I know many are die hard Adobe fans, but it can be expensive and an ongoing cost
Then there are tools online like Canva, which I have dabbled in the free version a bit, but to get the most out of it, you do need a yearly subscription.
My personal choice is the Affinity suite from Serif.
I’ve been using Serif software since the 80’s when I had my first home PC – often it would be included on a CD that would come with popular computer magazines.
Then I moved onto purchasing Craft Artist which was mainly for digital scrapbooking, and eventually Affinity – starting with Affinity Designer, and purchasing Photo and Publisher when they were on offer.
Updates for each version are free – so whilst on version 1 there were numerous updates, which weren’t just to fix any bugs, but actual developments.
In November 2022, they launched version 2 of all the programs in the suite, and offered it at a great price – plus a universal license so if you have a PC, Mac, and an iPad, you didn’t have to buy each separately, plus you can install it on several device you own.
I am fortunately someone who can pick-up things fairly quickly – I learn by doing rather than by reading a manual or in a classroom setting, and have had no problems navigating my way around any of the Affinity modules – when I worked as an Information analyst for the NHS I would often play around with new software being introduced, be able to find bugs that had been missed by developers, and sometimes needed to teach others how to use it
There are numerous resources on YouTube for it, and Affinity has a learn portal on their website too
I use at least one of the modules almost daily to edit photo’s, create banners, design thank you cards, graphics for my YouTube videos (ok I only have one video at the moment lol), and printing sublimation designs, as I can use it with my inks colour profile.
I like that it’s installed on my PC’s, I’m not reliant on needing a reliable internet connection, which up until a few months ago I didn’t have.
Do I use it for everything, no there are something I do outside of Affinity, just because for me I find it easier; and I will talk about them over the next few weeks.
Penguin and the Bee 