Six of the Best Graphic Design Programs for 2022

Designers may now choose from a variety of design tool options, including open-source platforms, since the market is now open.

In addition, the only platforms available for picture creation are PC vs Mac. Many also provide mobile apps for Chrome OS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

The overwhelming number of editing possibilities makes it difficult to choose the finest graphic design software. Our collection focuses on recently released programmes like Affinity Photo as well as tried-and-true older programmes like Adobe Photoshop.

1. Conceive

Procreate is marketed as a fully complete creative studio designed just for the iPad and Apple Pencil. There is no free trial or version available; it can only be used after making a single payment. Its creators took great care to make it user-friendly. You start utilising its extensive selection of templates, typefaces, and movable brushes right away. Additionally, you may import your own Photoshop pictures, and the programme runs faster thanks to the Valkyrie engine.

Procreate is a great place to start if you’ve ever wanted to attempt animation. Its capacity to operate in 3D and preview it in augmented reality (AR) in real-time is one of its distinctive structural features. However, the programme includes a tonne of options and features that new users could find confusing. One brush type gives you access to a range of options. With each usage, you will learn something new.

2. Adaptive Designer

Because of its simple user interface, Affinity Designer is a great choice for solitary projects or beginning graphic artists. With a comparable array of creative tools and friendlier features, it is a formidable rival to Adobe Illustrator. If you want something inexpensive that nevertheless performs well, think about it.

Since Affinity Designer has a 1,000,000% zoom, it belongs firmly in the CAD category. You may adjust the settings if you think that resolution is too sensitive. The history of its versions is another crucial factor. The zoom and edits are also within your control. This feature allows you to go back up to 8,000 steps, which is quite useful when dealing with consumers.

3. Canva

Canva is a one-stop shop for many activities, including making infographics, websites, and t-shirts. It features a clear, simple drag-and-drop user interface, making it accessible to even those without previous graphic design knowledge. To get things started, the application offers a huge collection of photos, layouts, backdrops, and fonts. Many of these products are available for free on Canva. However, some need in-app payments.

Canva excels at it because of its large collection of templates and capacity to work with many sectors. We have some wonderful suggestions for further thought after seeing the completed prototype. Individuals and small teams may choose for free from one of the three pricing options. Despite just offering 100 GB of cloud storage, the premium plans provide you everything.

4. PhotoScape

The free photo editing programme PhotoScape contains a comprehensive set of tools for sketching that are all necessary. Its user-friendliness is facilitated by its drag-and-drop interface. Any straightforward procedures you need, such resizing or cropping, will be completed swiftly and peacefully. To expedite your work, it also has a number of batch functions, such file renaming and minor editing.

PhotoScape adds motion blur, additional filters, macros, more frames, and an HDR blending feature. A more costly version of PhotoScape Pro X, which enhances Mac compatibility, and PhotoScape X, an updated version of the software, are also available from the product’s creators. At the Microsoft Store or the Apple Store, a single payment is made.

5. Drawing

Let’s say you have a Mac and are searching for the top graphic design applications, especially for user interface (UI) design, prototyping, and icon creation. The drawing may then be an appropriate option. It has a distinct border that makes it straightforward to use when first starting off, but if you need more sophisticated features, you can access a large library of plugins. Even though it lacks the extensive features of programmes like Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer, drawing is easier to use if you need it for UI design.

After a substantial update in 2021, the software gained additional elements that encourage cooperation. For instance, developers now have full access to your Sketch drawings and are able to see, examine, and measure them on any operating system and browser.

6. Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop has been extensively used in desktop publishing since many years ago. It makes sense why graphic designers enjoy it so much. Thanks to a user-friendly interface and a wealth of well-written tutorials, its selection of image editing tools caters to both novices and experts. You have total control over every part of the graphic design software, including the canvas size and the creative filter.

The price difference between Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom is interesting to note. Adobe Photoshop provides a seven-day free trial, much as Adobe Illustrator. Lightroom’s trial gives one terabyte of cloud storage, compared to Photoshop’s 100 gigabytes. Adobe Spark, a storyboard application, and Adobe Fresco, a painting programme, expand the suite’s functionality.