My Fave Design Tools
Want to hear the inside scoop on how this designer makes it happen? From web design platforms and how I make my graphics, to the best place to download fonts and vector art, I’m spilling the beans on all things design today!
Unless otherwise noted, the below links are not affiliate links - these are just the tools I love using and are pretty great in my opinion. Enjoy!
Pin this!
Save this article to read later
The Best Setup: Mac vs. PC Computers and Other Tools
I’ll start right out of the gate with this heated debate. Mac or PC computers for graphic design work? I think it all comes down to personal preference, and for me, Apple products are where I’m most comfortable and happy. I recently purchased the new Mac Studio + Studio Display as a replacement for my dinosaur iMac, and it’s been great for my needs.
I also own an iPad Pro for travel, and enjoy using it occasionally for design work. I bought it as an alternative to a laptop by adding on the keyboard, and this works pretty well. However, I do miss having the full-fledged Adobe programs and larger screen I’m used to, so I do the bulk of my work at my desk on my Mac Studio.
Finally, and this is probably the most important tool for me, I have to have my Wacom Intuos drawing tablet! I’ve had mine for over 15 years and it’s still going strong (though I’ve had to replace the pen a couple of times since I’m a clutz). Here’s a link to a newer version that’s similar (they don’t make mine anymore). The biggest reason it’s a must-have for me, is that I use the Wacom pen in lieu of a computer mouse. When I first started designing full-time, I started experiencing wrist pain from sitting at my desk all day. Using a Wacom pen instead of a mouse helped relieve this issue almost instantly. To me, it’s more comfortable, ergonomic, and precise. I love it!
The Best Graphic Design Tools: Canva vs Adobe Creative Suite
The short answer…yes! I personally use both, depending on the project. I’ve been working with Adobe products since college (circa CS2) so the interface in pretty embedded in my DNA at this point!
When I’m working on a client, the Adobe Creative Suite is where it’s at for me. I use Illustrator most frequently - to create graphics for websites, product packaging, flyers, and of course logo design. I use photoshop mostly only for photo editing, and Indesign for catalogs.
Years ago, when someone would ask me what app they could use to DIY some designs of their own, I didn’t have a good answer. Now there are so many great free tools out there, and Canva is my go-to recommendation! It’s perfect for friends and clients needing something quick, user-friendly, and affordable. For me personally, I love that I can make a quick graphic on my phone while I’m on-the-go for Instagram posts and more.
The Best Website Platform: Squarespace vs Shopify
Someday I’ll write a whole blog post on this subject - but I’ll break it down pretty simply for you here:
Have lots of products to sell? Shopify is where it’s at. Its a great foundation for your online store - offering fantastic tools for order processing, sales channels, and a plethora of apps. They are constantly adapting and adding new features to keep up with the world of e-commerce, and I’ve been pretty happy with their customer support as well.
Want to showcase your portfolio, sell your services, or educate about your mission? Pretty much anything information based is perfect for Squarespace (←affiliate link). It’s a gorgeous interface that makes designing a breeze and offers just about every feature you could ever ask for without the need to install plug-ins or pay for additional apps.
But can’t you also sell on Squarespace? Yes you can, and if you are a smaller boutique brand, it might be the perfect fit for you. Making the choice between platforms can be tricky, but I’m here for you to bounce ideas off of so you can make the best choice for your unique business. Grab a discovery call with me - I’d be happy help!
Bottom line: As a designer, I love the Squarespace platform better than Shopify, but for larger e-Commerce brands, Shopify just can’t be beat.
The Best Email Marketing Tools: Klaviyo vs. Flodesk
My two favorites are Klaviyo and Flodesk.
Klaviyo = products to sell.
Flodesk = info to share.
Klaviyo integrates beautifully with Shopify, making popping in products, performance reporting, generating customer recommendations, automations, and email segmentation a breeze. I just love it!
Flodesk is like the Squarespace of email marketing platforms. It’s very pretty, has great templates, and is intuitive to use. You can make some gorgeous emails with Flodesk without needing to be a designer yourself. I used it for several years personally, but am currently using Squarespace Campaigns (sign up for my Studio Notes email here).
To learn more about these platforms and email marketing in general, check out my Getting Started with Email Marketing blog post.
The Best Place to Download Vector Art and Stock Images
There are tons of sites that offer clip art and stock image downloads so you don’t have to create your own. While you are able to find quite a bit for free out there, I’ve found that having one dedicated place to download as much as I need for my clients required a paid membership. I mostly use my Vecteezy account which is chock full of vector graphics, patterns, and stock images that I can customize in my own way. I also love Creative Market for more premium graphics and patterns. Another fun tool is Mockup Photos . This is how I share my portfolio pieces - you can pop a screenshot of your website right into a photo of a computer or mobile phone for a professional looking mockup!
The Best Place to Download Fonts
Speaking of fonts, Creative Market has some really great fonts too. There are so many good fonts out there…and many that are, well… garbage! My go-to places for fonts are Creative Market and also MyFonts. I also use Google Fonts a lot - these are free are there are many good ones, especially to use as body fonts (I’ll typically purchase something special for header or accent fonts).
Where I Get My Inspiration…
Finally, I’ll share a note about where I get most of my inspiration. All around me! I love browsing the internet, flipping through books and magazines, scrolling Instagram, and exploring on Pinterest for ideas for color schemes, fonts, and new ways to enhance the user experience.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my world. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions at all or need a little advice. I’m here to help!
