Graphic designers provide visual information to convey messages. Designers utilize visual hierarchy and page layout techniques to meet the particular demands of users and focus on the logic of exhibiting parts in interactive designs to maximize the user experience. Businesses may use graphic design to market and sell commodities through advertising, websites can use infographics to transfer complex information in an understandable manner, and organizations can use branding to develop an identity, among other things.
Now that the playing field has been leveled, designers may select from a variety of design tool alternatives, including open-source platforms. Graphic design software is no longer exclusive to Microsoft Windows, or Apple’s Mac OS X. Several offer iOS and Android applications, as well as Linux and Chrome OS support. Due to the dizzying amount of editing tools available, selecting the finest graphic design software may be tough.
So, without further ado, here are the top 7 digital sketching and vector graphic design programs that can take your artwork to the next level:
1. Adobe Illustrator:
Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for vector graphic design. It generates professionally designed logos, artwork, infographics, icons, and a variety of other items. Begin with a freehand sketch and work your way up to a vector graphic that can be scaled to any size.
A credit card is required to begin the seven-day free trial of Adobe Illustrator. It costs $20.99 per month if you choose the yearly plan with monthly payments. Otherwise, the monthly plan will cost you $31.49 each month. It’s pricey in any case. Although Adobe Illustrator isn’t the most user-friendly program out there. But it’s one of those applications that will keep you always learning new things.
Illustrator has a plethora of tools for generating and editing vector objects. It allows you to create complex images with precision and ease. While Illustrator was clunky when it came to dealing with complicated curved forms. Now the new Curvature tool is a great addition that provides extra curve and anchor sketching possibilities. Thankfully, because Illustrator is regarded as the industry standard, there is a wealth of beginner lesson material to help you get started.
Workspaces, Illustrator’s flexible interface architecture, maybe its strongest attribute. You may relocate, dock, or hide every piece of the interface. You can build numerous bespoke workplaces that are ideally tailored for different activities. While doing freehand artwork, you’ll need different tools than when typesetting a logo. Even if both of those duties are required for your project, you may simply transition between your own workspaces and many Adobe-configured defaults.
Key Features:
- Adobe Sensei AI
- Extensive library
- Creative Cloud
- Data merge
- Social media
2. CorelDRAW:
There are numerous sophisticated features in CorelDraw Graphics Package. The UI is also highly user-friendly. It is packed with features that allow users to create high-quality artwork, designs, and illustrations.
It is a suite of tools for sophisticated editing. Thousands of high-resolution photos and digital images are available to registered users in Corel’s online digital library. Customers who wish to buy the program and pay for regular upgrades have three payment options from Corel. Corel Font Manager and Photo-Paint are included for managing fonts and editing photos.
CorelDRAW is an excellent choice for the tablet-equipped digital artist. Most vector tools allow you to make vector forms based on your pen strokes while working with a tablet, but LiveSketch maps out your sketches and creates idealized line segments from your repeated strokes. It’s actually rather tough to describe, so sorry if that wasn’t apparent, but Corel has developed a little introductory video that demonstrates how it works better than words can.
Corel has added a number of new capabilities to the software that isn’t present in Illustrator, such as a straightforward connection with the WhatTheFont website, which comes in handy when attempting to figure out what typeface was used in an image or logo. On the less helpful side, there is also a built-in store with various additional alternatives for sale.
It may also be used for typography and page layout, although not as effectively as Illustrator. The creators made the incomprehensible decision to utilize percentages instead of points as the default typographic settings, such as line spacing and tracking.
Key Features:
- CorelDRAW Multi-Asset Export
- CorelDRAW Live Commenting
- Microsoft Teams Integration
- CorelDRAW Dashboard
- Replace Colors with CorelDRAW
- CorelDRAW Multi-Asset Export
3. Inkscape:
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor. Like many other platforms, Inkscape offers flexibility in use. Designers, illustrators, and web designers utilize it. Learning it is because the Interface isn’t as user-friendly as in apps that cost money. The creators do offer help documents and a forum, though. Its adaptability and file compatibility make it a great partner program for products like Adobe Illustrator. Because it is free, Inkscape has a lot going for it. Files from CorelDRAW and AI can be imported. Its cross-platform interoperability makes it a fantastic collaboration tool that doesn’t rely on proprietary formats. While ugly, it serves its purpose. The vector images must be saved in SVG format. Windows, macOS, and Linux all support Inkscape.
If the expensive prices of any other applications put them out of your pricing range, the open-source software movement may provide an alternative in the form of Inkscape. It is accessible for the incredibly low cost of free, and it provides an astonishing amount of capability compared to what you may anticipate from free software. Inkscape contains all of the typical vector drawing tools but can also respond to pressure information from a graphics tablet. It doesn’t have any sophisticated drawing tools like our winners, but it does have a comprehensive range of filters that can do some essential duties.
The interface layout differs from other applications because the open-source community has an unfortunate history of neglecting user experience. For example, while working with text, you must navigate through numerous tabs merely to see the different options, even if there is enough space to display them all in one location.
Key features:
- Text tools
- Drawing tools
4. Sketch:
Only available for Mac, Sketch is a vector editing program that manages your workflow beautifully with a programmable interface that makes use of your plugins. With this application, vector drawings may be made. Because of these restrictions, it’s a basic picture editor that disdains Microsoft by being Mac-only. For some people, this is a deal-breaker. Sketch’s user-friendly interface, though, is what makes it so effective as a web design tool. The usage of it is enjoyable. It also lets you design Free SVG icons.
The fact that there is such a vibrant community to propose alternatives when the program falls short is a blessing, given the minimum capabilities that Sketch gives. You may execute various design chores with pixel-perfect accuracy and modify vectors with the aid of a variety of software plugins. Despite not having a free tier for people, Sketch provides a 30-day trial. Depending on your demands or size, contacting Sketch is necessary for the business option, which may or may not be a good thing.
Key features:
- Clean interface
- Mobile design
- Collaboration
5. Affinity Designer:
Affinity Designer’s user-friendly interface makes it a great alternative for independent projects or beginning graphic artists. With a comparable set of creative tools and additional user-friendly features, it’s a respectable rival to Adobe Illustrator. It’s a wonderful choice for people who desire a cost-effective option without losing functionality. A vector brush engine, sophisticated photo editing capabilities, a professional typography engine, and integrated workspaces are all included to help you swiftly develop and arrange projects.
With a zoom of one million percent, Affinity Designer belongs firmly in the CAD category. You can choose the levels you desire if that resolution is too fine. Its version history is another significant aspect. When working with customers, it’s a great option because you can go back up to 8,000 steps. You are in command of modifications thanks to it and Zoom.
Key features:
- Color management
- Timesaving tools
- Real-time changes
- One-time purchase
6. Gravit Designer:
More than simply an image editor, Gravit Designer also functions as a vector illustration tool and a GNU image modification application. Because its HTML-based application is compatible with various platforms, Gravit Designer’s finest feature is how easily adaptable and approachable it is. The free edition of Gravit Designer comes with 500 MB of cloud storage, while the commercial version offers limitless storage. The RGB color space is supported by Gravit Designer, and at the pro level, HSB and CMYK are included. You can work offline and with touch-enabled devices while using the pro version. If you do print work, the pro plan is more practical because it offers export possibilities up to 300 dpi. The pro edition of Gravit Designers has the capability to assign reviewer and approval responsibilities.
While its vector drawing tools are rather typical, they do provide a good level of control and simplicity of use. The UI is well-designed and adjusts immediately to the tool you’re using, which is a great touch. It can’t respond to pressure information from a graphics tablet, and its typographic choices don’t utilize conventional units, although these are minor flaws.
Key features:
- Compatibility
- Customized features
- User support
- Free-use options
7. Figma:
Figma is known as the collaborative interface design tool. It also stands out for its collaborative feature. It allows users to share a design file with many team members and receive quick input from each other via comments. Several other design programs now incorporate collaborative features, but Figma was the first to do so. Figma also includes a wealth of resources, plugins, and techniques to make your workflow run more smoothly.
When it comes to free graphic design software, Figma has several functions. One of the most striking features of the free edition is the limitless free cloud storage. With a great selection of tools, vector graphics are where it excels. To access invite-only private projects, you must subscribe to the professional plan. In the alternative, you may collaborate by sharing a link.
Figma offers a great deal of customization options for enterprises, especially at the organizational level. Private plugins can be made and managed by you. That is a reasonably priced package in comparison. UI/UX design and prototyping require a broader skill set and a focus on many tools. Nevertheless, using Figma, it is easy to acquire and apply design skills in action, resulting in UX that significantly enhances the client experience. Prototyping, brainstorming, evaluating, and UI design handoff may all be done using the same tool. Figma is already an industry standard, and it’s well worth investigating.
Key features:
- Creative Tools
- Business-Friendly
Conclusion:
While looking for the finest graphic design software, you’ll come across anything from free, open-source, web-based products to full-fledged image editing tools.
Begin by considering your existing demands and the capabilities you expect as your business and skill set improves. Many software programs are pricey, especially those that use subscription models. Purchase only what you require to get the maximum value out of these applications.
These top seven digital drawing and vector graphic design programs will help anyone to create stunning artwork, whether they are a professional artist, a graphic designer, or just a hobbyist.
You can find something to suit your budget and skill level, from the free and simple Inkscape to the more expensive but extremely powerful Adobe Illustrator. You can master any of these programs and create artwork that you can be proud of with a little practice and patience.
