Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Graphic Design Starter Kit
14
items Looking to get yourself into graphic design but don't know where to start? Let me help you on your graphic design journey!
Sections
3
Hardwear
Software
Extras
Hardwear
This section recommends different hardware that you might want to use in graphic design.
I would recommend this laptop. However, something like this may be out of your price range but these days any laptop is good enough to use
MacBook Air with M1 chip
You might prefer a desktop rather than a laptop. I would recommend this. However, any desktop is good enough to get you started on your journey
Blue iMac
This is the main graphics tablet that I use. I have had it for years and it’s still the best thing I have ever purchased!
Wacom Intuos Pro large
I also have this graphics tablet which I would recommend if you plan on taking it with you places. It's smaller than the Wacom Intuos pro making it more portable
Tablets
Looking for a camera? I would recommend this one. This is the camera that I use all the time!
D3500 | Digital SLR Cameras | Nikon Consumer
Software
This section recommends a variety of different software that you can use for graphic design.
The Adobe creative suite contains all the programs that you will need and more!
Creative Cloud pricing and membership plans | Adobe Creative Cloud
2
Affinity Designer is a professional-grade vector graphics software available for macOS, Windows, and iPad. This is a good alternative to Adobe.
Creative Software For Professionals | We Are Affinity
Figma is a cloud-based design and prototyping tool primarily used for UI/UX design of websites and applications. Figma offers the option to collaborate with other people which can be beneficial when working in a team.
Figma: The Collaborative Interface Design Tool
This piece of software is a little bit controversial within the graphic design community. However, I feel that it is just a tool that you can use in your design journey. There's also a free option which is a bonus!
Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone
Notion is an all-in-one productivity and note-taking application that allows users to organise their work, manage projects, take notes, and collaborate with others. I love this because it helps keep me organised and I would recommend it to others.
The AI workspace that works for you. | Notion
Extras
This section has various different extras that you might want for your graphic design journey.
These are the sketchbooks that I always used to use throughout school, college and university. I would totally recommend these!
Winsor & Newton Heavyweight Wire-O Hardback Sketchbook
2
To organise myself I always used to stick sticky notes on everything! This might be helpful for some people to keep organised and take notes
Buy Post-it Super Sticky Notes Boost 76x76mm 90 Sheet (Pack of 5) 7100258933 - 654-5SS-BOOS - 04054596924192 - Discount Deals - UK Office Direct Ltd
You might want a notebook or two, or three to take notes, write down ideas or reminders so I would recommend these
A5 Spiral Pad 80 Leaf Blue (Pack of 12) WX10039
Need help keeping organised? I would recommend investing in a weekly planner. That way you can organise your time efficiently
Colourful A5 Weekly Planner Notepad
2