Visual designing is a tough job. It takes so much cognitive and creative skills to finish a project. Worse, clients will not immediately like the output. They'll request plenty of revisions, which makes the project complicated.
To make their work easier, designers rely on creative tools. But these tools can be very expensive. What if you are only a freelance designer, who is trying to get his big break? What if you don't have enough money to pay for the software?
Thankfully, there are online tools that you can use. These tools are very useful, and you do not have to install them. Just go to their webites and use them on line.
Here are some of the online tools, visual designers should know:
Adobe Color
Having problems with the color swatch of your design? Don't worry, you can go to Adobe Color and see hundreds of palettes of matching colors. You can choose from the combinations made by other users or make your own through the color wheel. Choose your color rule (monochromatic, complimentary) to help you pick which color is perfect for the mood you want to convey on your design.
Type Genius
Typography can be difficult since there are hundreds of fonts that designers can choose. The task becomes more difficult when you have to use two or more fonts in one copy. You have to ensure that these fonts compliment each other, not distract the viewers. Make your decision making easier by using Type Genius. It is a user-friendly tool that suggests which fonts fit better with your chosen font. It is easy to use and gives brilliant suggestions.
Vector Magic
Your Photoshop skill is not enough to satisfy the clients. Usually they demand best quality images and logos that you have to do it in Illustrator. But in case you have already made the design in Photoshop, you can easily convert the bitmap images to vector by using Vector Magic. The tool is so useful that paying seven dollor a month is worth it.
Easel.ly
Planning to create an infograph for a client's marketing campaign? Or a business wants to mix-up their blog contents? Then you should use Easel.ly. This tool helps you create sophisticated infographs, without opening any premium tools. This helps you save time in your projects.
Superiorpapers
A designer's skill is not limited to Photoshop or Illustrator. They also have to know how to write well. A great copy consists of well written paragraphs, captions, and slogans. In case your clients ask you to write, you can go to Superiorpapers for help. They provide professional editing help to improve the copy. You may also ask them to write the contents for you.
WhatTheFont
Have you seen a font that you badly want to use, but don't know what typeface it is? Then you should use WhatTheFont. You simply upload the photo of the font, and their database will match it with fonts it is closest with. Alternatively, you can use Fount, another online tool. This tool lets you read the font type of your favorite websites. Just add their their applet and you can use them anytime.
These tools are a must-use for any designers. Even professionals find these tools helpful. Try them and see how improved your work process becomes.
About the Author:
Ethan Harvell is a marketing associate for an education company, which provides assitance to students of all academic level. He also blogs and writes about design, learning and marketing for different websites and newsletters.
