Claire FountainAI art will never replace real artists because people contribute things to art that computers simply cannot.
So, before we even get into this, we have to start by recommending that you find a real-life graphic designer from our list of freelance sites for graphic designers. We even have a guide on how to hire one.
If you have a larger volume of needs, you could also check out an unlimited graphic design company.
But AI can provide a jumping-off point or inspiration when you don’t know where to start. We recommend these tools for early iterations of graphic design, but bear in mind,they will never produce the quality art that a real artist will.
The Best AI Tools for Graphic Design
- Adobe Firefly – Best Overall
- Canva – Best for Ease of Use
- Designs.ai – Best for Comprehensive Workflows
- Midjourney – Best for High-Quality Art
- DALL-E 3 – Best for Conceptual Designs
- Pixlr – Best Web-Based Editor
- Fotor – Best for Photo Editing
- Visme – Best for Infographics
Our Favorite AI Tools for Graphic Design
Platform name | Best For | My Rating (Out of 5) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Firefly | Best Overall | From $20/mo | |
| Canva | Best for Ease of Use | Free & Pro from $120/year | |
| Designs.ai | Best for Comprehensive Workflows | Starts at $29/mo | |
| Midjourney | Best for High-Quality Art | From $10/mo | |
| DALL·E 3 | Best for Conceptual Designs | Pay-per-use | |
| Pixlr | Best Web-Based Editor | Free & Paid | |
| Fotor | Best for Photo Editing | Free & Paid | |
| Visme | Best for Infographics | Starts at $29/mo |
1. Adobe Firefly
Best Overall – 5/5
Adobe Firefly is an AI-powered extension of Adobe Creative Cloud, designed to streamline creative workflows. Its standout features, such as Generative Fill and Generative Expand, allow designers to edit and create visuals directly from text prompts.
Firefly easily integrates with all of the Adobe Creative Cloud software including Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe tools, making it an easy win of a platform for professional creatives that are already familiar with the other tools.
Its ability to generate realistic images, extend canvases, and fine-tune various designs is unmatched.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud
- Advanced AI tools for image generation and editing
- Easy-to-use interface for professionals and beginners
- Supports high-quality and scalable outputs
Cons
- Requires a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud
- Learning curve for new users
- Limited to Adobe's ecosystem
2. Canva
Best for Ease of Use – 5/5
Canva combines simplicity and AI-powered tools to cater to designers of all skill levels.
With its AI design suggestions, background remover, and Magic Resize feature, Canva simplifies creating and cleaning up visuals for social media, presentations, and marketing materials.
The platform offers thousands of customizable templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly interface
- Extensive library of templates and assets
- Free version available with robust features
- AI tools like Magic Resize and background removal
Cons
- Limited advanced features for professional designers
- Free plan has watermarked premium assets
- Performance can lag with large files
3. Designs.ai
Best for Comprehensive Workflows – 4.5/5
Designs.ai is a versatile platform offering a variety of AI-driven tools, including logo creation, video editing, and branding kits.
Its AI tools are designed to save time, making it great for businesses and agencies handling multiple projects that need design inspiration. The platform’s text-to-design feature enables users to generate logos and visuals based on text prompts, streamlining creative workflows.
Pros
- Comprehensive suite of design tools
- Excellent for creating branding assets
- AI-driven automation saves time
- Offers team collaboration features
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to competitors
- Limited customization for advanced users
- Video editing features are basic
4. Midjourney
Best for High-Quality Art – 4.5/5
Midjourney is a powerhouse for generating breathtaking digital art from text prompts.
Known for its unique and very creative artistic outputs, Midjourney is ideal for artists and creatives who want to experiment with conceptual designs.
The platform’s Discord-based interface is unconventional but offers an incredible community of users sharing ideas and inspiration.
Pros
- Produces stunning, high-quality artwork
- Excellent for concept creation and experimentation
- Active community for inspiration and feedback
- Affordable entry-level pricing
Cons
- Requires Discord for access
- Limited customization once an image is generated
- Not suitable for traditional graphic design tasks
5. DALL·E 3
Best for Conceptual Designs – 4.5/5
OpenAI's DALL·E 3 is one of the most advanced AI tools for image generation, capable of creating realistic and imaginative visuals from textual descriptions.
It excels in producing detailed and accurate conceptual designs, making it a favorite for marketing campaigns, product design, and creative projects. We recommend you start with DALL-E 3 for conceptual designs to inspire you to create.
Pros
- Unmatched accuracy in image generation
- Ideal for unique and imaginative concepts
- Simple text-to-image functionality
- Continuous updates and improvements
Cons
- Pay-per-use can be costly for frequent users
- Limited control over output customization
- Requires an internet connection for access
6. Pixlr
Best Web-Based Editor – 4.5/5
Pixlr is a web-based graphic design and photo editing tool that’s perfect for quick edits and small projects.
Its AI-powered tools, like automatic background removal and smart filters, make it a great choice for non-professionals and small businesses who just want to tweak existing designs for a fraction of the price.
With a lightweight interface, Pixlr runs smoothly even on low-powered devices, making it our favorite web-based AI editing tool.
Pros
- Web-based, no downloads required
- Intuitive and lightweight interface
- Free version available with useful features
- AI-powered editing tools
Cons
- Limited features compared to desktop software
- Ads in the free version can be distracting
- Not ideal for complex design projects
7. Fotor
Best for Photo Editing – 4/5
Fotor is a photo editing platform with AI-driven tools for background removal, image enhancement, and collage creation.
It’s a no-brainer for quick touch-ups and photo-centric projects that need some AI help to complete.
It also is great for large volumes of photos. Fotor's batch-processing feature also makes it ideal for users handling multiple images simultaneously.
Pros
- Easy-to-use photo editing tools
- Excellent for enhancing and retouching images
- Batch processing saves time
- Free version with solid features
Cons
- Limited design capabilities beyond photo editing
- Watermarking on free version outputs
- Advanced tools require a premium subscription
8. Visme
Best for Infographics – 4/5
Visme is an AI-powered platform designed for creating presentations, infographics, and visual reports and presentations.
Its extensive library of pre-made templates and intuitive interface make it ideal for professionals needing data visualization, whether for presentations or reports.
Visme's AI tools help users generate layouts and designs based on user input, making the creation process faster and more efficient.
Pros
- Specialized in presentations and infographics
- AI tools for generating layouts and designs
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
- Extensive template library
Cons
- Pricing can be high for small teams
- Limited tools for traditional graphic design
- Advanced features require a premium plan
What Is AI for Graphic Design?
AI tools for graphic design use machine learning to simplify and enhance creative processes. These tools assist in generating images, automating repetitive tasks, and improving overall design quality.
They cater to a variety of needs, from professional branding to social media content creation.
How Does AI for Graphic Design Work?
AI for graphic design works by using machine learning algorithms and advanced computational techniques to automate and enhance creative processes.
These tools analyze input data like text prompts, images, or user preferences to generate outputs like designs, layouts, or edits. Features like text-to-image generation, automatic background removal, smart resizing, and design suggestions simplify complex tasks and speed up workflows.
By learning from large datasets of existing designs, AI tools can mimic professional techniques, provide suggestions, and adapt to user feedback, allowing both novices and professionals to create high-quality visuals efficiently.
What to Look For in an AI Tool for Graphic Design
Some things to consider when finding an AI tool for graphic design.
- Ease of Use: Intuitive interface and beginner-friendly features.
- Customizability: Ability to tailor designs, templates, and workflows to your needs.
- AI Features: Advanced tools like text-to-image, background removal, and design suggestions.
- Template Library: Access to a wide range of pre-designed templates.
- Collaboration Options: Tools for team sharing, feedback, and real-time edits.
- Integration: Compatibility with other software like Adobe, CRMs, or marketing platforms.
- Pricing: Transparent pricing with free plans or trials for testing.
- Output Quality: High-resolution, professional-grade results suitable for different formats.
- Scalability: Features that grow with your needs, whether for personal projects or professional use.
- Support and Updates: Reliable customer support and regular feature updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best AI tool for graphic design?
Adobe Firefly is our top pick for its integration with Adobe Creative Cloud and advanced AI features.
Are there free AI tools for graphic design?
Yes, tools like Canva and Pixlr offer free versions with robust features.
Which AI tool is best for beginners?
Canva is ideal for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and extensive library of templates.
Which AI tool is best for creating unique art?
Midjourney is the best choice for generating unique, high-quality digital art from text prompts, perfect for conceptual and experimental designs.
Geoff Cudd
