A well-designed visual is something anyone would not want to miss looking at. Talent can create visually-appealing creations, but no one ever said that you cannot get help from design software and applications. Whether you are a developer or a designer of any sorts, here are some of the coolest iPad applications that you can best use. These include basic tools, as well as advanced tools specifically designed for the artist’s needs.
1. Artist’s Touch
Created by Artamata, Inc., Artist’s Touch allows the user create beautiful and expressive artwork. This iOS application girds more towards brush work, so if your designs are in that area, this is perfect for you. The application provides countless brush styles and a wide color range. Many people like this iPad application because even beginners can use this, and look like professional painters. Even children can use this, and would not create a big mess around the house. In fact, many people suggested that they should buy iPad just so they could specifically try this application. Artist’s Touch is that good.
2. Penultimate
Penultimate is created by Cocoa Box Design LLC. This is one of the best-selling applications for iPad. This application allows the user to create quick sketches and even notes that can be sent to one’s email or even to friends. As a budding designer, if you have sudden ideas, you can quickly write and save them down on Penultimate.
3. iDraw
For people who like vector drawing and illustration, this is one application they would surely not want to miss. Many illustrators say this is an iPad version for Adobe Illustrator. The application contains many basic drawing features, as well as advanced ones. Different types of paper such as graph, lined, notepad, blueprint, etc can be selected for use. The application is easy enough to understand so even if it is the first time to use it, with constant practice, one could get the hang of it soon enough.
4. SketchBook Pro
Autodesk SketchBook Pro is an application created for professional paint and drawing. Autodesk Inc. launched a similar desktop application, which basically highlights the same features of SketchBook Pro. The application has a great set of painting and sketching tools, as well as high quality brushes, wide color range, multi-touch interface, and many others. It can be thought of as the ultimate digital sketchbook. Professional illustrators would find this application very useful, but it is easy enough to be learned by beginners as well.
5. Adobe Ideas
Adobe Ideas is what Adobe Systems Incorporated calls its “digital textbook”. It is thought of as a good companion for other Adobe-based programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. With this application, one can perform various Photoshop and Illustrator-based features like sketching, painting and vectoring. He can even create up to ten layers for editing. One can even save ideas as a PDF file and send it as an email. The email can then be opened in Adobe Illustrator for further editing. Many users are impressed of it’s a well-thought interface.
6. iMockups for iPad
Drafting wire frames has never been easier with iMockups for iPad. It is the premiere application for wire framing and mock up. This application allows the user to design an application. The user can save the design and even email it to himself. For designers and developers, this tool is very easy to use, and they can create up to ten mock-up designs in one application. This is especially handy when the user wants to try creating a program or tool out of an idea.
7. Fonts and Color Reference
Designs need text too, and Fonts and Color Reference by Atomic Flavors S.L. can provide these. The user can choose from several font types and colors to use in his design. It is just a very basic application that one can use in several projects involving design.
8. iFontMaker
If the user does not want to use pre-created font styles, they can make their own using iFontMaker. iFontMaker is an application created by Eiji Nishidai exclusively created for iPad. The user’s font design can be saved as a TTF file. Then, he can open these in various programs such as Adobe CreativeSuite, and Microsoft Office for both Mac and Windows. The user can even embed it on a website as a website font. The program is easy enough to use that even a child can create his own fonts.
9. SketchyPad.
SketchyPad is an iPad application created by Nick Golovin. This is an application used for website sketching. Basically, it could help web and interface designers effectively design. It features 56 stencils, which are regularly updated, an easy-to-use interface, free icons, links between mock-ups, and many more. The edited material can be saved as a PNG file and emailed.
10. Masque
Photo-editing has never been easier with Masque. It is an iPad app created by Ubermind, Inc. that allows easy importing of photos from various photo sharing websites such as Facebook and Flickr for easy editing. The user can layer multiple effects and perform basic photo editing. One of the key features of Masque is that it automatically saves so the user has no need to worry about losing the file. The photos can also be exported and shared online.
11. Typedrawing
Typedrawing has been one of the most-acclaimed applications for iPad. This application is created by Hansol Huh. It allows user to create beautiful typography art and unique watermarks. The user need only type the words and create a wonderful artistic typography. The application supports 47 fonts and full color support. The user can also import photos and edit them with the text.
12. Brushes
Brushes are designed by Taptrix, Inc. that is popularly known as great painting application. It is specially designed for iPad. Its main features include 19 high quality brushes. It allows the user to create up to six layers, and reorder, merge and change the transparency of these layers. It also allows the importation of photos, as well as the exportation and sharing through Flickr or desktop saving. It also has a cool playback feature that many users find worthwhile using.
13. Air Display
Avatron Software, Inc. made Air Display to create an extra display for computer monitors. This is a very handy application for web designers and developers, especially since they have to work on many things on the web all the time. Air Display works like a wireless computer screen and extender, and no matter what type of monitor display is being used, the application can be adjusted accordingly. The user can fill in the extra applications in the Air Display for easy sorting of work. It is compatible with Mac OS and Windows.
14. Things
Web developers and designers have a lot of things going on. That is why Things is the perfect application for them. Things are specifically designed by Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG to be an all-around task manager. Manage schedules, create notes for yourself, set due dates, write down ideas, and create projects with this application.
15. Color RGB
Ilsword Programming designed Color RGB. It is a simple application that allows the user to find specifically the color he needs. For web designers, color is very important especially in editing the interface. The right hue can make the difference in the overall outlook of the design. This application provides Hex codes, RGB and hue values for the color.
16. Dropbox
From the creator of the same name, Dropbox is an application that allows its user to sync files to various types of hardware. If the owner has a desktop and an iPad, Dropbox would sync the files of both so the user can conveniently carry around needed files to work on.
The application can also be integrated with other applications so it can adapt and work around to the needs of the user. The user can easily upload photos and videos, add files to favorites (or important list), and even share files with friends, family or co-workers. For web designers and developers, they can easily bring the projects they are working on anywhere, even outside the home or office because Dropbox allows its users to save files right on the Dropbox website. The best thing about the application is that it is for free.
17. Gusto
It is the one to complete this list of our featured apps for designers and developers. It is a complete web environment solely meant for iPad which focuses on usability and workflow.
These applications include just some of the coolest and highly-rated applications right from iPad users. Remember that not all applications work for everyone. Some people might like using such and such application, but it may not necessarily hit well with you. Just try to find what works most comfortably with you.
So what do you think about this list? Is it accurate? Does your favorite make it on this list? If not, tell us about the application, and we’ll look over it and see if it can make out our next “cool” list. Also, please do tell us which types of applications you would want us to list down next.
We hope the information in this article has been useful for you.
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