Essential Software for Digital Art, Design, and Video Editing

As a digital artist and designer, having the right software is key to bringing creative ideas to life. Over the years, I’ve worked with a variety of programs, but these are the ones I use most frequently for illustration, graphic design, and video editing. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or content creator, this list will give you insight into the tools I rely on daily.

1. Procreate – My Go-To for Digital Illustration

Procreate has been my favorite digital drawing app for years. I use it on my iPad Pro with my Apple Pencil, and it’s where I create most of my drippy skull illustrations, album art, and poster designs. Some of my favorite features include:

• Custom brushes for textured and stylized linework

• Time-lapse recording to capture my process

• Easy layering and blending for complex illustrations

If you’re looking for a powerful yet affordable drawing app for iPad, Procreate is hands down my top recommendation.

2. Adobe Illustrator – Precision Vector Art (PC & iPad)

For logo design, vector illustrations, and scalable artwork, I turn to Adobe Illustrator. I use it both on PC and iPad, depending on whether I need detailed precision with a mouse or a more natural drawing feel with the Apple Pencil.

Why I Use It:

• Perfect for logos & branding – Clean, scalable designs for any format

• Great for typography & layout – Ideal for custom fonts and text-based graphics

• Vector-based art – Ensures sharp, high-quality designs at any size

If you create a lot of branding, posters, or vector-based art, Illustrator is a must-have.

3. Adobe Photoshop – Photo Editing & Digital Compositing (PC & iPad)

Adobe Photoshop is my powerhouse for digital art, editing, and complex compositions. I use it for:

• Concert posters & album artwork – Layering textures, color grading, and effects

• Photo manipulation – Retouching and enhancing images

• Mockups & design previews – Creating professional previews for my clients

I use Photoshop on both my PC and iPad, depending on the project. The desktop version is best for detailed work, while the iPad version is great for quick edits on the go.

For professional design and photo editing, Photoshop is my go-to tool.

4. Figma – UI/UX & Collaborative Design

Figma is my favorite tool for UI/UX design and team collaboration. While I primarily use it for wireframing and designing digital interfaces, it’s also great for creating social media templates and branding layouts.

Why I Love Figma:

• Cloud-based collaboration – Perfect for working with teams or clients remotely

• Fast & lightweight – Runs smoothly on any device

• Great for UI & branding projects – Especially useful when designing websites or mobile apps

If you do any UI/UX or collaborative design work, Figma is a must-have.

5. Adobe Premiere – Professional Video Editing

For editing my long-form art videos and process time-lapses, I use Adobe Premiere. It’s powerful, reliable, and packed with advanced features. Some things I love about Premiere:

• Multi-track editing – Great for layering visuals, music, and voiceovers

• Color correction & effects – Helps maintain a professional aesthetic

• Seamless integration with Photoshop & Illustrator – Useful for adding graphics and overlays

If you want a professional-level video editor, Adobe Premiere is worth learning.

6. Splice – Quick & Easy Mobile Video Editing

While Premiere is my go-to for detailed edits, Splice is perfect for quick video cuts, adding music, and making TikTok/Instagram/YouTube Shorts content. I use it on my iPhone when I need to:

• Edit fast & on the go – Great for quick turnaround projects

• Add smooth transitions & music – Makes simple edits look polished

• Create short-form content – Ideal for social media clips and promo videos

For fast and simple mobile video editing, Splice is an easy-to-use option.

Final Thoughts

These are the core programs I use daily to create my digital art, design projects, and video content. Whether I’m sketching in Procreate, designing in Illustrator, editing in Photoshop, or cutting videos in Premiere & Splice, each tool plays a key role in my creative process.

If you’re looking to build your own digital art and design workflow, I highly recommend checking out these programs. What software do you use the most? Let me know in the comments!