My Favourite Tools as a Digital Creative
The creative apps that keep my workflow inspired, organized, and enjoyable.
As a creative designer, I’m always on the lookout for tools that make my digital workflow smoother and more inspiring. These are my favourite digital tools for artists and designers—the creative apps that help me find inspiration, plan my projects, and bring my ideas to life!
1. Procreate
Aka my favourite drawing app! Procreate is the app I use for about 80% of my creative work. It’s where I illustrate, sketch, and even design my fonts. It’s a one-time purchase, making it one of the best creative apps for iPad and a must-have investment for digital artists who love creating on the go.
2. Affinity Designer
I’m still learning my way around Affinity Designer, but it’s quickly become my secret weapon for crisp vector art. I love that it offers professional-grade tools without the subscription model. Often, I’ll start an illustration in Procreate and finish it in Affinity Designer for those clean, scalable vector results. It’s one of the best digital design tools for creatives looking for an alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
3. iFont Maker
I use iFont Maker to build all of my fonts! I design them in Procreate, convert them to SVG files, then build the font in iFont Maker. I love how easy it is to create my own custom fonts right from my iPad—it’s such a unique app for anyone interested in typography or font design.
4. Canva
I know Canva can be controversial among designers, but I love how simple and efficient it is compared to more advanced software. Canva helps me create cohesive visuals quickly—perfect for Instagram posts, digital product mockups, and mood boards. It’s an essential graphic design tool for beginners and pros alike who need professional results fast.
5. Pinterest
Pinterest is hands-down my favourite social media platform! I’d much rather “doom scroll” here than anywhere else—though I prefer to call it getting inspired. I use it to collect design inspiration, explore visual trends, and even find craft project ideas. For any creative, Pinterest is the ultimate inspiration hub for artists and designers.
6. Unsplash
Unsplash is my go-to website for beautiful, high-quality stock images. I don’t use stock photos often, but when I do—usually for mockups or Etsy listing photos—I always reach for Unsplash. Their images tend to be minimal, aesthetic, and perfectly complement my design style without overpowering it. It’s one of the best free stock photo websites for creatives.
7. LumaFusion
LumaFusion is my favourite video editing app for iPad, and it’s how I edit all of my short-form content. It’s a professional-grade video editor built for creators who love working on tablets. While it’s not technically a design tool, filming behind-the-scenes vlogs is such a big part of my creative process that it definitely earns a spot on this list. If you make digital content, this is one of the best video editing apps for creators.
8. Freeform
Freeform is a digital whiteboard (or never-ending canvas) that I use for brainstorming, mood boards, and creative planning. I love the endless space—it lets me expand, rearrange, and revisit ideas as they grow and evolve over time. It’s a fantastic tool for visual thinkers who love mapping out creative projects.
These tools are what make my digital workflow. Each one helping me create, stay organized, and stay inspired. From drawing apps like Procreate to planning tools like Freeform, these apps make the creative process feel effortless and fun.
If you’re a digital artist, designer, or content creator, I hope this list gives you a few new apps to explore. The best digital tools for artists aren’t just about features—they’re about helping you connect with your creativity and make art you truly enjoy!
