Best Graphic Design Software Available for Designers in 2022

Graphic designers are akin to renaissance artists who breathed creativity and unique insights into their paintings and sculptures. Just like renaissance artists, Graphic designers need the right tools to bring their creativity to life.

Regardless of whether you are an amateur designer or a more seasoned professional, using the right software is crucial to the perfect execution of your role. A properly built graphic design software provides intuitive controls and flexibility that can easily be used by both a beginner and a more experienced designer.

The best way to hone your graphic design skills and learn which tool suits your needs best is to get your hands dirty and experiment with the different software available. Each software is characterized by its features, ease of use, performance, cost, and availability. Most graphic design software platforms provide a free trial run to allow designers to familiarize themselves with the software. Here’s a list of the best software for graphic designers in 2022.

Adobe Photoshop

This is one of the most popular graphic design software tools used by millions of artists worldwide. This software can be used for anything from banners, posters, websites, or logos. From simple edits to more sophisticated designs, Adobe Photoshop has the tools a designer needs to create truly stunning work. The software can also be applied to illustrative work, drawing, and painting.

Adobe Photoshop is available for use on both Mac and Windows. In addition to image editing, a designer can create naturalistic artwork and composition with this software. The work can further be customized by defining the size of your canvas, isolating elements from the background, creating custom brushes, working in 3D, and so much more.

Sketch

This is native to only Mac, and it’s a design program that focuses mainly on digital design. The type of designs are used to create websites, apps, and interfaces. Unlike Photoshop, this software isn’t built for photo editing or print work. Using Sketch, you can collaborate with other designers on the platform to create exciting prototypes. The program has a smart layout feature which allows the component to automatically resize based on the content design. The software also has hundreds of plugins that will let you perform vector editing and other design work with precision down to the actual pixel. Using this software, you can also create digital icons. However, with all its advantages, Sketch is not great for print designs or illustrations.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a design software tool that is mainly centered around vector design. Illustrator can be subscribed to as it is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud. You can create artwork, icons, posters, and others using Adobe Illustrator. The software’s designs can be applied to billboards and business cards, from smartphones to 8k screens. This software can be used to draw, mix and refine designs to create truly fantastic work. Adobe also has a mobile version called Adobe Illustrator Draw, which is currently one of the best graphic design apps on the market.

To draw, all you have to do is use the sharper tool and create vector shapes. Geometric shapes can also be added to other outlines and moved, reshaped, and scaled. On top of this, fonts in the software can be manipulated to suit your needs by adjusting their weight, slant, or width. For novices, Adobe provides professionally designed templates to help save time. The user interface program is helpful but takes a while to learn.

Lunacy

Lunacy is a free, fast graphic software for UI, UX, and web design. The software contains everything one might be accustomed to with similar apps on the market and a few extra features not present in others. Lunacy helps you save on time you would have spent googling graphics. With thousands of icons, illustrations, and photos available, you’ll have all you need to explore your creative range. In addition, Lunacy is charged with helpful AI-powered tools to automate routine tasks: background remover, image upscaler, avatar, and text generators.

With Lunacy, designs can be created offline, allowing for collaboration with other designers. Lunacy handles .sketch files on all basic platforms, and the app interface runs in 21 languages.

Mega Creator

This online DIY graphic editor is used to build catchy graphics from pre-made elements. Using Mega Creator, you can create illustrations by customizing thousands of flat and 3D illustrations. You can also use this software to craft custom photos by mixing backgrounds and cut-outs of people, animals, objects, and others. It is an excellent tool for web and mobile app designers as well as, social media marketers, bloggers, copywriters, teachers, and students- basically, anyone who needs pro-looking pictures in a short time.

Adobe InDesign

This graphic design software from Adobe is used to create extraordinary designs. This graphic design software is primarily used in the publishing industry because it’s applied to design magazines, info sheets, books, posters, interactive PDFs, and so much more. Using the “adjust layout” option, you can change the text of your document, and the graphic will automatically adjust.

With the latest redesign of the properties panel, you have been given more intuitive control over the tools. The Sensei technology integrated into InDesign allows for the automatic arrangement and resizing of images. The user-friendly software allows amateurs to learn quickly and collaborate with fellow designers using the Adobe InCopy tool. This software can be used on both Mac and Windows platforms.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019

CorelDRAW was initially only available on Windows but has since been added to Mac as well. This graphic design program allows designers to create professional vector illustrations. The program features powerful design tools to help you work faster and smarter. It features numerous customization tools for logos, web design, or even print projects. CorelDRAW now has AI technology that provides you with LiveSketch, which makes it possible to convert sketching into precise vector curves. The suite contains tools for graphic design as well as layout. It also has Photo-Paint and Corel Font Manager for photo editing and font management.

GIMP

This free graphic design software works on numerous platforms like Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. GIMP is an open-source program that allows you to alter its source code and distribute the program. There are many customization programs as well as 3rd party plugins that can be used in GIMP to help improve productivity and create better designs. GIMP can also be applied in the process of retouching images, wherein you can make creative composites. Interface components and mock-ups can also be designed, in addition to print designs such as icons and logos. GIMP is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Vectr

Vectr is a free graphics software that can be used to create vector graphics. One of the key advantages of Vectr is the fact that the vectors created don’t lose their quality when scaled. The software doesn’t use pixels to create a design; it uses mathematical equations and is available both online and on desktop. Vectr is an easy-to-use platform that can be used to create any 2D graphics, such as business cards, logos, posters, brochures, and so much more. The platform is available on Windows, Web Browser, Linus, Mac, and Chrome OS.

Canva

One thing that makes Canva a brilliant design tool is that it’s very easy to use- you barely need graphic design skills to use the platform. The platform has many free and paid templates, fonts, and images. Canva’s drag-and-drop feature allows for easy customization and use. Although it doesn’t provide the advanced features a platform like PhotoShop has, it is a faster route for designers or individuals that do not want to go through the long route of creating certain designs from scratch. Canva is available as a graphic design app that can be used on both Apple and Android devices.

Inkscape

Inkscape is a graphic design platform that serves many purposes and can be used by designers, illustrators, and web designers. The software contains flexible drawing tools, which ease the process for amateurs to understand and use the software. Inkscape is an open-source software that can be used with any platform; it’s best utilized to create vector-based images that must be worked in SVG format. Inkscape provides many filters and can be used on Windows, Linus, and Mac.

Gravit Designer

This free vector design application is effective in logo making, photo manipulation, illustrations, and animations. With a sleek layout that is fully customizable, one can use Gravit online with their cloud-based software.

Affinity Designer

Regarding function and style, Affinity Designer is a fantastic design software to utilize and can be viewed as a cheaper alternative to Adobe Illustrator. Affinity has received excellent reviews that claim the software is faster and easier to use the Adobe Illustrator. It can be utilized by both beginners just starting out in the field and more experienced designers- especially freelance graphic artists on a budget. The software is a great option for those who’d rather not spend a lot on Adobe Illustrator but still need a powerful tool.

Selecting the “best” graphic design software can seem daunting, especially with all the available options. Each designer must decide what software works best for their style, needs, medium, and client. A graphic designer might have to consider various factors like speed, purpose, price, skill level, and others when selecting which software to use for their work.