{"id":15808,"date":"2022-07-20T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/?p=15808"},"modified":"2024-09-11T11:51:11","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T15:51:11","slug":"free-digital-design-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/free-digital-design-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide: FREE Digital Design Apps, Resources, and Programs!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>For Artists, Photographers, Designers, and Hobbyists.<br>Free Digital Design Apps and Programs To Get Your Projects Frame-Ready, Faster!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing the best photo editing app, you should ask yourself a few things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are you a professional, novice, or just dipping your toes in?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you want to use your desktop, tablet, or mobile device?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you want software that\u2019s got all the bells and whistles, or just to your specific needs?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Technology is ever-changing, we have more and more software options to choose from &#8211; they range from extremely expensive to dirt cheap. Some might say that &#8220;cheap is never good, and good is never cheap.&#8221; but that&#8217;s not the case with the following assets! <strong>We&#8217;ve listed some of the best programs and applications that money <em>can&#8217;t<\/em> buy!  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look and see what works best for you. All open-source resources are <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">underlined<\/span> for your browsing convenience!<a href=\"\/learn\/free-digital-design-apps\/#note\">*<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"illustrative-painting-animation-free-digital-design-apps\">Illustrative, Painting, &amp; Animation &#8211; Free Digital Design Apps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Illustrative<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Inkscape<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/inkscape.org\/release\/inkscape-1.2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inkscape<\/a> is an <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">open-source<\/span> and free vector graphics editor used for both artistic and technical illustrations. It supports various file formats including SVG, AI, EPS, PNG, PSD, and PDF files.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boxy SVG<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/boxy-svg.com\/#tour-ui\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Boxy SVG<\/a> is a free scalable vector graphics editor application. It&#8217;s available on any device and operating system. Create vector and pixel graphics with ease!   <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"1050\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/DSC_0632-2-1-700x1050.jpg\" alt=\"Digitally designed prints look great in our Granby Gold Frame!\" class=\"wp-image-10861\" style=\"width:525px;height:788px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/DSC_0632-2-1-700x1050.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/DSC_0632-2-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/DSC_0632-2-1.jpg 853w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Digitally designed prints look great in our Granby Gold Frame!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Painting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Krita<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/krita.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Krita<\/a> is a professional free and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">open-source<\/span> painting program developed by artists for artists. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IbisPaint<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/ibispaint.com\/about.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IbisPaint<\/a> is a free social painting and drawing application. It enables the user to share videos of their artistic processes. It&#8217;s available on desktops, smartphones, tablets, and other devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">FireAlpaca<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/firealpaca.com\/download\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FireAlpaca<\/a> is a free and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">open-source<\/span> digital painter software developer for Mac and Windows. It&#8217;s also available in 10 different languages! <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medibang Paint<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/medibangpaint.com\/en\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/medibangpaint.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Medibang Paint<\/a> is a free Manga and Anime-focused digital painting program for Mac, PC, Ipad, iPhones, and Android. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MyPaint<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/mypaint.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyPaint<\/a> is a free and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">open-source<\/span> digital painting and drawing program that emulates traditional media like pencils and ink. MyPaint&#8217;s community page offers free resources like brushes and other graphic design tools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"photo-editing-raw-image-editor-free-digital-design-apps\">Photo Editing &amp; RAW Image Editor &#8211; Free Digital Design Apps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Photo Editing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">GIMP\/Glimpse<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/glimpse-editor.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glimpse<\/a> is an <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">open-source<\/span> free image editor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sumo Paint <\/strong>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/sumo.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sumo Paint<\/a> is a free drawing tool and image editor (you can even make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/pixel-art\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixel art<\/a>!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Photopea<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.photopea.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Photopea<\/a> is a free online web-based editor that supports Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Sketch App, Adobe XD, and CorelDraw file formats. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Paint.NET<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getpaint.net\/features.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paint.NET<\/a> is a free photo and image editing software specifically for PCs that run Windows OS. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pixlr<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/pixlr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixlr<\/a> is a free photo editor and design toolset that can run on a web browser, phone, or desktop.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Amanda_Poe_@bohofrisco_004-700x933.jpg\" alt=\"The Ultimate Guide: FREE Digital Design Apps, Resources, and Programs! - drone photography \" class=\"wp-image-8483\" style=\"width:525px;height:700px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Amanda_Poe_@bohofrisco_004-700x933.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Amanda_Poe_@bohofrisco_004-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Amanda_Poe_@bohofrisco_004.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">RAW image editing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RawTharepee<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/rawtherapee.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RawTherapee<\/a> is a free <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">open-source<\/span> raw photo processing software targeting photography professionals and newcomers alike. It&#8217;s available to download on Windows, macOS, and Linux. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Darktable &#8211; Darktable is a free open-source photography toolbox and RAW image developer. Think of it as your digital darkroom! <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">DigiKam<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digikam.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DigiKam<\/a> is a free <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">open-source<\/span> digital photography management application. It&#8217;s perfect for importing, organizing, editing, and sharing your photos and RAW files. It includes many advanced features and is highly praised! <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"best-typography-print-media-free-digital-design-apps\">Best Typography &amp; Print Media &#8211; Free Digital Design Apps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Print Media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Scribus<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scribus.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scribus<\/a> is an <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">open-source <\/span>desktop publishing tool with full OpenType support and can run on a multitude of operating systems. If you&#8217;re looking to publish a book, create a zine, or make a menu &#8211; Scribus is a great choice!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Jennifer_Thomas_@sooieetsouthernhome_010-edited-700x700.jpg\" alt=\"The Ultimate Guide: FREE Digital Design Apps, Resources, and Programs!\" class=\"wp-image-16591\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Jennifer_Thomas_@sooieetsouthernhome_010-edited-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Jennifer_Thomas_@sooieetsouthernhome_010-edited-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Jennifer_Thomas_@sooieetsouthernhome_010-edited-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Jennifer_Thomas_@sooieetsouthernhome_010-edited-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Jennifer_Thomas_@sooieetsouthernhome_010-edited-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Jennifer_Thomas_@sooieetsouthernhome_010-edited-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Make some typography art for your home or office!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Typography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PicLab<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.apperto.piclabapp&amp;hl=en_US&amp;gl=US\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.apperto.piclabapp&amp;hl=en_US&amp;gl=US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PicLab<\/a> is an app editor available on Apple and Android phones. It&#8217;s easy to edit any photo or image and has an impressive font styling library.   <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>WhatTheFont<\/strong> &#8211; WhatTheFont is an app that can determine the identity of any font from a picture. It&#8217;s available on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myfonts.com\/pages\/whatthefont\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">web browsers<\/a> as well as an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myfonts.com\/pages\/whatthefont-mobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">app download<\/a> for Apple and Android phones. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kerntype<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/type.method.ac\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kerntype<\/a> is a fun free game to practice your typography letter-spacing skills! <a href=\"https:\/\/method.ac\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">You can find more design-based games for skill practice here!<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uprinting.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPrinting<\/a>: They&#8217;ve created a tool to help you choose the right typography for your banners. Check out their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uprinting.com\/banner-font-sizes.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Banner Font Size Tool.\u00a0<\/a>It\u2019s crafted to help you ensure your message is eye-catching and effectively communicated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"framing-your-freebies\">Framing Your Freebies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, the best things in life are indeed free! Your budget should never limit your creative endeavors and with these free assets &#8211; you can put your money elsewhere (like on your frames!). Now that you&#8217;ve found the perfect free digital design apps for your project, it&#8217;s time to start creating. After you&#8217;ve completed your perfect photo edit, digital painting, or print poster head over to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\">Frame Designer<\/a> so you can give your work the display it truly deserves!  <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/FIE-art-paper-right_photo-paper-left_non-glare-acrylic-700x466.jpg\" alt=\"The Ultimate Guide: FREE Digital Design Apps, Resources, and Programs! - Digital painting in Granby Gold\" class=\"wp-image-9266\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/FIE-art-paper-right_photo-paper-left_non-glare-acrylic-700x466.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/FIE-art-paper-right_photo-paper-left_non-glare-acrylic-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/FIE-art-paper-right_photo-paper-left_non-glare-acrylic.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FREE Digital Design Apps, Resources, and Programs! &#8211; Frame Style: Granby in Gold<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Need some pointers? Check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/improving-your-photo\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/improving-your-photo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7 tips to help improve your photo<\/a> to put your new free digital design apps to the test! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do you have a photo or digital print you&#8217;re super proud of?<\/strong> Send us a photo of your framed work at <a href=\"mailto:yourfriends@frameiteasy.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">yourfriends@frameiteasy.com<\/a> with the subject title &#8220;Featured Friends&#8221; for a chance to be featured on our email and socials! <b>Show off your framed creations with us on&nbsp;<\/b><a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/frameiteasy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">social media<\/a>! <strong>Be sure to tag us&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/frameiteasy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@frameiteasy<\/a>&nbsp;and use the hashtag&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/frameiteasy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">#frameiteasy<\/a>&nbsp;for a chance to be featured<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"note\"><sup>* These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Frame It Easy of any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation or organization, or individual. Frame It Easy bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.<\/sup><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The best free digital design apps and programs to get your projects frame-ready, faster! Perfect for artists, photographers, designers, and hobbyists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":16593,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[360],"tags":[3896,3903],"class_list":["post-15808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-picture-framing-101","tag-b2c","tag-resources"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15808"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15808\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26808,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15808\/revisions\/26808"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.frameiteasy.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}