5 Tips & Tools for Designers to Create Illustrations & Art Designs

Imagine Superman devoid of his extraordinary powers or Captain America without his metallic shield. Similarly, if you are a graphic designer or illustrator and lack the requisite tools for your work, it’s as if you have no powers.

If tools already help professionals navigate the design world faster and better, how much more when it comes to starters and design beginners. Surely, adopting free tools in the initial stage is the best idea.

However, if you aim to reach the professional level, you must concentrate on choosing the right tools rather than worrying about whether to use free or paid ones. For example, if you are Procreate artists, going with Brush Galaxy to find the best procreate stamps for illustration is no brainer, but you still have to learn how to use them properly in your artwork. 

Another is when you create a logo. Some logo tools might be free but the design collection is small. Therefore, you have limited choice. BrandCrowd’s immense size of logo selections provides the average creatives room to play around. 

Now, the question is: where to find these ‘right’ tools?

Well, you don’t have to explore any further because, in this blog, we are bringing you the top five most important tools you can use to gain experience and give your illustrations and artwork a polished appearance.

Before we discuss the tools, let’s first discuss the top 5 tips recommended by professionals that each graphic designer or illustrator should be aware of.

Top 5 Tips From Professionals To Follow

There seems to be no difference between a designer and a writer. It’s only that a writer uses words to explain his ideas, whereas a designer uses visuals.

While you get an opportunity to communicate your ideas through visuals, the following are some of the tips you must keep in mind as a graphic designer and illustrator.

1. Do Not Forget Who Your Audiences Are

Designs, illustrations, and artwork all tell a tale that you picture in your mind while you create them. Given this, it is imperative to understand that you should always keep your audience in mind whenever you design something.

For instance, if a potential client approaches you and requests that you create a design/artwork, it is your job as a designer to look from the client’s perspective and produce something that would appeal to both the client and the client’s viewers.

Also, even when you are not working for someone and causally designing, make sure you know who your audiences are.

2. Pick The Tone Of Your Design

Have you ever seen Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” painting? How beautifully that painting describes the mood and tone.

Similarly, when creating a design, first, analyze and decide what tone you must set. Establishing the design’s tone will enable you to limit features like fonts, colors, and other components.

3. Check Out Your Competitors’ Profile

Researching is one crucial factor in graphic design. The more you research, the better ideas you get. Given that, visiting your competitors’ profiles and checking out their work will not just help you know what they are doing, but it will give you more ideas and motivation to do better.

4. Provide The World With Something Different

It’s fantastic to follow trends, look through the portfolios of talented designers, and gather inspiration. However, if you are creating something already in existence that has influenced thousands of individuals, your contribution to the design community is pretty much meaningless.

It’s better to always try to think of new ideas and present the world with unique visuals.

5. Practice Every Day When Not Working

You have new opportunities every day, yet occasionally you could find yourself completely idle. For a designer, repetition leads to greater advancement. Instead of being idle, choose to practice and improve your skills.

Top 5 Tools Every Graphic Designer & Illustrator Must Use

As previously discussed, using the appropriate tools is crucial for your designing career. Let’s discuss the top 5 tools you must immediately install and use right away.

1. DesignCrowd

DesignCrowd is an online marketplace where individuals can create profiles in order to provide graphic designing services. The platform allows potential customers to look out for professional graphic designers who can provide logo design, prints, designs, and other services.

One unique feature DesignCrowd offers is the design competition. Clients can schedule competitions where they can allow freelance graphic designers to submit their work and pick out the best.

The website lets freelancers explore options, pitch clients, and select whom to work with. Moreover, it enables designers to make portfolios to display their skills to potential clients.

2. Procreate

Developed by an Australian start-up, Procreate, a raster graphics editor, is an award-winning design application, especially for a designer who wants their career to touch the professional level. The application was created primarily for designers and illustrators who desired a complete transition from desktop and laptop to tablet devices.

Procreate offers its users a fantastic design experience and seamless performance. Also, its user-friendly interface and comfortable pricing are more like the cherry on top.

Besides the app’s functionality, Procreate is one of the most sought-after tools for illustrators and graphic designers due to its availability of several tools and features.

However, one negative about this application is that it is merely for iPad users.

3. Adobe Photoshop

Ask a designer if he or she has used Photoshop, and you’ll get an answer in yes. But why is that?

Well, for a designer, Photoshop is an essential tool since it makes it possible to experiment with and translate your artistic vision into the digital sphere. The platform enables designers to test their prints and pattern skills while providing them access to unlimited features and tools with easy settings.

However, using Photoshop is itself a skill, and you must master it to become a pro designer.

4. Wacom Tools

Wacom tools are tablets especially designed for digital ink solutions by the company Wacom, a global leader in the tech space.

Wacom tools are the best ones on the market for creative designers who feel more at ease using a digital pen than a mouse. Furthermore, Wacom helps designers work more quickly, easily, and conveniently.

5. Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint is a design tool that allows designers to design what they want and how they like. Also, if you are a beginner, using Clip Studio enables you to level up your design skills and add some more creativity.

The application provides a variety of brushes and materials to add spice to your designs. Moreover, its designed stability and flexible pen feature provide designers the opportunity to experience something new.

Wrapping It Up

Being a professional designer is not easy; it takes countless work and professional experience to get there. Moreover, the value of possessing the appropriate tools is paramount because you cannot gain the “pro designer” milestone without them.

We hope this article helps you value creative tools and see how they contribute greatly to the overall quality of your work. Pick a tool or two to work with and you’re on your way to becoming a pro-level designer.

Written by DesignCrowd on Thursday, July 28, 2022

DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.