Figma
Figma is a collaborative design tool primarily used for UI/UX and web design. Unlike traditional design software, Figma is entirely web-based, allowing multiple team members to work on the same project simultaneously. It’s ideal for prototyping, designing, and collaborating on interface designs.
Key Features:
- Real-time collaboration for design teams.
- Browser-based with no installation needed.
- Versatile tools for UI design, prototyping, and feedback.
- Integration with popular apps like Slack and Dropbox.
Why It’s Great: Figma’s collaborative features make it ideal for remote teams working on web and app design projects, allowing designers to work seamlessly with developers and stakeholders.
4. Sketch
Sketch is a vector-based design tool that’s widely popular among UX/UI designers. Though available only on macOS, Sketch is known for its powerful features, plugins, and integrations that make it ideal for interface and icon design.
Key Features:
- Vector editing tools specifically tailored for UI/UX design.
- Extensive library of plugins for extended functionality.
- Cloud-based sharing for easy collaboration.
- Customizable symbols and styles for consistent design.
Why It’s Great: Sketch is lightweight yet powerful, making it a go-to tool for many UX/UI designers who want a streamlined interface and intuitive design capabilities.
5. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is an affordable alternative to Adobe Illustrator that’s packed with advanced features for vector design. It offers precision tools for creating illustrations, icons, and branding elements, and its one-time purchase model makes it an attractive option for designers on a budget.
Key Features:
- Vector and raster design tools in one application.
- High-speed performance even with complex designs.
- Real-time pixel preview for accurate designs.
- One-time purchase with no subscription fees.
Why It’s Great: Affinity Designer provides professional-grade features at a fraction of the cost of Adobe Illustrator, making it a popular choice for freelance and budget-conscious designers.
6. Procreate
Procreate is a robust digital painting and illustration tool available on iPad, known for its powerful brush engine and intuitive interface. It’s especially popular among illustrators who value the flexibility and ease of drawing on a tablet with a stylus.
Key Features:
- Extensive brush library and customizable tools.
- Animation features for creating GIFs and animations.
- Responsive design optimized for the Apple Pencil.
- User-friendly interface tailored for digital illustration.
Why It’s Great: Procreate allows illustrators to create stunning artwork on the go, with tools that mimic real brush and pencil textures, ideal for artists who work digitally.
7. InVision
InVision is a prototyping and collaboration tool designed for UX/UI designers. It allows designers to create interactive prototypes that look and feel like real products, enabling designers to test user experiences before coding begins.
Key Features:
- Interactive prototyping with clickable elements.
- User testing and feedback tools.
- Integration with design tools like Sketch and Photoshop.
- Collaborative features for team feedback and iteration.
Why It’s Great: InVision is a top choice for UX/UI designers who need to present prototypes and receive feedback quickly, streamlining the design-to-development process.
8. Piktochart
Piktochart is an online tool focused on creating infographics, presentations, and reports. With its drag-and-drop interface and various templates, Piktochart is perfect for designers who need to present data in a visually appealing way.
Key Features:
- Templates and design elements for infographics and reports.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick design creation.
- Customizable charts and graphs for data visualization.
- Collaboration options for team projects.
Why It’s Great: Piktochart is ideal for designers in need of an easy way to create impactful infographics and data visuals for marketing or presentations.
9. Pixlr
Pixlr is a free, web-based photo editing tool that’s perfect for quick image adjustments and basic graphic design tasks. It offers a surprising range of features and tools similar to those in Photoshop, making it ideal for simple design projects and image retouching.
Key Features:
- Basic and advanced editing tools for photo retouching.
- Support for layers and masking.
- Filters, effects, and adjustments similar to Photoshop.
- Accessible through any web browser.
Why It’s Great: Pixlr is great for designers who need quick, on-the-go editing capabilities without the need for heavy software installations or subscriptions.
10. Vectr
Vectr is a free, web-based vector design tool that’s ideal for beginners. It offers basic vector editing tools and allows designers to create logos, icons, and simple graphics without advanced skills.
Key Features:
- Simple vector drawing tools for beginner designers.
- Free to use with web and desktop versions.
- Real-time collaboration capabilities.
- Supports SVG and PNG exports.
Why It’s Great: Vectr is a fantastic starting point for designers new to vector art who want an easy-to-use, browser-based tool.
11. FontBase
FontBase is a free font management tool that allows designers to organize and preview their font libraries easily. It’s compatible with multiple operating systems and offers advanced categorization features for better workflow.
Key Features:
- Font organization and search features.
- Customizable previews and sample text.
- Activation and deactivation of fonts without installation.
- Integration with Google Fonts.
Why It’s Great: FontBase is an efficient tool for managing large font libraries, making it easy for designers to find the perfect typeface for any project.
12. Coolors
Coolors is a color palette generator that helps designers create harmonious color schemes for their projects. With features that allow users to generate and save color schemes, Coolors makes it simple to explore and experiment with colors.
Key Features:
- Color scheme generator and custom palette creation.
- Export color codes for easy integration with design tools.
- Compatibility with Adobe and other design software.
- User-friendly interface and easy customization options.
Why It’s Great: Coolors is perfect for designers who want to streamline the process of choosing color schemes and creating visually cohesive designs.
13. Mockup World
Mockup World is an extensive resource of free and high-quality mockups for designers to showcase their work. With options for devices, apparel, packaging, and more, it’s a go-to resource for adding realistic previews to presentations.
Key Features:
- A large library of free, downloadable mockups.
- Mockups for various products, including devices, clothing, and packaging.
- High-quality PSD files compatible with Adobe Photoshop.
- Organized categories for easy navigation.
Why It’s Great: Mockup World provides designers with an easy way to visualize their designs in real-world scenarios, adding professionalism to presentations and portfolios.
14. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a vector design app that offers a powerful yet easy-to-use platform for creating illustrations, logos, and web designs. It’s cloud-based, so designers can work on projects from any device with an internet connection.
Key Features:
- Vector editing tools for illustrations and graphic design.
- Cloud storage and browser-based functionality.
- Advanced typography, effects, and gradients.
- Compatible with all major operating systems.
Why It’s Great: Gravit Designer’s flexibility and cloud-based nature make it an ideal tool for designers who need a versatile platform they can access from anywhere.
15. Dribbble
While not a design tool itself, Dribbble is an essential platform for inspiration and portfolio sharing for graphic designers. It allows designers to showcase their work, discover trends, and connect with other professionals in the industry.
Key Features:
- Portfolio and project showcase for designers.
- Job boards and freelance opportunities.
- Access to a global network of creative professionals.
- Inspiration across various design categories.
Why It’s Great: Dribbble is invaluable for networking and finding inspiration, making it a vital tool for designers looking to build their brand and connect with clients or collaborators.
Conclusion
These 15 online tools provide everything a graphic designer could need to manage, create, and showcase high-quality work. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, the right combination of tools can streamline your design process, improve your productivity, and inspire your creativity. With options ranging from Adobe’s powerful suite to free resources like Coolors and Mockup World, every designer can find the tools that best suit their needs.