Inkscape and Illustrator.

Inkscape

Inkscape is an open source vectors graphics application available for all major operating systems, and it has been my preferred vector graphics tool since I started back in 2012. Don’t let the fact that it’s free fool you into thinking of it as anything less than professional. This isn’t MS Paint. Inkscape is capable of virtually anything any other vector design software is capable of from a design standpoint. 

Pros

✅ Cost: It’s hard to beat free. Inkscape is a great option if you’re just starting out and have no money to invest.

✅ Less CPU Demands: Inkscape is a very lightweight application that will run good enough on low-end computers with outdated hardware.

✅ Intuitiveness: This is just my own opinion, but Inkscape’s UI and functionality seem slightly more intuitive than Illustrator’s. A good example of this would be editing gradients on the canvas. It just functions in a more natural way in Inkscape.

✅ Versatility: Works on all operating systems, including Linux. In fact, it runs best on Linux in my experience.

✅ Community: Inkscape is made by volunteers who are passionate about their work and put principles and values over profit. This makes for a supportive grass roots community that feels good to be a part of. 

Cons

❌ Lack of CMYK Support: No ability to output files in a CMYK color format, making Inkscape not a very good choice for designing anything needing to be printed.

❌ Instability: You’ll regularly experience bugs and glitches.

❌ Cross Platform: Since Adobe is the industry standard, Adobe’s proprietary formats tend to be what’s most commonly used by designers and clients. This can pose a problem when someone else wants to send you an Adobe file for you to work on.

❌ Employment: Hardly used by any design studios or agencies, meaning your Inkscape skills probably won’t land you a traditional job.

Who should learn Inkscape?

• An aspiring freelancer who has no immediate plans to seek traditional employment at a design studio or agency.
• Online business owners (bloggers, Instagram influencers, YouTubers, Amazaon sellers, etc.) whose focus is not design, but may occasionally need simple DIY graphics to supplement their work.
• Anyone using a low-end computer that would struggle with more comprehensive applications like Illustrator.
• Anyone who deals primarily with digital design and will not need to design for print.

Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator is a vector graphics application by Adobe. It is widely recognized as the industry standard tool for vector design and is used by the overwhelming majority of studios, agencies, and professional designers. 

Pros

✅ Employment Opportunities: Since Illustrator is the industry standard for vector design, there’s more upside to learning it over any other vector application. It’s what most employers and institutions use. Knowing how to use the Adobe software will put you in a great position to qualify for employment as a graphic designer.

✅ Extensive Features: Although Illustrator doesn’t do anything that the other vector tools can’t also do, it does have some neat features that can automate some of your work and save time that would otherwise be spent doing it manually. A good example of this would be working with multiple art boards — something I always wished Inkscape had. 

✅ Development: Since Adobe is the industry leader, innovative new features and tools tend to debut on Illustrator before they eventually make their way over to the alternatives.

✅ Proprietary Formats: Adobe’s proprietary formats (.ai, .psd, etc.) tend to be what’s most commonly used by designers and requested by clients. Although there’s workarounds for opening and creating Illustrator files with Inkscape, it’s far from perfect because things sometimes get lost in translation. Having access to Adobe software means you’ll be able to work with proprietary files other designers and clients send you without a problem.

✅ Cross Platform Usability: One thing I love about the Adobe suite is how well all of its applications communicate with each other. Vector graphics created with Illustrator can very easily be imported into After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, etc. and worked with further. 

Cons

❌ Price: Adobe software is sold as a service, meaning it’s an ongoing monthly expense. That’s a pretty big pill to swallow if design isn’t a big part of your job or business and you just need occasional graphics.

❌ Hardware Requirements: Requires high performance hardware in order to run well. As I wrote about recently, using Adobe software on a low-end machine is very frustrating. Not only will you need to fork over some dough for the software, but you’ll need to invest in a high performance machine as well.

❌ No Linux support: If you want to use the Adobe suite, you’ll have to do so on Windows or Mac.

Who should learn Illustrator?

• Anyone who wishes to be employed as a graphic designer at a design studio or agency.
• Students (Adobe gives discounts to students.)
• Aspiring freelancers who have money to invest in software and high performance hardware.