If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably experimented with countless free trials for design programs and software. From graphic design to client invoicing to email marketing, there are TONS of opinions out there about which are the best.
If you’re a designer who’s on the fence about whether or not to pay for that certain monthly subscription, look no further – this post is for you! These amazing tools have helped me streamline my workflow, improve collaboration with clients, and increase productivity.
My Top 10 Design Tools
Dubsado
Dubsado is my ultimate business companion, streamlining my entire client process. With its customizable proposals, contracts, and invoices (all beautifully branded) Dubsado is like my business wingwoman. I love that the automation options allow me to create workflows that automatically send follow-up emails, reminders about upcoming deadlines and invoices, and Dubsado’s exceptional customer support is worth its price in gold. They go above and beyond to ensure that their clients are happy and successful, and even provide one-on-one setup and training for new users.
Showit
I’ve tried all 6000 of the website platforms over the years (maybe I’m exaggerating a tiny bit), but Showit is my numero uno. I love that it’s easy to navigate and design web pages and that I can teach my clients how to update sites on their own. Showit has a drag-and-drop interface that’s so easy to use, you’ll feel like a design wizard in no time. Plus, with seamless WordPress integration for blogging, and flexible design tools that make your site look awesome on any device, Showit is the ultimate playground for creating a website that’s as unique as you are. Say goodbye to boring templates and hello to endless possibilities with Showit!
Flodesk
Flodesk is like having your own personal design fairy for email marketing! It turns your messages into beautifully crafted emails with just a few clicks, making it super easy to stand out in any inbox. With its intuitive drag-and-drop builder and stunning templates, you’ll be sending out eye-catching campaigns faster than you can say “open rate.” Plus, Flodesk’s smart automation features and seamless integration mean you’ll spend less time tweaking and more time dazzling your audience. Say hello to email marketing magic with Flodesk!
Élevae Visuals
Élevae Visuals is your ultimate secret weapon for jaw-dropping graphics that make your brand pop! Think of it as the design wizardry that turns your visuals into show-stoppers, whether you’re jazzing up your website or making your social media shine. With a treasure trove of stunning, high-quality assets at your fingertips, you’ll have everything you need to make your brand unforgettable. From eye-catching templates to unique, professionally crafted visuals, Élevae Visuals has got your back for every graphic need. Get ready to elevate your brand to new heights of fabulous!
Lastpass
As a website designer, it is important for me to maintain the security of my clients’ login credentials. That’s where Lastpass comes in handy. LastPass allows me to create shared folders in my account and add my clients as users. This allows us to securely share login credentials without having to send sensitive information through email or other unsecured channels. I can easily generate unique and complex passwords for their accounts and save them in LastPass. This ensures that their accounts are always protected with strong passwords that are difficult to hack.
Ok, so you might know that I’m not a social media lover, but to me, Pinterest doesn’t count! It feels less like social media and more like a visual learner’s version of Google. Do you agree? Beyond the aesthetic value, Pinterest is a fantastic resource for designers. I use it for everything from finding color palettes, typography inspiration and new design trends, to organizing and curating design ideas and for saving images and ideas that I want to reference later. It’s easy to create boards for different projects or clients, and a fun way to get them involved in the design process. Additionally, I adore how intuitive the platform is, as well as Pinterest’s clean layout (you know that’s my style!)
Affinity Designer
There are many reasons why I prefer to use Affinity Designer over the Adobe Suite. Firstly, Affinity Designer is a much more affordable option, especially for those who are just starting out with graphic design. Unlike Adobe, Affinity Designer has a one-time payment option, which means you don’t have to worry about monthly subscription fees. Another reason I prefer Affinity Designer is its user interface. The software is very intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to learn and navigate. Affinity Designer offers a lot of the same features as Adobe Illustrator, including vector editing, typography, and color management. One of the best features of Affinity Designer is its ability to integrate with other Affinity products, such as Affinity Photo and Affinity Publisher, making it easy to create a seamless workflow between different design projects.
Canva
Been hiding out under a rock? That’s ok – come on out and check out Canva! Canva is an online graphic design platform that allows me to create stunning designs for social media, marketing materials, and even presentations. With Canva’s extensive collection of templates, graphics, and fonts, I can easily customize and create unique designs that align with my client’s branding and vision. Plus, Canva’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to experiment with different design elements until I find the perfect combination. I highly recommend Canva to anyone looking to create beautiful designs quickly and easily.
Stripe
If you need a seamless and simple way to collect payments, or get your customers paid, Stripe is at your service. Stripe’s got a whole arsenal of powerful features to help you stay on top of the game, like fraud prevention and automatic billing, so whether you’re selling products or services, Stripe’s got your back and can take care of all the payment nitty-gritty.
Signature Hound
Let’s face it, creating a fancy email signature that looks pro is like trying to nail jelly to a wall. Thank goodness for Signature Hound, the magical online tool lets you create dazzling email signatures in just a few minutes flat. You can pick from templates that match your style and brand, and then jazz them up with your logo, social media links, and contact details. Once you’re happy with your masterpiece, simply download it and pop it into Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail – it’s compatible with all major email clients.
Additional Tools That I Love
Coolors
Coolors is the ultimate color curator tool. With a plethora of premade palettes or the option to create your own, you’ll easily find your perfect palette. Tweak the colors until you’re 100% satisfied, and select from various schemes like analog, monochromatic, or triad. Whether you’re building a website, crafting a logo, or putting together a marketing campaign, Coolors is a great tool for every designer out there.
Zapier
If you’re sick of drowning in a sea of mundane tasks, check out Zapier. This tool lets you blend different apps and services to make zippy little workflows called “Zaps”. Say goodbye to data entry, social media posting, and email marketing headaches, and hello to productivity paradise! The best part? No coding skills required! Zapier’s easy-peasy interface is so simple, you’ll be zapping like a pro in no time. With over 2,000 apps and services to choose from, you’ll never be stuck in a rut. And as a cherry on top, there’s even a free plan that lets you make up to 5 Zaps!
Freepik
Finding high-quality photos and graphics can be a challenge. That’s where Freepik comes to the rescue! This website is a goldmine of design goodies, packed with everything you need to make your project pop. Whether you’re after snazzy vectors, eye-catching icons, scrumptious photos, or sleek templates, Freepik has it all. What makes Freepik stand out from the crowd is the quality of their resources. The vectors and icons are top-notch and easy to customize, while the photos are so high-res you’ll feel like you’re right there in the shot! Freepik has both free and premium options, so make sure to read the fine print to avoid any copyright snafus.
Google Drive
Maybe you use Google Drive personally, but why not use it for your clients as well? This handy tool allows you to create and share files in neat folders for each client, making delivery of their brand assets a breeze. With Google Drive, you can keep your files secure with strong passwords and selective sharing, and you can even enable two-factor authentication for extra protection. Plus, say goodbye to being tied to your desk since you can access your files from anywhere with an internet connection. If you’re a creative who juggles multiple projects and clients, Google Drive just might be your new BFF.
Calendly
Calendly is a scheduling tool that allows your clients to book appointments without any hassle or headache-inducing back-and-forth. It syncs with your fave calendar apps, like Google Calendar and Outlook, so you can keep your schedule in check with one effortless swoop, saving you tons of time. Calendly goes above and beyond with customizable options, letting you set your availability, appointment types, and even reminders to clients.
QR Code Monkey
In a world where business cards are a dime a dozen, adding a QR code to your design can make all the difference. With QR Code Monkey, you can create your own (free!) custom code that’ll whisk potential clients and connections away to your website or social media. This nifty trick saves time and gives your business card a professional edge.
I hope that you get as much use out of these tools as I do! If you’re a seasoned designer, I’d love to hear about your must-have design tools – shoot me an email with all the details.
