10 Essential Tools that Graphic Designers Must Have

There are literally hundreds of thousands of designers out there, and design wannabes. It somehow seems like a wonderful world to wake up to, but if you don’t have the right tools, life as a designer can become a lot more difficult.

I’ve been asked so many times what tools I consider to be essential as a graphic designer, but it wasn’t until I sat down to write this post that I realized what I could and couldn’t live without as a professional designer running a studio.

“With so many tools available, which ones optimize work and routine and increase workflow and productivity? Which tools are Essential for Graphic Designers?”

Although you, as a graphic designer, may say all you need is a PowerBook and coffee, I’d say you’re going the wrong way, because coffee is only a complement for breakfast and not an essential for those who know how to manage their work properly. A laptop doesn’t run on coffee either and you can’t perform your magic without the right tools.

By possessing the right tools, graphic design can be a wonderful rewarding world you wake up to every morning, and knowing that you don’t lack anything.

The following tools are geared towards the graphic industry but will be effective in almost any visual design field:

1- Apple iMac Computer

Macs are not only popular because of their aesthetics but because they work like a charm. The Operating System OSX has useful built in tools, and is intuitive, but for those who think “incompatible”, should think again. Any Mac can run Windows too using Bootcamp, so that takes care of any incompatibility issues (b.t.w. I no longer use Windows for anything).

With a Mac you don’t have to worry about constant virus attacks, useless rubbish and annoying neon blue and orange flickering LEDs all over your computer.

2- External Hard Drive

We all know what this is used for, and if you don’t It’s because you are one of the lucky few who have never lost 6 months worth of valuable data permanently.

Use one of these to make frequent backups of your work before you regret it.

3- The career reference guide

In “How to be a graphic designer, without loosing your soul”, Adrian Shaughnessy discusses the basics about the various forms of professionals, location and how to handle clients.

Although the book genre is populated with innumerous good books, this particular one is a must-have for any graphic designer in any stage of their career. It goes for a nice price too at Amazon.

4- Pantone Color Guides

Color is a definite issue when it comes to graphic design. The worst thing that can happen to a designer is a specific color print incorrectly.

This can be avoided if you use color correctly, and Pantone guides are the best reference manuals for that purpose.

5- Adobe Software

Without doubt, Adobe Software is the best on the planet to perform magic on a blank canvas.

After getting to know the programs well (whom graphic designers then treat as best friends), these programs are the magic wand to put ideas and concepts into any practical amazing forms.

6- Action Journals and Sketchbooks

Any designer must have a sketchbook or a Behance Action Journal to organize their projects. They are essential to register ideas and to be used as future reference guides.

They are available in innumerous sexy sizes and colors, leaving you with no excuse to not have one or more.

Of course I couldn’t leave clients out, because without them you would be nothing.

The best way to win a new client or maintain an existing one (a good one that is), is to entertain them. This is branding.

Communicate with them personally, and online with a pro presentation.

7- MOO Business Cards

Using business cards is a way for customers to remember your face and your conversation when you are not with them anymore. Your card makes you stand out from the crowd.

So why not be even more creative with your cards?

Create collector series or mini portfolios with different glossy finished business cards. Make customers want them.

There are a lot of printers out there, but I recommend MOO. They deliver to anyplace in the world.

You can upload your own design or you can choose from their ready-made designs.

MOO Business Cards, MiniCards and Postcards - Create unique cards using your own photos or designs to help your business stand out!

8- Professionally Designed Website

Your website is the easiest way to show a customer your portfolio. They will agree to take a look much faster then they would to have a meeting with you personally.

Why ruin the opportunity for new business with a low quality website?

See how you can build a Professional website for a very low cost here.

9- Email Marketing Software

Email Marketing is my most powerful method to get a generous new work and to get any campaign out there. The ROI (return on investment) is huge and probably one of the most compensatory you will ever come across.

The best way for your clients and prospects to keep track of your promotions, campaigns and updates is if they receive them directly into their mailbox.

AWeber is such a powerful platform and is so easy to use, but just in case you doubt it, you can try it for 30 days for only $1.

10- Professional Hosting

Of course you won’t go very far if you don’t have a hosting plan for your website and for those your create for your customers.

Consider unlimited professional hosting at a very good price, with which you can do virtually anything. Dreamhost provides fast and reliable, high quality hosting service with efficient personal customer support, is wordpress optimized and has a very low cost. There's even a discount if you access this Hub.

I’ve been working with Dreamhost for over 9 years and it just gets better and better.

Yet again, between designers opinions may differ slightly due to behaviour, office environment and workstyle, but these essentials are the ones I’ve run my business with for over 7 years. They are the essential to manage and create work and generate workflow for the three companies I own.