5 Must-have Apps for Graphic Designers
I have an obsession with discovering new apps. Especially those that help me increase my productivity or make my work easier, faster, and more pleasurable. I’ve tested hundreds of Mac apps and I want to share 5 of my favourite digital tools with you, tools that are especially useful for Graphic Designers.
SIP
SIP is an easy-to-use colour picker that gives you the ability to collect, organize, and share colours. For me, the biggest advantage is a handy colour dock which gives you access to your favourite pallets. This app also has some features for advanced users: custom and smart formats, snapshots, and a colour editor. The newest version has a built-in tool to check the contrast between text and background colours to adhere to accessibility standards. The license for 1 device costs $10 (50% discount for education).
Milanote
Milanote is an online app for mood boards, mind maps or any kind of visual boards where you can share and edit your boards in real-time. I always use Milanote during the first stage of any UX Process, especially when I’m working with a remote team. With a free plan, you can add 100 notes, images or links, not so much for personal projects, but you can get an extra 100 cards by inviting your friends.
Paste
Paste is a small app that extends your system clipboard. It lets you store everything you copy and organize it in a very useful way. If you want, you can sync clipboards from all your devices (Mac, iPhone, and iPad). I’ve experienced some syncing problems with the mobile app, but the Mac app is much more stable.
Rotato
How long does it take to create an animation with our design mocked up on a 3D model? Without Rotato, probably not less than a few hours, but with Rotato… less than 1 minute. This app has a built-in library of the most popular mobile phones and computers so, all you have to do is drag and drop your design and choose one of the predefined animations (if you want, you can create your own animations). The final effect is astounding. The version with a small label glued to a 3D model is free. The Pro version is $50.
References.design
I was looking for a good app for collecting my inspirations for several months and finally, I gave References.design a chance to impress me. It’s a relatively new app with simple functionality, beautiful UI, and some AI-powered features like smart tags and searching systems. I miss the mobile app the most, but the creators definitely have plans for an iOS app.
