Recommended Resources
We utilize quite a few helpful tools and services on Vectortuts+, as well as teach how to use them through regularly published educational material on this site. Here are our top recommended resources for vector creatives, which is put together by our editorial staff.
Note that some of the links below are affiliate links, which simply means we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase that particular tool or service. If you do, we thank you for supporting Vectortuts+.
Adobe Creative Suite CS6
Adobe Creative Suite CS6 is the industry leading suite of design software. If you’re looking to work professionally in design, then this is the software package we recommend learning and investing in. The Design Standard edition contains Photoshop and our favorite vector tool Illustrator, as well as page layout software InDesign. Learn more over at Adobe.
Adobe Illustrator CS6
Yah, Illustrator is what we teach the most here on Vectortuts+, it’s our favorite (possibly an extension of ourselves). Adobe Illustrator CS6 is a vector creative’s go to software tool. Get started with Adobe Illustrator Beginner Tutorials. The new version has been given performance upgrades, so it’s faster and more stable. It has it’s reliable vector arsenal of tools and a few new ones to boot. Learn more over at Adobe.
Adobe InDesign CS6
Adobe InDesign CS6 software is a versatile desktop publishing application that gives you pixel-perfect control over design and typography. Get started with Adobe InDesign Beginner Tutorials here on Vectortuts+. Create elegant and engaging pages for print, tablets, and other screens. InDesign is still great for print, but it can be used for digital output as well. Layouts look good on a variety of page sizes, orientations, and devices. Learn more over at Adobe.
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 is a quality graphic design software solution. Some vector artists and designers prefer this suite to Adobe’s tools. Get started with top CorelDRAW Tutorials here on Vectortuts+. With its content-rich environment, professional graphic design tools, and vector illustration and page layout features, you have a strong competitor to Adobe Illustrator. Learn more over at Corel’s website.
Inkscape
Inkscape is an open source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to leading commercial vector software. It uses the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format. Get started with great Inkscape tutorials from Vectortuts+. We recommend this vector software to get started with if you’re on a budget. It’s free software with an awesome toolset. Learn more over at Inkscape’s website.
Astute Graphics Plugins: DrawScribe, Phantasm CS, VectorScribe
Astute Graphics create high quality plugins for our beloved Illustrator. These plugins add creative features and speedy tools to Illustrator. Get started working with DrawScribe, Phantasm CS, and VectorScribe. Quite a few top vector artists and designers wouldn’t want to work in Illustrator without these plugins. They allow you to edit and create vector artwork faster, smarter, and dynamically. Learn more over at Astute Graphics.
GraphicRiver
At GraphicRiver you can buy and sell royalty-free, layered Photoshop files, vectors, icon packs, Adobe add-ons and design templates for just a few dollars. GraphicRiver is an Envato Marketplace and sister site to Vectortuts+. The site is home to a passionate community of graphic designers and illustrators. It’s a great community to get involved with. Learn more about GraphicRiver.
MyFonts
MyFonts is the world’s largest font collection available on one easy-to-use website. They pull together fonts from both large font companies and boutique outfits. Quality fonts are added daily. If you’re looking for a new font for your next client project, this is the site to find it on. Learn more over at MyFonts.
Fonts.com
The Fonts.com store from Monotype Imaging offers more than 150,000 font products for you to preview, purchase and download. Monotype has been around for ages and is a leading font producer. You can also learn about new typeface releases and discover typographic tips and techniques on their site. Learn more over at Fonts.com.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is an ongoing membership that lets you download and install any of the Adobe Creative Suite applications. You also get online services for file sharing, collaboration, and publishing. Over time the cost of membership adds up, but it’s a great way to get all your needed tools for a low initial investment. With this service you’ll always have the most recent release of Adobe’s top design software. Learn more over at Adobe.
ConceptShare
If you’re working as a freelance vector creative, then your business will benefit from ConceptShare. This cloud service helps creatives get client feedback on visual assets. It improves the client approval process and allows you to deliver polished results on time and on spec. Learn more over at ConceptShare.
Wacom
If you purchase a pen tablet, then you’ll need to learn how to use it. Get started with learning Illustrator’s brush tutorials here on Vectortuts+. Wacom produces cutting edge, industry leading pen tablets. They have choices that fit any budget, from vector hobbyist to professional illustrator. Using a digital pen can transform the style of your vector artwork. Learn more about Wacom’s tools over at Amazon.
Rhodia – Art Supplies
These French orange notebooks have a cult following, yes creatives do fall in love with their tools. These economical pads are one of our favorites. We love to run our fingers across their grids, smooth paper and uniquely scored covers. Rhodia has been carried by artists since the 1930s, so using these feels like you’re taping into a rich creative legacy. Learn more about these notebooks over at Amazon.
Incase
We wouldn’t go so far as to say you need a stylish backpack or case, but who doesn’t want one. Incase designs some of our favorites. They make trend setting bags and cases that are perfect for carting your MacBook laptop, storing your creative gear, iPad, or iPhone. Learn more over on Amazon.
Pantone
Pantone offers professional color tools and services that help designers to perfect their color choices. Pantone sets the industry standard for print tools that make sure your clients get exactly the color their project needs. Learn more over at Pantone.
Adobe Ideas
Adobe Ideas is your mobile digital sketchbook, letting you capture and explore ideas anywhere you go. Learn how to integrate Adobe Ideas into your Illustrator vector workflow. This mobile app lets you easily sketch using vectors, re-use specific colors using the Eyedropper tool, save and use multiple color themes. Adjust layer opacity, move, rotate and scale each layer independently. Learn more about this mobile app at iTunes.
Procreate
Procreate is a great sketchbook and drawing app for your iPad. It’s fast to work with so you can get your ideas down quickly. It has a wide array of brushes to choose from, studio grade tools, and feels intuitive to draw with. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
SketchBook Pro for iPad
Autodesk SketchBook Pro for iPad is a professional-grade paint and drawing application. Using the same paint engine as its desktop counterpart, SketchBook Pro delivers a complete set of sketching and painting tools. While our favorite sketchbook app is Procreate, this one has its supporters, and is also a very good choice for iPad sketching. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
FontBook App
If you own an iPad and are a graphic designer, then you’ll love this beautiful reference app. FontBook is the world’s most comprehensive reference on digital typography. It documents the work of 118 renowned international type foundries, representing close to 1650 type designers, constituting 35,000 fonts from 8050 font families. The FontBook app presents this selection through 700,000 typeface samples which can be intuitively spread out, searched, layered, moved, scrolled and combined like a collection of maps – truly awesome. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
Freeform – Vector Drawing App
Freeform is a vector drawing tool for your iPad. Create quick sketches, mockups, or diagrams with this app. Export your drawings via email in JPG, PNG, or PDF formats, or save to your photo library. This is a great app for vector on the go. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
iDraw
One of the most feature-packed vector drawing and illustration apps available on the iPad, iDraw has all of the tools you need to create everything from detailed technical illustrations to beautiful works of art. This feature-rich vector app has many of the tools you’d want in compact vector software. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
Inkpad
Inkpad is a solid choice for professional vector illustration apps on the iPad. It supports paths, text, images, groups, masks, gradient fills, and an unlimited number of layers. Learn more about this app at iTunes.