There is an abundance of online and offline tools on the internet right now. Some are generally useful, while others target specific demographics. But one thing is for sure: it takes time and effort to separate the good ones from the others. Ultimately, only the individual knows what is useful for them. However, we took the extra steps and created a summary of productivity focused designer tools under four main categories:
Productivity Focused Designer Tools:
Browser-based tools
Software that runs in the background
Multiplatform gems
Flavoured with a touch of AI
Naturally, there will be correlations between categories since every product aims to be convenient for every user. In such cases, we categorized them based on their strongest features.
And lastly, tools are in no particular order in main categories and all descriptions were taken from the tools’ websites.
“EYECANDY is a labor of love for the people. It’s something to enjoy and learn from. It’s not something you should gatekeep— It was made to blow the gates open.
It’s forever WIP. It’s never 100% accurate. It’s a little messy. It’s for you.
“Timezones as a project grew out of frustration with current web-based time tracking solutions in different time zones. We didn’t like them either visually or in terms of user experience (but most often in all aspects). So we got together and made our own solution.
Right now the project is in its early stages, actively developing and receiving updates. There are a lot of interesting updates ahead and your feedback will be very helpful.
This file is the very first version, just the web. In the future, we will share new versions and files of other projects you can use as you want and where you want.
“Make time for what matters
We got tired of using office software to plan our personal time. So we’re building a new calendar for people, not companies.”
“The new ColorBox allows you to create multiple colors at once, allows you to create Dark Mode color variants with one click, and gives you more controls over accessibility indicators!”
“Collection of modern, background snippets. Ready-to-use, simply copy and paste into your next project. All snippets crafted with Tailwind CSS and Vanilla CSS for easy integration.”
“Fontanello browser extension is the quickest way to find out what font a webpage is using. You simply right click on the text and Fontanello will reveal the name of the typeface and some additional attributes you likely care about.”
Fenna Schilling is a graphic designer and a DJ whose visual and sonic collages have versatile characteristics. The intuitively crafted artworks of the artist provide an opportunity for her personal exploration through cut and paste technique and make way for an open-ended process.
In the world of arts and design, there’s a common thread I see among many creatives, including myself. We’re all caught in the same relentless cycle: create, post, repeat. Social media algorithms have us in a chokehold, warning that if we don’t keep churning out content, we’ll fade into obscurity. But here’s the thing – …
Our guide to streamline digital asset management with file naming conventions, folder structures, and automation scripts. A workflow guide for creatives.
Best AI and Productivity Focused Designer Tools of 2024
There is an abundance of online and offline tools on the internet right now. Some are generally useful, while others target specific demographics. But one thing is for sure: it takes time and effort to separate the good ones from the others. Ultimately, only the individual knows what is useful for them. However, we took the extra steps and created a summary of productivity focused designer tools under four main categories:
Productivity Focused Designer Tools:
Naturally, there will be correlations between categories since every product aims to be convenient for every user. In such cases, we categorized them based on their strongest features.
And lastly, tools are in no particular order in main categories and all descriptions were taken from the tools’ websites.
1. Browser based tools
eyecannndy
“EYECANDY is a labor of love for the people. It’s something to enjoy and learn from. It’s not something you should gatekeep— It was made to blow the gates open.
It’s forever WIP. It’s never 100% accurate. It’s a little messy. It’s for you.
Created by Jacobi. Curated by you.”
Design Systems Database
“Best-in-class Design Systems with components and foundations references from top-tier tech companies and leading UI teams”
tooooools
“Discover free minimalist and lo-fi effects for image processing online”
expense
“Effortlessly Track and Manage Expenses.
Our easy-to-use platform allows you to track and categorize your spending, giving you a clear picture of your financials.”
timezone converter
“Timezones as a project grew out of frustration with current web-based time tracking solutions in different time zones. We didn’t like them either visually or in terms of user experience (but most often in all aspects). So we got together and made our own solution.
Right now the project is in its early stages, actively developing and receiving updates. There are a lot of interesting updates ahead and your feedback will be very helpful.
This file is the very first version, just the web. In the future, we will share new versions and files of other projects you can use as you want and where you want.
The design should be free.”
daybridge
“Make time for what matters
We got tired of using office software to plan our personal time. So we’re building a new calendar for people, not companies.”
Layers
“Layers is a design community platform where designers can share work, connect with other designers and build their portfolio.”
Restorephotos
“Restoring old photos using AI for everyone.
Have old and blurry face photos? Let our AI restore them so those memories can live on. 100% free – restore your photos today.”
Size Calculator
“Enter any two values to calculate the third.”
Colorbox
“The new ColorBox allows you to create multiple colors at once, allows you to create Dark Mode color variants with one click, and gives you more controls over accessibility indicators!”
Shapes
“Explore the collection of 120+ basic SVG shapes for your upcoming project. Simply click on a shape to copy its SVG code to your clipboard.”
ibelick
“Collection of modern, background snippets. Ready-to-use, simply copy and paste into your next project. All snippets crafted with Tailwind CSS and Vanilla CSS for easy integration.”
Fontanello
“Fontanello browser extension is the quickest way to find out what font a webpage is using. You simply right click on the text and Fontanello will reveal the name of the typeface and some additional attributes you likely care about.”
Minimal Theme for 𝕏 / Twitter
“Refine your 𝕏 experience. Remove ads, clutter, and distractions.”
2. Software that runs in the background
Setapp
“Setapp membership gives you access to curated apps for Mac, web and iOS.”
Dato
“Menu bar calendar and world clocks, plus fullscreen meeting notifications”
Spacedrive
“One Explorer. All Your Files.
Unify files from all your devices and clouds into a single, easy-to-use explorer.
Designed for creators, hoarders and the painfully disorganized.”
eagle
“Organize all your reference images in one place.
A better way to collect, search and organize your design files in a logical way and all in one place.”
fSpy
“Open source still image camera matching.”
CompressX
“Compress Media Effortlessly
Compress video, image, and gif with up to 90% file size reduction without significant loss of quality.”
Nour
“A next-gen team chat app
Async and hi-fi collaboration in one app. It’s fast, written in Rust.”
ScreenshotMagic
“Say goodbye to cluttered desktops: Screenshotmagic is a Mac app that utilizes AI to automatically provide descriptive names for your images.”
Getkap
“Capture your screen
An open-source screen recorder built with web technology.”
rewind
“Your AI assistant that has all the context.
Rewind is a personalized AI powered by everything you’ve seen, said, or heard. Your colleagues will wonder how you do it all.”
DisplayBuddy
“Control the brightness of monitors directly from your Mac.
No need to touch the clunky buttons on your monitor”
In Your Face
“Are you late to meetings because you don’t see the notification?
In Your Face blocks your screen just in time for the meeting. It is virtually impossible to miss the alert.”
3. Multiplatform gems
Paste
“The clipboard as it should be Paste is a new way to keep, search, and organize everything you copy on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad.”
Endel
“Personalized soundscapes to help you focus, relax, and sleep. Backed by neuroscience.”
Raindrop
“All-in-one bookmark manager.
Intuitive. Powerful. Runs everywhere”
4. Flavoured with a touch of AI
Stable Audio
“Create music with AI.
Generate up to 3-minute high-quality audio that you can use commercially.”
Vizcom
“Shortest Path from Imagination to Visualization”
audionotesai
“Turn Chaotic Ideas into Practical Notes.
Quickly transform your thoughts and audio into professional text, with a versatile approach to expressing and recording ideas.”
AI Emoji Generator
“2,333,700 emojis generated and counting!”
Jenni
“Supercharge Your Next Research Paper
Jenni’s AI-powered text editor helps you write, edit, and cite with confidence. Save hours on your next paper.”
typefully
“Write better content. Grow your audience faster. Built for 𝕏 and LinkedIn, powered by AI.”
If you want to discover more AI-based tools, check out our 74 useful AI Design Tools article!
You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram.
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