King Arthur is a great warrior without his sword. But once he gets his Excalibur, he becomes virtually invincible. Similarly, you may be a talented graphic designer, but with the help of top-quality gadgets and tools, you can be a superb digital artist. Great tools help you practice your art smoothly and increase your creative choices by manifolds.
Today’s article brings you the finest software and industry-standard tools to make your professional journey a breeze. Remember, these instruments are recommended and are some of the favorites of top-class graphic designers who live by them. If this sounds good, let’s get into the nitty gritty without further ado.
Essential Tools for Aspiring Graphic Designers
This section presents the latest professional graphic designing software, supporting hardware, various workspace tools, and security solutions to help you stay creative and productive.
Graphic Design Software
Graphic designing software is a must-have for any digital artist. Here is a list of the best in the market.
- Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is the one-stop solution for graphic designers and digital artists. Adobe’s creative suite is the most prominent and used widely across the industry. We recommend subscribing to at least these two apps from the suite.
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Procreate
Procreate is an iPad-specific illustration app that offers an ample array of brushes and an exceptionally intuitive interface.
- Myfonts.com
With this website, you will have a massive collection of fonts at your disposal.
- Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint provides an affordable collection of apps for illustration with remarkable simplicity and effectiveness.
Powerful Hardware
Graphic designing is resource intensive. As a result, you need enough computing power to keep your creative journey unperturbed.
- Laptop workstation
A laptop is like a portable office. This tool is arguably the most important for any digital artist. Get a Windows laptop with at least 16 GB RAM and the latest generation of Intel i7 processors for the most satisfactory performance. You can also get the visual creative’s favorite, a Macbook Pro, if your budget allows it.
- Graphic Tablet and Stylus
For graphic tablets and styluses, we recommend getting Apple’s iPad and Apple pencil. These are relatively cost-efficient and provide incredible performance.
- Hard Drive
Aim to get an SSD (solid state drive) from a reputable manufacturer to store all your vital work files offline and handle large projects easier. Alternatively, you can buy a HDD (hard disk drive) to satisfy your storage needs.
- Wacom Creative Tools
Wacom is a reputable company that provides cutting-edge tools such as digital styluses, pens, and slates for creative individuals. Here is a short list of the most popular ones.
- Wacom Bamboo Tip Stylus
- The Bamboo Slate
- Wacom Cintiq
Workspace Tools for Creatives
A peaceful and optimized workspace is a must-have for any creative professional. Here’s all you need to set your workspace up for achieving excellent performance.
- Multi-display desktop setup
Nothing beats a multi-display desktop setup. Investing in a second monitor is a reasonable solution for those who handle several projects and need more screen space. Try to incorporate at least one hi-res monitor to build a dual-display setup.
- An Ergonomic Chair
Working for long hours can be a huge strain on your back. Invest in a decent ergonomic chair to make your working sessions comparatively comfortable.
- A Good Keyboard And Mouse
A good mechanical keyboard and an accurate mouse are quintessential for achieving optimal productivity. Keyboards are a matter of preference, but make sure to opt for a mouse that fits your palm and offers you promising longevity.
- Art Supplies
Excellent quality art supplies can bring life to your on-paper artwork. Consider these if you work offline often.
- Sketchbook
Your good old sketchbook is your best friend to try out new ideas on paper and get fresh inspiration whenever you feel like taking a break from the digital world.
Security Solutions
Here are the bare minimum security measures you should consider protecting your work and keep your setup running smoothly.
- A Reliable Proxy
A proxy server can come in handy to access any geo-restricted content on the internet. Additionally, these help your stay anonymous and safe on the web by masking your IP address. We recommend you invest in the best private, residential proxies.
- Antivirus Software
Without robust antivirus software, viruses and malware can become a threat. For this reason, invest in a decent Antivirus solution like Bitdefender or Webroot SecureAnywhere.
Final Words
After reading this list, you may have an idea of the best graphic design tools available in the market. All you need is an appropriate collection of tools and a decent amount of computing power to support your work. Remember, you can still produce outstanding professional artwork without the most expensive gadgets and art supplies!
