7 Important Tools For UI Designers
The tech world continues to evolve, offering problem-solving tools for different industries. With the recent growth of UI design as both vocation and practice, the bar for high-quality product experience is set higher with every passing year. And this means that, as a UI designer, you have very little room for failure when it comes to meeting the needs of the users.
The best UI design tools can fit several design processes and can meet most of your creative requirements. Now is the time to explore new tools for UI and see what will be valuable for your projects. In this article, we have gathered seven important UI design tools that can enhance your design workflow and help you craft seamless experiences.
1. InVision
InVIsion is one of the most popular tools for prototyping and drawing. The tool got its popularity due to its ability to easily import files from Photoshop, Sketch, and a huge variety of managing tools and create animated designs. An interactive prototype in this tool looks like the real-life project because it allows you to link the pages simulating the usage of a real mobile app or website.
Moreover, the tool helps to enhance the feedback process allowing you to provide comments right on the prototype. One of InVision best features is that all the projects can be stored in the Cloud, so that means all your data is safe. One more unique feature with InVision is that you can organize the UI components in different columns displaying status, such as in progress, approved, or to-do. That way, both the designers and clients can control the workflow more efficiently.
2. Slides
Slides is a framework designed by DesignModo. The tool allows you to create webpages that have a single page but can move through different content. One of the things that make this tool stand out is that you will have access to over 60 incredible slides as well as the ability to easily build your own website. Moreover, the Designmodo static templates generator allows you to shift between all of your options to find the one suitable for you.
This tool is a collection of slides or elements that you combine to create an incredible animated presentation in a web format. Slide allows you to put an amazing design together in no time, and very parts work together effortlessly. In the instance, you have no idea how to create a website; the tool can help you build something practical.
3. Sketch
Sketch is a vector-based tool that every UI designer needs. Sketch is more than just a drawing tool; it is also great for prototyping and wireframing. The tool has a good resizing option, which has been enhanced over the years, and the prototyping help designers to transform their designs, which can be done in the Cloud.
In addition, the tool boasts of new libraries that allow you to explore fresh possibilities in enhancing design systems. The tool is high-speed and addresses every designer’s requirements quickly. With Sketch, it is easy to create and edit symbols, and it allows you to move on with your project at a fast speed. However, Sketch is only designed for the Mac Operating System.
4. Marvel
Marvel is a prototyping tool that is perfect for refining an interface and producing quick ideas. As with many of the other tools of this type, Marvel provides a neat way of creating pages, and it allows you to imitate your design through a prototype. With thousands of users, Marvel is a perfect tool if you are looking for something easy to use for novice or experienced UI designers.
In addition, most of the widely used digital solutions have been built around this tool. And you can also expect fast feedback on your design with a centralized facility that accompanies this tool.
5. Figma
Figma is the very first in-browser interface design tool. With several useful features and editing tools, this is the one-stop-shop for prototyping, designing, and collecting feedback. You can take advantage of the constraint features; this adjusts your designs when the screen size changes. With the tool component features, it is very easy to reuse its elements across your designs.
One of the most important features of Figma is that it is a collaborative design tool whereby several people can work simultaneously on a particular project – this feature is particularly useful when you have several stakeholders involved in a project that is involved in determining the outcome. Figma is the type of tool that is perfect if you have a live project where a designer, developer, and copywriter, for instance, need to work on a project at the same time.
6. Balsamiq
Balsamiq is a tool that is well-liked within the design industry when it comes to swift wireframing. The tool is available as a Cloud or desktop app, and it markets itself as the ideal in-between tool for developers, product managers, and designers. One of the most used features for UI designers is the tool User Interface Library – you can select from the array of different UI elements and simply drag and drop them onto the wireframe.
Balsamiq is also an incredible tool that handles prototype development and wireframes efficiently. Plus, it helps in a quick user test before sharing for customer analysis. Furthermore, its wireframe tool supports multiple formats.
7. Adobe XD
Adobe XD is an incredible tool for prototyping and designing user experiences for mobile, web, and even voice. You will feel right at home with this tool if you are already familiar with the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. Adobe XD is an extremely versatile tool that provides a range of features for prototyping, designing, collaborating, sharing, and building a complete design system.
Adobe XD natively supports macOS and Windows and is also available as a mobile app for both iOS and Android. The tool also boasts of auto-animate features, which are extremely valuable, especially when building a prototype of websites. Voice prototyping is also a useful feature if you want to take user experience to the next level.