Menu of creative tools
for the go-getters
These are the tools I currently use as a Graphic Designer and business owner. I hope these tools help you as much as they helped me.
*Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning I would make a tiny commission at no cost to you if you purchase through them.
Our favorite
Business Tools
Dubsado has been my go-to since the first year in my business! This CRM tool is great to streamline tasks like scheduling meetings, sending automated emails, capturing leads, sending forms for feedback, testimonials, etc., and a lot more! The good news? You can get 20% off their first month or year by using our code palmandpalma. Your welcome !😉
Ok, this is a must-have for any business! I have purchased most of my contracts from here. This is perfect if you’re not quite ready to invest in a lawyer.
- SALE: From Thursday, June 30th at 12:01 am EDT through Tuesday, July 5 at 11:59p EDT, ALL of our contracts and contract bundles are 40% OFF! We’re also doing 30% off courses and 20% off workbooks. No code required!
This is where I keep most, if not all, of my design files and photos. An external hard-drive is a must have!! If your computer ever crashes or gets damaged in any way, this will be your life saver when you are up at 2 am working on that design project that is due the next day. (Please don’t forget to constantly save your files!)
This is essential to my career as a Graphic Designer. I use it when I create anything visual in the digital space. The top programs that I use are Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Lightroom.
This has been my go-to mockup site for scene creation, packaging, digital, and print mockups. They have hundreds of mockups that you can build up from, have your object look professional and realistic… and the best part? You can export them as a PSD file to continue editing on Photoshop!
This is a great plug-in that I use with WordPress to design this website! It is a drop-and-drag website building tool that makes it easy to design your website just the way you want. It includes beautiful templates and elements and it is compatible with Woo-Commerce. Meaning that I can design my online store the way I want. There is a free version that you can try but I have the Premium version which offers way more features!
For Package Design
Resources
Pantone Swatch book:
I use this to reference colors when I design enamel pins and packaging/prints. It gives me a more accurate reference on how the colors will look like compared to my screen. I mainly use the Solid Coated and Uncoated pack.
Our Kind Studio Package Design Course
Learn the ins & outs of package design and how to strategically design and manage a packaging & brand project.
This is where I keep most, if not all, of my design files and photos. An external hard-drive is a must have!! If your computer ever crashes or gets damaged in any way, this will be your life saver when you are up at 2 am working on that design project that is due the next day. (Please don’t forget to constantly save your files!)
Elby Creative Package Design Master Course
Learn all the fundamentals on how to design and manange package design projects. This was the first packaging course (outside of university) that helped me learn how to design and manage a package design project from start to print.
This has been my go-to mockup site for scene creation, packaging, digital, and print mockups. They have hundreds of mockups that you can build up from, have your object look professional and realistic… and the best part? You can export them as a PSD file to continue editing on Photoshop!
This is a great plug-in that I use with WordPress to design this website! It is a drop-and-drag website building tool that makes it easy to design your website just the way you want. It includes beautiful templates and elements and it is compatible with Woo-Commerce. Meaning that I can design my online store the way I want. There is a free version that you can try but I have the Premium version which offers way more features!
For Designers
Recommended Books
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 15th Edition
This is a great resource where you can get price ranges on how much you should charge for your design services. It also has some basic contract templates for you to reference.
Business and Legal Forms for Illustrators by Tad Crawford
This book has forms and templates for you to create your own contract! Focused on Illustrators!
The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier
“The Brand Gap is perfect for students of marketing, design, branding, and business. It’s also great for anyone whose job is to organize or be part of a branding effort. Many professionals tell me that their first exposure to branding was through this book.” Honestly, I recommend his whole series
Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers by Tad Crawford
This is the book I referenced to create my contracts with the combination of the Graphic Artist Guild Handbook. This book explains each aspect of the contract in plain English; so it is easy to understand. But what was most helpful was that it had templates/ forms inside!