How Simple Graphic Design Software Will Make You Blog Better, 5 Free Ways

By: | April 10, 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , |

graphic design software, 5 tools

Do you need graphic design software?

I thought so.

I did too.

Picture this real-life scenario that happened to me involving graphic design software.

Embarrassed.

I recently was at the receiving end of a question that embarrassed me.

“Janice, have you ever considered making your images more Pinterest friendly?”

Ouch!

Clearly, I need better blog design software.

Author Alice Jackson explains how to spruce up your graphics for Pinterest, Instagram, linky parties, reader engagement, and the empowerment of visual learners with blog designing software.

You know the last reason you need a dynamite graphic to accompany your blog post: 64% of your readers are visual learners.

That means most of your readers will learn your information from your image.

Here’s how to make both images and infographics so you can be a better blogger by empowering your readers.

Are you ready to get more free graphic design software in your arsenal of tools?

by Alice Jackson

Disillusionment.

Even after you are posting extraordinary content on your website, you are not attracting a significant amount of traffic to your site.

The problem might be the lack of visual elements in your posts. Now, you might not have appropriate graphic design skill to make quality images and as a result, you have to resort to the use of stock or free images.

But worry not, in this blog we would talk about tools that would help you to create an awesome image, even if you have zero design knowledge. Most of these tools are free, while some have few extra features that would be chargeable. Let’s take a look at a few of the tools one can use for the design process-  

Free Graphic Design Software

  • Canva – One of the most talked about graphic design tools and one would know why when they use Canva. The ease of use, customization and personalization options all add up to make this tool certainly the number one choice for non-designers as well as designers. Some of the best features of Canva are-

    A. Their huge collection of templates, images, icons, etc. which can be easily used to create stunning graphics.
    B. Neatly sorted out design files for social media posts, blogging, ads, etc.
    C. The drag and drop feature can make anyone instantly fall in love with this tool.
    D. One can select from thousands of templates, add elements and text, change the background and even upload one’s own image.


    Canva even has a tutorial, in case you are finding it difficult to use their platform. While one can access thousands of images, templates, etc. for free, there are certain premium ones for which Canva charges $1. Canva also launched a subscription-based service under Canva for work, the pricing for which is $9.95/month.
      
  • PabloPablo is the product developed by Buffer. This tool is made with the purpose of helping people to create images for their social media accounts. The tool is absolutely free.

This is how one can use it:

A. One can choose from more than 600k+ images available on the platform. Or else you can upload your own image.
B. Select the social media platform on which you would be posting the image. This would help the platform to make the image of the size as per that platform guidelines.
C. You can then select the filter that you want to apply and select the position of the text from available options.
D. One also has the option to upload their own logo.
E. You can then either share the image directly on the social media platform or else download it to use as per your convenience.

All we can say is that once you use Pablo, you would feel how easy it is to make images for your next social media post and that too for free.

  • PhotoScape X This is one tool that offers a huge number of functions in its free package. Available for both Mac and Windows, this powerful software is much more than an image editing tool.

Let’s look at some of the amazing features of this tool:

A. There are a number of color, effects and filter option available for the user. You can also use the film effect to give your pic an extra touch of liveliness.
B. One of the best features is the ease with which one can make a collage using this tool. Also, the available edit option is an icing on the cake.
C. Use stickers to create funny pics. While using brush one can easily give a professional touch to the pic.

For bloggers, we would recommend that this free graphic design software is more than enough to create pics that catch their audience attention.  

  • PiktochartInfographics have been known to catch user’s attention. But, the problem with non-design background was- how to create a stunning infographic?

Well, Piktochart can be the answer to your problem! The tool can help anyone to create visually impressive infographic without the need to learn the nitty-gritty of the design process.

Now, not only can Piktochart help you to create infographic but you can also create presentations and printables. This is how one can create infographics on Piktochart-

A. Select from hundreds of templates available on the platform.
B. From the graphics section, one can add shapes, icons, animated icons (premium feature), line, photo and photo frame.
C. You then have the option to upload your own image and change background.
D. Next, you can add text, text frame from the toolbar. Also one can select the color scheme in which one wants to see their infographic.
E. Also, one can see in the tools section an option to add charts, maps, and videos.
F. Once done you can download the infographic in .PNG format.


While you can design an attractive infographic on the free version itself, in case you need more customization then you can always opt for premium features.  

Update July 2020: Recite folded.

  • ReciteThere would be times when you would not have anything significant to share with your social media audience.

At that time, you would want to engage them without putting in much effort. This is where Recite would be a savior for you.

Using this tool one can easily create quotes that can go as ‘Monday Motivation’, ‘Wednesday Wanderlust’, etc.

All one has to do is enter the text, select from several templates available and then hit the create button.

You would be given the option to either upload the file directly to social media, download it or email it. The best of all is that this tool is completely free. 

[Host blogger’s comments: These are examples of graphics you can design with Recite. UPDATE: Recite folded.]#Bloggers should write a case study blog post #BloggingTips

Blogging Tools save bloggers time

The 5 tools stated above have varied applications and would come in handy for bloggers to create and edit images.

We are sure that there would be other tools which can be used by beginners and if you know any, then do comment about it below. Also, do not forget to share this article and help others looking for free graphic design software.

Readers, please share so other bloggers discover this user-friendly time-saving graphic design software.

I look forward to your answers in the comments section: Do you know any free blog design software?

Related

Fotor Photo Editor: How to Quickly Make Your Images Shine

PicMonkey Alternative: Fotor Is Your Best Choice for Photo Editing

  1. Codrut Turcanu

    Photos will help you blog better indeed 😉

    I also recommend Snappa, a free tool.

    • Janice Wald

      HI Codrut,
      Thank you for contributing to the discussion by recommending a tool. I haven’t heard of it.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      I’m preparing a post on tools. May I ask why you like Snappa? If I use your ideas, I’ll link to you.

      • Codrut Turcanu

        Here’s why I love Snappa. It’s better than Canva or any other tool out there. It’s only $100 a year. I have yet to find a better graphic design tool. I use it on ALL my blogs and recommend it to all my clients. I use it on social media too — and already seen a boost in clicks, and shares! 😉

        • Janice Wald

          HI Codrut,
          Did you make the blue graphic for me with Snappa? Impressive! I am finding more and more free graphic design tools at my disposal, so I think I’ll stick with those. I plan on blogging about them soon. Thanks for writing and letting us know about Snappa!
          Janice

  2. Penelope Silvers

    Personally, I use Adobe Spark and make sure to create beautiful images for each one of my posts. I also created shareable images with inspiring and encouraging words for Twitter. I’ll check out these other tools! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  3. Philip Verghese Ariel

    Hi Janice,
    Thanks for sharing Alice’s contribution to your readers.
    It looks like 2018 is the year of visuals!
    Yes, as the saying goes, “An images can speak a Thousand words” and it surely attracts our audiences, it is high time that we use is as much as possible on our blog posts.
    I am a regular user of Canva, and it is really one of the best I ever used, of course, PickMonkey too i used for my Roundup posts, we can create nice collages with that.
    The other platforms are new to me, and will surely check the feasibility.
    Thanks, Alice for sharing this,
    Wish you both a wonderful week ahead.
    Best
    ~ Philip

  4. Enstine Muki

    Hi Alice,
    Welcome to Janice’s home.
    I clicked to a blog post yesterday and found out the author didn’t use a single image in what was a long, boring and poorly formatted post. The title was somewhat interesting but other factors didn’t just blend.

    Nice graphics bring some refreshment when you are reading text. With the tools you’ve mentioned, I don’t see any excuse for not using attractive graphics in content.

    Thanks for the usefulness in this content Alice. Hope you both are having fun.

  5. Mona

    I’ve used Canva, Pablo and Recite. For me, I find Pablo easiest to use with gorgeous photos. I like that you can pick the size and schedule the image to be posted. Unsplash.com also has striking photos for blog use.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Mona,
      I’m hoping the author drops by to greet everyone and thanks them for their comments. In the meantime, I wasnted to come by to say hi to you. I haven’t seen you in a while. I got excited when I saw your comments. In regards to what you wrote, I use Canva mostly, Pabo sometimes. Regarding Recite, I was all excited about the tool but my graphics got zero traction on Pinterest so I stopped. I put them on Instagram this week so we’ll se. Great to see you.
      Janice

  6. Vernon Layne

    Hi Janice,
    This is such a timing post because I was just telling my friend that I need to learn how to make better images.
    Because when I visit blogs it’s the image that gets my attention at first with what’s written on them.
    This post put me in the know.
    Thanks

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Vernon,
      Great to see you! I’m glad this post was timely for you. I have a post coming out this Sunday that stresses the importance of images (and headlines) since that’s the first thing potential visitors see. Thanks for writing to tell us you enjoyed.
      Janice

  7. Jamaley Hussain

    Canva is my favourite, this is a great site. you listed all and essential graphic design site, even without any knowledge of photoshop anyone can create amazing images.
    Thanks for sharing. Awesome article.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Jamaley,
      I agree my guest author did a great job recommending these tools. I love Canva as well and use it often for Instagram and my blog. Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  8. Vlad

    I moved from those tools to Pixteller. Similar functionality, but it is faster. You can change from 1 click the social media format. They have lots of pictures, fonts, shapes etc. Very easy to use and intuitive.

    • Janice Wald

      I checked out the tool you recommended. Thanks for letting us know about it.
      Janice

  9. Cloony

    Free graphic design tools are good . But I always like photoshop and illustrator for photo editing ..

  10. PMJAY GOV

    I like photoshop for photo editing. And really this is a great article.

  11. Pingback: How to Boost Blog Management Now: 137 Best Free Blogging Tools
  12. Janet Travis

    Some great tools to use. I will definitely be taking a closer look at them. I like to create my own images with my own text. I find Crello is a great tool for this. I do use others but I seem to have taken to Crello mainly.
    Try it out you can make great images and input any text you like.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Janet,
      I’ve never heard of Crello. Is it free? Thanks for your compliment on my tool choices.
      Janice

  13. Janet Travis

    Some great tools to use. I will definitely be taking a closer look at them. I like to create my own images with my own text. I find Crello is a great tool for this. I do use others but I seem to have taken to Crello mainly.

  14. Janet Travis

    Some great tools to use. I will definitely be taking a closer look at them. I like to create my own images with my own text. I find Crello is a great tool for this. I do use others but I seem to have taken to this one.

  15. Janet Travis

    Yes, Crello is free with an upgrade if you wish. It is similar to canva
    Regards
    Janet

  16. Rashel Ahmed

    Wonderful article, Very useful for Graphic Designer, I really enjoy your article. Thanks

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