In this article, I will discuss several critical tools that would be beneficial for a product designer or manager to have when they are developing and designing products. By 2024, such tools and resources will be numerous, and the variety of options for product design software and platforms will be vast.
Here are 20 of the top tools to consider using as you create, develop, and launch new products:
1. Figma – another digital tool that is a cloud interface for designing and prototyping that enables multiple users to work at the same time. I also like that Figma allows getting feedback and continued collaboration without having to make changes to the project immediately.
2. Sketch – An enduring design application in which you can quickly mock up crystal-clear professional designs for web and mobile interfaces. Quite friendly with plugins as well Works great with plugins too.
3. InVision – Turns your design into an interactive mockup that can be clicked, swiped, and scrolled before any actual coding is done. Share for feedback too.
4. Marvel – Another intuitive rapid prototyping tool that allows you to connect screens and try out mobile app ideas swiftly.
5. Adobe XD – with the interface design tools set in one application pack, the interface and UX design capabilities are strong. It is also compatible with PSD sync with Adobe Photoshop and vector sync with Adobe Illustrator.
6. Framer – This makes your interactive prototypes more realistic with realistic and smooth animations, gestures, and transitions.
7. Origami Studio – A one-of-a-kind tool that is specifically dedicated to the creation of complex and sophisticated interactive interfaces and different prototypes.
8. Proto.io - Design great mobile or web app mockups and simulate interactions, movements, gestures, etc. as you plan for fully functional applications.
9. Justinmind – Web and mobile app prototypes with all the pages, interactions; and navigation workflows integrated for the presentation of the UI/UX ideas.
10. Whimsical – Software that is amusing to create wireframes, diagrams, sticky notes, and more. Extremely useful for the person in charge of product design work.
11. Penpot – Design platform for any design-oriented application that requires complex graphics and interface prototypes. Free too!
12. Canva – It helps to design websites and mobile applications with the help of templates and fonts of your choice. Drag and drop simplicity.
13. Pencil Project – Application mock-up tool that helps you open-source linkage tools to mock up and build the application interfaces. A free option!
14. Photoshop - Outlining the general wireframe and website or mobile application interface. Emphasizes speed and simplicity.
15. Axure RP is a business-case full-featured tool for creating wireframes, developing prototypes, creating specifications docs, etc. Do not allow your ideas to come to life hampered, allow them to flow freely.
16. It has the necessary features of a good design software for wireframing including designing, collaboration prototyping, and team handoff is offered by UXPin. Speeds development cycles.
17. Fluid UI - Interfaces for developing the prototype through the arrangement of buttons, icons, panels, and among others just by the drag-and-drop approach on the artboards.
18. Moqups – Similar to the earlier mentioned tools, Moqups is also a browser-based design tool for wireframing, mocking up, diagramming, and even creating 3D models.
19. InDesign – As a final production design tool for packaging, branding, layouts, and many others, InDesign will not let you down.
20. Affinity Designer – A cheaper version of Illustrator that comes loaded with illustration tools and the asset creation capability necessary for all your graphic design and illustration projects.
See some of the top product design platforms below and you should consider testing out a combination of the ones that you prefer to use in your style and development. Designing is not a task that can be done with any implementation, and it is time to equip yourself properly. May these 20 take your product ideas from idea to reality in 2024!