Technology, tutorials and resources for graphic design
Industry Standards/Professional Software
Adobe Creative Suite (www.adobe.com)
Adobe Photoshop CC
Adobe Illustrator CC
Adobe InDesign CC
Subscription based, for teachers and educators (all apps, USD 19.99/moth) basic version of Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements (www.adobe.com/ca/products/photoshop-elements, 79.99 USD)
Industry Standards/Professional Software Alternatives
Affinity Suite (affinity.serif.com)
Only for Apple products and free Beta versions for Windows, but it seems pretty comprehensive, is affordable and not subscription based. Good for designing on Apple or Windows tablets.
Affinity Photo (Adobe Photoshop CC Alternative) – 69.99 USD
Affinity Designer (Adobe Illustrator CC Alternative) – 69.99 USD
Affinity Publisher (Adobe InDesign Alternative) – Not yet released, end of 2016
Templated Design Solutions
Piktochart (piktochart.com)
Online software to make info graphics. Many templates provided with illustrations, icons and customizable graphs. Can link to presentations.
Free version includes a footer with “Made by Piktochart”. To download as a pdf (i.e. print standard or for documents with embedded video) requires upgrade. You cannot upload svgs, but PNGs and Jpegs are compatible.
Free/ Login required
Canva (canva.com)
Online software to produce graphic design. Many templates are provided with many stock photos, illustrations and icons. Charts at this point are not customizable and no video embedding. You can share your work online. Can download as pdf (print standard) on free accounts.
Free/ Login required
Emaze (emaze.com)
Online Software for Presentations. Many templates, photos and other items to make fancy presentations. Can also make template games which is interesting.
Login Required/Not Free
Wix (wix.com)
Simple website maker with plenty of provided templates, photography, illustrations, etc. Hosts websites for free but if you want your own domain name, i.e. www.yourname.com, you will have to purchase a subscription with them.
Free/Login required
Online Image Editors
Pixlr (pixlr.com)
Somewhat comprehensive photo editor. You can use draw tools and edit photos. Largest image allowed is 4000×4000 (13.3”(337mm) at 300 dpi for printing).
Free/Login Required
Photopea (photopea.com)
Similar to Pixlr but no login required. Interface is less streamlined.
Free/Login Required
Adobe Photoshop Express Editor (www.photoshop.com/tools/editor)
A basic photo/image editor. There are easy filters to improve an image, brightness, contrast and other effects. You can easily place type and place in clip art. No drawing ability though.
Free/ No Login Required
Online Vector Graphic Editors for Icons and Symbols
Vectr (vectr.com)
A very basic vector graphic program but can suit the needs of a basic user. Can be used to create or customize existing icons.
Free/No Login Required
Open Source Alternatives
www.rollapp.com
There are many open source software that are supposed to be alternatives to the expensive professional software. Although there are quite a few online options, these programs are guaranteed to be free and with no restrictions and provide industry standard files. They often are a bit clunky to use. You can download the native programs from the open source site, but if you want to run them on your Apple or Andriod tablet, you can use rollapp.com. rollapp.com is good for browsing appropriate open source software.
Apps that I like are Inkscape, for a more comprehensive but free vector program and OpenOffice, which is an open and free alternative to Microsoft Office and Google Docs.