You’ve come to the right place if you’re seeking the vital tools for graphic designers. 

To assist creatives of all levels to work more effectively, we’ve compiled a list of the top gear, software, and other graphic design tools. 

Our advice can help you choose the ideal option, whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to update a certain piece of equipment.

Professional graphic design tools used to be restricted to only a few options for designers. Now that the field is open, designers have a wide selection of design tool options to pick from, including open-source platforms.

Graphic design software is no longer restricted to PC or Mac operating systems. Many of them feature iOS and Android mobile apps, as well as Linux and Chrome OS support.

Basic Tools for Graphic Designers in 2022

Whether you’re just starting in graphic design or have years of expertise, there are some tools that you simply can’t live without as a professional, you can get away with a laptop and system software.

This list includes the most important hardware, software, and tools that any graphic designer should have.

Hardware Tools

1. Laptop ( Preferably Apple Macbook Pro 16)

The 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro is Apple’s largest and finest laptop to date, and it’s ideal for graphic designers working on the go or at home. 

It is still one of their greatest laptops, despite not being the most recent. The MacBook Pro has a slim, light, and stylish appearance that belies its size, despite its 16-inch size.

Apple’s powerful M1 Pro or M1 Max CPUs, which can perform even the most complicated graphics design tasks, are available in the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021). 

When the laptop was tested, we discovered that the battery life was excellent, especially considering the laptop’s powerful components. 

It also has a variety of connectors, including HDMI and a memory card reader. 

The MacBook Pro is easily the greatest MacBook out there and a great investment for content creators, designers, or any other creative professional, as it also comes with a set of excellent speakers and a superb keyboard.

2. Desktop Computer ( Preferably Apple iMac 27-inch)

The iMac Pro is a desktop powerhouse designed for professionals, and it maintains the gold standard for graphic designers. 

It has a genuine 5K display with 1 billion colors and can be customized with up to 256GB of RAM, an Intel Xeon W processor with 18 cores, and Radeon Pro Vega 64X graphics with 16GB of HBM2 memory. 

The new iMac is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, taking up even less space on an already busy desk. It comes with a colored keyboard, mouse, and touchpad.

3. A Dependable Hard Drive ( Anyone of your Choice)

Early backups and frequent backups are essential! An external hard drive provides peace of mind if the unexpected occurs. 

If you’ve ever worked in the creative industry, you’re well aware of how much data you can generate in a week, day, or even an hour. 

Having a high-quality external hard drive for storage will help you keep crucial files safe and have a backup for critical business data. 

While many of the external hard drives on the list have similar features, they are not all equal, and whether you choose one based on price or brand recognition, be sure it meets your needs.

4. Smart Notebook ( Anyone of your Choice)

A smart Notebook is an ideal notebook for writing, sketching, or taking notes in class or at a conference since it allows you to keep your analog and digital work in sync.

Other hardware tools are :

• High-Res Monitor (BenQ PD3200U)
• Graphics Tablet
• Stylus Pen
• Color Swatches
• Brainstorm Board
• Ergonomic Chair
• Studio Camera
• Noise-Cancelling Airphones
• Wide-Format Printer
• Smart Phone
• Ergonomic Mouse

Software Tools

1. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is the mainstream technology for logos, artwork, infographics, icons, and much more. 

You can start with a freehand sketch and turn it into a vector graphic that can be scaled to any size. 

It uniquely handles visuals, relying on mathematical formulas rather than pixels for seamless resizing.

Illustrator can be used by both professional graphic designers and digital artists to create a wide range of digital products. 

Variable fonts, faster document creation, easier image cropping, stylist sets to texts, stability enhancements, and a modern user experience are just a few of the exciting features that Adobe continues to add to Illustrator to make it one of the best and most useful tools for web and graphic designers.

2. Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop has become an indispensable tool for designers. 

Imagine a program that allows you to confidently bring your artistic flair into the digital realm, a program that complements your artistic style. 

With a user-friendly interface and a variety of well-written tutorials, its array of picture editing capabilities accommodates everyone from beginners to experts. 

From the canvas size to the creative filter, the graphic design program gives you complete flexibility.

3. Procreate

Procreate promotes itself as a full-featured art studio designed just for the iPad and Apple Pencil. 

There is no free trial or version available, and it is a one-time payment. You can immediately start using its large library of themes, typefaces, and custom brushes. 

You may also import Photoshop files into the app, which will run faster thanks to the Valkyrie engine. The creators went over and beyond to make it user-friendly.

4. PicsArt

PicsArt’s all-in-one online Photo Editor includes a plethora of editing tools to let you produce professional-looking material even if you have no prior design knowledge. 

They even have a powerful Video Editor where you can add music and effects to your videos. 

The app, which now includes a desktop web editor, also features one of the world’s largest creative communities.

The best part is that, unlike professional editors, PicsArt’s tools are simple to use, intuitive, and completely free. 

There are numerous creative web tools available for organizations, making desktop editing considerably more effective.

Other Software Tools are:

• Canva
• Sketch
• ProofHub
• FileStage
• Desygner
• DesignBold
• Fotor
• Logaster
• MockPlus
• Pixelmator
• Crello
• Sublime Text
• Github
• Webflow
• Coolors
• Pixlr

Choosing The Best Graphic Designers Tools for your Need

Remember that becoming a professional designer requires not just creative ideas and execution, but also the proper equipment and tools. 

I’ve tried to list all of the essential and best graphic design tools that you’ll need to achieve the greatest creative work. 

However, you can always make an exception and choose only the most essential graphic design tools, such as a laptop, creative software, and a high-resolution monitor.

Do you want to hire expert graphic designers to help you with your brand?

We have a team of skilled graphic and motion designers at I.B.O Tech Consults who will provide you with the best designs possible.

Please contact us as soon as possible.