Best Graphic Design Mac
Whether you are an amateur graphic designer or an experienced digital artist, using the right tools can multiply your talent exponentially. A well-built graphic design software provides intuitive controls and flexibility that can be easily understood by a beginner but also has vastly superior tools for an experienced user.
The best way to know which software would suit you best is to get hands-on with the tool and experiment with them. Each of the software is characterized by its features, ease of use, performance, cost, and availability. Many paid graphic design software provide a free trial for users to give them a better understanding of the product.
Graphic Design Software for Mac 12. Sketch is a graphic design tool exclusively for Mac users. It’s considered one of the best graphic design software tools on the market, particularly preferred by UX and UI experts. Sketch creates wireframes and clickable product prototypes.
Best Graphic Design Computer 2020
It won the 2011 Apple Design Award for Best of Mac App Store and App of the Year. This graphic design software is available for $29.99 USD, and the iOS app version costs $4.99. Top 20 Mac App Store Apps for Graphic Designers. Acorn – The Image Editor for Humans. Rating: Visit this app at the Mac App Store preview page: 2. Classic Color Meter. Rating: Visit this app at the Mac App Store preview page. If you need a 3D design tool with more power and features than Google SketchUp, ArchiCAD is the right program to you. Similar to AutoCAD in both function and name, this program allows users to design their sketches and ideas into a realistic 3D render. ArchiCAD - Homepage; ArchiCAD - Download; JAlbum. The Best Graphic Design Software For Mac Best Overall Wacom Cintiq 22 Drawing Tablet with HD Screen, Graphic Monitor, 8192 Pressure-Levels (DTK2260K0A) 2019 Version, Medium.
We have researched and put together a list of the best graphic design software in the field today. These tools are tried and tested and can help you create spectacular custom designs that will leave your clients spellbound. Graphic design can be used to take your portfolio website to the next level. Do check out our list of the top 25 Online Graphic Design Courses that will help you improve graphic design skills. And while you are honing your graphic design skills, don't forget to create your graphic design portfolio website to showcase your work. Your design portfolio represents a window for the world to view your work and judge your talent, skills, and experience. So, if you haven’t built a website to showcase your design portfolio, start today with Pixpa. Here are some great examples of graphic design portfolios created on Pixpa for your inspiration.
Get ready to express yourself in stunning new ways and create awesome digital art with ease and efficiency!
Best Paid Graphic Design Software
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is arguably the most popular software for graphic design and is used by millions of artists around the world. Whether you are looking to create banners, posters, websites, or logos, this best graphic design software can do it all for you. From small edits to sophisticated designs, Adobe Photoshop has tools for every level. If you are someone who works with illustrative designs, you can even draw or paint anything you like.
Along with image editing, you can create naturalistic artwork and composition in this software. You can define the size of your canvas, isolate elements from backgrounds, create custom brushes, work in 3D, do much more.
Platform: Windows and Mac
Sketch
Sketch is a Mac-only graphic design program that focuses mainly on digital design. These digital designs are used to create websites, apps, and interfaces. Unlike Photoshop, Sketch isn’t built for photo editing or print work. With Sketch, you can create a prototype by collaborating with other designers on the platform itself. The program has a smart layout feature in which the component will automatically resize based on the content. There are hundreds of plugins in the software which will let you do vector editing and other design work with precision down to the pixel. Digital icons are another thing that can be created through this software. Sketch, on the downside, is not great for print design or illustrations.
Platform: Mac
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a design software that is centered around vector design. You can create artwork, icons, posters, etc. and the designs created in Adobe Illustrator can be used in business cards or billboards and from smartphones to 8k screens. You can use this software to draw, mix, and refine designs to create something spectacular. Adobe has made a mobile version called Adobe Illustrator Draw, which is one of the best graphic design apps out there.
To draw, you can use the shaper tool and create vector shapes. Geometric shapes can be added to other outlines and can be moved, reshaped, and scaled. Even the fonts in the software can be manipulated according to your needs by adjusting their weight, slant, or width. For beginners, Adobe provides professionally designed templates to save time. The user interface of the program is helpful, but there is a steep learning curve to get good at illustrator.
Platform: Windows and Mac
Affinity Designer
The Affinity Designer is a cheaper alternative to illustrator, which is especially suitable for someone who is in the early stage of design career. The software is known to work smoothly, which can improve your workflow and make you express your creativity more freely. You can move and zoom your artwork at 60fps; see the gradients, effects, and adjustments changing live along with the transforms and curve edits.
Affinity Designer lets you work on both vector and raster workspaces, and you can switch between them easily. This software can work on any device, and you can create unlimited artboards within it. Affinity designer provides a graphic design app for the iPad with the same features offered on the desktop versions. Advanced color controls are provided where you can work in RGB or LAB color spaces with up to 32-bits per channel. You can find a wide range of toolset in the program which can be used to achieve a high level of accuracy and productivity. The grids and guides are fully customizable, where you can change the spacing, sub-divisions, gutters, angles, etc. Another powerful feature of Affinity designer is that you get floating-point accuracy by zooming your artwork, even by more than a million per cent.
Platform: Windows, iPad, and Mac
Adobe InDesign
Another software by Adobe that can be used to create designs is the Adobe InDesign. This graphic design software is used primarily in the publishing industry because you can design magazines, info sheets, books, posters, interactive PDFs, brochures, etc. with it. With the ‘adjust layout’ option that InDesign provides, you can change the text of your document, and the graphic will adjust accordingly.
The properties panel has been redesigned to give you more intuitive control over the tools. The Sensei technology integrated into InDesign makes the automatic arrangement and resizing of images. Beginners can quickly learn this graphic design software because it has a low learning curve. To work with other members of your team in creating a design, you can use Adobe InCopy. The Creative Cloud Libraries can help you share text, colors, and graphics with other members.
Platform: Windows and Mac
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019
CorelDRAW was earlier built only for Windows OS; it is now available for Mac as well. With this graphic design program, you can create professional vector illustrations. There are powerful design tools to help you work faster and smarter. You will find numerous customization options, whether you are working on logos, web design, or print projects. CorelDRAW now uses AI technology to provide you with LiveSketch, which converts sketching into precise vector curves. The suite contains tools for graphic design as well as layout. It has Photo-Paint and Corel Font Manager for photo editing and font management.
The software has web graphic tools and presets to develop creative web content; you can publish directly into your Wordpress site through it. The file compatibility is also overwhelming; the program supports over 100 file formats.
Platform: Windows and Mac
Xara Designer Pro X
Xara Designer is built for both bitmaps and vectors. The program can handle desktop publishing, graphic design, illustration, photo editing, all in one place. The graphic design software provides you with hundreds of template layouts, design elements, and over a million archive photos to get you started quickly. While drawing any shape, lines, or curves using vectors, you would not face any loss in quality when you scale it up. You can create custom design elements and use them in any of your designs. Tools like gradients, outlines, and transparency in the software will give your artwork a special touch.
Platform: Windows
Best Free Graphic Design Software
GIMP
GIMP is a free graphic design software that works on many platforms like Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. GIMP is an open-source program that allows you to change its source code and distribute the program. There are many customization programs and 3rd party plugins that can be used in GIMP to improve your productivity and create better designs. GIMP can also be used to retouch images, wherein you can even make creative composites. Interface components and mockups can also be designed, along with print designs such as icons and logos.
Platform: Windows, Linux, Mac
Gravit Designer
This is another free graphic design software that can be used to create vector-based designs. You can create logos, edit photos, and create animations and illustrations in this program. Gravit does not have an offline version in the free plan. The software is fully customizable according to the user’s needs. The pro version of Gravit is paid and has more advanced features like advanced export options, offline version, more color space, etc.
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS
Visme
Visme is an online design tool that goes above and beyond basic design capabilities, without requiring you to learn any complex software. It has an easy drag-and-drop editor, which lets both businesses and individuals create stunning and interactive visual content. There are hundreds of templates to choose from across 40+ categories, from presentation and infographics to press releases, reports and social media images. With a free Visme account, you can use some of these templates, but you get full access to millions of stock photos, videos, icons, animated graphics, fonts and graphs to customize these templates as much as you want. If you want to access premium templates and features like the brand kit, you need to upgrade to a paid account. There are multiple download formats available in Visme, from image to offline web. You can also publish your projects online and share them with a live URL. The unique thing about Visme is you can bring your content to life with advanced animation and interactivity features. For example, you can create a custom animated character, or add links, hover effects and pop-ups to your designs.
Platform: Web Browser
Vectr
Free graphics software, Vectr can be used to create vector graphics. These vectors created won’t lose their quality when scaled. Vectr doesn’t use pixels to create the design; it uses mathematical equations. This free graphic design software is available both online and for desktop. Vectr provides you with an easy to use platform which you can use to create any 2D graphics. It can be business cards, logos, posters, brochures, etc.
Vectr provides you with detailed guides on how to use the program, which you can use to learn and create anything with your imagination.
Platform: Windows, Web Browser, Linux, Mac, and Chrome OS
Colorcinch
Colorcinch is a fan favorite! It’s a simple-to-use free online photo editor that is rich in features. You can quickly and easily edit photos using the array of editing tools to adjust exposure, contrast, color, etc, or crop and rotate images, but Colorcinch goes much further than basic image editing. It can be used for creating all kinds of graphic design projects too. You can use their specialty effects such as the cartoonizer to turn any photo into a cartoon with a huge variety of cartoon styles, and they have the most extensive libraries available on the internet for filters, effects, overlays, masks, graphics, and icons.
All of this is wrapped up in one of the most polished and efficient UI’s of any online photo editor. Getting started on Colorcinch couldn’t be simpler - there’s no need to register with the site, and you can simply upload your image and start editing. When it comes to exporting your finished image, there’s a choice of export options to suit you.
Platform: Web Browser
Canva
If you have no previous experience in designing and you are looking for something very easy, then Canva is for you. This free online graphic design software allows you to create designs easily and quickly. There are a ton of templates, fonts images, many of which are free to use. Canva works on the drag and drop concept, where you only need to select the elements and drag it to your work area and customize it. This program does not provide you with advanced features like Photoshop. It, however, solves a beginner’s design need who doesn’t want to get into the process of learning and purchasing premium software. Canva is available as a graphic design app that can be used in Apple and Android devices. The basic features in Canva are free; you will, however, be charged if you want to use more features in it.
Platform: Web Browser, Android, iOS
PixTeller
PixTeller is an easy to use editor tool that can be used to create graphic images (downloadable in PNG, JPG, PDF format) and animations (downloadable in MP4, GIF format). Anyone can use it to make images, animated gifs & videos for personal or business use, with no technical or design knowledge. Creating graphics is a time demanding process, but with this design tool, anyone can make personalized visuals from scratch or by customizing any pre-made templates in minutes.
Platform: Web Browser
Design Wizard
Design Wizard is an online graphic design software, the pricing of which starts at free and increases along with the features. This graphic design software provides users with more than a million curated images, 15000+ templates. Another interesting feature of Design Wizard is its integration with Hubspot, Marketo, and Buffer.
Platform: Web Browser
Infinite Design
This graphic design app is built only for Android devices, which can be used to create vector graphics. The app can be used to create complex and eye-catching designs without much effort. As the name suggests, this app provides an infinite canvas where you can zoom, pan, or rotate. There are four types of symmetry that you can experiment with, and there are unlimited layers that you can work on. This app provides advanced features also like translate, scale, flip, distort, etc. The image you are creating on the graphic design app can be turned into a fully editable vector path. The advanced features in this app are accessible by purchasing it only.
Platform: Android
Inkscape
Inkscape, like many other platforms, provides multi-purpose use. It can be used by designers, illustrators, or web designers. The software has flexible drawing tools, which make it easy for beginners to understand the software and create art without difficulty. As the text is an integral part of graphic design, Inkscape has a powerful text tool at your disposal. This software is open source and can be used with any platform. A designer has to spend some time to understand how to use this software. This software is best used to create images that are vector-based and needs to be required in SVG format. Inkscape provides a lot of filters and a helpful community for the designer to grow.
Platform: Windows, Linux, and Mac
Adobe Comp
Adobe Comp is a graphic design app designed to be used along with other Adobe software like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. Designs can be created with the use of text and shapes. Adobe provides free fonts from Typekit library, which are the same as desktop. With Comp, you can convert your rough designs into crisp graphics and finish the designs on your desktop with other Adobe software.
Platform: iOS and Android
Graphic design software in the early days was hard to use. Technology has come a long way, and software is now intuitive and helps a user express creativity more freely. Selecting the right platform would depend on your work and what you want to achieve with the software.
Businesses are always on the lookout for good graphic designers to boost their business. Therefore, as a graphic designer, you need to present your work in a stunning way through a website. Your design portfolio is the prism through which your work will be evaluated by new clients and potential employers. A great design portfolio can propel you towards success, open up new opportunities and get you just the kind of work you want. However, failing at putting your best foot forward with your design portfolio can lead to rejects and spell doom.
Given that it can make or break your career, creating your design portfolio in itself becomes the most important design exercise of your career. With online design portfolio websites becoming the default medium of presenting your work to the world, its important to make sure that you understand the dos and don'ts of a successful design portfolio website. We had earlier put together a comprehensive guide on 20 pro tips that every designer needs to follow to create a successful online design portfolio website.
However, just following any guide is not enough. You also need to think out of the box, find your own expression and figure out how to present your work in the best way possible. That's where a bit of inspiration comes in handy. At Pixpa, we have witnessed (and helped) thousands of designers around the world create their design portfolio websites. We have curated a list of our favorite design portfolio websites for you to explore and learn from.
Disclaimer: The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the final product. All images are copyright to their respective owners.
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Graphic design demands more than regular power when it comes to laptops. And so, who has a far view of enhancing their graphic designing skills will always want to get a worth-the-features laptop upgrade. Not only enough memory has to be on board but also it must handle those required intense applications without taking a break.
Today we will be breaking down 7 best MacBook for graphic design that comes with a fantastic display, slim dimension, and a solid body.
Best MacBook for Graphic Design
In this segment, we are about to break down these 7 MacBook picks for reviewing both high and low points. So that you can make a quick choice without stress.
1. Apple 13-Inch MacBook Pro– Enjoy a Good Variety of Color Range with This One
This MacBook Pro is our first pick for its P3 wide color for even more vibrant red, green, and blue shade. It also has 25% more colors than sRGB.
On top, the Mac comes with a good touch bar to take action like sending a message. It also ensures easier control than using a keypad.
And, it has 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports for clean data transfer, charging, and video output. This thing on top makes sure to share 40GB/s of throughput in 2X bandwidth power.
Pros:
- It has an amazing screen to view clearly.
- The touch bar is easy to use.
- Lightweight while remaining sturdy.
- The Touch ID option is good for security.
- It has a fluid trackpad and gestures.
Cons:
2. Apple 13-Inch MacBook Air– Find Touchpad Option for Graphic Designing with This One
This MacBook is known as one of the best computers for graphic design with its touchpad. And, the touchpad helps you to command without typing on the keyboard.
It on top comes with a 4-core Intel Core i7 processor that makes sure 80% faster graphics performance than others. This thing also ensures you are making videos with no snag.
In addition, it has a Touch ID option for anyone to unlock their password with fingerprint support. This thing helps you with additional security.
Pros:
- It comes with 30 days of the return policy.
- Nice computer at an affordable price.
- It has a good responsive fingerprint lock.
- Perfect pick for graphic design.
- The keypad is comfortable to type on.
Cons:
3. Apple 16-Inch MacBook Pro– Achieve Strong Battery Life with This One
This 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with a good powered battery that stays awake for up to 11 hours. It on top makes sure you are editing for long-hour.
Also, it features a big six-speaker sound system for you to listen to well. This thing also allows you to create super clean podcasts.
Besides, this Mac has up to 8TB of SSD storage to store anything you see with no snag. It also ensures up to3.2GB/s sequential read speed for fast response and loading.
Pros:
- This Mac is great for multitasking.
- It has a good resolution screen to view.
- The Mac has good sound quality.
- Great option for productive work.
- The price is reasonable.
Cons:
4. Apple Silver 13-Inch MacBook Air– Edit Many Graphics Videos with This One
This refurbished iMac for video editing comes with 16 GB of memory support to download anything and store them. It also makes sure you are saving your graphics editing with no snag.
On top, this Mac Air has Stereo speakers with wider sound quality for users to enjoy music. It also allows you to hear well when in video chatting.
This MacBook on top has strong body construction with aluminum alloy that gives stability and flawlessness. It also rocks solid that won’t break easily.
Pros:
- The cooling fan doesn’t make loud noises.
- It is light in weight.
- The battery lasts for a long while.
- It has a sleek keypad for easy typing.
- The touch ID is very sensitive.
Cons:
5. Apple Space Gray 13-Inch MacBook Pro– Find 8th Generation Inter 6-Core Processor with This One
One of the best used iMac for video editing with the 8th generation Inter 6-core processor is Apple’s MacBook Pro. It also makes sure a smoother working processor even when multitasking.
This iMac on top comes with 2 versatile ports with thunderbolt 3 combination for high bandwidth transfer. It also makes sure you are sharing files faster twice speed.
On top, this MacBook comes with a 5K supportive display that makes sure you are viewing clear and crispy colors. It also allows you to view with no eye pressure.
Pros:
- It doesn’t give eye pressure to view.
- For the price, it’s hard to beat.
- It has longer battery support.
- The client service is helpful for advice.
- It is easy to use.
Cons:
6. Apple 15-Inch MacBook Pro– Work on Big IPS Retina Display with This One
The Apple MacBook Pro comes with a big 15-inch IPS retina display that makes sure crisp viewing screen. It also ensures you are viewing 4D and 5K standard image quality.
And, it comes with 6 MB shared L3 cache that shares files in less time. This thing also allows the processor to handle complex tasks.
Also, the brand offers 90 days of backed warranty for their buyers to find a replacement. They also ensure free return benefits.
Pros:
- It has 2 USB 3.0 ports.
- The Mac is trouble-free to use.
- It has the good sound quality to listen to music.
- The Mac has a sleek design to travel with.
- It is clean to view small text.
Cons:
7. Apple 13″ MacBook Air– Find Light and Sleek Design Option to Try Out
With light and sleek design, this MacBook Air is a decent pick for easy carry or travel purposes. It also ensures you are carrying it in a bag with no snag.
This Mac also comes with 1440-by-900 resolutions for clear colors and brightness. It also has a 16:10 aspect ratio to have good length.
But that’s not all. It also comes with a good keyboard for users to easily type when in need. This thing is also comfortable to press.
Pros:
- Good laptop for the price.
- It is light yet solid for long-term use.
- The computer responds very fast.
- It has good battery life for long-hour practice.
- The Mac is simple to use.
Cons:
Factors To Consider For The Top Quality MacBook For Graphic Design
Finding the best MacBook for graphic designers is quite a big job with no research. So, here are some factors which you want to check before picking one:
Check the Performance
You want to check the performance of Mac that should be fine if it features a four or six-core processor. When creating videos or pictures, you’ll need good performance with multitasking benefits. So, look for a Mac that has 16GB or 32GB range of Ram and storage.
Consider the Display
The display of the Mac is another fact that you want to check for getting sharp-looking and color perfect accuracy. So, aim for something that has 100% of sRGB or DCI-PS color gamut.
Decide on Weight and Size
Weight and size do matter when it comes to picking a Mac. You definitely don’t like to carry Mac that is bulky and fat, right? So, be sure to choose a lightweight and sleek-designed Mac that is easy to travel with.
Inspect the Battery Life
Battery power is another aspect that allows you to work for too long. So, look for a good battery-powered Mac to do enough hours of graphic design for the perfect outcome.
MacBook Pro Vs MacBook Air for Graphic Design
There are some huge differences between MacBook Air and MacBook Pro especially when it comes to design, performance, and price point.
If talking about MackBook Air, it comes at an inexpensive price with Intel 10th Gen Core i3, i5, and i7 processor. This version of MacBook also features Intel Iris Plus Graphics to view good quality pictures and videos. It on top has Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos audio supports which are better than the other versions.
Best Graphic Design Tools For Mac
Conversely, the MackBook Pro has 10:21 battery life and compatible Intel 8th Gen Core i5 & i7 and 10th Gen Core i5 & i7, processors. It also features 256GB to 4TB storage with a touch bar option. Yet, this version of MackBook is more expensive than other versions.
Yet, most graphics designers suggested MackBook Air for its handy features and value while some prefer the Pro version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Is MacBook good for graphic design?
For a creative expert graphic design, MacBook is an effective option to make different content. There are many versions of MacBook that allows you to use unique software to create HD, 3D renderings, or animations. It also comes at a lower price than others.
Ques: Do MacBook last longer than PCs?
MacBook comes with a good lifespan of 6 years. If comparing, the PC in recent days lasts for 10 years that is higher than the MacBook lasting ability. Yet, you can increase your MacBook lifespan for some months with extra care and maintenance.
Ques: Can I add RAM to my MacBook?
To be honest, there is no such way to upgrade the additional RAM to your MacBook by yourself. Yet, MacBook Pro and Air models come with a good replacement for repairing RAM. But you cannot add RAM to your MacBook.
Conclusion
When you are carving for some mind-blowing color accuracy with typography, MacBook is the ultimate choice that will chop down all its PC rivals. Designers are always appreciating the flexibility that MacBook provides. It’s effortlessly efficient and at the same time glorified with all the latest features.
Best Graphic Design App For Mac
Pick your best MacBook for graphic design after going through the major factors sensibly. Think about the features you would love to have for your designing sessions particularly. And you’ll be able to grab yourself a worth the penny deal in no time.
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