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

Monday 17 Media
Tuesday 18 QA
Wednesday 19 Python
Thursday 20 Final Cut Pro
Friday 21 Macintosh
Saturday 22 Internet Tools
Sunday 23 Misc