Online Tools by codonist
Published: April 23, 2024 | 3 min read

Free Design Tools Every Developer Should Bookmark

Small design tweaks can make a big difference. Here are five quick CSS and UI improvements that will instantly enhance your website's look and feel.

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As a developer, having access to quality design resources can make the difference between a good project and a great one. Here are essential free tools that will help you create better interfaces without needing to be a design expert.

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Essential design tools for developers

Why Developers Need Design Tools

Even if you're not a designer, understanding basic design principles and having the right tools can help you:

  • Create better prototypes and MVPs
  • Communicate more effectively with designers
  • Improve the user experience of your applications
  • Build more visually appealing side projects
  • Save time with pre-made assets and templates

Essential Free Design Tools

Color

Coolors

Generate perfect color palettes in seconds.

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UI Design

Figma

Collaborative interface design tool with free tier.

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Illustrations

Undraw

Open-source illustrations for every project.

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Icons

Font Awesome

Icon library with a free tier containing thousands of icons.

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Graphic Design

Canva

Easy graphic design tool with many free templates.

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Typography

Google Fonts

Huge collection of free, open-source fonts.

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Photography

Unsplash

High-quality free stock photos for any use.

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Photo Editing

Remove.bg

Remove image backgrounds automatically for free.

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How to Get the Most From These Tools

Simply bookmarking these tools isn't enough. Here are some tips to integrate them into your workflow:

  1. Create a design resources folder - Organize bookmarks and downloaded assets
  2. Learn basic design principles - Understand color theory, typography, and spacing
  3. Build a component library - Save commonly used UI elements for reuse
  4. Experiment regularly - Try new tools and techniques in side projects
  5. Stay updated - Follow design blogs and newsletters to discover new resources

Final Thoughts

While developers don't need to become designers, having these tools at your disposal will help you create more polished work, communicate better with design teams, and bring your ideas to life more effectively.

Remember that tools are just part of the equation - developing an eye for good design comes with practice and exposure to quality work. Start incorporating these resources into your projects today!

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