10 Must-Have AI Tools for Designers 2024: Design Like a Pro with AI

 Exploring the Top AI Tools for Designers in 2024

AI tools are increasingly being used in the design industry to automate mundane tasks, generate ideas, and create content, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of graphic design, product design, and social media marketing. With the ability to optimize time-consuming tasks, provide personalized guidance, generate original content, and enhance already-created items, AI for designers is not just a convenience but a necessity in a fast-evolving digital landscape. As the design industry evolves, understanding and integrating these AI tools for designers can significantly impact creativity and productivity, ensuring designers stay at the forefront of innovation.

While AI's rapid advancement sparks conversations around job displacement, with predictions of replacing 85 million jobs worldwide by 2025, a distinct categorization of designers emerges—those unaware of AI, afraid of AI, and those leveraging AI. The key to harnessing the full potential of generative AI and AI graphic tools lies in viewing AI not as a replacement but as a creative design partner. This shift in perspective enables designers to explore the plethora of AI tools available, such as Canva, Adobe Firefly, and Clipdrop, which are redefining the boundaries of creativity and efficiency in the design world.

Canva

Canva AI, a powerhouse in the realm of design, is revolutionizing the way designers approach their projects with its suite of AI tools. These tools are designed to streamline the creative process, making it more efficient and accessible. Among the standout features are:

• Magic Media & Magic Design: Magic Media breathes life into ideas by generating images from text prompts, allowing for a seamless blend of imagination and reality. Magic Design takes this a step further by crafting personalized templates from uploaded images, offering a tailored design experience.
• Magic Eraser & Magic Edit: With Magic Eraser, unwanted objects vanish from images with ease, ensuring a clean aesthetic. Magic Edit introduces a layer of creativity by swapping objects using generative AI, pushing the boundaries of design possibilities.
• Magic Write & Magic Design for Video: Magic Write is a game-changer for content creation, generating written material from simple prompts. Magic Design for Video extends this innovation to video content, creating social media-ready videos complete with captions, animations, and synced music.

Canva AI doesn't stop there. It enhances the design experience with automatic translation, advanced video footage editing, and a plethora of new fonts and editing features for layouts, layers, styles, and gradients. The introduction of the Brand Hub, including Brand Kit, Brand Folders, and Brand Templates, alongside Permissions and Workflow Approval tools, ensures brand consistency across all designs. The Magic Replace Tool is a noteworthy addition, allowing users to replace an asset across all designs with a single click.

The rebranding of Canva AI Image Generator to Magic Studio marks a significant evolution. Magic Studio, encompassing Magic Media, Magic Design, Magic Switch, Magic Animate, and Magic Morph, offers an enriched toolkit for generating images based on text prompts. Users have the flexibility to choose the aspect ratio and style, catering to a wide range of design needs. This opens up opportunities for designers to sell their generated images on platforms like Etsy, creating bundles for various themes or subjects.

In the landscape of AI tools for designers in 2024, Canva AI stands out not just for its comprehensive suite of tools but also for its commitment to making design accessible and engaging. With AI design tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, DALL-E 2, Adobe Sensei, Adobe Firefly, and many others in the mix, Canva AI ensures that designers have everything they need to bring their visions to life, making it an indispensable tool in the designer's toolkit.

Adobe Firefly

Adobe Firefly, an innovative addition to the suite of AI tools for designers, is making waves in the design industry with its unique features and capabilities. This tool is part of Adobe's commitment to integrating AI into creative workflows, offering designers a new level of creativity and efficiency. Key features of Adobe Firefly include:

• Content Credentials: This feature provides vital contextual information about the creation and editing of digital assets, including the tools used. It's a step towards promoting transparency and trust in digital content creation.
• Generative AI Features:
  
  • Text to Texture in Substance 3D Sampler: Allows for the generation of photorealistic or stylized textures for 3D object surfaces using simple text prompts.
  • Generative Background in Substance 3D Stager: Creates detailed background images from text prompts, enabling artists and designers to craft imaginative environments effortlessly.
  • Generative Fill in Photoshop: Facilitates the addition or removal of content in images with a simple text prompt, pushing the boundaries of content creation.
• Photoshop Integration:
  
  • Auto Selection and Select Subject: These features enable quick and accurate subject selection, streamlining the editing process.
  • Content-Aware Fill: Uses AI to seamlessly fill in areas of an image based on the surrounding pixel values, ensuring a natural look.
  • Face Aware Liquify: Automatically detects faces and facial features for easy manipulation, enhancing portrait editing.

Adobe Firefly stands out not only for its robust feature set but also for its ethical approach to AI. The tool is designed for safe commercial use, trained on licensed content like Adobe Stock and public domain content, ensuring that users can create with confidence for both personal and professional projects. It supports over 100 languages for text prompt inputs and is localized in more than 20 languages, making it accessible to a global audience.

Moreover, Adobe Firefly differentiates itself through its seamless integration with the Adobe Creative Cloud, ethical AI practices, and a focus on enhancing professional creative workflows. This integration allows for a smooth transition between tools and services within the Creative Cloud ecosystem, empowering designers to maximize their creativity through rapid conceptualization, creative experimentation, and streamlining design processes. With Adobe Firefly, designers have at their disposal a powerful tool that not only enhances digital media but also offers avenues for educational and skill development, ensuring they stay at the forefront of design innovation.

Clipdrop

Clipdrop.co emerges as a groundbreaking AI-powered ecosystem tailored for creators, blending advanced editing capabilities with seamless integrations and mobile applications. At its core, Clipdrop.co is designed to democratize the creation of stunning visuals, making them accessible to a wider audience. The platform's fusion of an advanced, intuitive user interface with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence propels it to the forefront of creative tools. Here's a closer look at what makes Clipdrop.co stand out:

• Advanced AI-Assisted Editing Features:
  

  • Removal of objects, people, or defects to clean up images.
  • Subject extraction for focused visual narratives.
  • Photo relighting to adjust mood and aesthetics.
  • Image upscaling for higher resolution outputs.

• Seamless Integration with Leading Editing Tools:
  

  • Direct app integration with Adobe Photoshop and Figma enhances workflow efficiency.
  • Mobile app availability on iOS and Android devices supports on-the-go creativity.

Clipdrop.co is not just about simplifying the creation of high-quality visuals; it's about redefining the creative process itself. Previously, achieving such results required juggling multiple tools and navigating a steep learning curve. Clipdrop.co, however, streamlines these processes, making it easier for creators to generate compelling visuals quickly. This is particularly beneficial for tasks like graphic design, photography, and social media management, where visual appeal is paramount.

• Innovative Features for Enhanced Creativity:

  • Background manipulation tools like background removal, replacement, and uncropping.
  • AI-driven image generation tools including Stable Doodle and Reimagine XL.
  • Developer-friendly options with Clipdrop API for custom app integrations.

• Target Audience and Use Cases:

  • Creative professionals and businesses looking to elevate their visual content.
  • Developers and tech enthusiasts seeking to integrate advanced image editing within their applications.
  • Marketers and social media managers aiming to captivate audiences with visually striking content.

Clipdrop.co stands as an ideal art generator and a part of a broader ecosystem of apps, plugins, and resources for creators. Whether it's generating realistic images with simple prompts, cropping and adjusting lighting, or enhancing image quality through upscaling and noise removal, Clipdrop.co equips users with a comprehensive suite of tools. This not only saves time by automating tasks like image extraction and background removal but also opens up new creative possibilities, making Clipdrop.co a versatile and indispensable tool for designers and creators across various industries.

Magician

Magician, a cutting-edge Figma plugin, is revolutionizing the way designers approach their creative workflows. Developed by Diagram, this AI-powered tool seamlessly integrates with Figma, a cloud-based collaborative design platform, bringing a suite of innovative features to the forefront of design technology. Here's what sets Magician apart:

• AI-Powered Design Assistance and Smart Suggestions:

  • Magic Features: Including Text to Icon, Redaction, Text to Image, Magic Icon, Magic Copy, and Magic Image, these features enable designers to transform textual prompts into visual elements, enhancing creativity and efficiency.
  • Customization and Adaptation: Magician allows for extensive customization, enabling designers to tailor the tool to their specific needs, thereby optimizing their design process and workflow.

• Automation and Prototyping Tools:

  • Rapid Prototyping: With powerful prototyping capabilities, including the ability to prototype with code, Magician streamlines the transition from design to development.
  • Task Automation: From generating copy for text and content to creating unique icons and suggesting colors, Magician automates common design tasks, freeing up time for more creative endeavors.

Magician is currently available for free as it is in beta, offering a generous plan that includes one license with unlimited use, early access to all magic spells, and future updates. This makes it an invaluable resource for Figma users looking to expand their creativity and streamline their design processes. Whether it's for individual designers aiming to enhance their productivity or teams seeking to stay ahead with the latest updates and improvements, Magician offers a comprehensive solution to meet the diverse needs of the design community. With alternatives like Thumbmachine, Watermarkly, and Chat2Build, designers have a plethora of options, but Magician stands out for its integration with Figma, making it a go-to choice for those within the Figma ecosystem.

Artboard Studio

Artboard Studio distinguishes itself as a versatile, browser-based design tool that caters to a wide array of creative needs, from graphic design and video editing to photo editing, audio editing, and animation. What sets it apart is its all-encompassing nature, providing users with:

• Comprehensive Editing and Design Features:

  • Item layers for complex compositions.
  • Magic tool (AI) for intelligent design assistance.
  • A variety of shapes, text options, and buttons for intricate designs.
  • Data source integration and smart object capabilities for dynamic content.
  • Advanced editing tools such as wrap, transform, perspective transform, remove BG, mask, and Pathfinder.
  • Motion, blend, typewriter animation, and animated path for captivating animations.

• Collaboration and Integration:

  • A clean interface that supports real-time collaboration among multiple users.
  • A Figma plugin, allowing users to leverage Artboard Studio's features within the Figma environment for seamless design creation and customization.

• Animation and AI Capabilities:

  • Keyframe-based transitions and automatic keyframe generation for smooth animations.
  • A timeline feature for managing complex animations involving multiple elements and layers.
  • Machine learning to understand user preferences and suggest design ideas, creating variations based on inputs for efficient marketing material creation.
  • An AI Generator for producing unique art pieces, offering a wide spectrum of creative possibilities.

Moreover, Artboard Studio’s marketplace enriches the user experience with a library of Mups (pre-designed elements) and templates, fostering an environment where creativity knows no bounds. Despite its current limitation of not supporting the export of CSS animations or HTML files, the potential for future enhancements remains promising. With a base in Toronto, Canada, and Istanbul, Turkey, Artboard Studio is not just a tool but a thriving community of passionate creators, artists, and visionaries worldwide. Offering a free trial along with various pricing plans, Artboard Studio ensures that designers can choose the best option to suit their needs, making it a prime choice for designers looking to push the boundaries of creativity and efficiency in 2024.

Lunacy

Lunacy, developed as a next-generation vector graphic design software, is setting new benchmarks in the realm of UI/UX and web design. Its standout features include:

• Speed and Intelligence: Claiming to be faster than Figma and smarter than Sketch, Lunacy offers a seamless design experience that caters to the fast-paced demands of modern design workflows.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, Lunacy ensures that designers can work on their preferred operating system without compromise. This flexibility extends to real-time collaboration across different platforms, making it easier for teams to work together, regardless of their location or device.
• AI-Powered Tools and Built-in Graphics: Lunacy comes equipped with a variety of AI-powered tools, such as a background remover, image upscaler, avatar tool, and text generator. These features are complemented by an extensive library of built-in graphics, including icons, photos, and illustrations, which enhance the design process by providing readily available resources.

Key Advantages:

• Accessibility and Usability: Lunacy is free for both personal and commercial use, offering a full single-user license. This, combined with its minimal learning curve and support for Sketch files and Figma import, positions Lunacy as an accessible and versatile tool for designers of all skill levels.
• Innovative Features: The platform introduces innovative features like linked design, auto shape colors, auto updates of generated content, and auto z-index, which streamline the design process and foster creativity.
• Language Support and Community Feedback: Supporting 24 languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish, and Russian, Lunacy caters to a global audience. The software's overall rating of 4.7 out of 5, based on 25 reviews, reflects its positive reception within the design community. Secondary ratings highlight its ease of use, customer support, value for money, and functionality, all rated at 4.5.

Despite its many strengths, users have noted that Lunacy can be buggy at times and may require optimization. However, the team behind Lunacy is committed to constant updates and improvements, addressing feedback and incorporating new features to enhance the user experience. This dedication to growth and the comprehensive suite of tools it offers make Lunacy an indispensable asset for designers in 2024, promising to increase productivity by centralizing everything in one place.

Builder.io

Builder.io is revolutionizing the way designers and developers collaborate to create and edit content through its innovative AI feature, Visual Copilot. This feature stands out for its ability to:

• Assist in content creation and editing using natural language, simplifying the design process and making it more intuitive.
• Generate images directly within the Visual Editor, offering a seamless integration of AI-generated visual content.
• Create pages or sections using custom components based on user prompts, enhancing the customization and flexibility of design projects.

Furthermore, Builder.io's AI capabilities extend to the generation of sections tailored to specific prompts and styles, along with the ability to edit content and translate text into different languages. This is complemented by the generation of full mini-applications, showcasing the platform's versatility. Notably, the AI generation process is both efficient and quick, taking about 15-30 seconds on average, making it a time-saving tool for designers.

The backbone of Builder.io's AI functionality is its proprietary AI models and the use of third-party Large Language Models (LLMs) such as OpenAI and Anthropic Claude. These models, which are fully built, trained internally, and hosted on Google Cloud, ensure a high level of innovation and creativity without relying on customer data. This ethical approach to AI development is a significant aspect of Builder.io's commitment to privacy and security.

Integration capabilities are a key feature of Builder.io, with its open-source project Mitosis enabling the AI-generated content to be integrated with various frameworks such as React, Qwik, Vue, and Svelte. This ensures that designers and developers can work within their preferred environment without compatibility issues. Additionally, the AI feature's accessibility through the Builder.io Figma plugin opens up new possibilities for design generation directly in Figma. This includes:

• Generating designs in Figma using AI, where users can see design options in real-time.
• Selection of favorite designs which then become fully editable directly in Figma, enhancing the flexibility and creativity of the design process.
• Conversion of designs to code using Builder.io's headless CMS APIs, ensuring a seamless workflow from design to development.

These features position Builder.io alongside other AI tools like Renderforest and FeedbackBot, as essential resources for designers looking to harness AI for generating designs, converting designs to code, and streamlining feedback collection processes.

Remove.bg

Remove.bg AI stands as a beacon for designers and content creators seeking to enhance their workflow with AI tools for designers. This online tool leverages advanced AI algorithms to automatically detect and remove backgrounds from images, simplifying what was once a painstaking manual process. Here's a closer look at its offerings:

• Versatility in Image Formats and Accessibility:

  • Supports PNG and JPG formats, catering to a broad spectrum of design needs.
  • Accessible on any device without the need for installation, promoting ease of use and convenience.
  • A dedicated mobile app enhances user experience and performance, making it an indispensable tool for designers on the go.

• Advanced Features and User Control:

  • Utilizes AI to automatically detect and remove complex backgrounds, including challenging elements like hair and fur.
  • Offers manual editing capabilities, allowing users to fine-tune the results with a brush tool for areas requiring additional background removal or restoration.
  • Enables users to make the background transparent or apply a new color, opening up creative possibilities for image compositing.

• Extensive Library and Editing Capabilities:

  • Provides a library of over 100 templates for background replacement, serving a wide range of use cases from product photos to personal selfies.
  • Beyond background removal, it serves as a comprehensive image editing tool, allowing for the creation of art, banners, visual presentations, and more.
  • Offers bulk removal capabilities through its API and integrates with popular design programs and eCommerce platforms via plugins, enhancing its utility for professional projects.

Moreover, Remove.bg AI's cost-effectiveness and quality retention are noteworthy. It's free to use for basic operations, making high-quality image editing accessible to all. The platform retains the original image quality, ensuring that the final outputs are free from distortions or missing elements. With positive reviews from users applauding its efficiency and effectiveness, along with a variety of subscription plans tailored to different needs, Remove.bg AI is a pivotal tool in the arsenal of designers aiming to leverage the best AI tools for designers in 2024.

Autodraw

AutoDraw, developed by Google AI, is an innovative web-based drawing tool that integrates machine learning with professional artwork to streamline the drawing process for users of all skill levels. Here’s how it stands out in the realm of AI tools for designers:

• Ease of Use and Accessibility:

  • No download or payment required; operates seamlessly across devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.
  • User-friendly interface with a 'Start Drawing' button to immediately begin the creative process.
  • Requires JavaScript for functionality, ensuring broad compatibility with modern web browsers.

• Advanced Drawing Features:

  • Machine Learning Technology: Recognizes user's sketches and suggests complete drawings, making it easier for users to refine their illustrations.
  • Suggestion Tool: Employs technology similar to Google's Quick, Draw! to predict what the user is attempting to draw, offering hundreds of recognizable drawings for selection.
  • Large Library: Access to a vast collection of artwork from talented artists, enhancing the variety and quality of suggestions.

• Collaboration and Sharing:

  • Options for users to 'Start over', 'Download' their creations, or 'Share' their work on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus.
  • 'Artists' section to view contributions from various artists, designers, and illustrators, including notable names like HAWRAF and Selman Design.
  • Open invitation for users to submit their own drawings for consideration, fostering a community of collaborative creativity.

AutoDraw not only makes drawing and creating more accessible and fun for everyone but also serves as an experimental platform that Google plans to expand with more features in the future. Its unique combination of machine learning and professional artistry, coupled with its commitment to accessibility and ease of use, positions AutoDraw as a valuable tool for designers looking to quickly and easily bring their ideas to life.

Uizard

Uizard is redefining the landscape of UI/UX design with its AI-powered capabilities, making it a beacon for designers and developers alike. This innovative tool simplifies the design process by offering a suite of features that cater to a wide range of creative needs:

• Features at a Glance:
  • Wireframing, mockups, and prototyping to bring ideas to life with precision and ease.
  • Screenshot Scanner and Wireframe Scanner for transforming app/web screenshots and hand-drawn wireframes into editable digital designs, respectively.
  • An extensive library of templates tailored for mobile apps, websites, web apps, tablet apps, app wireframes, and website wireframes, facilitating a diverse range of design projects.

Uizard's target audience is as diverse as its features, encompassing product managers, designers, marketers, business analysts, startup founders, consultants, agencies, developers, and enterprises. This broad appeal is a testament to its versatility and the value it brings to different roles within the design and development ecosystem. The tool's AI technology, Autodesigner 1.5, is particularly noteworthy for its ability to generate projects, screens, and themes from simple text inputs, converting these into multi-screen mockups and offering:

• Innovative AI Design Assistance:
  • Generates entire screens or full prototypes based on text prompts and design preferences.
  • Allows real-time collaboration, enabling team members to work simultaneously on projects.
  • Offers a free trial for Autodesigner 1.5, with subscription options available for continued access.

Accessibility is a key feature of Uizard, being a web-based tool that ensures users can access their projects from anywhere, at any time. The platform's pricing model is designed to accommodate a variety of needs, offering three membership packages on a monthly or yearly basis. Trusted by renowned companies like IBM, Tesla, and Google, Uizard stands alongside other pivotal AI tools for designers, including Adobe Sensei and Adobe Firefly, as a testament to the transformative power of AI in the design industry.

Conclusion

Throughout this comprehensive exploration, we've ventured into the dynamic world of AI tools tailored for designers in 2024, uncovering a wide array of platforms designed to enhance creativity, efficiency, and innovation in the digital design landscape. From the expansive functionalities of Canva AI and Adobe Firefly to the targeted capabilities of Clipdrop and Uizard, we've witnessed how AI integration is not just revolutionizing design workflows but also democratizing design capabilities, allowing creators at all levels to bring their visions to life with unprecedented ease and sophistication.

As the digital frontier continues to expand, the role of AI in design is undeniably pivotal, offering both new challenges and opportunities. These tools, each with their unique offerings, underscore the importance of leveraging AI as a companion in the creative process, empowering designers to navigate the fast-evolving design terrain with confidence. With technology rapidly advancing, the exploration of these tools not only equips designers with the means to excel in their craft but also inspires further innovation in the convergence of AI and design. As we look towards the future, embracing these AI tools will undoubtedly be key in shaping the next era of design excellence.

FAQs

1. What can we expect from AI in the realm of design in the future? AI is set to revolutionize the design industry by unlocking new creative opportunities for artists, enhancing the capabilities of both designers and those without traditional design backgrounds, streamlining organizational hierarchies, and placing a greater emphasis on the ethical considerations of design in the AI context.

2. Will AI eventually take over the jobs of designers? No, AI is not expected to replace designers. While AI has its strengths, there are certain aspects where human creativity and expertise outshine AI. Instead of replacement, AI is likely to assist designers by automating mundane and repetitive tasks, allowing designers to focus on more creative and enjoyable aspects of their work.

3. How extensive is the current range of AI tools available? There is a vast array of AI tools at your disposal, with a comprehensive database that includes nearly 300 AI tools. These tools are organized based on their use cases and come with helpful links and product descriptions for easy reference.

4. What are some practical ways to utilize AI in my projects? AI simplifies the process of creating and editing visual content for either personal or professional projects. Here are some ways AI can be used:

• Generating custom artwork
• Enhancing product photos to look more professional
• Designing logos and brand assets
• Crafting custom illustrations
• Producing and editing videos
• Generating professional-quality headshots
• Editing photos with expert-level precision