3 Macbook Software I found for Artists and Designers

February 27, 2022

3 Macbook Software for Artists and Designers

While plenty of graphic apps are developed on iPad, my Macbook remains my main working station. Above, I am writing to you using my iPad as a secondary screen. 🙂

In the previous article, we saw 4 apps for iPad for artists and designers.

Today, I share with you 3 software for Mac:

2 software alternative to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
and a lovely software to create Pixel art easy.

Affinity Designer and Photo

You can buy the app here: https://affinity.serif.com/

If you are looking for an alternative to Photoshop and Illustrator, you could seriously consider Affinity Designer and Photo.

They are sold separately. however, if you get both, they fusion in harmony in 1 application. They become almost like 2-in-1.
That is super smooth move compared to Adobe.
The price of Affinity is super affordable compared to Adobe.
It’s a one time payment, while Adobe now works only with membership.
That is pretty annoying if you are not a regular user.
Do not underestimate “small price” apps.
They are highly competitive and allow plenty of innovation.
While Adobe is the leader, Affinity as a challenger could break down the plus and cons and bring in major updates and innovation.
I’ve been a heavy user of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and recently switched to Affinity. Some say that the transition to Affinity is super easy!
That for sure has some benefits to be familiar with digital tools.
However, I still struggle with my usual shortcuts and habits. It could be very irritating to switch! Haha. (Instead of Cmd D (Adobe) for replicate an action, it’s Cmd -J (Affinity)
If you are a new user of Digital software, starting on Affinity for the first time wil be a great experience!

1 Line art
2 Adding props
3 Why not add in an Octopus head? I do a quick draft and ask opinion to my friends.
4 Let’s draft the octopus better.
5 Let’s add colours and make it scarier with multi-eyes!
6 Tadaa!

PixelChain

https://pixelchain.art/

I created this mini “NFT collection” for fun, and to test.
So I could have a glimpse of the whole blockchain process before getting into a more advanced project. 🙂

I made pixel art pictures of my girlfriend and puppies, Lucie and Katy. 🙂
I even published them in the biggest NFT marketplace Opensea.
You can find my mini collection for sale at: https://opensea.io/collection/luciekaty

Pixelchain is an online platform you use for free using your browser.
You have nothing to download.
When you are done, you can directly publish your art to sell them in a marketplace.
(Make sure to get a cryptowallet first with some etherum)
It is super easy to use! The functions are minimals.
If you look for a more advanced Pixel art apps, I invite you to try Pixaki on iPad.
You have the layer function.

That’s all for today!

For the next article, I will introduce software to draw in the Metaverse!
I selected 2 great apps for artists and designers to draw with the Oculus Quest.

Cheers,
Chou-Tac