Did you know that most students heavily rely on graphic design tools? Some of them study marketing or computer science, so they need these tools to do homework properly. Others organize various events and print flyers to spread the word. Plenty of students are full of creative ideas, and they express their enthusiasm by creating art and fan illustrations, as well as having fun manipulating images in general.
So yes, graphic design tools are invaluable, but the question is, how can students access them? The budgets are tight, and subscriptions can be costly. Fortunately, many platforms offer free or cheap tools, so all you have to do is find the one that suits your needs most!
Top 9 Graphic Design Tools You Can Use at Low or No Cost
We prepared a list with 9 diverse tools that come either for free or at the prices most people will find affordable. Try any of them as you see fit.
Canva. It’s difficult to find a person who hasn’t heard of Canva. This is a great tool for both experts and beginners interested in designing something. It can help create posters, booklets, social media material, and even tutorials. The basic version is free, while the premium one costs $12.99 monthly.
Krita. This open-source tool offers plenty of creative opportunities for designers and animators of all levels. It places a particular emphasis on brushwork, allowing unique designs with rich texture. Using it is entirely free, and the types of artwork you can create with its help are endless.
Pixlr. This platform comprises photo editing tools to help students and other users turn their pale and boring pics into something much more engaging. There is no need to download anything on your PC. Pixlr works in an online format while performing many functions of Photoshop. Sadly, it won’t be useful to experienced designers, but anyone else can benefit from it. It comes with no price tag, though a premium version exists. It costs a small price of $4.90 per month.
GIMP. If you’re looking for another lighter version of Photoshop, this is your tool. It allows manipulating images, editing graphic designs, and developing something from scratch. GIMP is 100% free, which is its great distinguishing feature. It also has a great support system, so if you have questions or need advice, you’ll always find someone to reach out to.
Inkscape. This free tool helps students and professionals who can’t afford solutions by Adobe. If you need to create a catchy logo, make a visually appealing illustration, or come up with new custom icons, you’ll be able to do all that and more.
VistaCreate. You might have known this tool as Crello before. Its name was changed recently, but all the amazing options it offers remain the same. VistaCreate is perfect for those who’d like to create an intro for their YouTube channel, improve the visual effects of their Instagram story, and so on. You can use it without paying a cent or get a premium version for just $10 monthly, which is quite affordable.
CorelDraw. This online graphic design app has recently undergone a rebranding. It was previously known as Gravit Designer, but now it has expanded its collection of products and prepared more brilliant opportunities for its visitors. During the first 15 days, you can edit images, add text to them, and convert your projects into multiple formats for free. After that, you can pay $69.99 for a year-long subscription.
Vectr. This great design tool is one of the best options for young designers. It allows manipulating and removing the backgrounds, converting images and vectors, and generating images. Even better, it’s 100% free.
Snappa. Let us present another useful tool for creating your designs. It offers pre-made templates, stock photos, and many other graphic work options. It is free, with a paid version costing only $10 monthly.
Most of these tools offer paid subscriptions as an extra option only. However, for general use, everyone can access them for free.
Explore Your Creativity with No Restrictions
Did any of the tools above catch your attention? Explore them now. If you like them, you can consider a paid subscription to access even more opportunities. Make your creations, enjoy yourself, and find the greatest and most affordable tools the Internet offers.
Author’s Bio
William Evans is an inspired writer and web developer whose goal is to help connect people with the resources they need to flourish. He knows how to help students, often discussing various helpful sites, from the best platform to buy coursework to the cheapest creativity tools. Writing articles is his way of sharing this knowledge with the rest of the world.