In a world where first impressions are made in seconds, and attention spans are diminishing, graphic design is without a doubt one of the main concerns in marketing. It’s not just about pretty pictures anymore, it’s about effective communication, brand identity, and creating a memorable impact. Whether launching a startup, promoting a product, or simply creating your social media presence, graphic design is your key to standing out in the crowd.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: If you’re not a designer, the realm of graphic design software can be bewildering. The choices are vast, the features are aplenty, and where on Earth do you even begin?
That’s where we come in. This is the Non-Designer’s Guide to Graphic Design Software, a compass to navigate the complex landscape of design software. We’re here to simplify the process, demystify the jargon, and equip you to create visually stunning content. Whether you’re a marketing guru, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to get your creative work done, this guide is your trusted companion.
So let’s jump right in!
Adobe Photoshop is the most familiar design software among experts in the industry and those outside the industry. Nearly 90% of creative professionals use Photoshop. And for good reason! Photoshop is the design software that you can use to do almost anything.
Best Use Case: Photo editing
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android
Price Range: $20.99/mo on a subscription basis
Here’s an image created using Photoshop:
Adobe Illustrator is the top vector-based design software that experts love to work on while designing print work. It’s in fact the industry standard with over 75% of graphic designers using it.
Best Use Cases: Vector images
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, iPadOS
Price Range: $20.99/mo on a subscription basis
The characters in the below image have been created using Illustrator:
Adobe Indesign is also one of the most familiar design software options in the Adobe Creative Cloud. If you’re in the publishing business this is the most convenient software to use. It has been in use in the publishing community since 1999. It is the 3rd most used Adobe software with 50% of creatives using it.
Best Use Case: Layout designs
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS
Price Range: $20.99/mo on a subscription basis
The below magazine cover is created using Indesign:
Procreate is a graphic design software that doubles as a complete art studio. It’s an easy-to-use on-the-go design software that allows you to sketch and paint as desired to create unique illustrations. To prove this 66.3% of users access the software on their mobile phones.
Best Use Cases: Sketching, and painting
Platforms Supported: iOS, iPadOS
Price Range: $12.99/ one-time purchase
The following illustration has been done using the Procreate design software:
Canva is the most user-friendly graphic design software available in both free and paid versions. It supports several types of graphic designs that can be created from scratch or by using any of the existing templates. Canva is so widely used now that it boasts 135 million monthly users.
Best Use Cases: Digital and print graphics
Platforms Supported: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, macOS, iOS, Android, iPadOS
Price Range: Free, $12.99/m on a subscription basis.
Here’s a Canva template for a holiday card that can be customized as you like:
Affinity Designer is famously known as the top alternative to Adobe Illustrator with some even saying that it’s faster and more user-friendly. Plus it’s on the cheaper side than Adobe software options.
Best Use Cases: Vector files
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, iPadOS
Price Range: $18.49- $164.99/ one-off payment
Here’s a design done by Affinity Designer:
Adobe Express is a user-friendly graphic design tool. It’s the revitalized version of Adobe Spark. It’s designed for creating various types of visual content, making it a useful design software. It’s worth trying if you’re looking for a simple tool.
Best Use Cases: Media creation
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, ChromeOS
Price Range and Mode: Free, $9.99/mo for the premium plan
(Visit here for more details on the different features of the two different plans)
Here are some templates available on Adobe Express:
Sketch is a popular design software commonly used by professionals for creating user interfaces and web designs. It’s highly regarded for its intuitive interface and features, making it a valuable tool for marketing and graphic design projects.
Best Use Cases: Vector graphics and UI
Platforms Supported: macOS
Price Range: $10/mo/per editor/billed yearly, $120/per license
(Visit here for more details on pricing and different features for different plans)
Here’s an illustration of a ramen bowl done using Sketch:
CorelDRAW is a versatile graphic design software known for its robust features. It is one the oldest graphic design software around and is known for its powerful capabilities to create stunning visuals, from logos to promotional materials.
Best Use Cases: Vector graph images
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.
Price Range: $36.58/mo/subscription basis – $859/ one-time purchase
Here is a logo icon created using CorelDRAW:
Figma is a collaborative design software that’s widely used for web and app design. Its cloud-based platform allows teams to work together in real-time, making it invaluable for graphic design projects where collaboration and design consistency are crucial. Figma has over 4 million active users on both free and paid versions.
Best Use Cases: UI/UX design
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Price Range: Free, $75/mo/billed annually
(Visit here for more details on pricing and different features for different plans)
Here’s a landing page design done using Figma:
Vista Create is an online graphic design software suitable for creating several types of visual content. It’s user-friendly and offers various templates and design tools, making it a handy choice for graphic design tasks, especially for individuals and small businesses.
Best Use Cases: Social media graphics
Platforms Supported: iOS, Android, Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox
Price Range: Free – $10/mo
(Visit here for more details on different features for different plans)
Here’s an editable template by Vista Create:
Inkscape is a free, open-source vector graphic design software that holds great promise. It’s a popular choice for creating illustrations, logos, and other visual content.
Best Use Cases: Vector images and SVG format files
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price Range: Free
Here’s an example of the kind of work that can be achieved using Inkscape:
Vectr is a user-friendly, web-based vector graphic design software ideal for creating vector illustrations, graphics, and designs. This handy design software is great for those who prefer an accessible and collaborative design platform.
Best Use Cases: Vector graphics
Platforms Supported: Google Chrome
Price Range: Free – $18.99/yr
(Visit here for more pricing and details on different features for different plans)
This is an example of the kind of work that can be done using Vectr:
GIMP, or the GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free and versatile raster graphic design software widely used for tasks like photo retouching, image editing, and graphic design. It’s a powerful alternative to most commercial design software options, and accessible to a wide range of users.
Best Use Cases: Image editing
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, Sun OpenSolaris, Free BSD
Price Range: Free
Here’s an example of an image where it has undergone a B&W conversion using GIMP monochrome tools.
Krita is a free and open-source digital painting design software known for its robust set of artistic tools. It holds promising features for digital artists for creating stunning illustrations and artwork.
Best Use Cases: Drawing and painting
Platforms Supported: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price Range: Free
Here’s an illustration done using Krita:
So there you have it. Your guide to the most sought-after graphic design software options in the market. But a word of caution: While these are incredibly powerful tools, many of them have steep learning curves. If you’re not fully in touch with your creative side or lack the time to master these complex design software options, it’s best to let the professionals handle your graphic design needs.
This is where unlimited graphic design services come into play. They offer a cost-effective solution for businesses and individuals seeking high-quality design work without the hassle. With these services, you gain access to a team of skilled designers who can transform your ideas into stunning visuals. It’s a convenient way to elevate your brand, create captivating marketing materials, and stand out in today’s visually-driven world—all while saving you time effort, and money.
