UX don’t gotta be X-pensive bruh
Yo its your boi Roberto here for blog number 2!

2 years ago: Me fresh outta General Assembly (I plugged you in G.A. hook me up)
Getting ready to apply for work Lets kook at UX job postings :D
JOB POSTING
“Looking for UX designer who can make some shit like wire frames, mock ups and test that bitch out widda prototype.”
Requirements:
Adobe, Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design, Fireworks, Axure, UX Pin, And everything that cost an arm and a dick.
…..SHIT…..
I spent 10K at G.A. only used Sketch, and here these jobs are requiring me to know some expensive ass software. I could barely afford to pay bills, and there is no way I’m dipping into my burrito savings.

I say fuck that.
Yup.
Fuck that.
I’m not here to start a fight on what software is better over another. I’m here to make your punk ass start designing on the cheap so you can get rid of that software anxiety, and build your portfolio up!
But I gotta let you know, I’m not talking to the designer who has more experience than me, or the designer who is set on working in a setting where Adobe is the mandated design tool. Power to you! but this ain’t for ya.
I’m talking to that noob who has 3–5 portfolio pieces and is still learning the craft, and is stuck in this limbo of choosing a software to learn and master.
These are my 3 current favorite
Sketch | Affinity Designer | Affinity Photo

Sketch
Pay $100 for your 1st year. Pay $69 (hot number sketch ;D ) for an annual renewal. Leading industries are using this software, its fun and there are many free tutorials out in the inter-webs for your to learn quick and easy.

Affinity Designer
Pay $49.99 and that’s it! no annual license bullshit or monthly costs. This is similar to Sketch, so if you are someone who only has PC and is looking or an edge like sketch(thats only for mac) get this shit. Its cool as fuck!

Affinity Photo
$49.99 and that’s it! See the benefit with these guys? Affinity photo is really cool, it has more Photoshop-ish powers where Affinity designer lacks, I have Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer, and in combination they have helped me stay on my PC which is more powerful than my outdated mac laptop (I got it cheap online, its outdated but again, I ain’t trying to dip in my burrito savings).
Adobe

Do the math. If you ballin and got the time to learn some heavy cool shit, do it! If you trying to save and design and make a career change, or get better at your craft on the cheap! go with the former!

Before you buy
YouTube the shit out of it.
Its a very visual software that can be overwhelming for some, but when see speed art videos and tutorials its pretty damn inspiring! I window shop like this all the time. Get opinions, fight fools in YouTube comments, what ever floats your boat. Just remember. Design on the cheap. Get your portfolio stacked with shit you like to do!
Design | Learn| Eat Burritos |