The Best Graphic Design Software for Professionals: Unlocking Creativity in 2024
When it comes to graphic design, your tools make all the difference. The right software doesn’t just help you bring an idea to life—it shapes the way you work, think, and create. Whether you’re building brand identities, crafting editorial layouts, designing websites, or illustrating packaging, choosing the right tool is essential.
In this post, I’m rounding up the best graphic design software for professional creatives in 2024—tools I’ve personally used and recommend. From the industry gold standards to some newer contenders that are well worth exploring, each of these programs offers something different depending on your workflow, style, and goals.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Best for: All-in-one professional design suite
Adobe Creative Cloud is still the industry standard for a reason. Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign make up the core trio for most professional designers—covering everything from photo editing to vector illustration and publication design. The learning curve can be steep, but the level of control and versatility you get is unmatched.
I started my design career using Adobe Illustrator and still use it almost daily. If you’re serious about working in graphic design professionally, having a strong grasp of the Adobe suite is essential.
Sketch
Best for: UI and UX design
Sketch is a favourite among digital designers for good reason. It’s lightweight, intuitive, and built specifically for interface design. With built-in tools for vector editing, prototyping, and collaboration, it’s great for product and web designers looking to streamline their workflow.
While it’s currently only available for macOS, its simplicity and speed make it an ideal choice for those working on digital products.
Affinity Designer
Best for: Budget-friendly vector design
If you're looking for a powerful alternative to Illustrator without the subscription model, Affinity Designer is a brilliant option. It’s fast, smooth, and built for precision—perfect for branding, illustration, iconography, and more. It’s a one-off purchase, making it a solid investment for freelancers or creatives starting out.
Procreate
Best for: Digital illustration on the go
Procreate has become a must-have for illustrators and digital artists. Designed for the iPad and Apple Pencil, it’s intuitive, beautifully responsive, and gives you the feel of traditional drawing with all the perks of digital tools. I use Procreate daily—it’s portable, reliable, and incredibly versatile.
If illustration is part of your practice, this app is well worth adding to your toolkit.
Adobe XD
Best for: Prototyping and wireframing
Adobe XD is a great option if you're focused on UX/UI. It's clean, user-friendly, and allows for interactive prototypes with real-time collaboration—ideal for teams and freelancers working on digital products. If you're already using Creative Cloud, XD integrates seamlessly with other Adobe apps.
Canva
Best for: Client collaboration and simple designs
While Canva isn’t a professional design tool in the traditional sense, it’s a fantastic platform for social media graphics, presentations, and quick edits—especially when working with clients who aren’t designers themselves. I often recommend Canva to clients for creating content using brand templates after the initial design work is done.
Blender
Best for: 3D design and animation
Blender is a powerful (and completely free) 3D creation tool. If your work includes animation, motion graphics, or visual effects, Blender is worth exploring. It offers a full suite for modelling, texturing, lighting, and rendering—all at no cost. It’s not the most beginner-friendly, but the community support is excellent.
CorelDRAW
Best for: Vector graphics and layout design
CorelDRAW is a long-time favourite among designers, particularly in print and packaging. Its interface is user-friendly, and the latest versions have kept pace with industry needs. If you’re working in signage, merchandise, or large-scale print design, CorelDRAW offers great tools with a familiar feel.
InVision
Best for: Design collaboration and handoff
InVision is ideal for collaborative teams working on UI/UX or product design. It allows for prototyping, design system management, and design-to-dev handoff all in one place. Its Freehand whiteboard tool is also great for brainstorming and presenting visual ideas in real time.
Wrapping Up
Your software should support your creativity—not hinder it. Whether you’re looking for all-in-one power with Adobe Creative Cloud, a drawing experience on the go with Procreate, or a collaborative UI design setup with Sketch or XD, there’s a tool that’s right for you.
The most important thing? Choose the tools that match your needs, your workflow, and your vision. If you’re experimenting, take advantage of free trials and demos. You don’t have to master everything—but becoming fluent in a few key tools can take your creative practice to the next level.
