Best Tools for Web Designers: Beginners Edition

Beginner in the web design field? Equip your toolbox with these web design tools.

Superman, Spider Man, Hulk, web designers — wait, web designers?

Web designers are the unsung heroes of web development, creating visually stimulating and user-friendly web pages. Their expert knowledge of the elements of user experience, empathetic approach, and toolbox of web design tools are their superpowers.

Fear not, beginner web designers. Although you have big superhero shoes to fill, there are many exceptional tools to support your design career. From design tools like Github and Figma to project management tools like Trello, there are a wealth of options.

Suit up and fill your toolbox with these beginner-friendly web design tools.

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Best Tools for Beginner Web Designers

Trello

Project Management Tool for Web Designers

Trello tool with columns annotated with different phases of the design processSource: Trello

Web designers do not work in a vacuum. Teams of web designers — UX, UI, interaction, visual designers — work together on a project. For this reason, project management tool Trello is on our list of web design tools.

Trello isn’t a new tool by any means. It’s a popular tool amongst teams across various industries for its simple and easy-to-use interface. Designers can create, manage, and share spreadsheets, emails, and tasks. And drag-and-drop functions, template boards, and free plans make this tool a no-brainer for budding designers.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Adobe XD

Vector Design Tool for Web Designers

Adobe XD home pageAdobe is a web design software created for digital design in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

Adobe XD is a creative tool in the Adobe Creative Cloud. The tool, first introduced in 2015 as Project Comet in response to Sketch’s popularity, combines the functionality of Photoshop and Illustrator. What makes Adobe XD different from both programs is its web design focus. Where Photoshop and Illustrator are primarily for print design, XD enables web designers to create website wireframes, responsive designs, and prototypes.

Newer web designers should consider Adobe XD because the tool is one of several industry standard tools. Web designers working in a team setting or freelancing for a company with established standards may find it easier to integrate and work with their preferred tool.

Adobe XD does come with a learning curve like any other Adobe software. However, when you sign up for a free trial or paid plan, you gain access to tutorials, how-to guides, and XD expert best practices.

Web designers can trial Adobe XD for seven days before monetarily committing. During this time, you can determine if Adobe XD or another industry-standard vector design tool works best for your needs. After, Adobe offers premium plans based on your use and needs.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐

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Adobe Dreamweaver

Web Design Software for Web Designers

Image of Adobe Dreamweaver with high fidelity wireframeSource:  Adobe Dreamweaver

Adobe Dreamweaver is another web design software a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud. Dreamweaver allows web designers and teams to build webpages, designing them visually in a ‘live” window. Advanced coding knowledge is not required; however, beginner web designers may benefit from basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge to get the most out of the design software.

Dreamweaver is another industry-standard tool that allows web designers and web developers alike to create and publish professional-quality websites.

Adobe Dreamweaver has a 7-day free trial and monthly subscriptions starting at $20.99.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐

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Canva

Graphic Design Tool for Web Designers

Canva tool with digital marketing presentationCanva is an accessible design application, perfect for visual design beginners.

Canva is a web-based design tool perfect for amateur visual designers. Canva is on our list of tools for web designers because of its ease of use. Canva’s no-code, drag-and-drop editor allows users to pull visual elements from its content library and open-source repository. Likewise, Canva provides editable templates to jumpstart the design process.

Make no mistake: Canva has different functionality than Adobe Photoshop, which offers greater opportunities for original, professional-looking design. Nonetheless, Canva works well for one-off, templative, or resource-limited projects.

Canva has a free version and a paid version for individuals and teams.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Figma

Interface Design Tool for Web Designers

Figma home pageFigma and FigJam are collaborative design tools.

Figma is an all-in-one design tool primarily used for its graphic editing and interface design capabilities; however, users may also use the tool to wireframe websites, design mobile app interfaces, prototype designs, draft social media posts, and more.

While our focus is Figma, the same company also offers FigJam, a brainstorming tool for teams. FigJam is a digital whiteboard application where users can draw, type, and map projects in a shared space. This is especially useful for remote teams, as multiple users can access and update FigJam whiteboards.

Figma and FigJam have web-based accessibility, desktop apps for macOS and Windows, and mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Figma offers a free design + prototyping tool with limited capabilities and monthly paid subscriptions starting at $12.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Google Web Designer

All-In-One Web Page Designing Tool

Home page of Google Web DesignerGoogle Web Designer has a host of web design capabilities, including responsive web page designing.

Google Web Designer is a flexible design tool that enables designers to create videos, images, and HTML5-based responsive web designs for Windows and Mac.

Beginner web designers are encouraged to have some coding knowledge to use this web design tool. But for the uninitiated, users can toggle between visual and HTML displays, how-to guides, and video tutorials.

For even better design efficiency, Google Web Designer integrates with other Google products, including Google Fonts and Studio Asset Library.

Google Web Designer is a free web design software application.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐

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Sketch

Vector Graphics Design Tool for Web Designers

Sketch tool with mobile app prototype displayedSource: Sketch

Sketch is a no-code, drag-and-drop vector tool that gives Adobe XD and Photoshop a run for their money. The tool is primarily used by UI and UX designers for creating website and/or mobile app concepts. Sketch has a native Mac and web-based editor.

This website design software is on our list because of its beginner-friendly user interface and real-time collaboration capabilities. Additionally, Sketch has numerous plugins to boost the tool’s functionality and automate select tasks.

Sketch has a 30-day free trial; however, once the 30 days expire, individual plans start at $9 and business accounts start at $20.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Balsamiq

Low-Fidelity Wireframe Software for Everyone

Home screen of Balsamiq wireframing toolBalsamiq is a wireframing tool perfect for beginners.

Balsamiq is a beginner-friendly, low-fidelity wireframing tool available through web application and desktop app for Mac and Windows.

Balsamiq made our list for its Balsamiq Wireframing Academy. Though many web design tools on our list offer how-to tutorials and guides, Balsamiq is more thorough.

The academy takes “beginner” literally, explaining the definition of a wireframe, its importance, and step-by-step guidance for creating one. Though a full course and/or design school is the most comprehensive, Balsamiq offers a nice starting point for beginners.

Balsamiq has a 30-day free trial, and paid plans start at $9/month.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Google Material Design

Open Source Web Design Software

Home page of Google Material Design website

Google Material Design is an open source web design software with integration capabilities to other Google tools.

Alphabet is the innovator of numerous widely-used web applications, from Google search engine to Gmail, so it’s no surprise that the Big Tech company developed its own visual design language and tool.

Google Material Design is a design system and design language introduced by Google in 2014. There are several reasons why a beginner may demo or design with Google Material Design. One reason may be because the tool has comprehensive style guidelines. This can be a boon for new designers in the field that may need a bit more guidance as they start their career in tech.

The tool is an industry favorite for multiple reasons, but it’s not without its cons. Material Design has its own design language and guidelines which can present a learning curve for beginners. Nonetheless, Google has a complete repository of how-to guides. In addition, Material Design guidelines lend to a uniform appearance that looks cohesive and appealing but can ultimately appear repetitive and in-authentic beside similar web pages that use the same guidelines.

Material is a free open source website design software.

Beginner Friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Bonus: Skillcrush Web Design Course

The greatest web design tool you can have is knowledge.

Enter: Skillcrush Break Into Tech.

Break Into Tech is an all-immersive learning experience with two tracks — web design and web development. The web design track walks you step-by-step through the web design process, ensuring your confidence in the field.

Break Into Tech classes are self-paced and instructor-led so you can learn on your schedule.

While you may learn at your own pace in a digital environment, you won’t be alone. Access to the curriculum also includes access to the Skillcrush learning community filled with Skillcrush peers and instructors. The program also offers a Get Hired track, essential career counseling with a job guarantee. Get hired in six months or get the full cost of your tuition ($2499) back!

Join the Skillcrush community and fortify your greatest tool — you!

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Desiree Cunningham

Desiree Cunningham is an impassioned writer and editor and the Senior Content Marketing Manager at Skillcrush. She has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a MA in English, both from Arizona State University. When she's not working with words, you can find her caring for her house plants, reading, or practicing Pilates.