21+ Best graphic designer tools for design work( Both Hardware and Software)
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Are you ready to take your design game to the next level? Well, buckle up because we’re about to embark on a thrilling journey exploring the best graphic design tools in the game right now! 🚀
In this ever-evolving digital age, the right tools can truly make or break your design work. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding graphic artist, having a robust toolkit is like having a secret weapon.
💼💥 It’s not just about getting the job done; it’s about turning your wildest creative visions into stunning reality. 🌈✨
Check out our comprehensive buying guide for 21 must-have design tools for digital artists and designers! Upgrade your design game with the right tools today.
From industry-leading software to cutting-edge hardware, and online resources that’ll make your life easier, we’ve got the whole spectrum covered. So, sit back, grab a cup of coffee ☕, and get ready to discover your next favorite design tool. Let’s dive in! 🌊🤿
As a professional in the field of graphic design, there are several tools that are an absolute must, regardless of whether you are just beginning your career or are a seasoned veteran with many years of expertise.
This list includes the most important pieces of hardware, software, and other tools that each self-respecting graphic designer ought to keep on hand.
The featured products below are high-quality items that have been designed with experts in mind.
It is possible to get by with just a laptop and some design software if you are just getting started in the industry.
The following products are intended for use by experienced graphic designers; however, you may also check out our list of the Best Equipment for Graphic Designers, which is organized according to career level and price.
Best Graphic Design Tools- Hardware
- Desktop Computer: iMac (2021)
- Desktop computer & Display Combo( best for professional Graphic Designers) – Apple Mac Studio and Apple Studio Display
- Laptop: Apple MacBook
- High-Res Monitor: BenQ PD3200U
- Standing Desk: Standing Desk
- Graphics Tablet: Wacom Cintiq 16
- Stylus Pen: Apple Pencil
- Pens: Sakura Fine Liner Set
- VPN Software- AtlasVPN
- Ring Light: IVISII Ring Light
- Noise-canceling Earphones: Bose SoundSport Free
- Wide-Format Printer: Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
- High-End Smart Phone: iPhone 12 pro( iPhone because If you are using Procreate, it has a phone version called Pocket Procreate)
- Monitor Calibrator: Datacolor SpyderX ELITE
- Reliable Hard Drive: LaCie Porsche Design External Hard Drive (5TB)
- Ergonomic Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3
- Color Swatches: Pantone Swatch Book
- Ergonomic Chair: Herman Miller Aeron
- Studio Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
19+ best Graphic Designer Tools- Hardware
2021 Apple MacBook Pro
Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro is still one of their greatest computers ever and the MacBook Pro's 16-inch size belies its thin, light, and stylish design.
The larger screen provides you more room to create amazing designs on Apple's newest and best components.
The MacBook Pro is the finest MacBook for creative professionals since it has outstanding speakers and a wonderful keyboard.
Apple Studio Display
Both the new Mac Studio and the Studio Display are aimed at the creative community. The Studio Display is the actual viewing area, whereas the Mac Studio is responsible for the processing.
27-inch 5k Apple Studio Display. Apple's Pro Display XDR was designed for professionals. You may use all of its capabilities on a macOS device, including the true sRGB picture mode. You can't modify settings or use specific features on Windows machines. It has speakers, a mic, and a webcam for video calls.
You may choose between a tilt-only stand or a tilt-and-height-adjustable stand, but since you can't remove either stand to wall-mount the display, there's a VESA mount adaptor too. The normal glossy reflective glass can be replaced with matte nano-textured reflective glass.
Key FEATURES
- Apple has crammed this monitor with of exciting features, and the high price tag reflects that. Unusually
- The Studio Display is a monitor with a built-in microphone array and a webcam. We depend more and more on video calls, making it crucial for remote workers to have a high-quality webcam and microphone.
- The A13 Bionic chip improves the webcam by providing the 'Center Stage' feature, which employs AI to keep you in the centre of the screen while using the webcam.
- This works even if you move around. To provide even more immersive sound, the A13 Bionic is compatible with the Mac Studio's internal speakers to deliver Dolby Atmos surround sound.
- True, it can't replace a physical Dolby Atmos system, but it's a decent alternative.
- surround sound arrangement, it provides a surprisingly high quality of sound from the built-in speakers.
- The high 5k resolution produces sharp text and images.
- Outstanding peak brightness and reflection handling.
- Viewing angles are broad.
- Outstanding out-of-the-box accuracy.
- The tilt-only version has limited ergonomics.
- It is not possible to remove the stand in order to wall-mount it.
- Lack of HDR support.
Wacom DTK1660K0A Cintiq 16 Drawing Tablet with Screen
Wacom Cintiq 16 is a more inexpensive pen Display for students, hobbyists, and young creative professionals who wish to work directly on screen but don't need the Cintiq Pro ,C intiq's 15.6" 1920x1080 HD display delivers clarity to view every aspect of your work. The scratch-resistant Anti-Glare surface reduces reflections.
- The cintiq's HD display shows brilliant colours.
- 7M Bit, 72% NTSC). The battery-free pen charges while you work.
- C Connect to your computer with the 3-in-1 (HDMI) cable and adjust using folding legs.
If you are looking for Bigger screen , Try Wacom C 22 or Or for a smaller display see the 13.3″ Wacom one( If you are on a Budget , you can go for the Renewed Tables on Amazon)
- Absence of support for multiple touches
- It's Not 4K
- Cool large screen
- No hassle and Easy to set up this Tablet
- Wacom’s best pen ever (no charging needed)
Apple MacBook Pro 16" Laptop
Although it may not be the most recent model (see 13-inch MacBook Pro for more information), Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro is still one of the company's greatest computers. The MacBook Pro, although having a screen size of 16 inches, has a design that is extremely thin, light, and sleek, which belies its size.
This additional size provides you with additional real estate, allowing you to create fantastic designs on a stunning display.
This display is only the beginning of the most recent and cutting-edge components that Apple has to offer on the interior of the device.
The MacBook Pro is without a doubt the greatest MacBook on the market for creative professionals such as content creators, designers, or any other professional involved in the creative process because it comes with an incredible keyboard and speakers to go along with it.
Check out this page for an exhaustive rundown of the top laptops and Macbooks currently available on the market today.
You should also look into the finest accessories for the MacBook Pro as well as the best monitors for the MacBook Pro to go along with your new buy.
- It has a wonderful screen. It is quick. The monitor is not 4K in resolution.
- Having a Touch bar is Plus
- Upgrades to the speakers and the keyboard
- It is expensive
- Quite Heavy
Best Desktop Computers
2021 Apple iMac
The new 24-inch model, which comes in seven different colour options, is an improvement over the previous generation in practically every manner. Apple has updated their iMac product range for the first time since 2012 with its latest facelift.
The iMac, in 2022, is without a doubt the greatest computer that can be purchased for graphic design since it has a bigger screen, as was noted before, a redesigned colour scheme, and exceptional performance as a result of Apple's M1 CPU. The best aspect is that the pricing has remained the same.
The new iMac is both slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, and it comes bundled with a coloured keyboard, mouse, and touchpad. In addition, it takes up even less room on your desk, which is probably already very full.
Apple Mac Studio Desktop Computer
When it comes to Mac desktops, Mac Studio is brand new. The unbelievably compact form factor conceals a wealth of features, including outlandish performance, wide connection, and brand-new possibilities, allowing you to turn any area into a studio with ease.
The choice of the lightning-fast M1 Max is the first step.
You can take on virtually any challenge with the strength that M1 Max provides. The M1 Max is lightning quick, so you can use it to do everything from multitasking to recording and mixing professional-quality music to discovering a new exoplanet without missing a beat.
BenQ's PD3200U widescreen monitor
BenQ's PD3200U widescreen monitor makes 4K and 3D picture editing easy. The 32-inch PS screen boasts a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and 100% sRGB color gamut compatibility.
The PD3200U is a 4K monitor with 100% Rec 709 compatibility, a darkroom, animation, and CAD/CAM modes.
The PD3200U's KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) switch lets you switch between two PCs while using one screen, keyboard, and mouse. This might save space if you have many PCs and a tiny area.
BenQ Corporation manufactures these monitors with extensive experience and knowledge. They are not flawless, but they make things to fit a wide range of requirements.
One of the nicest things about BenQ is that its displays are designed with eye care in mind.
Fully adaptable, you may tilt, swivel, and rotate the display into portrait orientation for greater project versatility. On the right, BenQ includes two HDMI connectors, a DisplayPort 1.2, a mini DisplayPort, an SD card slot, and two USB 3.0 ports.
BenQ's PD3200U is a moderately priced display with capabilities that might make it your sole monitor.
- • Huge display
- • Auto-Brightness adjustments
- • Lots of connectivity options
- • Colors are not uniform in some scenes
- • Sound quality is poor
The iPad's best stylus, even after all these years.
When it comes to the iPad, there is no other stylus that compares to the Apple Pencil. Despite the fact that we intended to highlight the other available choices, there is no doubting that the Pencil is the superior alternative.
It has palm rejection and pressure sensitivity, and there is no latency whatsoever, all of which provide artists with the finest sketching experience that is possibly attainable.
The cost is by far the most significant drawback.
We wanted to showcase some of your options since, despite the fact that the Apple Pencil is likely a wonderful tool, it is also likely to be priced beyond the reach of many designers' budgets.
Standing Desk for Graphic Artists
The desktop workstation offered by FlexiSpot makes it simple to switch between sitting and standing at any point over the course of the workday.
A deep work surface, a large keyboard, and fast tablet integration are all features that are offered by this specific standing desk.
These high-quality workstations include a motion that is easy to move up and down, twelve different height adjustment settings, and compatibility with ergonomic monitor mounts.
You might also be interested in our piece on the best office chairs for maximum comfort, as well as our best full-sized desks, best standing desks, and best office chairs for maximum comfort.
LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB
Make sure you back everything up as soon as possible and do it frequently! An external hard drive provides you with the peace of mind you need in case the unimaginable occurs, which, unfortunately, does occur.
The LaCie Porsche Design External Hard Drive (4TB), much like the bulk of the products that Porsche produces, is exquisitely constructed and boasts exceptional performance, including transfer speeds of up to 5 GB/s.
It also has a connection through USB-C and USB 3.0, which gives it more staying power than a standard hard drive.
It features an elegant, cutting-edge, and lightweight aluminum finish that is designed to match Apple Macs.
- Pros Impressive design
- Excellent performance even while working with huge files.
- Solid aluminium inclosure
- Poor performance when writing to files of a smaller size
A good pen set is essential for artists, authors, and illustrators since it allows them to show their individuality, sense of style, or talent while also protecting their work. Because these Pigma Micron pens are acid-free and archival, they are excellent for use in design, papercrafts, diaries, art, crafts, and any other endeavor that requires precision and longevity.
Even though the thinnest paper, this "Pigma ink" will not feather or bleed, in contrast to the dye-based ink that is present in the vast majority of pens and markers. Pigma ink is resistant to color fading caused by exposure to UV radiation or sunshine since it is made from a single pigment that cannot be broken down. Pigma inks, unlike those used in most mechanical pens, will neither clog nor dry out.
Epson 15000 Wireless Color Wide-Format Printer
WHY WE LIKE IT:
The Epson Expression Photo HD XP 15000 is the best printer for art prints on the market, with improved quality, multiple color inks, and Ultra HD border-free prints.
Because of its 6-color Claria Photo HD inks, which can reproduce the variation and expression of your art, this top-tier art printer produces excellent output.
The Epson XP is a versatile tool that can handle multiple tasks at once, earning it the top spot on this list of the best printers for art prints.
This Epson printer is a workhorse intended for dependable output that is capable of producing high-quality photographs and designs. It has six separate ink tanks for dye ink, which results in the printing of images that are extremely lifelike. The XP-15000 is capable of printing on paper up to 13 inches wide by 19 inches long, and it can manage virtually any conventional paperweight or quality.
This particular Epson model is suitable for use with high-yield ink cartridges, each of which is capable of printing more than 800 pages.
- High-quality photos
- Two-sided printing
- Great for enhanced colored and black and white prints
- Not compatible with ink cartridges from other brands
- The cartridges are expensive
These are for zone-outs and people who prefer cordless earbuds.
Even the greatest earbuds might have connection troubles, prompting customers to grow upset and buy another pair. Innovative design and high-quality engineering make the Bose SoundSport Free very reliable.
- The SoundSport Free in-ear headphones are designed for everyday usage, from lounging to working out.
- The SoundSport earbuds have amazing sound quality, but their basic design makes them loose in your ears.
Datacolor SpyderX Elite – Monitor Calibration
The best tool for setting up a monitor overall
This calibrator is easy to set up because it has a simple model that works like a guide. The SpyderX ELITE from Datacolor can make your laptop and desktop look just right in just five minutes. It has "unlimited" settings for calibration, including grey-balancing, and it can do all of this.
You can calibrate all of your displays to a single target, and you can also use lightroom monitoring to figure out the best brightness for your monitor. With the SpyderX ELITE, you can even compare your own photos before and after editing.
- Five times quicker than Spyder5
- Quick and simple in its operation Inexpensive
- ineffective performance
Logitech MX Master 3 Advanced Wireless Mouse for Mac
Logitech is synonymous with computer peripherals nowadays. They make high-quality, responsive goods. This is helpful if your task requires a precise mouse. The MX Master3 cordless mouse is intended to fit comfortably in your hand.
The Master 3 operates on all surfaces, even glass, with its 4,000 dpi Darkfield sensor. When you return to your desk, the mouse wakes up promptly and displays the battery's charge with three green LEDs. The mouse's battery may last up to 70 days on a full charge, but you can charge it via the micro-USB on the front.
- The mouse's side buttons allow you to switch windows without using the keyboard and may be programmed. A mouse's scroll wheel allows you swiftly and easily browse through online pages and documents.
- The high-end Logitech MX Master 3 mouse provides the functions and ergonomic design a graphic artist needs.
Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair
Well, Manny sits in a chair made by Herman Miller called the Aeron on a daily basis(and has been using the chair so for more than ten years now, and it's not hard to understand why he chooses to do so.
The Aeron chair, which comes in three different sizes to suit the needs of virtually every individual imaginable, is without a doubt one of the most ergonomically sound chairs ever produced and will look amazing whether it is placed in a home office or a conference room.
Pantone Coated and Uncoated Color Bridge
If you work in the printing industry, you are going to need your very own Pantone swatch book in order to maintain correct colour constancy.
A Pantone colour book is the most useful colour tool for graphic designers because it provides a side-by-side aesthetic evaluation of Pantone spot colours verses their closest CMYK process colour, producing a match on uncoated and coated paper.
This makes a Pantone colour book the most functional colour tool for graphic designers. In addition to that, it provides RBG and HEX values, both of which ensure that the colours are shown correctly on the screen.
Pros
- Extensive colour families
- Designed for digital designers
Cons
- There are fewer colours than in some other fan guides.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR Camera
Canon isn't the first to introduce revolutionary camera technology.
The EOS Mark IV continues Canon's trend as the top seller of interchangeable-lens cameras. Your photos and videos will look great with 30.4 megapixel stills and Dual Pixel autofocus.
High ISO, 7 fps continuous shooting, and 61-point autofocus make the Mark IV seem flawless.
No tilt screen and 1080p HDMI-out are the only downsides. Overall, the EOS 5D Mark IV is excellent.
Pros:
- Full frame sensor
- touchscreen, which is helpful
- Excellent quality photos from RAW files
Cons
- Restrictions on the ability to continuously capture video
Graphic Designer tools – SOFTWARES
Creative Cloud pricing and membership plans | Adobe Creative Cloud
If you want to be successful as a designer, you're going to require tools to help you develop your designs. When it comes to creative software, Adobe is the undisputed leader in the business.
The Adobe Creative Cloud provides you with access to all of the tools that you could possibly want, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, and many more.
Here, you may subscribe to Creative Cloud and receive a discount of up to 60 percent if you are a student.
Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and Corel Painter are some more options you may look at. Check out these 11 top pieces of software and tools for graphic design.
Check out this page for the most recent Adobe Creative Cloud discounts.
Pros:
- The price is comparable to similar products; there is no requirement to upgrade the software. Get access to your plan regardless of where you are.
Cons:
- Plans come at a high cost; downloads cannot be taken with you.
Atlas VPN
Fast, with a substantial free plan and affordable costs, Atlas VPN is our top pick for a virtual private network. Although improvements can be made to Atlas’ apps, features, and customer support, the service is already robust.
Pros
- Allows Access to the US WireGuard provides excellent download speeds for services such as Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus.
- Unlimited number of connections simultaneously
- Generous free plans
Cons:
- The server network is quite small and the Below-par support site
- No privacy audit
Summing up
And there we have it, creative dynamos! 🎉 We’ve journeyed through the landscape of graphic design tools, from the powerhouses of Adobe Suite 🖥️ and Procreate 🎨, to game-changing hardware like graphic tablets 📱, and the best online resources 🌐.
Remember, the right tools can unlock new realms of creativity, but at the end of the day, your imagination is the driving force. 🌠
So, armed with these design tools, it’s time to conquer the graphic world! 🚀 Keep experimenting, keep innovating, and most importantly, keep creating. Happy designing, folks! ✍️🌈
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About the Author:
Manny Acharya is the co-founder of Artmellows. Your go-to place for Design, Digital Art, Digital sculpting, Photography, Design Tools and gears Info, and Product Reviews. Manny is a Digital Artist, 3D Sculpt Designer, Ardent Photography, Drone flying Enthusiast, and tech Lover. He supercharges Digital Art and design by crafting memorable 3D sculptures & 2D Design and art. Learn more About Manny:
PS: Manny has created a Beginner Friedly ebook to Learn the Nomad 3D Sculpt App. Know More about the eBook. Know more about Manny
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