Why It's Time to Say Goodbye to Photoshop for Web Design

The web design field and the methods and tools used to create aesthetically beautiful websites continually evolve. I started using Photoshop in 1996, working on the first website for the band Supergrass. Over the years, it’s been the go-to tool for designing websites, but as web design has advanced, it has become clear that Photoshop is no longer the best tool for creating websites for various reasons.

1. Photoshop was not designed for web design

Photoshop was created for photo editing and manipulation, not to create websites. Photoshop could be used to create a website, but there are other, more useful tools out there. Photoshop lacks tools and abilities that are specialised to web design, such as the ability to create and edit HTML and CSS and preview the website in different web browsers.

2. Photoshop is not responsive

Websites must be responsive in today’s market, which means they must be able to adjust to varied screen sizes and resolutions. However, as Photoshop was not designed with this feature, it can be challenging and time-consuming to create responsive designs in Photoshop.

3. Photoshop is not easily accessible

Photoshop is a premium program that not everyone can use. Clients who want to inspect and approve designs before they are programmed or designers who need to communicate with others on a project may run into issues. GIMP and Inkscape are only two of the many open-source and free Photoshop alternatives available.

4. Photoshop is not efficient for prototyping

It might be time-consuming to manually create and update layers, objects, and text while designing a website with Photoshop. This can make it challenging to build and test several design alternatives swiftly. It is considerably simpler to generate and test designs quickly with alternatives like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD, which are made exclusively for online design and prototyping.

5. The clue is in the name

Photoshop is a photo editor and is still the best in the business. It’s a great tool to have as a web designer, but it’s not the right tool to design a website with.

6. Photoshop is not great for animations

A vital component of contemporary web design, animations can give users interesting, interactive experiences. However, it can be challenging and time-consuming to create animations in Photoshop. Alternatives with a more effective approach include Adobe After Effects and Lottie, which were created exclusively for animations.

7. Photoshop is not future-proof

New technologies and design fads will appear as web design progresses. Designers may need to acquire new tools and methods to keep up with these changes since Photoshop might only be able to keep up with them sometimes. By using more contemporary web design tools, you may be confident that your designs will be current and applicable for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

Although Photoshop was once a useful tool for internet design, it is no longer the best option for creating respectable, modern websites. Many other alternatives, such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD, are better suited for web design. With these tools, web designers can easily construct responsive, interactive, and aesthetically appealing websites.

Check out our free eBook “The Digital Toolkit for Graphic Designers” for more insight and advice.

Modern web design tools

Figma

• Figma is a cloud-based design tool that enables continuous team collaboration on designs.
• It is straightforward to use and has an intuitive interface, making it suitable for designers of all skill levels.
• With the help of Figma’s integrated prototype features, designers can easily produce interactive and responsive designs without the need for coding.
• Designers can use its library functionality to reuse design elements and styles across several projects.
• Figma is free with a few restrictions and paid plans to provide users access to more tools and team collaboration.

Figma was recently bought by Adobe so watch this space.

Sketch

• A vector design tool popular among websites and mobile application developers.
• Its powers are increased by the variety of plugins and integrations it has.
• Designers may create reusable elements and styles using the potent symbol feature in Sketch.
• Designers may produce animations and interactions using its built-in prototyping features.
• Only macOS users can purchase Sketch, which has a one-time fee.

Adobe XD

• Adobe XD is a user experience design tool included in the Adobe Creative Cloud collection.
• It is straightforward to use and has an intuitive interface, making it suitable for designers of all skill levels.
• XD features integrated prototyping tools that let designers make interactive and responsive designs without writing any code.
• Designers can use its library functionality to reuse design elements and styles across several projects.
• XD is a component of the Adobe Creative Cloud software package, making it simple to combine it with other Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator.
• It is priced as a monthly subscription and compatible with Windows and Mac.

Each of the aforementioned tools offers unique features and benefits depending on the project’s requirements and the designer’s preferences. It is best to try each one before deciding which is best for you and your team.

Moqups

A streamlined web application called Moqups enables you to create and interact on wireframes, mockups, diagrams, and prototypes in real time.

InVision

The visual collaboration platform InVision powers the most intelligent businesses in the world. We exist to improve collaboration, inclusivity, and impact in all work forms so businesses can make the most of their most important resource: their employees.

Miro

With digital sticky notes for brainstorming and planning, distant teams may efficiently collaborate online with Miro, a collaborative whiteboard tool. With Miro, you can arrange meetings and workshops, take use of a comprehensive range of collaboration options, and make cross-functional teamwork simple by utilising features like video chat, presentations, sharing, and many others.

What about you? Do you use alternate design tools, or will you have to pry those PSDs out of your cold, dead hands?

With over 30 years of experience, maybe Devsars can help you. We’ve provided digital support on projects for The MoD, Heathrow Airport, SlimFast, G4S, Radiohead, Taylor Swift and hundreds of SMEs and start-ups. Let us know if you think we can help.