8 Tools Every Designer Needs

Being a designer isn’t just about ‘coloring in’. In reality, the design process can be unpredictably lengthy and requires raw talent, spirit and imagination. As a designer you’re also responsible for managing the projects, communicating with clients and attending meetings, it’s a busy job role! New technology is making the life of a designer a lot easier, providing tools at their disposal to help reach their goals

Precision Printing, providers of corporate framed prints, have created a handy guide on some of the best tools a designer can utilize, including;

1. Hardware:

Technically, there is design software that’s been developed for a PC, however designers work well with an iMac or Macbook. They also tend use a DSLR Camera to help capture unique images and to get ideas down on paper, they’ll rely on the old-fashioned notepad. This method might seem outdated in the digital world but notepads and sketchbooks are a great place to jot down concepts and sketch out ideas.

2. Illustration tools

The sketchbook app Paper from Fiftythree is free to download and allows designers to get creative, whilst the Astropad Graphic Tablet can be used to draw directly into Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator Draw.

3. Using Layout tools

Another handy tool to add to the designer package is the Golden Ratio Calculator, used to determine proportions that are aesthetically pleasing – an attribute vital for good design. The Modular Scale is another useful tool for this to determine font size ratios.

4. Photography tools

A powerful photo-editing app such as VSCO also allows you to connect with photographers from all across the globe to collaborate and share photography tips. To enhance your images, use PicLab for layering text over photos and PicMonkey for speedy online photo editing on-the-go.

5. Colour scheme tools

You can build a color scheme around one single color by using the Adobe Color Wheel, whether you’re looking for complimentary colors, contrasting colors or a more monochromatic scheme, this tool is ideal. If you already have an image and want to create a color palette around it, use Pictaculous.

6. Perfect presentation

You can create a logo freehand with some of the other tools mentioned here, or try a logo design tool like GraphicSprings. This tool also provides a space where you can make alterations and customizations, and also provides a whole host of other templates for different types of marketing material.

7. Completing research

A Computer Arts subscription is a great resource for regular inspiration and advice on all things design but if you’re already working within a team, then maybe a collaboratively tool like Niice is a simpler way to bring everything together.  

8. Typography tools

In response to a lack of sources for fonts on design projects, Typewolf was launched to solve this and is a great archive of font ideas and designs. For a font library that’s is compatible with Photoshop, take a look at Adobe’s Typekit.