When starting out as an independent designer, especially in the Fashion industry, it can be overwhelming to choose among the many tools and expertise provided online. In this post, we will be listing our Top Design Tools that assist us in all projects, some more popular than others and followed by alternative options. Keep on reading for an additional list of free resources to inspire, motivate and to help you easily navigate through your projects.

Vector Design

Adobe Illustrator

This powerful piece of software is our most utilized vector design tool, perfect for logo design, fashion technical flats and floats, pattern and print making, as well as icon and art mock-up. Let’s say that at Design Land NYC, we prefer Adobe Illustrator to Microsoft Word, but that’s only because we are more visual than we are wordy! :). As of recently, this software just became available for iPads, so guess what we will be playing with lately? Adobe Illustrator APP for iPad

Pixel Design

Adobe Photoshop

Our second most used software of Adobe Creative Cloud, Photoshop is great for photo editing, pixel art creation, Fashion CAD illustrations, collages, and so much more, giving you absolute freedom to create just about any image combination you like. You can utilize this app for image manipulations, layout and with the help of an external tablet, you can create elaborate multi-layered artwork. There are many free available brushes that are built into the app, and many others you can find on free brush databases like Designious.

PIXLR & Gimp

Alternatively, you can utilize PIXLR and Gimp as free versions of this photo editing software. PIXLR can be accessed and used directly on your browser, providing numerous in-site tools to add onto your design projects. Similar to PIXLR, Gimp is another free image editor app, which can be downloaded and works in most operating systems. Gimp is similar to Photoshop in its format, photo manipulation tools and useful artwork creation.

Procreate

This app is made for freeform art on your IOS devices, and it is best when utilized on IPad Pro. Procreate can be used for a myriad of artwork shapes, from Lettering, to elaborate Illustrations and Photo Collages. Now, you can have Procreate Pocket on your iPhone, and enjoy its powerful illustration tools specifically made for the iPhone.

Fonts

Fonts certainly come into use in many projects, and they are crucial in setting your tone and mood when compiling content. Our favorite font databases, where you can download free fonts or acquire customized fonts for your preferences are: Dafont, Fontfabric, Google Fonts and the subscription base service Adobe Fonts.

Templates:

Canva

Our to-go site for templates, layout inspiration and visual formatting is undoubtedly Canva. This template database contains professional designs for Social Media content, Website layouts, Logos, Presentations, Infographics, Newsletters, Cards, Brochures and so much more. Aside from using and downloading templates, Canva can also serve as a catalyst for your original creative ideas.

Free Photos and Illustrations

For design work that does not require original illustrations, but can be executed acquiring stock images some of the top free image resources are the following websites:

Flickr

One of the most used image websites that can be utilized for graphic manipulation is Flickr. It is also a great site to refer to regarding photo editing ideas and composition.

Unsplash

Similar to Flickr, Unsplash is another source of images, available for personal and commercial use, you can choose from a variety of themes and subject matter. Feel free to download the app for easy mobile use and check out the site’s blog for more tips and resources.

Pexels

Another great free stock photo and video source that can be utilized for manipulations, content creation and various projects is Pexels. You can also contribute to the image database by becoming part of the community and creating your own photography boards.

Humaaans

In contrast to the previous free image resources, Humaaans is a site that offers a great range of free human illustrations, with interchangeable outfits and styles to fit the design’s theme.

Background and texture

Aside from free image sources for your design manipulations, you may need to acquire background images and texture patterns. The following websites are our top two to find one of a kind background options and texture:

Subtle Patterns

Simple, clean and easy to use, Subtle Patterns is dominated by free Geometric Pattern Prints that can be effortlessly modified to fit your intended work. You may also submit your own patterns into the website’s library and such contribute to common resources for other creators like you.

Lost and Taken

Lost and Taken is a unique image library, where you can get a hold of special realistic texture paper, old, vintage backgrounds, high quality tactile material textures, high resolution painted surfaces, etc. This website is a solid background resource and can be easily inserted in multiple projects. Whether you want a new background for your digital illustrations, a realistic vintage print on your brochure, or a fascinating texture on your website’s home page, this is the website to go to!

Information and online classes

Most importantly, make sure to constantly improve upon your skills by enrolling in classes and acquiring new information on your area of interest. These are our top sites for free informative classes:

Skillshare

Skillshare has a wonderful selection of content creation, graphic design, digital marketing, branding and social media management and other skill-specific classes. You can sharpen your Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop practical knowledge and build authority on topics that relate to your chosen design career path.

Coursera

Another similar free course-offering website is Coursera. Over 200 universities have collaborated with this site in tailoring many online programs to help you succeed in your selected and desired skills.

EdX

The last resource for classes and training that we will share is EdX. On this website, universities share their free and paid online programs, many of which are valid for school credit. While these classes are mostly linked with their corresponding college programs, EdX offers other self-paced classes that you can take for self-development requiring no payment or certificate.

We agree that tools are important in delivering quality work, but practicing and nurturing skills is by far the wisest investment in your career. This list was curated to help you in your own independent learning ride, and we wish it was helpful in providing some resources that you have not encountered yet and has served as an incentive to stay motivated.

In any case, you can always contact us with Graphic, Website and Fashion Design requests here, check out our services here, and we will get back to you shortly.

As always, we wish you are all safe and healthy! Sending joy your way,

Xoxo Lori / Design Land NYC

Hi everyone,

How are you feeling this Fall? We hope you are recharging and taking care of yourself this season. Most importantly, we hope you are doing OK and your dear ones are healthy and safe! We are experiencing a once-in-a-century pandemic blues and we miss the human connection and those big hugs we used to give one another. Praying for this to end soon so we can go back to our happy selves.

Well, we want to share some information with you:

New Office Location in Soho, Hudson Square

Much has changed since our last post and we will utilize this space for a quick work update. Design Land NYC is now located in a new happy sun-drenched location in Soho, have taken up many more interesting design projects, have acquired new clients in the graphic design scope and fashion industry. What’s more, we have pushed boundaries and done something entirely different! Which brings us to our special news:

Selling Apparel on Our Online Store | Shop here!

We are excited to announce the official opening of our Design Land online store and we want to celebrate the birth of our clothing line! After 1 year of founding Design Land NYC, we have created our first line of Soft Plush Hoodies that are currently available in 3 color ways: Bubblegum Pink, Unisex Purple and Black Heather, as well as personalized orders. Feel free to contact us for any image or idea that you would like printed on your order and we will make it happen. Our hoodies can be ordered online via our shop. Alternatively, you can pick your order up in our Soho location: 101 Avenue of the Americas, 9th floor, New York, NY 10013. Our line will be available for purchase on Instagram shop for your convenience, so stay tuned for updates on our Instagram and Facebook and make sure to follow us to learn more!

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT! IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY IN THE DESIGN INDUSTRY BUT WE ARE MAKING IT!

While 2020 has been a challenging year, we are grateful for all the support, numerous creative projects, our new inspiring office space and the people that envelope us with their positivity. As Design Land NYC grows to be 1 year old, we reflect on the exciting journey we have embarked on and remain thankful and driven with new ideas for more. In the light of Design Land’s One Year Anniversary we are planning to host a small celebratory get together, in the safest and healthiest way that the situation allows us, including our close friends, featuring many bubble gum pink balloons! Until then, we cannot wait to share our progress and upcoming designs with you.

FIRST THANKSGIVING IN DESING LAND NYC

Among so many firsts, today marks our first Thanksgiving together at Design Land NYC, doubling on these emotions and motivating air in an industry where we are constantly improving our work and service offering, we are thankful and amazed by your trust in us.

As always, feel free to contact us for any services, customized products or consultation sessions, as well as orders of customized products and we will be in touch with you.

What about you dear reader and friend, what are you thankful for in the brink of this year’s end? Write it in the comments below.

We hope you are all safe and healthy and we send lots of joy your way!