Graphic Design Resources for Beginning Designers: Everything You Need to Get Started
Whether you’re a new designer, an entrepreneur, or the unsuspecting victim of a DIY project gone wild, you’ll need eye-catching visuals. After all, great design can be the difference between someone stopping to check out your work or scrolling past like it never existed.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a professional designer or break the bank to create professional-looking graphics. Armed with the right tools—free or affordable—you can craft images that sell products, engage audiences, and make you look like you have years of design experience (even if you don’t).
And guess what? I’ve done the work of hunting down the best graphic design resources for beginning designers, so you don’t have to! Keep reading to discover affordable tools, stock graphics, fonts, and templates that will elevate your designs without requiring Photoshop-level skills.
The Online Graphics Creator
Let’s start with a game-changer—a design tool that’ll make you forget Photoshop even exists (for now). The Online Graphics Creator is a simple, web-based software that helps new designers create polished graphics FAST.
Why is it perfect for newbies?
- It comes with thousands of pre-designed templates
- No complicated learning curve—just drag, drop, and customize
- Click-and-go effects like shadows, outlines, and image rotations
- Access to hundreds of free fonts and thousands of stock images
- It even supports video motion graphics and animated GIFs!
Worried about being tied to your desk? Don’t be! It’s cloud-based, which means you can log in from anywhere (yes, even your couch in pajamas)!
The Graphics Creator – Downloadable
If you’re the kind of person who prefers to work without an internet connection (maybe because Wi-Fi decides to betray you at the worst moments), you’re going to love this. The Graphics Creator (Downloadable) brings all the amazing design features of the Online Graphics Creator, but in a software you can install on your computer.
What makes this version special?
- Still template-based, so you don’t need to start from scratch
- Works offline—no internet headaches
- Great for quickly designing logos, social media posts, banners, ads, and more
- Supports animation and motion graphics (because static graphics are so last decade)
The only major difference? This one is downloadable, and you can purchase individual template sets based on your needs.
Creative Market
If Etsy and a design library had a baby, it’d be Creative Market. This is the go-to place for designers looking for fonts, textures, mockups, and stunning graphic elements.
What can you find here?
- Hand-crafted fonts, textures, and illustrations
- Custom graphics, including social media templates and icons
- Freebies every week (yes, FREE stuff!)
- Discounted bundles to save money
Heads up: Creative Market is a paid resource, but you can find great deals—especially if you grab their weekly freebies!
Unsplash – Free High-Quality Stock Photos
There was a time when finding free, high-resolution stock photos was as mythical as a unicorn. But then, Unsplash came along and changed EVERYTHING.
- Entirely free—no hidden fees or subscriptions
- Massive collection of professional, high-resolution images
- Perfect for business marketing, presentations, and website graphics
The best part? You can integrate Unsplash images with design tools like the Graphics Creator for seamless editing.
Font Squirrel – Free Commercial-Use Fonts
Finding high-quality, free fonts is like finding a needle in a haystack. Luckily, Font Squirrel did the hard work for us. They curate free, professional fonts that can be used for personal AND commercial projects.
- Hundreds of stylish fonts, including Sans Serif, Serif, and Script styles
- Easily downloadable, with simple installation
- No legal headaches—most fonts are available for commercial use
Fonts can take your design from “meh” to “WOW,” so grab yourself a collection right now.
Dealjumbo – Affordable Design Bundles
Want premium design elements but don’t want to spend a fortune? Dealjumbo has design bundles at prices that won’t make your wallet cry.
- Affordable fonts, graphics, vectors, and textures
- Regular discounts and freebies
- Perfect for designers on a budget
Check back often because deals change weekly!
FAQs About Graphic Design Resources for Beginning Designers
Do I need expensive software like Photoshop to create amazing graphics?
Nope! Tools like The Online Graphics Creator and downloadable Graphics Creator let you design professional-looking images without the complexity (or price tag) of Photoshop.
Are free graphic design resources really free?
Yes! Many platforms offer free fonts, stock images, and templates. Just read the licensing terms to make sure you’re using them legally.
What’s the best place to find free stock photos?
Unsplash is hands-down the best place for high-resolution, professional photos. And yes, they are completely free!
Can I use these resources to make money selling my designs?
Absolutely! You can create and sell logos, banners, social media graphics, or branding kits using these tools.
Ready to start designing? Explore more awesome tools at Laughingbird Software and unleash your creativity today!
