QA Graphic

Top 6 Graphic Design Apps Every Macintosh User Should Know About

Discover the must-have Mac graphic applications I rely on daily for editing, enhancing, and creating stunning visuals with ease.

This week, someone asked me which graphic applications I use the most on my Macintosh. It was a great question and inspired me to write this blog post. Graphics are a big part of my daily workflow, whether I'm creating visuals for blog posts, enhancing photos, or designing unique layouts. Here are the six graphic applications I turn to most frequently, along with how I use them.

Graphic Apps

Affinity Designer 2

Affinity Designer 2 is my go-to application for creating productive daily worksheets and graphic layouts. It's a powerful vector design tool, especially handy when I work with EPS files purchased online. Whether I need precise shapes or intricate designs, this app handles it all seamlessly.

Affinity Photo

While I don't use Affinity Photo as extensively, it's my tool of choice for minor photo edits. I haven't upgraded to Affinity Photo 2 because other applications fulfill most of my needs, but it remains a reliable option for quick touch-ups.

Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo is my enhancement powerhouse. When I want to make a photo look stunning, this is the application I use. Its AI tools for sky replacement and photo enhancement give my images a professional touch, perfect for blog visuals or personal projects.

Photolemur 3

For a quick cleanup and enhancement, Photolemur 3 gets the job done. It supports HEIC files, making it an excellent tool for converting them to JPEGs with an added bonus of image enhancement. While Luminar Neo does a better job overall, Photolemur shines when speed is the priority.

PhotoScape X

PhotoScape X is incredibly versatile. I use it mainly to create collages and add special effects to images. Its user-friendly interface and diverse editing features make it a great addition to my toolkit.

Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro is a standout for creating blog images and even some light video editing. The Remove Background and Super Resolution features have been lifesavers, breathing new life into old graphic files I thought were unusable.


Each of these applications brings something unique to the table, and together they cover all my graphic design and editing needs. Whether I'm crafting a blog post image, enhancing a photo for social media, or working on a personal project, I know I can rely on these tools.

 

About

A Mac veteran since 1989, I'm here to share my experience with tips and tricks every Friday. Witnessing the evolution of Mac software and hardware firsthand, I've gained a deep understanding of how these machines work and can help you troubleshoot any issues that may come up.

Schedule

FridayMacintosh
SaturdayInternet Tools
SundayOpen Topic
MondayMedia Monday
TuesdayQA
WednesdayAffinity
ThursdayBBEdit