Sherry
In the ever-evolving landscape of the internet, UI design programs are constantly being updated to keep pace. With the proliferation of digital products, there's a growing need for intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. This has made UI and UX design crucial elements in software development, and it's a major reason why UI - related jobs are highly sought-after these days. As the saying goes, "A craftsman must first sharpen his tools if he wants to do his work well." To be an outstanding UI designer, you definitely need some powerful UI design programs at your disposal. In this article, we'll share five UI design programs recommended by designers from major tech companies. Each of these can offer a smooth UI design experience. Let's take a look!
1. Pixso
Pixso is a professional UI design program widely used by designers and product managers. It comes with built-in design system resources for iOS and Android, which can kick-start your UI design projects in no time. This all-in-one program combines functions like prototyping, UI design, interaction, delivery, and resource management. Equipped with professional design tools, it provides a seamless creative experience, making it an excellent choice among UI design programs.
Platform - Agnostic and User - Friendly
Pixso supports both Windows and macOS and can be operated online without the need for downloads. It synchronizes and updates modified content in the cloud, breaking down the information silos within teams. With its intuitive interface, it's so clear and straightforward that even beginners can easily get the hang of it. And here's the best part: the Starter version of Pixso is free forever. Why not give it a try right away?
Real-Time Collaboration for Enhanced Efficiency
When dealing with complex UI design projects, you can invite team members via a link for multi-person cloud-based collaborative design. Team members can share the work interface according to the task-allocation process and synchronize every detail in real time, such as font sizes, borders, and colors. Comments are also part of the collaboration, making it easy to provide feedback and make corrections to all projects.
Seamless Link - Based Delivery
Pixso has full-stack capabilities in prototyping, design, and delivery. Team members upstream can send a link for delivery with just one click, and downstream members can review the work simply by opening the link in a browser. Entering Pixso through a browser allows you to access all prototype design information in real time.
Abundant Design Resource Library
The Pixso Resource Community integrates various design systems. You can directly drag and reuse component materials. Team members can also publish styles and components to the team library for quick reuse, saving a great deal of repetitive work. What's more, the design resources in Pixso are updated monthly, keeping your creativity one step ahead. Head over to the Pixso Resource Community now!
2. Adobe XD
Adobe XD is one of the UI design programs that combines design and prototyping functions. It has unique features such as auto-layout resizing, grid repetition, and auto-animation, which are useful for creating wireframes throughout the process and delivering them to developers. Users can use Adobe XD for UI design, mobile app design, and wireframe drawing. As part of the Adobe Creative Suite, it can work in tandem with other Adobe software. Its simple and efficient interface also makes it a popular choice among many product designers.
Pros
- Compatible with multiple systems.
- Can integrate with other Adobe software.
- Offers vector editing with precise design functions.
Cons
- The Adobe Creative Suite is expensive. Check out the solutions for more details.
- Doesn't support custom shapes.
3. Sketch
Sketch is a UI design program tailored for Mac. It has helped numerous product designers create outstanding works. In Sketch, iOS developers can easily perform common layer operations like those on the design drawing panel. Sketch is known for its simplicity and ease of understanding. For designers with UI design experience, the learning curve is relatively low. However, Sketch is only compatible with macOS and is not available for other systems.
Pros
- Vector-based, enabling digital design with perfect pixel quality.
- Allows the creation of reusable resources.
- Facilitates easy code and preset exports.
Cons
- Not very beginner-friendly.
- Exclusive to the MAC platform.
- Lacks repetitive grids.
4. Figma
Figma is a browser-based product design program that supports cross-platform use across macOS, Windows, and Linux. Similar to Pixso, it's a UI collaborative design software that can be operated in the cloud without the need for installation. It enables online editing and multi-person synchronous collaboration, and it has a well-developed plugin ecosystem, making it a popular choice in UI design. However, as one of the best five UI design programs, it helps you design smoothly and work efficiently.
Pros
- Allows the creation of animated prototypes.
- Comes with built-in cloud storage.
- Enables multi-person collaboration.
Cons
- No shared component and format libraries.
- Relatively low cost performance.
5. Balsamiq
If you need to quickly create wireframes without using full-fledged web-based UI design programs, Balsamiq is a good option. With it, you can efficiently design the structure and layout of user interfaces. The drag-and-drop elements and buttons for linking multiple pages greatly simplify the UI design process. Balsamiq's simple work interface is designed specifically for creating low-fidelity wireframes, and even beginners can master it easily.
Pros
- Features a drag-and-drop mechanism.
- Allows linking buttons to other pages.
- Ideal for creating low-fidelity wireframes.
Cons
- Lacks ready-made templates.
- Has no collaboration function.
Final Thoughts
When choosing a UI design program, it's important to consider your specific needs. If you value real-time collaboration and a rich resource library, programs like Pixso and Figma might be great. If you're already invested in the Adobe ecosystem, Adobe XD might be the best choice. If you're a Mac user looking for simplicity and vector-based design, Sketch is worth considering. If you just need to quickly create wireframes, Balsamiq offers a simple solution.
Each of these UI design programs has its own set of features, pros, and cons. Understanding your project requirements, team setup, and personal preferences will help you make an informed decision. Whether you're working on a small personal project or a large team-based design task, the right UI design programs can improve your efficiency and the quality of your work. So, take the time to explore these options and test them out. This will help you find the right program to bring your UI design ideas to life. Remember, the world of UI design is always changing. New programs and features are always being created. Stay updated, keep experimenting, and make the most of these UI design programs to create interfaces that are easy for users to interact with and look good.
