The Ultimate Guide For Graphic Design Software For Beginners

10 min readDec 2, 2023

The Ultimate Guide for Graphic Design Software for Beginners, In the ever-evolving world of design, especially for beginners in graphic design software, choosing the right tool can be a pivotal decision for both professionals and newcomers. Two prominent names that frequently pop up in design conversations are Canva and Figma. In this blog post, we’ll delve into a Guide for Graphic Design Software for Beginners, exploring their features, usability, and suitability for different design needs.

What Software Do Most Designers Use?

Graphic Design Software for Beginners to bring their ideas to life. Photoshop, Sketch, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects are among the best software for graphic design. One of the common queries among aspiring designers is, “What software do most designers use?” The answer to this question often depends on the specific field of design and personal preferences.

While some designers prefer industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, others lean towards more user-friendly options like Canva and Figma. In the dynamic world of design, especially for beginners in graphic design software, the choice between tools like Canva and Figma depends on individual workflows and project requirements. Let’s explore a comprehensive comparison of Canva vs Figma, focusing on their features and suitability for those starting their journey in graphic design software for beginners.

Which Design Software Is Best to Learn?

The Best Learning Design Software Shortlist

iSpring Suite 11 — Best for PowerPoint-based course authoring and LMS integration.
Articulate 360 — Best for all-in-one eLearning course development.
Adobe Captivate — Best for creating interactive eLearning content.

For those embarking on a design journey, the next logical question is, “Which design software is best to learn?” Canva and Figma both offer user-friendly interfaces, making them suitable for beginners.

However, Figma is often favored for its collaborative features and versatility, making it an excellent choice for those looking to learn and grow in the field of design. When it comes to graphic design software for beginners, Figma stands out as a user-friendly option with robust capabilities, providing an ideal platform for those starting their journey in design.

What Is a Good Design Software?

Good design software aligns with the designer’s goals and facilitates a smooth workflow. Canva stands out for its simplicity and a vast library of pre-designed templates, making it ideal for quick and visually appealing projects.

On the other hand, Figma excels in collaborative work environments, offering real-time collaboration features that enable multiple users to work seamlessly on the same project. In the realm of graphic design software for beginners, Figma’s collaborative prowess enhances the learning experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting the design journey.

From sources across the Web

Adobe Illustrator: Adobe XD is a vector design tool for web and mobile applications, developed and published by Adobe Inc. It is available for macOS and Windows, and there are versions for iOS and Android to help preview the result of work directly on mobile devices.
Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe Inc. for Windows and macOS. It was created in 1987 by Thomas and John Knoll. Since then, the software has become the most used tool for professional digital art, especially in raster graphics editing.
Adobe XD: Adobe XD is a vector design tool for web and mobile applications, developed and published by Adobe Inc. It is available for macOS and Windows, and there are versions for iOS and Android to help preview the result of work directly on mobile devices
Sketch: Sketch is a vector graphics editor for macOS developed by the Dutch company Sketch B.V. It was first released on 7 September 2010 and won an Apple Design Award in 2012. It also has a web application that allows users to share files online.
Adobe InDesign: Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing and page layout designing software application produced by Adobe Inc. and first released in 1999. It can be used to create works such as posters, flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, presentations, books, and ebooks.
Figma: Figma is a collaborative web application for interface design, with additional offline features enabled by desktop applications for macOS and Windows.
CorelDRAW: CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Alludo. It is also the name of the Corel graphics suite, which includes the bitmap-image editor Corel Photo-Paint as well as other graphics-related programs.
Adobe Dreamweaver: Adobe Dreamweaver is a proprietary web development tool from Adobe Inc. It was created by Macromedia in 1997 and developed by them until Macromedia was acquired by Adobe Systems in 2005. Adobe Dreamweaver is available for the macOS and Windows operating systems.
Inkscape: Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor for traditional Unix-compatible systems such as GNU/Linux, BSD derivatives, and Illumos, as well as Windows and macOS.

In Which Software Can I Build My Design?

1. Adobe Illustrator

Available through the Adobe Creative Cloud app, available for PC and macOS

Category: Vector graphics
Features: Templates, blank document presets, workspaces for touch-enabled devices, sync with In Design
What it’s best for: Designing vector graphics that can be scaled larger or smaller without affecting image quality
Cost: $20.99 / month

2. Canva for Teams

Available in the cloud

Category: Display ad design, photo editing, desktop publishing, data visualization, design systems
Features: Collaborate on designs, brand templates, design approval, asset and permission management
What it’s best for: Scaling the entire design process, teamwide, for people at any skill level
Cost: $149.90 / year for the first 5 people

3. Adobe InDesign

Available through the Adobe Creative Cloud app, available for PC and macOS

Category: Desktop publishing
Features: Templates, blank document presets, workspaces for touch-enabled devices, sync with Illustrator
What it’s best for: Creating long-form multi-page documents, such as books, magazines, reports, or brochures
Cost: $20.99 / month

4. Microsoft Publisher

Available for PC

Category: Desktop publishing
Features: Pre-designed templates for creating greeting cards, yearbooks, email newsletters, etc.
What it’s best for: Precise layouts and styling for professional publications
Cost: $159.00 one-time fee

5. Foxit PDF Editor

Available on PC or macOS

Category: File converter, PDF editor, document creation, e-signature, desktop publishing
Features: Advanced PDF editing, automated workflows, embedding media capabilities, document protection and security
What it’s best for: Creating, editing, filling, and e-signing documents from one app
Cost: $159.00 one-time fee

The ability to build and bring your design ideas to life is a crucial aspect of any design software. Both Canva and Figma provide powerful design tools, but they differ in terms of functionality. Canva is renowned for its drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to create stunning designs effortlessly. Figma, on the other hand, is celebrated for its robust design and prototyping capabilities, making it a preferred choice for those focusing on user experience (UX) design. In the context of graphic design software for beginners, Figma’s emphasis on user experience adds a valuable dimension, making it an attractive option for those entering the field of design.

Which Is the Best Software for Designing Software Free?

Canva: Canva is a popular free graphics software online that offers a wide range of design tools that you can use to create PDFs, presentations, and infographics.
GIMP: One of the most popular open-source design tools, Gimp is often compared to its closest for-pay competitor, Photoshop, with users on both sides making passionate arguments for one platform over the other.
Adobe Express: Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) is Adobe’s free version of Illustrator, and its equivalent software to Canva and DesignWizard.
Krita: This free, open-source painting program is developed by artists for artists. With contributions from illustrators and painters, Krita is fun to use thanks to the intuitive user interface.
Inkscape: Inkscape is perfect for budding graphic designers and intermediate-level artists who want to create SVG images.
Adobe Illustrator: Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. Originally designed for the Apple Macintosh, development of Adobe Illustrator began in 1985. Along with Creative Cloud, Illustrator CC was released.
Adobe Photoshop: The best graphic design software options are more varied and powerful than ever, providing professional designers and enthusiasts with a vast range of options to create in the way that best suits their needs and workflow. And, increasingly, with the help of AI.
DesignWizard: DesignWizard ranks among the best free graphic design software for beginners. The tool offers a large database of images along with a host of free templates (over 10,000), plus a simple, easy-to-use interface. While you can also quickly create custom templates, DesignWizard excels as a front-line, free graphic design tool for beginners.
Lunacy: Lunacy is a graphic design software specializing in vector graphics editing. Lunacy is absolutely free, with no hidden charges, ads, and locked features, making it a great and accessible solution for beginner UI/UX designers, who can’t afford a subscription to expensive graphic design apps. Although great for beginner graphic designers, Lunacy has a wide range of powerful tools that provide in-depth and advanced features including a ready-to-use UI kit, placeholder text generator, pen, eyedropper tools, and more.

For budget-conscious designers, the availability of free design software is a game-changer. Canva offers a free version with limited features, making it accessible to a wide audience. Figma, too, provides a free plan with essential features, making it an excellent option for those who want to explore design without committing to a subscription fee. This feature is particularly beneficial for beginners in graphic design software, allowing them to delve into the world of design without financial constraints.

Which Is the Best Software for Designing for Beginners?

Which Software Is the Best for Web and Graphic Design for Beginners? Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Inkscape, Adobe Photoshop, and Luminar Neo will be excellent starting points for you because they combine a user-friendly interface, effective tools for the beginning, and a free trial period. Choosing the right software for beginners is crucial for fostering a positive learning experience.

Canva, with its intuitive interface and wealth of templates, is an excellent choice for beginners looking to create eye-catching designs without a steep learning curve. Figma, while slightly more complex, offers a comprehensive learning environment that can benefit beginners in the long run. For those venturing into the realm of graphic design software, the depth of Figma’s features provides a valuable learning experience, laying a strong foundation for newcomers in the field.

Best Graphic Design Software for Beginners:

From sources across the WEB

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
CorelDRAW
GIMP
Inkscape
Canva
Adobe InDesign
Affinity Designer
Gravit Designer

Finding the best graphic design software for beginners is critical if you want to achieve all of your project requirements and make the most of your skills. The best graphic design software offers the flexibility and tools to take your designs to the next level — ideally without a steep learning curve. However, finding graphic design software for beginners to match your design needs, skillset, and budget can be a tall order.

This guide provides a round-up of the best graphic design software for beginners. We will give you the pros and cons, price, key features, and compatibility of the 13 best graphic design software. Hopefully, this guide will help you choose a tool that will tick all of your requirements and help you on your way as you learn graphic design.

For beginners dipping their toes into the world of graphic design, both Canva and Figma offer accessible entry points. Canva’s simplicity makes it an ideal starting point for those new to design, while Figma’s more feature-rich environment caters to beginners who want to explore a broader range of design possibilities.

Graphic Design Software List:

Graphics Software From sources across the WEB

Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
GIMP
VistaCreate
Blender
Autodesk 3ds Max
Autodesk Maya
Sumo Paint

Whether you are an amateur graphic designer or an experienced digital artist, using the right tools can multiply your talent exponentially. A well-built graphic design software for beginners provides intuitive controls and flexibility that can be easily understood by a beginner but also has vastly superior tools for an experienced user.

The best way to know which software would suit you best is to get hands-on with the tools and experiment with them. Each of the software is characterized by its features, ease of use, performance, cost, and availability. Many paid graphic design software provide a free trial for users to give them a better understanding of the product. Here are stunning great design portfolio website templates designed for your use.

In addition to Canva and Figma, there is a myriad of graphic design software available, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Illustrator, remains an industry standard, offering unparalleled versatility and capabilities.

Other noteworthy mentions for graphic design software for beginners include CorelDRAW, Inkscape, and Sketch, each catering to specific design needs. These tools provide additional options for newcomers to explore, offering diverse features to suit various aspects of the graphic design process.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the world of design offers a plethora of graphic design software for beginners' choices catering to diverse needs and skill levels. For beginners, Canva stands out with its user-friendly interface and a wealth of templates, while Figma provides a more comprehensive learning environment for those aspiring to delve deeper into design. The choice between Canva and Figma ultimately depends on individual preferences and project requirements.

In the broader landscape of graphic design, industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator and Photoshop, continue to dominate, offering unparalleled versatility. However, the emergence of free alternatives like GIMP, Inkscape, and user-friendly options like Canva and Figma has democratized design tools, making them accessible to a wide audience, from amateurs to experienced professionals.

Designers must explore and experiment with different tools to find the ones that best align with their workflow, preferences, and project demands, especially when it comes to graphic design software for beginners. Trying out a variety of tools allows newcomers to discover which software suits their needs and provides a comfortable environment for their learning journey in graphic design.