15+ Best Graphic Design Software 2023 (Updated List)

Selecting the appropriate graphic design software is essential for producing professional images and designs. These programs can assist with tasks such as photo editing, web design, logo creation, and illustration. This guide evaluates and ranks the 15 best graphic design software, including a breakdown of their pros and cons along with our top 3 choices, to aid in selecting the best option for your needs.

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Want to jump straight to the best graphic design software? Our top picks are Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics.

Having a visually appealing design that appeals to your target audience is crucial for businesses of all sizes. 

Whether you need a graphic design software to start a blog, edit product photos for an e-commerce store, or create designs for a podcast site, the right software can elevate your brand identity. 

Adobe Photoshop is widely considered the industry standard for photo editing and graphic design, but there are many other options available to meet the diverse needs of designers, including vector graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape, raster graphic design software like Corel PaintShop Pro, desktop publishing software such as Adobe InDesign, 3D modeling software like Autodesk Maya, and motion graphics software like Adobe After Effects. 

These powerful tools not only boost productivity but also allow you to bring your creative ideas to life. 

This article will detail the top options, ranked by quality and efficiency, to help you get started.

What is the Best Graphic Design Software?

The following graphic design software are currently considered to be the top options in the market: 

• Adobe Photoshop.
• Adobe InDesign.
• Adobe Illustrator.
• CorelDraw Graphics Suite.
• Inkscape.
• Sketch.
• Affinity Designer.

Best Raster Graphics Software

These software programs are used to create raster graphics, which are made up of pixels. These include:

1. Adobe Photoshop.

Best Overall Graphic Design Software

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful and versatile graphic design software that allows users to create, edit and enhance images, graphics and designs.

It has been the industry standard for photo editing and graphic design for many years.

With its extensive set of tools and features, Photoshop can be used for a wide range of tasks such as photo retouching, image manipulation, vector illustration, logo design, web design, and more.

Adobe Photoshop Key Features:

• Design Tools: Adobe Photoshop offers a wide range of design tools for both mobile apps and web design. These tools include shape and pen tools, selection tools, crop and transform tools, text and type tools, and many more. These tools allow users to create and edit vector graphics, shapes, and text, as well as work with raster images, making it a versatile tool for all types of design projects.
• Creative Cloud: Adobe Photoshop is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications, which allows users to access additional features and tools. The Creative Cloud integration provides access to features such as Content-Aware Crop, which allows users to automatically fill in the background of an image when cropping, Face-Aware Liquify, which makes it easy to adjust facial features in an image, Artboards, which allows users to create multiple layouts on a single document, Design Space view, which provides a simplified interface for web design, synced libraries, which allows users to access their assets across multiple devices and applications, a glyph panel, which makes it easy to access and use special characters, and touch and stylus input support, which allows users to work with the software using a touch screen or stylus.
• User Interface: Adobe Photoshop’s user interface is constantly updated to provide a more customizable experience. It offers various focused workspace layouts, including Graphic and Web, Motion, 3D, Painting, and Photography. These layouts provide users with the tools and options they need for their specific task, making it easy to find and use the tools they need. Users can also create their own custom layout of panels and windows, allowing them to customize the interface to their own preferences.

Photoshop User Experience:

Adobe Photoshop is an efficient and user-friendly graphic design software that allows you to edit your photos offline, directly from your browser. 

The software boasts an intuitive interface, making it accessible for even those new to photo editing. Despite this, it also includes advanced features that experienced users can take advantage of to enhance their edits.

Adobe Photoshop Pricing Plans:

Adobe offers Photoshop at a subscription price of US$20.99 per month per license.

Photoshop Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Adobe Photoshop offers a free mobile application.
• The user interface is sleek and offers a lot of support for ease of use.
• It has a wide range of typography and drawing tools.
• It includes 3D design functionality.
• Provides library and photo management through Adobe Creative Cloud.
• It allows for efficient file transfer between different programs.
• Some design tools come with attractive graphics.
• It has the ability to edit animation and video layers.
• Users can define the canvas size, create custom brushes, work in 3D, separate elements from the background, and more.

Cons:

• Adobe currently only offers Photoshop with Creative Cloud subscriptions, which can be costly for users who prefer to purchase a perpetual license.
• The excessive number of features can be overwhelming for new users.
• It provides less support for raster and vector images such as SVG files.

Product Update:

• Improvements to cloud documents allow users to work on Adobe Photoshop projects even when not connected to the internet.
• Enhanced edge detection for skies improves sharpness and detail in photos, making them look more realistic.

Get started with Adobe Photoshop today.

2. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program).

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editing software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. 

It is often used as a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. GIMP offers a wide range of features for editing and manipulating images, including support for layers, masks, filters, and plugins. 

It also includes basic tools for drawing, painting, and text editing. GIMP is popular among graphic designers, photographers, and hobbyists for its versatility and customization options. 

Despite its many features, GIMP is known for having a steeper learning curve compared to other image editing software.

GIMP Key Features:

• Layers and masks: GIMP allows users to work with multiple layers and masks, making it easy to edit and manipulate specific parts of an image.
• Powerful tools: GIMP includes tools for retouching, color correction, and other advanced editing techniques. It also has a wide variety of brushes and tools for drawing and painting.
• Plugins and filters: GIMP supports a wide range of plugins and filters, which can be used to add new features and effects to the software.
• Scripting: GIMP supports scripts and macros, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and create custom tools.
• Customizable interface: GIMP’s interface can be customized to suit the user’s preferences, including the ability to create custom workspaces.
• Support for multiple file formats: GIMP supports a wide range of image file formats, including JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and more.
• Free and open-source: GIMP is free to download and use, and its source code is available for anyone to modify and distribute.

GIMP Pros & Cons

Pros:

• GIMP offers a variety of tools, such as the clone, pencil, and airbrush, for users to create drawings and designs.
• The software provides tutorials for each feature, making it easy for users to learn how to use its tools.
• The layers feature allows designers to work on images in layers, making it easy to edit and manipulate specific parts of an image.
• GIMP has a clean and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for those new to photo editing.
• The software allows for a modular single-window interface, providing users with flexibility in their workflow.
• GIMP is lightweight and efficient, resulting in fast performance.

Cons:

• The user interface may not be optimal for Mac users.
• While adjustment layers provide a non-destructive way to combine multiple photo manipulations, it may not be as advanced as other software.
• The developer community for GIMP is relatively small, resulting in slower updates compared to other popular software.

GIMP Pricing Plans:

As GIMP is open-source, it is available for free to use and download.

3. Corel PaintShop Pro

Corel PaintShop Pro is a photo editing and graphic design software developed by Corel Corporation. 

It is a professional-level program that offers a wide range of tools and features for editing and enhancing photos, creating digital art, and designing graphics. 

Some of its main features include advanced color correction and editing, layer support, and a variety of brushes and effects. 

It also includes a batch processing tool, making it easy to apply edits to multiple photos at once. 

Additionally, it has a user-friendly interface and offers a variety of tutorials and learning resources to help users of all skill levels get the most out of the software.

Corel PaintShop Pro Key Features:

• Non-destructive editing: Allows you to make adjustments to your photos without altering the original image.
• RAW photo editing: Provides advanced tools for editing and adjusting RAW image files.
• Layers and masks: Allows you to work with multiple layers and apply masks for precise editing.
• Adjustment tools: Includes a variety of tools for adjusting color, brightness, contrast, and more.
• Selection tools: Provides a range of selection tools, including Magic Wand, Lasso, and Marquee, for precise editing.
• Retouching tools: Offers a range of tools for retouching photos, including clone and healing tools, red-eye removal, and more.
• Creative effects: Includes a variety of creative effects, such as filters, textures, and frames, for adding artistic touches to your photos.
• Sharing and output: Provides options for sharing your photos online and printing them.

Corel PaintShop Pro Pricing:

Corel PaintShop Pro is available for purchase in different ways, and prices can vary depending on the edition and the purchase option.

• A perpetual license for the latest version of Corel PaintShop Pro costs $79.99 and can be purchased on the Corel website. This version includes free updates and access to technical support for one year.
• Corel also offers a subscription-based version of PaintShop Pro called PaintShop Pro Ultimate, which includes additional features and tools, such as AI-powered tools, 360-degree photo editing, and more. The cost for a subscription is $7.99/month or $48/year.
• The company also offers a bundle package called PaintShop Pro 2023 Ultimate, which includes PaintShop Pro 2023, PhotoMirage Express, and Painter Essentials 7. This bundle costs $99.99.

It’s worth noting that Corel frequently offers discounts and promotions on its products, so you may be able to find the software at a lower price at certain times of the year.

In addition, there is also a free trial version of the software, which allows you to try out the features and tools for 30 days before purchasing the software.

Best Vector Graphics Software

These software programs are used to create vector graphics, which are made up of paths, shapes, and points. These include:

1. Adobe Illustrator.

Best Overall Vector Graphics Program

Adobe Illustrator is the ideal choice for those who frequently use graphics, page layouts, logos, and typography. 

As the industry standard for vector illustration, it provides all the necessary tools to create stunning designs. Not limited to just graphic design, it is also great for creating illustration artwork, company logos, website mockups and more. 

With its powerful vector creation tools, it is the benchmark in the industry.

Adobe Illustrator Key Features:

• Vector-based graphics: Illustrator allows you to create and edit graphics using mathematical equations, resulting in graphics that can be resized without losing quality.
• Layers: Illustrator allows you to organize and separate different elements of your design into layers, making it easy to edit and adjust specific parts of your design.
• Shape tools: Illustrator includes a variety of tools for creating and editing shapes, including the Pen tool, which allows you to create custom paths, and the Shape Builder tool, which allows you to combine and edit multiple shapes.
• Brush tools: Illustrator includes a variety of brush tools, including the Paintbrush tool, which allows you to create custom brush strokes, and the Artbrush tool, which allows you to apply different styles and effects to your brush strokes.
• Text tools: Illustrator includes a variety of tools for working with text, including the Type tool, which allows you to create and edit text, and the Character and Paragraph panels, which allow you to adjust the formatting and layout of your text.
• Illustration and design: Illustrator is a powerful tool for creating illustrations, logos, icons, and other design elements for use in print, web, and video projects.

Export and import options: Illustrator allows you to export and import a wide variety of file formats, including popular formats like PNG, JPG, PDF, and SVG.

Adobe Illustrator User Experience:

Adobe Illustrator is a professional-grade software, so the user experience may vary depending on the user’s familiarity with the software and their skill level in graphic design. However, generally speaking, Illustrator is known for having a user-friendly interface and a wide range of powerful tools that make it easy for users to create and edit vector graphics.

• User interface: Illustrator’s interface is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, with a layout that is similar to other Adobe software products. The interface includes a variety of panels, such as the Layers panel, the Properties panel, and the Color panel, which allow you to easily access and edit different aspects of your design.
• Toolbar and shortcuts: Illustrator includes a toolbar at the top of the screen, which provides quick access to commonly used tools, such as the Pen tool, the Rectangle tool, and the Type tool. Illustrator also includes a wide range of keyboard shortcuts, which can help users to work more efficiently.
• Help and tutorials: Illustrator includes a comprehensive help system and a wide range of tutorials that can help users to learn how to use the software. Adobe also offers a variety of online resources, such as video tutorials and forums, which can help users to troubleshoot problems and learn new techniques.
• Customization: Illustrator allows users to customize the interface to their preferences, such as creating a custom workspace, changing the color scheme, and setting up shortcuts.

Overall, Adobe Illustrator is a powerful software that can be used by both professional and amateur graphic designers. It’s user-friendly interface, wide range of tools, and comprehensive tutorials and resources make it easy for users to create high-quality vector graphics for a variety of projects.

Adobe Illustrator Pricing Plans:

Adobe Illustrator is available as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription service, which provides access to all of Adobe’s creative tools and services. The pricing for Illustrator, as well as the other Creative Cloud apps, is as follows:

• Monthly: $20.99/month for a single app subscription (Illustrator) or $52.99/month for the entire Creative Cloud collection.
• Annual: $239.88/year for a single app subscription (Illustrator) or $599.88/year for the entire Creative Cloud collection.
• Prepay: $20.99/month for a single app subscription (Illustrator) or $52.99/month for the entire Creative Cloud collection, prepaid for a year.

Please note that these prices are for the individual plan, for teams or enterprise there are different plans with different pricing.Adobe also offers a free trial version of Illustrator, which allows you to use the software for 7 days.

Adobe Illustrator Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Illustrator generates graphics based on mathematical formulas, ensuring clear, crisp lines that can be resized without losing quality.
• Illustrator creates relatively small graphic files that designers can easily share via simple email attachments.
• Access to over 90 million images, graphics, templates, and videos from Adobe Stock.
• Thousands of fonts are available and can be easily integrated into your project.
• Tight integration with other Adobe products.

Cons:

• Illustrator is more expensive compared to other vector-based graphic design tools.
• The software has a steep learning curve for new users, due to the many features it offers.
• Illustrator may take up a lot of space on your machine.

Product update:

• Combine objects in your design for a more natural look.
• Match artwork to 3D objects, edit and paint to create unique graphics.

Get started with Adobe Illustrator today.

2. CorelDraw

Best Vector Graphic Design Software For Professionals

The CorelDraw Graphics Suite is a comprehensive package of software tools that is designed for professional graphic designers and illustrators. 

It includes a wide range of features and functionalities that can help users create high-quality designs and illustrations with ease. 

The software is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible for both experienced and novice users. 

Additionally, the suite includes multiple applications that are tailored to specific design needs, such as vector illustration, photo editing, and website design. With the powerful tools and capabilities that the CorelDraw Graphics Suite offers, users can achieve professional-level results in their designs.

CorelDraw Key Features:

• Corel Content Exchange: An online digital library that gives registered users access to thousands of high-resolution photographs and digital images. It also offers:
  • 2000+ vehicle templates
  • 1000 fonts
  • 350 professionally designed templates
  • 500+ interactive frames
  • 600+ gradients
  • Vector and bitmap fills
• Flexible Payment: Corel offers three payment programs that allow users to purchase software, as well as a nominal fee for regular upgrades. An upgrade program is also available for existing users.
• Customizable UI: Users can customize their desktop, icon sizes, toolboxes, options for opening documents, and window frame color schemes. Users can also visit Corel’s developer community site to design macros that fit their workflow.
• New Point Riser: Corel’s new Pointilizer offers many variable parameters that aren’t limited to just regular points, allowing for more precision and flexibility in design creation.

CorelDRAW User Experience:

CorelDraw brings together various vector software concepts and presents them in an easy-to-use interface.

Despite the software’s extensive range of features, it remains user-friendly.If you work in print-based media, the features of CorelDraw are likely to be familiar as it is designed to work seamlessly with professional printing equipment.

Overall, it’s an ideal software for anyone who wants to create high-quality designs with ease and efficiency.

CorelDraw Pricing:

CorelDRAW offers a 15-day free trial, after which its full version can be purchased for $499, which includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Subscription options are also available at an annual cost of $249 or a monthly rate of $20.75.

CorelDraw Pros & Cons:

CorelDRAW offers several advantages, including:

• Improved workflow and performance enhancements for increased productivity
• Seamless compatibility with Surface Pen
• The option to use GPU acceleration for advanced vector graphics
• Smooth transition between desktop and tablet mode for touch capabilities
• Enhanced EPS and third-party PDF uploading capabilities, as well as GPL Ghostscript integration
• The ability to export documents in up to 48 file types and open 35 file types, including EPS, HTML, AutoCAD, PDF, PowerPoint, SVG, and even older FreeHand documents.

However, it also has some drawbacks, such as:

• Unlike Adobe, it doesn’t offer complimentary mobile apps
• The different pricing options may be confusing for some users
• It may be difficult for beginners to use.

Recent product updates include:

• Direct access to online fonts, allowing you to add fonts to your designs from various sources
• A streamlined collaboration workflow that allows you to work on design projects with others in real-time
• Asset management capabilities that help you easily find, organize, and share the assets you need for your designs.

Get started with CorelDraw Graphics Suite.

3. Inkscape.

Best Free Vector Graphic Design Software

Inkscape is a powerful and versatile free graphic design software that offers a wide range of features for designers to create professional-quality graphics. 

It provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for even beginners to navigate, and it is particularly useful for those interested in vector drawing. 

With Inkscape, you can create scalable graphics that won’t stretch or blur when you resize them, making it an ideal choice for creating designs that need to be used in various sizes or formats. 

Additionally, the software is open-source, which means that it is constantly being updated and improved by a community of developers. 

This makes it a great choice for designers of all skill levels who are looking for a reliable and cost-effective option for creating high-quality graphics.

Inkscape Key Features:

• User-friendly interface: Despite being a free vector software, Inkscape offers a user experience that is comparable to that of paid software such as Adobe Illustrator, making it accessible to designers of all skill levels.
• Regular updates: With a dedicated community of developers, Inkscape receives regular updates and new features, the latest of which include gradient meshes, checkerboard backgrounds to more conveniently display transparency, and improved spray and measure tools.
• Cost-effective: Inkscape offers a robust and powerful alternative to Adobe Illustrator at no cost, making it an ideal choice for designers on a budget.
• Customizable: As an open-source software, Inkscape allows users to take advantage of the code and modify it to improve or personalize the software to their specific needs.

Inkscape User Experience:

If you have previous experience with vector drawing tools, you will find that Inkscape is very user-friendly. 

Its interface is simple and easy to navigate, and the tools are intuitive and easy to understand. 

With this vector graphic design software, you can quickly and easily create designs, illustrations, logos, and graphics with minimal effort. 

Additionally, Inkscape offers a status bar that displays information about the selected object, such as its size, position, and color, making it even easier to use. 

Overall, Inkscape is a software that is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, even for those who are new to vector drawing.

Inkscape Pricing:

Inkscape is available for free.

Inkscape Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Custom borderless text: Inkscape allows users to easily create custom borderless text line and paragraph types.
• Gradient capabilities: The software supports multiple gradients and comes with separate tools for creating complex combinations.
• Improved handling: The Bezier handle makes it easy to move the knots.
• Comprehensive tools: Inkscape offers several well-designed, full-featured vector creation, editing, and conversion tools.
• Plugins: Users can download or create ready-made plugins to enhance the functionality of the software.
• Preset filters: Users can take advantage of various preset filter categories to save time and effort.

Cons:

• Text conversion: Inkscape’s streaming text must be converted to plain text before exporting.
• Mac issues: The Mac version of the software may have bugs.
• Slower processing: The software may be slightly slower than other graphics software.
• Compatibility issues: Inkscape’s compatibility with Illustrator may not be perfect.

Product updates:

• Improved translations: Inkscape has improved translations in 15 languages to make the software more accessible to more users.
• Bug fixes: The latest update includes fixes for around 60 issues, including some that could cause crashes.

4. Sketch.

Sketch is a popular graphic design software tool among web and app designers. It is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for designers to quickly create and edit vector graphics. 

It also offers a wide range of features such as symbols, artboards, and prototyping capabilities, allowing designers to efficiently create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes. 

Additionally, Sketch’s file format is lightweight and easy to share, making it a great option for collaboration among teams.

Sketch Key Features:

• Affordable: Sketch offers a yearly subscription at a lower cost than many competitors
• Optimized for Mobile and Web: Its use of grids, snap to grid functionality, and snap to pixel feature ensures precise alignment and responsive design for multiple screen sizes and resolutions
• Screen Templates: A library of artboard templates for iOS devices and responsive web design layouts is available for easy selection
• Custom Plugins: The strong community support allows for easy access to custom plugins for specific tasks

Pros:

• Facilitates easy sharing and collaboration through cloud access
• Allows for viewing designs on larger devices for team review and assessment of design on specific devices
• Allows for exporting of any layer or group as a PNG file
• Autosaves design changes for convenience and to avoid loss of progress
• Offers access to libraries of commonly used Android, iOS, and Mac icons
• Has a low learning curve

Cons:

• As a newer design tool, it may not be as polished and may require further development
• Limited prototyping capabilities may hinder complex prototyping work
• Screens do not render in high resolution when accessed from the cloud
• Only available for Mac users
• Lacks an option for automated layout flow.

Sketch Pricing Plans:

The yearly subscription costs $9 per month.

5. Affinity Designer.

Graphic design software with a unique live pixel preview feature

Affinity Designer is a powerful and cost-effective alternative to Adobe Illustrator. 

Its clean and user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, and it is faster than Illustrator. 

Affinity Designer offers an excellent budget option for those looking for a high-quality graphic design software.

Affinity Designer Key Features:

• Grid Systems: Affinity Designer’s versatile grid system allows for the creation of isometric video game graphics and icons with complete control over angles, gutters, spacing, and subdivisions for accurate layouts.
• Snapping Option: Allows for locking and positioning of objects and elements based on grids, alignment guides, shapes, and nodes of other objects.
• Dual Environment: Allows for working in both pixel art and vector art environments without needing to open additional applications.
• Zoom Feature: Zoom functionality can reach up to 1,000,000 percent for precise and accurate design.

Pros:

• Dynamic on-screen guides for precise dimensions and orientation of objects and designs
• Ability to create smooth and precise vector illustrations using rope and window stabilizers
• Efficient editing and combining of shapes through Boolean operations
• Wide variety of color options
• Multiple artboard support for working on multiple projects
• iPad app is as powerful as the desktop version

Cons:

• Does not export files to Adobe Illustrator format
• Lacks a natural perspective grid
• Vector eraser is not available in Designer Persona
• Some tools found in Illustrator are not available in Affinity Designer.

Affinity Designer Pricing Plan:

Designers can buy Affinity Designer software tool for a one time cost of $54.99 on desktop, or $9.99 on an iPad.

6. Xara Designer Pro X.

Best graphic design software for creating professional-level illustrations

Xara Designer Pro X is a powerful graphic design software that offers advanced features and tools to create advanced design elements. 

It is widely used for both web and print design projects, including the creation of illustrations, photo editing, and web page design.

Xara Key Features:

Xara Designer Pro is a graphic design software that offers a range of key features including:

• Vector illustration and photo editing capabilities
• Advanced typography tools
• Flexible page layout options
• Support for web design and animation
• Integrated photo handling and editing tools
• Extensive import/export options for various file types
• Integrated SEO tools for web design
• Multi-core processor support for improved performance
• Collaboration features for team projects
• Comprehensive help and tutorials for users of all skill levels.

Xara Designer Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Offers a wide range of editing options, including precise dragging, scaling, and rotating of objects for optimal results
• Includes anti-aliasing to improve the quality of on-screen images by blending object edges with the background
• Cloud capabilities to view, edit, and update files through a web browser on any computer or tablet
• Zoom feature can zoom up to 25,601% for detailed viewing
• Can sync documents with Dropbox and Google Drive
• Supports a variety of file formats, including bitmap types like JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG, TIFF, PSD, and allows import of images like RAW or JPEG XR
• Supports uploading and exporting Adobe PSD files, including layer support, alpha channel, and 16-bit coloration and CMYK layer conversion

Cons:

• Only available for Windows
• Steep learning curve for full utilization of its features
• Masking feature is cumbersome and difficult to use.

Xara Pricing Plans:

The pricing for Xara Designer Pro varies depending on the version and where it is purchased.

• Xara Designer Pro X is available for a one-time purchase of $299.99.
• Xara Designer Pro X 365 is a subscription-based version that costs $9.99 per month or $89.99 per year.

Best Desktop Publishing Graphic Design Software

These software programs are used to create and layout documents for print or digital publication. These include:

1. Adobe InDesign.

Best Publishing Graphic Design Software

Adobe InDesign is a great choice for publishers looking to produce professional and visually appealing outputs. 

With a more manageable learning curve than Photoshop, it is an excellent graphic design software for those who want to efficiently create stunning layouts for their published materials.

InDesign is a must-have tool for any publishing business, allowing you to design eye-catching magazines, flyers, and brochures and easily export them to PDF and HTML formats.

Adobe InDesign Key Features:

Some of the key features of InDesign include:

• Sensei Technology: InDesign incorporates Adobe’s AI-powered Sensei technology, which enables users to automate routine tasks and improve their workflow. For example, the software can automatically adjust text and images to fit within a layout, and can also suggest alternative layouts based on the content.
• User-friendly Interface: InDesign has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and find the tools they need to create their layouts. The software also includes a variety of pre-built templates and tutorials to help users get started quickly.
• Adobe Incopy: InDesign is closely integrated with Adobe’s Incopy software, which is a professional word processing tool. This allows users to work on text and layout simultaneously, streamlining the workflow for creating published materials.
• Layout Adjustments: InDesign offers a wide range of layout adjustments that users can make to their designs. This includes the ability to adjust margins, columns, grids, and rulers, as well as the ability to apply effects such as drop shadows and transparency to text and images.

Adobe Indesign User Experience:

Adobe InDesign has a similar interface to Photoshop and Illustrator, making it familiar and easy to use for those already accustomed to Adobe products. 

It is a great tool for working with text, images and vector artwork, allowing users to achieve professional results.

While there is an initial learning curve to the software, there are plenty of tutorials available to help users quickly become proficient with the tool. This way you can create your desired professional results with ease.

Adobe InDesign Pricing Plans:

Adobe offers InDesign at a monthly subscription of $20.99. The entire Creative Cloud costs $52.99 per month.

Adobe InDesign Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Adobe InDesign allows users to easily combine graphics and texts to create professional-quality layouts for print and digital media.
• It has the ability to add tags to indexes, which makes it easier to create an organized and searchable document
• The eyedropper tool allows users to quickly sample colors from an image and apply them to other elements in the layout.
• InDesign has the ability to export HTML, making it easy to create digital versions of printed materials.
• It eliminates redundant div tags, making the HTML code cleaner and easier to work with.

Cons:

• Adobe InDesign’s PDF commenting integration is not as advanced as other PDF editors.
• The user interface may not be as intuitive as some other design software
• Adobe InDesign is suitable for Enterprises only and may be less suitable for small businesses or individual users.
• It is also more expensive than some other design software options on the market.

Product update:

• Adobe has recently updated the InDesign user interface to better match the scaling of other Adobe Creative Cloud products on high-resolution displays. This makes it more convenient for users to work with InDesign on devices with high pixel density, such as Retina displays.
• The Adobe Capture extension for InDesign allows users to quickly convert photos into design elements that can be used in their InDesign layouts. This extension allows you to easily capture colors, shapes, and textures from photos and apply them to your designs

Get started with Adobe InDesign today.

2. QuarkXPress

QuarkXPress is a professional desktop publishing graphic design software that is used to create and layout documents such as magazines, newspapers, books, and brochures. 

It features advanced typography tools, support for multi-language and Unicode text, and allows for the integration of images, graphics, and other multimedia elements. 

It also includes features for creating interactive documents, such as e-books and digital publications. 

QuarkXPress is available for both Windows and macOS operating systems. It is widely used in the publishing industry, and is considered a standard tool for professional designers and layout artists.

QuarkXPress Pricing:

QuarkXPress is a commercial software, and its pricing varies depending on the version and the licensing options.

• For perpetual licenses, the standard version of QuarkXPress 2022 for Windows and macOS costs $849. Upgrade prices are available for users of previous versions.
• For subscription licenses, QuarkXPress 2022 is available through the QuarkXPress Flex plan, which costs $35 per month and includes access to QuarkXPress, QuarkXPress Interactive, and QuarkXPress Server. 
• Additionally, for a team, there is a QuarkXPress Team Flex plan that costs $100/month and allows up to 5 users to access the software.

It’s always a good idea to check the QuarkXPress website for the most up-to-date pricing information and any promotions or discounts that may be available.

3. Microsoft Publisher

Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing graphic design software developed and sold by Microsoft Corporation. 

It allows users to create professional-looking documents such as brochures, flyers, newsletters, and business cards. 

It features tools for text formatting, image editing, and layout design. Users can also import and edit graphics and photos, as well as access a library of templates and design elements. 

Additionally, Publisher can be used to create and publish web pages, and it can be integrated with other Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel. 

It is primarily aimed at small businesses and home users, rather than professional designers or publishers.

Microsoft Publisher Pricing:

Microsoft Publisher is typically included as part of the Microsoft Office Suite, which is available for purchase as a one-time license or as a subscription through Office 365.

The one-time license for Microsoft Office 2019 (which includes Publisher) costs $149.99 for the home and student version, and $349.99 for the standard version.

With Office 365, there are several subscription options available:

• Office 365 Personal: $69.99 per year or $6.99 per month
• Office 365 Home: $99.99 per year or $9.99 per month
• Office 365 Business Basic: $5 per user per month
• Office 365 Business Standard: $12.50 per user per month
• Office 365 Business Premium: $20 per user per month

It is also worth noting that some educational institution or non-profit may have a discounted pricing or even a free version of Office 365 and publisher.

Best Motion Graphics Software

These software programs are used to create animated graphics, videos, and special effects. These include: 

1. Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a powerful motion graphics software that allows users to create and edit visual effects, animations, and motion graphics. 

It is widely used in the film, television, and video production industries to create dynamic and engaging content. 

The software offers a wide range of tools and features that allow users to create everything from simple animations to complex visual effects. 

Some of the key features of Adobe After Effects include compositing tools, 3D animation capabilities, motion tracking, and advanced particle effects. 

Additionally, the software can be integrated with other Adobe products such as Photoshop and Illustrator, making it a versatile tool for any motion graphics project.

 Overall, Adobe After Effects is a powerful and versatile software that offers a wide range of tools for creating professional-quality motion graphics.

Adobe After Effects Pricing:

Adobe After Effects is available as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription plan. The plan includes access to all of Adobe’s creative apps, including After Effects, as well as updates, cloud storage, and access to Adobe’s stock library.

The pricing for the Creative Cloud subscription plan is as follows:

• Monthly plan: $52.99/month
• Annual plan (paid monthly): $20.99/month
• Annual plan (paid upfront): $239.88/year

Additionally, there is also a free trial available for After Effects, which allows users to test out the software before committing to a subscription.

It’s worth noting that there’s a special pricing option for students, teachers, and educational institutions which can be found on Adobe website.

2. Apple Motion

Apple Motion is a motion graphics software application developed by Apple Inc. for their Mac operating system. 

It is used to create and edit motion graphics, visual effects, and titles for video and film. The software offers a wide range of tools for creating 2D and 3D animations, including particle systems, keyframe animation, and color correction. 

It also includes a library of pre-built templates and effects that can be easily customized to fit a specific project. 

Motion integrates with other professional video editing software such as Final Cut Pro, allowing users to easily add motion graphics and visual effects to their videos. 

Apple Motion Pricing:

Apple Motion is included as part of the Final Cut Pro X package and is not sold separately. Final Cut Pro X is a paid software and its pricing is $299.99. You can purchase it in the Mac App Store. It also offers a free trial version for 30 days.

Please note that you will need a Mac computer running macOS 10.15.7 or later and 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended for 4K editing and 3D titles) to run the software.

3. Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation software toolset used for making animated films, video games, visual effects, and 3D printed models. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

Blender has a wide range of features, including modeling, texturing, animation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking. It also has a built-in game engine and a node-based compositing system. Additionally, Blender supports a variety of file formats, allowing for easy import and export of assets.

The software is widely used in the film and video game industries, as well as by individual artists and hobbyists. Blender has a large and active user community, which creates and shares tutorials, add-ons, and other resources. The software is constantly being updated and improved by the community and the Blender Foundation.

Blender Pricing:

Blender is a free and open-source software, which means that it can be downloaded and used without any cost.

What Are the Benefits of Graphic Design Software?

Graphic design software allows users to create visual content such as images, logos, and layouts for various mediums such as print, web, and video. Some benefits include:

Increased Efficiency

Graphic design software allows users to quickly and easily create and edit visual content, such as images, logos, and layouts, by providing a wide range of tools and features that can automate repetitive tasks, streamline the design process, and provide instant feedback and previews. This can help to save time and effort compared to traditional methods such as hand drawing or using basic image editing software.

Professional Quality

Many graphic design software programs have a wide range of tools and features that allow users to create professional-quality content. These tools can include advanced image editing and manipulation features, vector graphics capabilities, typography tools, and more. These tools can help users to create high-quality graphics that are suitable for use in professional contexts such as print design, advertising, and branding.

Collaboration

Many graphic design software programs have built-in collaboration tools, which make it easy for multiple people to work on a project together. These tools can include the ability to share files and access them remotely, as well as the ability to track changes and provide comments. This can help to improve communication and coordination between team members, and can also help to reduce the risk of errors and delays.

Versatility

Graphic design software can be used for a wide range of projects, such as web design, logo design, branding, and more. This allows designers to work on a wide range of different types of projects, and to use the same software for different types of design work.

Learning opportunities

Graphic design software can be a great way to learn new skills and improve existing ones. Many software programs include tutorials and other resources that can help users to learn how to use the software effectively, as well as to learn about different design techniques and best practices. Additionally, using graphic design software can help users to develop technical skills such as image editing and manipulation.

How does graphic design software work?

Here are some steps to familiarize yourself with some of the essential functions of Adobe Photoshop, a popular graphic design software:

1. Create a new document

Open Adobe Photoshop and create a new document by selecting “File” > “New.” 

This will open a dialog box where you can set the size and resolution of the document based on the project’s requirements. The size of the document will determine the final dimensions of the image, and the resolution will determine the quality and sharpness of the image. It’s important to set the correct size and resolution for the final output, whether it’s for print or digital use.

2. Tool Panel

Use the toolbar and tools palette to select and use the appropriate tools for the project.

Adobe Photoshop has a wide range of tools that can be used for different tasks. The Lasso tool, for example, can be used to make selections, the Brush tool can be used to paint, and the Crop tool can be used to adjust the canvas size. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the different tools and their functions to ensure you can use them effectively.

3. Layers Palette

Use the Layers palette to organize the different elements of your design.

Each element should be on its own layer, allowing you to edit them separately. This allows for non-destructive editing, so you can go back and make changes to any specific layer without affecting the other layers.

Use the Adjustment Layers to edit the color, brightness, contrast, etc. of the image. These are a set of special layers that you can use to make changes to the image’s overall color and tonal balance. They allow you to make adjustments to the image without permanently changing the pixels.

4. Type tool

Use the Type tool to add text to your design, and use the Paragraph and Character palettes to adjust the font, size, and formatting of the text. 

Text is an important element of many designs, and it’s important to ensure that it’s legible and in the right style for the project.

5. Filters Menu

Use the Filters menu to apply special effects to your design, such as blur, sharpen, or distortion. These effects can be used to add creative touches to your design or to correct specific problems with the image.

6. Export or save

Use the Export or Save As menu to save the final design in the desired format for the project, such as JPEG, PNG, or PDF. It’s important to save the final design in the correct format for the final output, whether it’s for print or digital use.

Adobe Illustrator keyboard shortcuts

Using shortcuts can speed up your workflow and save you from having to go back and forth to make a selection. Why click multiple times to perform an action when shortcuts are available?

Luckily, Adobe Illustrator has many preset shortcuts that you can use to increase your productivity. . Many tools already have an activation key, displayed next to the tool name.

For example, (P) appears next to the Pen tool, so instead of going to the toolbar and selecting it, you can press P to select the Pen tool.

In addition to tool shortcuts, there are shortcuts that we use frequently when creating in Adobe Illustrator. Here are some handy Illustrator shortcuts for Windows and Mac users.

1. Undo.

Command + Z for Mac, and Control + Z for Windows.

I can almost guarantee that you’ll use this shortcut every time you work on Illustrator. Made a wrong step? Simply undo it and try again. I wish we have this option in life when we make mistakes.

2. Group/Ungroup.

Group: Command + G for Mac, and Control + G for Windows.

Ungroup: Command+Shift+G on Mac, Ctrl+Shift+G on Windows.

Objects can be grouped to create new shapes, making group editing easier. On the other hand, if you want to change anything specific to a grouped object, you must ungroup the object before making any changes.

3. Copy and paste.

Copy: Command + C on Mac, Ctrl + C on Windows.

Paste: Command + V on Mac, Ctrl + V on Windows.

I’m sure you’re all familiar with this basic keyboard shortcut that works the same in almost any computer program, but I thought I’d mention it anyway because it’s very useful, especially when working with text in Illustrator. .

4. Select all.

Command + A on Mac, Ctrl + A on Windows.

This shortcut is useful if the graphic is too close to the edge. You can select all objects and scale them together to keep the same proportions.

5. Lock/Unlock.

Lock: Command + 2 on Mac, Control + 2 on Windows.

Unlock: Command + Option + 2 on Mac, Control + Option + 2 on Windows.

Cannot edit when object is locked. This is a great step when you’ve finished working on your artwork and don’t want to accidentally edit it. You can also lock a layer by directly locking an object on that layer.

6. Duplicate.

Hold Option Key, click and drag an object for Mac, Hold Alt and drag on Windows. To align horizontally, hold the Shift key and drag left or right, and vertically up or down.

7. shift key.

Draws rectangles, circles, straight lines, aspect ratios, etc. You can do many things with the Shift key.

For example, if you want to create a circle, select the Ellipse tool and Shift-click-and-drag to create a circle. To scale the image proportionally, select the image, hold down the Shift key, and drag one corner of the bounding box.

8. Bracket. 

The left and right brackets are very useful when using the

Brush or Eraser tools and adjusting the brush size. Push the left bracket to decrease the size and push the right bracket to increase the size.

9. Zoom in/out.

Zoom in: Command++ for Mac and Control++ for Windows.

Zoom out: Command + – for Mac and Control + – for Windows.

So easy but there is another trick. If you are using a mouse, you can hold the Option/Alt key and scroll up and down to zoom in and out 😉

10. Save/Save As.

Command + S for Mac and Control + S for Windows.

We strongly recommend pressing Command/Control + S during all the important steps that you take, because you won’t be satisfied with losing the hard work you created due to Illustrator crashing or your laptop battery.

Frequently Asked Questions- Graphic Design Software

Executive Summary.

Finding the best graphic design software tool that meets all your requirements can be sometimes overwhelming.

If you want to make the right decision, then it’s crucial to ponder over a few crucial points, including:

• Budget – Analyze whether you can afford a paid tool or not, or paying the subscription for graphic design software is feasible or not. Decide by weighing the functionalities that you can get from open source tools and what USPs paid tools are offering.
• Features – Go for a quality tool like Adobe Photoshop only if you require intricate vector designs regularly. Otherwise, free software tools like Inkscape are more than enough when it comes to managing basic editing work.
• Collaboration – If your work methodology includes frequent collaboration, then go for a graphic design platform that comes equipped with cloud capabilities for seamless collaboration and sharing of files.

Thinking over these points will help you make the right decision without much confusion.

Last updated on August 2nd, 2023 at 07:01 am