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Graphic design software is a must-have tool for every creative professional. It enables users to create and design visuals like images, logos, posters, and banners that are highly engaging and impressive. Whether you are a graphic designer, social media marketer, or content creator, having the right graphic design software is important in generating professional-level graphics that can communicate your message effectively.
There are many graphic design software options available in the market, and choosing the right one for your needs can be overwhelming. To help you out, we have rounded up the top 7 graphic design software for professional-level creativity. These software pack a range of features and tools that make it easier to create impressive visuals. Let’s dive in!
Video Tutorial:
What is Graphic Design Software?
Graphic design software is a tool that allows users to create and design visuals, typically in digital form. It provides a range of tools and features that enable users to create visually appealing images, logos, banners, and other graphic designs. Graphic design software is used by professionals in various disciplines such as advertising, publishing, marketing, and more.
Some popular features of graphic design software include vector graphics, typography, color palettes, filters, and effects. These features allow designers to create high-quality and aesthetically pleasing designs that can be used across different platforms, such as social media, websites, and presentations.
Top 7 Graphic Design Software Recommendation
1. Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is a suite of applications that offers a comprehensive range of creative tools for graphic design, web development, video editing, photography, and more. This software is widely used in the industry due to its robust features and capabilities.
Adobe Creative Cloud features several applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition. Each application is designed for specific design needs, allowing users to create almost anything that comes in mind.
Photoshop is ideal for photo editing and retouching, while Illustrator is perfect for creating vector graphics such as logos and illustrations. InDesign is the go-to application for designing layouts for print and digital publishing.
Pros:
– Wide range of applications that covers almost all design requirements
– High-quality and versatile tools and features
– Access to Adobe Stock for images, templates, and design assets
– Cloud storage for easy access and collaboration
– Regular updates and new features
Cons:
– Expensive subscription models
– Can be overwhelming for beginners
– Large and complex software may require a powerful computer
2. Sketch
Sketch is a vector-based graphic design software that is widely used in the web design industry. It features a range of tools and features that make it easy to create high-quality designs, such as logos, icons, and interfaces.
Sketch is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a modern-looking interface. Its vector-based tools make it easy to create and manipulate graphics, while its artboard feature allows users to work on multiple design projects at once.
Pros:
– Easy to use for beginners and professionals
– Wide range of vector-based tools and features
– Supports plugins for added functionality
– Highly customizable interface
– Affordable pricing model
Cons:
– Limited to Mac OS only
– Limited support for print and publishing
– Plugins may cause instability and compatibility issues
3. Canva
Canva is a web-based graphic design software that is perfect for beginners or for anyone who needs to create quick designs for social media, blog posts, presentations, and more. It offers thousands of templates and designs that are customizable and easy to use.
Canva features a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface that allows users to add elements such as text, images, and shapes with ease. It also has a diverse range of fonts, graphics, and stock photos that users can use for free.
Pros:
– Easy to use for beginners
– Wide range of templates and designs
– Customizable elements
– Access to a vast library of stock photos and graphics
– Affordable pricing plans
Cons:
– Limited customization and design capabilities compared to other software
– Limited typography and vector capabilities
4. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a vector-based software that is designed specifically for professional graphic designers. It features a range of tools and features that allow users to create everything from logos to complex illustrations.
Affinity Designer offers a highly intuitive interface that is easy to navigate. Its vector drawing tools make it easy to create and manipulate graphics quickly and efficiently. It also features advanced typography capabilities, such as kerning and advanced options that allow users to create high-quality typography.
Pros:
– Affordable one-time purchase pricing model
– Optimized for designing vector graphics and typography
– User-friendly interface
– A wide range of customizable features and effects
– Fast and efficient performance
Cons:
– Limited support for print and publishing
– Limited plugin support
– Mac only
5. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a professional-level software that provides a range of tools for graphic design, layout, and typography. It is widely used in the industry and offers a robust set of features that allow users to create high-quality designs.
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite features applications such as CorelDRAW, PHOTO-PAINT, and PowerTRACE, giving users a range of capabilities such as vector illustration, photo editing, and bitmap to vector tracing. It also includes a variety of tools for layout, typography, and color management.
Pros:
– Wide range of applications and features
– Advanced typography and layout tools
– High-quality output and printing capabilities
– Powerful color management tools
– Affordable pricing model
Cons:
– Steep learning curve for beginners
– May require a powerful computer to run all applications seamlessly
– Limited support for 3rd party plugins and compatibility issues.
6. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a vector-based graphic design software that is available for desktop and web. It is a free software that offers a range of tools and features that allow users to create visual designs such as logos, posters, and interface designs.
Gravit Designer features a user-friendly interface that can be mastered in a short time. It includes vector-based tools, image editing, typography, and a range of special effects and styles. Gravit Designer can be used across different platforms, including Mac, Windows, Chrome OS, and the web.
Pros:
– Free
– Easy to use for beginners
– Vector-based tools and features
– Available across different platforms
– Cloud storage and collaboration features
Cons:
– Limited functionality compared to other paid software
– Not optimized for print and publishing
7. Inkscape
Inkscape is free, open-source vector-based graphic design software that is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It offers a range of powerful vector-based tools and features similar to paid software.
Inkscape features tools for creating and editing graphics, text, and shapes, as well as digital illustrations, logos, diagrams, and other visual content. It offers advanced text tools, such as kerning and flow text, and allows users to easily edit nodes, paths and colors with a real-time preview. Inkscape also has the ability to export to multiple file formats including PNG, PDF, DXF and SVG.
Pros:
– Free
– Highly customizable, open-source software
– Comprehensive vector-based design tools
– Supports multiple file formats
– Available across all platforms
Cons:
– Can be slow when working with complex designs
– Limited special effects and filters
– Learning curve for beginners
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
Below is a table that compares the software mentioned above based on key features, pricing, and ease-of-use.
| Software | FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Creative Cloud | 7-day free trial available | Starting from $20.99/month | Complex, steep learning curve | High |
| Sketch | 30-day free trial available | $99 one-time purchase | Intuitive, easy to use | High |
| Canva | Free plan available | Starting from $9.99/month | Easy to use, user-friendly interface | Low |
| Affinity Designer | No free trial | $49.99 one-time purchase | Easy to use, intuitive interface | High |
| CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | 15-day free trial available | Starting from $249 one-time purchase | Complex, steep learning curve | High |
| Gravit Designer | Free plan available | Starting from $49/year | Easy to use, user-friendly interface | Low |
| Inkscape | Free | Free | Easy to use, intuitive interface | High |
Our Thoughts on Graphic Design Software
Choosing the right graphic design software is crucial to produce beautiful and impactful visuals. Based on the list above, Adobe Creative Cloud is the most comprehensive and robust software suite, offering a wide range of applications with advanced features and capabilities. However, it may be too expensive for some users or require a steeper learning curve.
For professionals who require specific functions such as vector graphics and typography, we recommend Sketch, Affinity Designer, and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite. These software packages include powerful drawing tools and advanced text options that allow users to create precise and high-quality designs. Sketch is a great choice for web design, while Affinity Designer and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite are ideal for print and publishing design.
Canva and Gravit Designer are user-friendly and ideal for beginners or those who need to create quick designs. Canva offers a wide range of templates, while Gravit Designer provides vector-based tools and features for creating graphics.
Inkscape is a free software that provides a comprehensive range of vector-based tools, making it a great choice for those who want a high-quality and free software solution.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use Adobe Creative Cloud on Windows?
A: Yes, Adobe Creative Cloud is available for Windows and Mac operating systems.
Q2: Can I use Sketch on a Windows computer?
A: No, Sketch is designed for Mac OS only.
Q3: Can I access Canva templates for free?
A: Canva offers a free plan with a limited range of templates and designs. Paid plans offer many more templates and designs for a monthly fee.
Q4: Is Affinity Designer similar to Adobe Illustrator?
A: Yes, Affinity Designer is similar to Adobe Illustrator, but with a one-time purchase pricing model and a more user-friendly interface.
Q5: Does Gravit Designer support print and publishing design?
A: While Gravit Designer can be used for print and publishing design, it may have some limitations compared to other software designed specifically for that purpose.
In Conclusion
Graphic design software is a powerful tool for creative professionals, and choosing the right one is important for generating professional-level designs. The top 7 graphic design software recommendation we’ve listed above offers different features, pricing models, and learning curves, depending on your needs and preference. We hope this article helps you decide which graphic design software is right for you.