SaaS tools for designers

Software as a Service, otherwise known as ‘SaaS,’ is a term used for applications that are delivered over the Internet as a service. SaaS is a way of licensing and providing cloud-hosted software as a subscription. Because of the ease of access to SaaS tools, they have remained a boon in the field of user interface (UI)/user experience (UX) development and design.

There are hundreds of SaaS tools available for building, wireframing, testing, web design tools, and other types of projects. However, not all these tools offer comparable results. We narrowed the vast list of SaaS UI/UX design and development tools available to the seven must-haves for designers:

1. Figma

Figma became so popular among UI/UX developers that it went head-to-head against Adobe products until Adobe eventually purchased it. Figma is one of the most versatile tools for creating high-quality prototypes and user interfaces. It supports real-time development, is easy to work with, has one of the widest range of features, and has a community of great designers that create free plugins for others to use.

2. InVision

Designers looking for an excellent tool offering complete prototyping service would love InVision. It is a great team-based prototyping and file-sharing tool that can be used for website architecture, individual page design, content flow, and other UI/UX designs. You can leverage InVision’s blog and other resources if you need some SaaS UX design inspiration.

3. PhotoADKing

PhotoADKing is a powerful online graphic design editor that helps users design flyers, posters, brochures, banners, business cards, invitation cards, and other products using drag and drop. There are also multiple templates that make the work easier for designers. PhotoADKing is an easy-to-use SaaS tool, yet powerful enough to be used in designing YouTube intro/outro videos, thumbnails, and email newsletters.

4. nTopology

nTopology is one of the most powerful SaaS tools used to create and optimize 3D models. This tool is a must for designers that create visual presentations of products before they are manufactured. nTopology used generative technology to help designers push the boundaries of additive manufacturing technologies and computer-aided designs.

5. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe is a rare case of a company that managed to successfully navigate the transition from traditional software sales to a SaaS business model.

And, Adobe Illustrator remains one of the industry-defining tools in graphic design. Adobe Illustrator is the go-to design tool for many types of vector graphics. professionals including logo designers, web designers, and mobile app interface designers.

Adobe Illustrator helps you create vector graphics for logos, illustrations, infographics, and icons. These can be scaled up or down without any degradation in quality. As a result, vector illustrations are perfect for designing for multiple display sizes, from small screens to large outdoor signage.

6. Canva

Despite being a very simplistic tool, Canva has its place in every designer’s toolbox. There are few tools that help compose concepts and design ideas quite as quickly and easily as Canva.

With its easy drag-and-drop interface and built-in templates, both professional and amateur designers can create amazing concepts before committing to a more finalized design.

And, Canva is excellent for designing images that don’t need to be overly polished. If you need to quickly put together a social media post, an event flyer, or a presentation, Canva is the tool for you. With a library of built-in photos, illustrations, and fonts, as well as millions of user-uploaded images, you can create a one-of-a-kind design in just minutes.

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Why Do Designers Need SaaS Tools?

Because SaaS tools are offered over the internet, designers do not need to install complex software or buy expensive hardware to run applications (e.g. for SaaS login page design). They give designers the freedom to switch to the latest tools without needing to change their hardware or make long-term contractual commitments.

In addition to being less expensive and offering easy upgrades, SaaS design tools ensure data safety as work progress is automatically saved on the cloud. SaaS tools give designers flexibility and enhance their efficiency to unlock a new tier of creativity.