10 Must-Have Graphic Artist Tools and Apps for Your Design Team

Do you want to work with an in-house design team to create graphics for your business? You will need the right graphic artist tools to craft custom designs or illustrations to represent your brand. You should prepare the following graphic artist or design tools to ensure that your team have the right devices or software apps.

1. Graphics Tablet and Stylus

This is a must-have for a graphic artist of the 21st century. Graphic artists and designers use this tool to illustrate, color, and design creations. It’s a much easier way to make designs instead of pen and paper. With the right software, you can change colors, add various elements, or manipulate shapes and objects. 

2. Pen (or Pencil) and Paper

Even though graphic artists use graphics tablets and styluses, they also use pen and paper to create traditional designs. This medium is best for pencil, fashion, pen and ink, fashion, and comics. If using this set of tools, you need a scanner to have a digital copy to post on any asset or merchandise.

3. Computer

If you want to use the graphic tablet and stylus and the software apps that graphic artists use below, you need a computer to get started. This is where you’ll install and design everything you need. Plus, make sure that you have the right specs to align your software needs for a seamless design process.

4. Photoshop

Any graphic designer worth their salt knows that Photoshop is one of the most essential graphic artist tools. This software application is a trusted tool to create designs and posts using various elements, layers, and tools to make stunning designs. Your designer can make simple designs here like social media posts, blog images, and digital ads.

5. Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is THE must-have tool for graphic artists. Although many designers use Photoshop, Illustrator is the best tool for vector graphics and creating artwork. This software app allows for more flexibility and versatility in creating designs. Plus, you can scale designs without losing quality. Additionally, you can create logos, packaging designs, illustrations, and more!

6. Gimp

Even though Gimp is one of the oldest graphic artist tools on this list, it’s still continuously evolving. Your designer can use this tool to create simple graphics! It has the same functions and tools as Photoshop without paying a premium. 

7. Procreate

Here’s another graphic artist tool to use. Procreate is used for illustrations and animations. You don’t need a computer for this since it’s better to illustrate with a tablet like an iPad. Additionally, if you want to consider creating custom art for your business, but have little experience with illustrations, Procreate has a Beginner Series to help you draw, edit, paint, and animate! 

8. Canva

Canva is a beginner-friendly solution for non-designers. Experienced graphic designers also use Canva to create graphics quickly. You don’t need a degree or to learn a lot of graphic design concepts when using the graphic design app. You can use templates and add your branding to social media posts, packaging, and the like! Plus, Canva is free, which will is a plus for many business owners on a budget.

9. Pixlr

If you want an AI-powered graphic design tool, Pixlr is a must have for your business. Pixlr lets you edit or generate images. With AI’s help, you can create designs in a snap. You can create photo grids, generate product shots, and use filters and effects to make killer designs. 

10. Figma

Figma isn’t a popular graphic art tool, but it’s used for web design! This is the best place to design your website or app. You don’t need web development experience with this. Figma has various layouts or templates to help you create website and app designs in minutes!

What Graphic Designs Do You Need for Your Business?

Now that we’ve listed the basic graphic artist tools, here are the designs you will need to work on to get your business up and running.

• Logo – No business is complete without the starter branding asset. This design asset will be present in every branding or marketing asset.
• Business cards – You need to hand out these small yet powerful branding asset to your future network and client base.
• Packaging – If you’re selling products, packaging design is important to show off your brand personality and establish your unique identity.
• Social media posts – You need to promote your business on social media platforms, like Instagram or Facebook. Posting social media graphics can help you establish your identity digitally.
• Flyers – Traditional marketing strategies like handing out flyers and brochures still work. Make sure that you post a flyer online and print them to advertise your brand new business!
• Email design – As you grow your business, you need to spread the word in other platforms. Email is an effective way to get more leads and customers.
• Web design – A web design serves as the model to make your website look unique to your visitors when they first enter your site.
• Illustrations – The late 2010s saw an emergence of illustrations made popular by big brands like Mailchimp and Slack. It’s never too late to join the party by adding illustrations to your branding toolkit!
• Ads – You need various ad designs to promote your business and get known. It’s easier to create digital ads since you can publish ads on Meta or LinkedIn. However, you can also design ads for traditional media like billboard and print!
• Presentation design – You will present to various stakeholders, like future investors or potential clients. A custom branded presentation design will be a helpful tool during your presentations.

Work with Our Graphic Designers

Instead of designing or illustrating on your own for your business, you can rely on our Penji designers to make your art. Whether it’s for merchandise or branding, Penji is one of the best graphic design services to subscribe to. Since Penji is an unlimited graphic design service, you can request multiple designs when you’re subscribed. Additionally, you can ask for other design work like social media posts, web designs, motion graphics, and more! Penji is trusted by 25,000 businesses worldwide. You can be part of this club and to see why many rely on Penji, watch a demo video!