It needs more than one element to create good graphic design products. Sometimes, you need decorative elements. At another time, you need illustrations to make the design easier to understand. Illustrators take time and effort using various apps and software to provide them.
Recommended Illustration Software for Beginners & Pros
As you begin your journey to the illustrator’s world, you will find various tools, apps, and software to help you work. Some may sound familiar in the ears of most people. Some may only be familiar to people who are already pros. Below are some recommendations for illustration software and applications that you can use to start your career as an illustrator.
Sketchbook
Sketchbook is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced artists. Its user-friendly features are very suitable for you who just starting digital art. It is also suitable for people who are interested in drawing and illustration. What makes this illustration software recommended?
Key Points:
- Intuitive interface: Its intuitive and user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to start digital drawing and illustration without feeling overwhelmed.
- Brush customization: Creating various effects and styles is easier since it provides a wide range of brushes and extensive customization options.
- Stabilization feature: It is easier to draw precise details and maintain control over strokes by using the feature for it helps smooth out lines.
- Cross-platform support: No matter what device you use, you can still access this software on various devices with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems.
- Free version available: Just want to learn it without spending a penny? It provides a free version that offers a good set of features.
Assembly
If you are more interested in creating small and simple illustrations, logos, and icons, Assembly is the right choice of illustration software. Its user-friendly interface and ease of use make it popular among beginners.
Key Points:
- Vector-based. You can create illustrations that are easily scalable without losing quality. It is crucial in logo designs and graphics for various screen sizes.
- User-friendly interface: Using Assembly is very easy with its drag-and-drop interface. Even without extensive design experience, you can use it easily.
- Library of shapes: This software supports those who want to create complicated shapes in an easier way. It provides a vast library of pre-made shapes, icons, and objects to support the illustrator’s needs.
- Layer support: Organizing and editing more than one design element is easier and more efficient since it supports layers.
- Export options: You don’t need to worry that your design is limited to certain formats because Assembly provides format exports suitable for web and printing needs.
Affinity Designer
To be a professional illustrator, you must have a powerful weapon. Affinity Designer is an illustration software you may seek. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities. It is also considered a cost-effective alternative to Adobe Illustrator, as one of the most used software for illustrators.
Key Points:
- Cost-effective: Affinity applies a one-time purchase model instead of a subscription-based one, making it more budget-friendly.
- Pro-level features: This software provides professional-grade features. It makes it suitable for a wide range of design projects, from logos to complex illustrations.
- User-friendly interface: Despite its advanced capabilities, Affinity maintains an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Thus, beginners and experienced ones can use the software comfortably.
- Cross-platform compatibility: No restriction in accessing the software since it is available for Windows and macOS.
- Regular update: The software receives regular updates to ensure the users have access to the latest tools and capabilities.
Inkscape
Just like Affinity Designer, Inkscape is cost-effective software. It is popular for open-source vector graphics editors. Therefore, it is suitable for creating illustrations, logos, icons, and vector-based artworks.
Key Points:
- Free and open source: Having a tight budget? Inkscape is what you need. It is a free-to-use and open-source software that needs no cost.
- Cross-platform: Inkscape is accessible to users across different operating systems. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Vector graphics: Like other vector-based software, Inkscape allows you to create high-quality and scalable designs.
- Feature-rich: What feature do you need in illustration software? Path editing? Text tools? Gradients? Or layers? It has them all, even more.
- Community & tutorials: The strong user community with many tutorials and resources available is very useful for users, especially beginners, to learn and master this software.
- Regular updates: This software receives updates and improvements to ensure it stays competitive.
Procreate
For iPad and iOS users, Procreate is an exclusive, highly regarded digital painting and illustration. Its powerful features and user-friendly interface make it popular among artists, illustrators, and designers.
Key points:
- Natural drawing experience: Its exceptional brush engine and responsive drawing experience provide artists with a natural and intuitive platform for digital art creation.
- Layer support: It allows artists to create complex compositions without disrupting other elements and can organize more effectively.
- High-quality output: With its capability to produce high-resolution artwork, Procreate becomes the top choice for printing, or exporting the works for various applications.
- Versatile toolset: No matter what style or technique you want to try, it can help you make it since the app has various tools, from the basic to the pro one.
- Active community and resources: Learn more to be a better artist and illustrator through its supportive community that provides online tutorials, brush sets, and resources.
Abode Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a widely used vector graphics editor and illustration software. As part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, it is known for its extensive features tailored to vector design. So, mastering Adobe Illustrator is something you cannot miss.
Key points:
- Vector graphics: Its ability to create and edit vector-based graphics, makes it a top choice for tasks like logo design, icon creation, and scalable illustrations.
- Professional-grade features: Illustrator offers a comprehensive set of professional features. So, graphic designers and professionals use it for its extensive capabilities.
- Industry-standard: Illustrator is compatible with other Adobe software, which makes it more preferred by professionals. Furthermore, it has an industry-standard tool.
- Integration with Adobe ecosystem: Integrated with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps facilitates smoother workflows, especially for projects that require multiple software apps.
- Advanced typographic controls: The extensive typographic controls allow users to create projects involving custom fonts and detailed typography.
Choosing the Right Illustration Software for Your Creative Journey
Illustration software plays a pivotal role in the world of design, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your artistic journey. There’s a tool to match every skill level and project requirement. Explore these recommendations and unlock your creative potential with the perfect illustration software.