The 5 Best Design Tools to Create Stunning Digital Artworks in 2025

Digital art is no longer a niche hobby; it’s a professional craft, a growing career, and a form of self-expression more accessible than ever. Whether you’re designing characters, illustrating environments, or creating branding visuals, the right tool can make all the difference between frustration and flow.

In 2025, there’s a growing sea of creative tools. But which ones truly stand out for creating digital masterpieces? Here are the 5 best design tools every digital artist should consider.

1. Adobe Photoshop

Still the Industry Standard—Now Supercharged by AI

Photoshop remains a staple in the creative world, and it keeps getting better. With the latest AI-powered features like generative fill, automatic background replacement, and live brush previews, it’s become more intuitive and faster than ever.

Best for:

• Photo manipulation

• Digital painting

• Concept art

• Compositing

  
  

Why artists love it:

• Massive brush libraries

• Powerful layer control

• Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

  
  

Pro Tip: Combine Photoshop with a drawing tablet like the Wacom Cintiq for a natural, pressure-sensitive workflow.

2. Procreate

The Best iPad App for Artists on the Go

Procreate is a favorite among illustrators, thanks to its fluid performance, intuitive interface, and affordable one-time price. Built specifically for iPad and Apple Pencil, it offers a nearly lag-free drawing experience and professional-level features packed into a sleek UI.

Best for:

• Hand-drawn illustrations

• Sketching

• Storyboarding

• Tattoo design

  
  

Why artists love it:

• Fast and responsive

• No subscription

• Custom brushes and animation tools

  
  

2025 Update: Procreate Dreams now includes basic timeline animation and camera movement tools, ideal for motion-based artwork.

3. Blender

Not Just 3D—A Playground for Mixed-Media Digital Artists

Blender has evolved into more than a 3D modeling tool. With sculpting, Grease Pencil (for 2D-in-3D drawing), and real-time rendering capabilities, it’s perfect for creating dynamic digital scenes and characters.

Best for:

• 3D illustration

• Concept art

• Game asset creation

• Animation

  
  

Why artists love it:

• 100% free and open-source

• Massive online community and tutorials

• Compatible with stylus and tablets

  
  

Hot Tip: Use Blender alongside Photoshop or Krita to combine painted textures with 3D objects.

4. Krita

The Best Free Digital Painting Tool for 2D Artists

Krita is often described as the “open-source Photoshop” for illustrators, but in many ways, it’s more focused and better suited for pure digital painting. It’s packed with features like brush stabilizers, wrap-around mode, and a distraction-free canvas.

Best for:

• Digital painting

• Comics and manga

• Concept art

• Matte painting

  
  

Why artists love it:

• 100% free

• Brush engine rivals premium software

• Strong support for pen pressure and tilt

  
  

Bonus: Krita also supports animation timelines, making it a great entry point for digital 2D animation.

5. Figma (with FigJam & AI plugins)

The Dark Horse for Collaborative & Stylized Artwork

Originally a UI/UX design tool, Figma has grown into a collaborative powerhouse. Designers are now using it to create stylized vector art, web assets, and social graphics. With generative plugins and FigJam for brainstorming, it’s surprisingly versatile for illustrators and brand designers alike.

Best for:

• Vector-based illustration

• Collaborative moodboarding

• Brand design systems

• Social graphics

  
  

Why artists love it:

• Live collaboration

• Easy to share and export

• Growing library of AI-enhanced plugins (e.g. “Make it Pop,” “Magician”)

  
  

2025 Update: Figma’s AI auto-layout and design suggestion tools now help speed up ideation and design refinement.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned digital painter or a designer just entering the art space, these tools provide the canvas, brushes, and horsepower you need to bring your imagination to life. The right tool depends on your style, platform, and workflow, so try a few and find what fits.

Looking for something more niche? Honorable mentions include:

• Clip Studio Paint (great for manga and comics)

• Corel Painter (traditional-style brushes)

• Affinity Designer (vector art with no subscription)