Best Graphic Design Software for Non-Designers

Adobe Photoshop is the top choice for professionals in the graphic design world. It offers a wide range of tools for creating amazing visuals. But, there are other options too. For example, Serif Affinity Designer 2 is great for beginners and costs only $70 for a one-time purchase. Plus, Canva lets you start for free. These tools are made to be easy for newcomers. They help you create designs that look professional without a lot of experience.

Today, graphic design is key for many different careers, like making content or building websites. But, making beautiful designs used to be hard without the right skills. Now, there are lots of software options for people just starting out. They are easy to use and come with many templates. This makes designing simple, even if you’re new to it.

Key Takeaways

Graphic design is a crucial skill for many digital professionals.
There is an abundance of intuitive graphic design tools designed specifically for beginners.
Options range from free models like Canva to affordable one-time licenses like Serif Affinity Designer 2.
These tools make it easy to create professional-grade visuals without extensive technical knowledge.
User-friendliness and an extensive selection of templates are the hallmarks of these beginner-friendly software options.

Introduction to Graphic Design for Non-Designers

In today’s world, graphic design is crucial. It helps people and businesses share their stories through visuals. The tools you pick matter a lot. They can make your learning journey easier and more rewarding. We’ll explore why using the right software is vital, the benefits of tools made for beginners, and how to find the best software for you.

Why Use Graphic Design Software?

Graphic design software today does it all. It lets you tweak photos, create art, and make marketing materials. With these tools, your creative ideas can easily become polished designs. The best part? They’re easy to learn, even for newbies. They have great features like picking the perfect colors, managing layers, and using stock images. This makes your design process smooth, no matter your skill level.

Benefits of Beginner-Friendly Tools

Why start with design software made for novices?

Ease of Use: It’s simple and easy to get the hang of, making your start smooth.
Comprehensive Learning Materials: They usually come with lots of tutorials to help you improve.
Flexibility: Some are online, so you can learn at your own pace from anywhere.
Accessibility: They work on different devices, offering easy ways to dive into design whenever creativity strikes.

How to Choose the Right Software

Choosing the right design software means considering different things:

Skill Level: Look for design software that fits what you already know. Some are basic, great for beginners. Others are more complicated, perfect for skilled designers.
Feature Set: Check what tools the software has. Features like layering, color controls, and media access are key. They should match the type of projects you want to work on.
Value: Think about the price and what you get for it. Many design tools offer free trials, so you can see if they fit your needs before you buy.
Flexibility: Choose software that’s easy to learn and lets you work at your own pace. This is important for a comfortable learning journey.

Course	Students Enrolled	Ratings
California Institute of the Arts’ Graphic Design Specialization	345,000	4.7/5.0
Udemy’s Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners	71,000	4.6/5.0
LinkedIn Learning’s Become a Graphic Designer	280,000	4.7/5.0

Adobe Express: The Perfect Tool for Non-Designers

Adobe Express is perfect for those not into design work. It offers an easy platform for making flyers, logos, and more. You can use it on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It’s great for creating anything from quick social media posts to detailed flyers.

Key Features of Adobe Express

Adobe Express has many important features for beginners. It offers:

Thousands of customizable templates.
Effortless background removal.
One-tap resizing for different social media platforms.
Ability to convert images or graphics to GIFs.
Access to Adobe’s vast stock collection, including over 160 million stock photos.
A scheduling feature for social media posting at no extra cost.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Intuitive interface suitable for beginners	Requires internet connection for web app functionality
Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud applications	Limited offline functionality
Powerful AI-driven tools for design automation	The free version has limited features
Accessible on multiple platforms including web, iOS, and Android	Monthly subscription costs for premium features

Pricing and Availability

Adobe Express is a freemium tool, meaning you can start for free. The paid plan costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. This plan includes:

More templates, images, videos, music, and AI credits.
Creative Cloud Libraries and 100GB of online storage.
Premium design elements and stock photos.
A brand manager feature for businesses.

Adobe Express’s competitive pricing is its strength. Canva Pro costs $15 per month, while Microsoft Designer starts at $69.99 per year. A one-month free trial makes it easy to check out Adobe Express before buying.

Canva: A User-Friendly Choice for Beginners

Canva is a top graphic design tool with over 30 million users. It’s valued at $600 million. What makes it special is that it makes design easy for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re new or experienced in design, Canva has something for you.

Templates and Customization Options

Canva stands out with its many templates. It offers designs for social media, events, presentations, and more. This means you can make professional-looking projects quickly. With over one million free photos, illustrations, and icons, you won’t run out of options.

If you go Pro for $12.99 a month, you get access to 120 million more premium images and elements.

Collaboration Features

Canva is also great for working with others. It lets multiple people work on a design together. This is perfect for school projects or work assignments.

With the Pro version for $119.99 a year, five people can create and edit together. And Canva’s free library has even more assets to use, ensuring everyone’s work looks its best.

Stencil: Ideal for Social Media and Quick Designs

Graphic designing with Stencil is a hit, especially for bloggers, social media marketers, and business owners. It helps make images quickly. There are lots of images and icons, plus you can change the templates. This is why Stencil is great for fast social media designs.

Stencil is great because it helps with your brand. You can add your logo easily and make pictures that are all about your brand. Plus, you can use it online, so you don’t need to download special programs to get started.

Here is a comparison of Stencil’s offerings:

Feature	Stencil	Canva	Adobe Express
Templates & Graphics	Unlimited access to templates	Over 1 million templates	100,000+ templates
Free Plan	Yes, with limited features	Yes, includes 1,000,000+ templates	Yes, access to a best-in-class editor
Individual Pricing	Starting at $9/month	Pro plan starts at $15/month	Monthly credits available
Cloud Storage	Yes	5GB on free plan	Variable based on plan

Upload logos for instant branding
Access to a vast library of stock images
Customizable design templates
Convenient web-based interface

Stencil is about being fast, easy, and letting you customize things. It’s perfect for social media designs that need to be done quickly.

PicMonkey: Simple and Effective for Brand Building

PicMonkey is great for people and small companies wanting to improve their brand look. It has easy-to-use tools for editing and designing that are meant for non-experts. This platform helps create stunning visual content, making your brand stand out.

Photo Editing Tools

With PicMonkey, you can pick from over 50 effects and filters to beautify your photos. The photo touchup tool is handy for erasing marks or making teeth whiter. And the smart resize makes your images fit perfectly on social media.

You also get direct access to millions of free stock photos from Shutterstock. This ensures your designs always have the right image.

Designing Logos and Marketing Materials

Making a unique logo is easy thanks to PicMonkey’s design features. There are more than 9000 graphics to help you create something special. Choose from a variety of fonts to make text-based logos like Disney does.

For marketing materials, PicMonkey has many custom options. You can change colors, erase parts of photos, and add effects. The Basic plan costs $7.99 per month and offers great features like cloud storage and special effects.

Feature	Availability
Effects & Filters	50+
Graphics Library	9000+ Assets
Smart Resize Tool	Yes
Stock Photos	Integrated with Shutterstock
Background Eraser	Pro Subscribers

PicMonkey’s features make building your brand easy and fun. With its tools for customizing and a large library of graphics, you can create standout logos and marketing materials. It’s perfect for anyone looking to make their brand more visible.

Gimp: Powerful Open-Source Option for Non-Designers

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is well-known in free graphic design circles. With features for basic editing to advanced retouching, GIMP is a great pick. Image manipulation with Gimp is made easy.

The latest stable version of GIMP, as of May 2024, is 2.10.38. It brings improvements for better performance and ease of use. This update makes Gimp for photo retouching even more powerful. GIMP works on macOS, GNU/Linux, and Windows 10 or newer.

Since version 2.8.2, GIMP has run directly on macOS, no X11 needed. This makes it smoother to use. A Flatpak version is available for some Unix-like systems, ensuring it works across different platforms.

Installing GIMP is straightforward. Detailed instructions for macOS help with direct downloads or BitTorrent. Checksums are available to verify file integrity. Mac users download from gimp.org, not the App Store.

Windows users find GIMP easy to install. There’s a BitTorrent option for quicker downloads. Just like on macOS, checksums protect from file tampering. Visit download.gimp.org for all installers.

GIMP’s tool palette is impressive. It has everything for digital art, transformations, and precise selections. Some say GIMP does 60% of what Photoshop does, but slower. Despite this, it’s a powerful software.

Being able to script GIMP operations is a big plus. But, GIMP isn’t perfect. It misses some features found in Photoshop, like layer color adjustments. Its selection tools aren’t as refined. This can make complex editing harder.

Overall, GIMP is an excellent choice for those who need free graphic design tools. It’s widely available, easy to install, and open for everyone. For amateurs in graphic design and editing, GIMP is a gem.

Features	GIMP	Photoshop
Supported Platforms	macOS, Windows, GNU/Linux	macOS, Windows
Price	Free	Subscription-based
Image Retouching	Yes (60% of Photoshop functionalities)	Comprehensive
Native Installation	Yes	Yes
Scriptability	Yes	Yes

Figma: Collaboration-Driven Design Interface

Figma is a tool that lives online, making it easy for teams to work together. It’s trusted by many because it lets several people edit a project at once. This can greatly speed up design work. Especially in busy team settings, Figma shines.

Real-Time Collaboration

Figma’s standout feature is its real-time collaboration. When designers, project managers, and engineers team up, they can give feedback instantly. And it’s reported that feedback on Figma is much better than through old methods. This leads to clearer communication and more work done. Plus, Figma works well with tools like Asana and Microsoft Teams, making it fit in with other tech easily.

Prototyping and Wireframing

But Figma does more than just let teams work together. It has powerful tools for creating drafts and sketches as well. With Figma, anyone can make a simple layout that can be changed quickly. This is perfect for designers who want to see their ideas clearly before finalizing anything. Figma also supports many plugins and shortcuts, making the design process smoother.

And now with FigJam, Figma has a virtual whiteboard. This new tool shows Figma wants to be more than just a design platform. It’s about helping modern teams in various creative ways. While others like Adobe are catching up, Figma stays ahead. It offers lots of free features and ways to make your workspace unique. This freedom lets users really aim for their best work with Figma at their side.

Tool	Plan	Cost per Year
Figma Professional	Professional	$144
Sketch	License	$99
Adobe XD	Subscription	From $696

The Best Graphic Design Software for Non-Designers

When picking the best graphic design software for non-designers, things like ease of use, features, and cost matter. It’s important these tools are easy for beginners to understand and have what they need. Software like Adobe Express and Canva are good options. They help make design tasks less hard for new users.

Overview of Top Picks

For those not into design, here are some top graphic design software picks:

Adobe Express: Rated 4.5/5, first it’s free to try, then costs $9.99 per month.
Canva: It gets a 4.7/5 and has both free and paid plans, starting at Rs. 499/month.
Stencil: With a 4.6/5, it’s free and has paid options from $15 per month.
PicMonkey: It’s at 4.4/5, offers a 7-day free trial, then starts at $7.99 per month.
Gimp: Gimp gets a 4.3/5 and it’s completely free, working on various systems.
Figma: Figma is rated 4.7/5, offering a free version and plans from $12 per month.

Software	Rating	Price	Key Features
Adobe Express	4.5/5	$9.99/month	Free trial, comprehensive features
Canva	4.7/5	From Rs. 499/month	User-friendly, numerous templates
Stencil	4.6/5	From $15/month	Quick design tools, ideal for social media
PicMonkey	4.4/5	From $7.99/month	Powerful photo editing
Gimp	4.3/5	Free	Open-source flexibility
Figma	4.7/5	From $12/month	Real-time collaboration

Criteria for Selection

Choosing software for beginners involves looking at several key factors. These include how easy it is to use, what devices it works on, and if it allows team work. It’s also about having lots of ready-to-use stuff like templates and images, and getting good value for what you pay.

User-Friendliness: Easy-to-use tools are important for people not used to design.
Platform Availability: Being able to use the software on different devices is a plus.
Collaborative Capabilities: Working together is easier with tools that offer real-time editing.
Asset Libraries: Having lots of templates and images to choose from is helpful.
Value for Money: It’s about getting the best features and support for what you pay

Considering these factors helps beginners pick software that’s right for their design needs.

AI-Powered Tools: Enhancing Graphic Design for Beginners

AI is changing how graphic design works, opening up new doors for beginners. These AI tools help new designers work on complex projects easily.

Vance AI for Image Manipulation

Vance AI brings advanced tools to image editing. It’s easy to use, even for those just starting out. You can improve pictures, make them sharper, and get rid of noise with high-quality results.

AutoDraw for Quick Sketches

Google’s AutoDraw is perfect for new designers. It turns rough sketches into clean, professional drawings. You get help with shapes and colors, making it easy and fun for starters.

Midjourney for Text-to-Image Generation

Midjourney is a great tool for creating images from text. It’s perfect if you’re not great at designing. You can make your own images with just a few clicks, even without much skill.

These tools make it easier for beginners to design. Before, only the pros could access tools this helpful. Now, anyone can use AI to create amazing designs.

Freepik and Unsplash: Essential Resources for Quality Assets

In the design world, good design assets are key. Platforms like Freepik and Unsplash help a lot. They provide top-notch visuals for your projects.

Freepik has a huge library of graphics. There are over 3,990,000 vector icons through Flaticon. Many formats are available, perfect for various projects. It’s a must-have for designers needing professional, varied assets.

Unsplash shines with its 2 million high-res stock images. These photos are free to use, even commercially, with no need to mention the source. Their quality and style are unmatched, loved by many content creators. With so many to choose from, anyone can find the right image fast.

The table below highlights the best of these design resources:

Platform	Key Features	Number of Assets
Freepik	High-quality graphics, Flaticon icons	Over 3,990,000 vector icons
Unsplash	High-resolution stock images	More than 2 million images
PikWizard	Royalty-free stock images and videos	Over 1 million assets
Envato Elements	Design-ready assets	600,000+

Access to Freepik and Unsplash’s assets is a game-changer. They make your projects look pro without the hard work. Users can choose from a wide range. This improves the look and feel of their work greatly. Freepik and Unsplash for designers offer all the assets you need for success.

Conclusion

Our journey into simple graphic design software shows there are many great tools. For those not in design, these options are key. They let small business owners and people everywhere make top-notch designs easily. This shift lets businesses save money and build a strong brand image. Doing this can boost sales by 23 percent.

Canva, DesignWizard, Adobe Spark, and Inkscape all serve different needs and budgets. These well-known names offer huge image libraries and easy templates. They also help make things like logos and social media posts.

And there’s more too, like Pixlr and Infogram. These tools add another level of customization. They help keep a business’s brand look the same everywhere. This is essential for grabbing people’s attention and keeping them loyal.

Overall, these tools are a game-changer for people not into design. They simplify the process, leading to innovative designs. Using them, anyone can make designs that stand out and connect with others.

FAQ

What is the best graphic design software for non-designers?

For non-designers, good options are Adobe Express, Canva, PicMonkey, Stencil, and GIMP. They are easy to use and have many features. These tools can help you make designs that look professional.

Why should I use graphic design software?

Graphic design software is great for making things look good. You can use it for social media, marketing, or your own projects. It doesn’t need a lot of training and can make your work stand out.

What are the benefits of beginner-friendly graphic design tools?

These tools are easy to use, have many templates, and lots of resources. They let beginners make great designs fast. This helps you learn quickly and start working right away.

How do I choose the right graphic design software?

When picking software, think about how easy it is, what it offers, the cost, and what you need it for. Choose one that is simple but also does what you need it to do.

What are the key features of Adobe Express?

Adobe Express has lots of templates and tools for editing. It makes resizing easy and can even turn images into GIFs. It also gives you access to lots of images and designs.

How much does Adobe Express cost?

There’s a free plan with basic features on Adobe Express. For more, you’ll need to pay, but prices vary depending on what you want.

How can I create designs with Canva?

Canva has many things to design with like templates and fonts. You can use them to make graphics for social media, presentations, and more. It’s simple to use for everyone.

What makes Stencil ideal for social media and quick designs?

Stencil has lots of images and templates for fast designs. You can quickly add your own logo too. It’s perfect for people who need to make social media posts or blogs fast.

How does PicMonkey support brand building?

PicMonkey helps you edit photos, make logos, and organize pictures. It’s great for making marketing materials and other cool visuals to help your brand stand out.

What are some of the features of GIMP for novice designers?

GIMP is open-source and has many tools for editing photos and artwork. It’s good for editing pictures, making drawings, and starting design projects. It’s simple and free.

How does Figma facilitate collaboration?

Figma lets many people work on a project together, improving it in real time. This makes working on designs, prototypes, and plans easier and faster.

What criteria should I consider when selecting graphic design software as a beginner?

Look for software that’s easy to use, works on your device, and has the features you need. Also, check what others say about it. The best one should fit your design needs and be a good deal.

How are AI-powered tools enhancing graphic design for beginners?

AI tools like Vance AI and others make design easier. They can edit images well and turn sketches into great pictures. They also turn words into visuals. This makes design accessible for everyone.

What are Freepik and Unsplash, and how do they support designers?

Freepik and Unsplash give you many photos and pictures for free. Designers can use these to make their work look better without designing everything from scratch.