by BECCA KATZ

Key Takeaways

Kittl, Affinity Designer and Canva are powerful design programs

Consider features, learning curve, cost and computer demands when deciding which is right for your project

Your business may require more than one of these programs

Kittl

Advantages and Disadvantages of Kittl

When it comes to design software, Kittl is a relatively newer player in the field. It offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of templates suitable for beginners and professionals alike. Let's explore the pros and cons of this design software.

Benefits of Kittl

Ease of Use: Kittl is designed with simplicity in mind. The user interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy for anyone to start designing right away, even without prior experience.

Professional Results: Despite its ease of use, Kittl delivers professional-quality results. Its tools and features are robust enough to create striking designs suitable for business and personal use.

Vast Template Library:

  • Diverse Categories: Kittl offers a wide range of templates for various needs. Whether you're creating T-shirts, logos, posters, or cards, you'll find templates that match your requirements.
  • Customization: These templates are highly customizable, allowing you to add your personal touch to every design.

Affordable Pricing: Compared to other design software, Kittl is relatively affordable, making it accessible to freelancers, small business owners, and hobbyists.

Fast Learning Curve: Thanks to its intuitive design and helpful tutorials, new users can quickly get up to speed with Kittl. This is especially beneficial for those who need to create professional designs but don't have the time to learn complex software.

kittl image of cat bookmark

Disadvantages of Kittl

Limited Advanced Features: While Kittl is easy to use, it lacks some advanced features found in more established software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

Scalability Issues: Kittl might not be the best choice for large-scale projects or businesses that require heavy-duty design capabilities. Its simpler toolset can be limiting

Template Heavy: While the vast template library is a strength, it can also lead users to rely too heavily on pre-designed templates.

Limited Integration: Kittl doesn’t integrate as seamlessly with other professional tools as some of its competitors do.

Not Ideal for Expert Designers: Advanced designers might find Kittl too basic for their needs.

Affinity Designer

Benefits and Drawbacks of Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a powerful and promising design software that has won praise from many in the creative community. What are the pros and cons of using Affinity Designer for your design projects?

Benefits of Affinity Designer

Affordability: Unlike Adobe Illustrator, which requires a monthly subscription, Affinity Designer is a one-time purchase.

Speed: Affinity Designer is known for its impressive speed. It runs smoothly, even when handling large files, which means you can work without frustrating delays or crashes. This efficiency can significantly speed up your workflow.

Comprehensive Feature Set:

  • Vector and Raster Workflows: You can seamlessly switch between vector and raster modes, which is a unique feature. 
  • Powerful Tools: It offers a robust set of tools for drawing, shaping, and coloring. 

Compatibility: Affinity Designer supports various file formats, including AI, PSD, and PDF.

Non-Destructive Editing: With non-destructive layers, you can experiment freely without fear of permanently altering your original design.

Regular Updates: Serif, the company behind Affinity Designer, regularly updates the software, adding new features and improvements without extra cost.

AFFINITY DESIGNER LOGO

Disadvantages of Affinity Designer

Smaller Toolset Compared to Adobe Products: While Affinity Designer has a comprehensive feature set, it still falls short compared to the exhaustive tools available in Adobe Illustrator.

Smaller Community: The user base for Affinity Designer is smaller than that of Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. This means fewer online tutorials, resources, and community support.

Fewer Integrations: Affinity Designer lacks some of the integrations that Adobe products boast

Learning Curve: For users transitioning from Adobe products, the learning curve can be steep.

Limited Mobile App: The mobile version of Affinity Designer is powerful but still lacks some of the features found in the desktop version.



Canva

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Canva

Canva has rapidly become a go-to design software for individuals and businesses needing quick, visually appealing designs. It’s especially popular among those who don’t have a formal background in graphic design.

Advantages of Canva

User-Friendliness:
Canva is designed to be intuitive. Even if you have no design experience, you can pick it up and start creating designs almost immediately. The drag-and-drop interface is straightforward and fun to use.

Wide Range of Templates:

  • Versatility: Canva offers thousands of templates for various needs—social media posts, posters, resumes, business cards, and more. 
  • Customization: You can easily alter these templates to fit your specific needs. Change the text, colors, fonts, and images to match your brand.

Affordability:

  • Free Version: Canva provides a robust free version that includes many templates, images, and fonts. 
  • Pro Version: For added features, the Pro version is affordable compared to other design software. 

Collaborative Features:
Canva allows multiple users to work on the same design, making it perfect for team projects.

Collaborative Features:
Canva allows multiple users to work on the same design, making it perfect for team projects.

Canva image of cat bookmark

Disadvantages of Canva

Limited Advanced Features:
While Canva is great for basic design tasks, it doesn’t offer the advanced tools found in professional software.

Reliance on Internet Connectivity:
Canva is primarily an online tool. If you lose internet access, you can't work on your designs.

Quality Issues for Professional Work:

  • Resolution: Some users have reported that Canva’s designs don’t always meet the high-resolution standards required for professional print work.
  • Generic Designs: While Canva’s templates are convenient, they can also lead to generic-looking designs.


Recommendations for Choosing Design Software. What is the best? It depends….

Choosing the best design software depends on your needs and skill level.

Photoshop and Illustrator are great for professional work but can be costly and complex.

PowerPoint is perfect for presentations but limited in design functionality.

Kittl is user-friendly and affordable but lacks advanced features.

Affinity Designer offers a good balance of cost and capability, while missing some higher end features

Canva is ideal for quick, simple designs but may not meet high-end professional demands.

Evaluate YOUR goals, budget, and experience before deciding which tool fits you best.

man using smartphone for design
  • I have not heard of the other ones. I am an avid user of Canva, though. Kittl sounds interesting, though. I think I will check that one out.

  • I use Canva, but would like to start using ai software. So far Canva has been just fine. I haven’t heard of Kittle, but it sounds interesting. Thanks for the overview!

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