What Digital Design Tools Do You Use in Your Workflow?
We asked design professionals about new digital tools impacting their workflow, and a Director highlighted how Blender enables 3D design. We've also included additional tools reshaping the design landscape, from enhancing collaboration with Figma to enabling 3D modeling in Cinema 4D.
- Blender Enables 3D Design
- Notion Streamlines Design Thinking
- Canva Offers Diverse Tools
- Figma Enhances Collaboration
- Photoshop Remains Powerful
- Sketch Aids Vector Design
- InVision Studio Creates Prototypes
- Cinema 4D Enables 3D Modeling
Blender Enables 3D Design
Blender has been a game-changer for us in creating 3D content for e-commerce clients looking to offer a more immersive online shopping experience. The software's robust suite of modeling tools, coupled with its free access, has allowed our design team to deliver high-quality 3D visuals without the heavy licensing fees typically associated with similar platforms.
It has expanded our capabilities into the realm of 3D design and animation, opening up new avenues for client services, particularly in the product visualization and virtual environment sectors. This shift has not only diversified our offerings, but also positioned us as a more comprehensive digital marketing agency in a competitive market.
Notion Streamlines Design Thinking
I recently started using Notion not just as a project-management tool but as an actual design-thinking hub.
Instead of hopping between multiple apps for brainstorming, wireframing, and feedback, I created a single workspace where my team and I can map out ideas, sketch rough wireframes (using embedded links to Figma), and get feedback all in real-time.
What's wild is I didn't expect Notion to become a design tool—it's more of a creative collaboration space now.
The best part? It's streamlined communication, cut down on those endless Slack threads, and the design process feels more cohesive.
Canva Offers Diverse Tools
One Word... CANVA! It is amazing to me what tools Canva is constantly bringing to the table for graphic designers to use. From 3D fonts, AI design, animations, video editing (to a small degree), and so much more. If you have a block, you can start a design with a template. Feeling creative? Start from scratch. Not sure what dimensions to make for a specific social media platform? Canva has it figured out for you. Challenge yourself to design for a platform that you normally don't use. Try a Facebook Reel or a Facebook Story. See what works and what areas to keep clear of text when it posts.
It is like having a digital crayon box... Create just about anything you can think of. It is a great place to store items that you use on a frequent basis, such as logos and animations for brand awareness.
Figma Enhances Collaboration
Figma is widely used by design teams for creating user interfaces, with its real-time collaboration features making it easy for multiple designers to work together. It offers various tools for creating and testing designs directly in the browser, which speeds up the workflow. The software's ability to handle both vector graphics and bitmap images provides flexibility in design tasks.
Designers can also use Figma for creating design systems and sharing assets across projects, improving consistency. Check out Figma to enhance your team's design process today.
Photoshop Remains Powerful
Adobe Photoshop remains a cornerstone in digital design due to its powerful photo editing capabilities. It allows designers to work with layers, masks, and filters to manipulate images in countless ways. Beyond photo editing, Photoshop is also used for digital painting and drawing, offering a variety of brushes and tools for artists.
The software supports high-resolution images, making it suitable for both print and digital projects. Explore Adobe Photoshop to elevate your creative projects now.
Sketch Aids Vector Design
Sketch serves as a popular choice for vector-based design tasks, perfect for creating crisp and scalable graphics. It's particularly favored by designers working on user interfaces and mobile app designs. The software's symbols and reusable assets feature helps maintain design consistency across projects.
Integration with various plugins and extensions allows for a customizable design workflow. Start using Sketch to streamline your illustration and vector design efforts.
InVision Studio Creates Prototypes
InVision Studio is a comprehensive tool for designing interactive prototypes and animations, geared towards creating engaging user experiences. It enables designers to build and share high-fidelity prototypes that closely mimic the final product. The software supports advanced animation features that help bring designs to life, providing a realistic preview of user interactions.
InVision Studio also facilitates feedback and collaboration through its commenting system. Give InVision Studio a try to improve your prototyping and animation skills.
Cinema 4D Enables 3D Modeling
Cinema 4D is favored by designers who need to create detailed 3D models and renderings, offering a robust set of tools for modeling, texturing, and animating. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible for both beginners and advanced users. The software supports high-quality rendering, making it suitable for producing realistic visual effects and animations.
Additionally, Cinema 4D is known for its stability and performance, handling complex projects with ease. Consider using Cinema 4D for your next 3D modeling project to experience its powerful features.