Wonderful New Tools for Web Design and UX on Linux
For some time now I have been focused on the website / UX design, and the truth has always been very difficult for me, to be also a Linux fan, because there are not many tools for web design good and really usable on our favorite OS.
But time passed and my prayers were being heard little by little, so today I am going to talk about 3 new tools (and some others) to work in a fairly decent way in the penguin system.
Figma is the new star in the UX firmament (and why not of vector design), and the new direct competitor of Sketch (a default standard). It is so good and so reliable that I have used it for some of my projects and have never been disappointed. Its greatest advantages are: being an almost traced clone of Sketch and the power of teamwork, since several designers can modify the same file at the same time. Unfortunately, there is no native application for Linux, but I have created one using Electron, so you can use it on your favorite desktop.
GravitDesigner, the new great option to Inkscape
This powerful tool for vector design, do not envy anything to illustrator and Inkscape, but even better, because it has a very refined interface that allows you to learn to use it very quickly. It really is a pleasure to get my hands on it, especially since it has proven to be very reliable.
Vectr, another good choice in vector design.
A great tool, with a great interface, I have used it for several of my designs and I have felt, although it is not as easy to use as GravitDesigner. The advantage of this is that it is totally free and it is not seen that they will put a price on it at least during this year. (as in the case of the two mentioned above). Its native format is SVG.
Pixlr, the only one in the image section.
Unfortunately, no new web or native linux applications have appeared, but Pixlr, is an old acquaintance that will get us out of a lot of trouble if we need to resize images or make quick photographic edits, its greatest qualities are that its owner is Autodesk (one of the best software companies if there is any) and its two Express work modes ( which is used to make adjustments to the instagram style) and Editor, (which is more similar to photoshop)
The reliable natives.
In the case of the native ones, its best quality is reliability. For years I have used Inkscape and it has rarely left me on my feet, it always works well, and I have used it so much that I already know what to ask of it and what not. It will always be in my heart, above all, because it will always be there when the others go wrong.
something similar, although it is not in my heart, more than anything, because I have always been a vector design and not photo retouching. Also, I must admit, I could never learn to handle it very well. (neither to photochop)
Wine, my savior. Having already been working on web design and UX for several years, I have had to manage to be able to work on Linux despite all the inconveniences. Fortunately, Wine He’s always been there to help me get two of my favorite web design tools of yesteryear working. Adobe Freehand and Adobe Fireworks. For a long time, these tools (especially fireworks) have been the ones that have helped me bring bread to my table, so I have a small altar dedicated to them at the back of my house.
Conclusion
Although the web design tools described above are not free software, at least they are free and can be used natively (which is precisely what is needed in Linux). On the other hand, I think that using them can be a great relief for designers who do not want to use Mac or Windows (as is my case).
Anyway, congratulations to the Web / UX Designer who can finally work professionally on the operating system of our loves.
