SerifIf you’re a professional designer, illustrator, or digital artist then you probably have a killer computer setup and trusty sketch pad in your studio. Yet you might have seen that lots of designers have started doing all their professional work on iPads.
Why on earth would they do that? How can you possibly get the same quality of work done?
We believe that you shouldn’t have to compromise when you’re on the move or can’t be in your studio. That’s why we’ve partnered with Affinity to bring you the best design tools, even when you’re on the move.
In this article, we cover the eight things you need to know about Affinity Designer for iPad and why it’s a game-changer for creatives.
1. Shrink your equipment without compromising
There’s just no need for the huge setups to do serious work anymore. Just because the iPad is a thin and light device that’s extremely portable doesn’t mean that it can’t be a serious artistic tool.
Affinity developers spent months working with influential artists, illustrators, and designers to fine-tune the creation of Affinity Designer for iPad and this is obvious the moment you pick it up, as it’s such an intuitive and flexible tool.
One of the designers involved in the beta was Steve Simpson. With over 30 years of experience, Steve is renowned for his hand-lettered packaging design, whimsical characters, and illustrated barcodes. For Steve, Affinity Designer for iPad gives him the freedom to work in coffee shops and even on the plane or a park bench.
Hear Steve talk about his experience of working with Affinity Designer for iPad in the video below.
Steve Simpson talks about Affinity Designer for iPad from Affinity on Vimeo.
“Affinity Designer for iPad is a fully featured vector app with raster tools available on a tablet. It’s a different level.” – Steve Simpson
2.It gives you vector and raster design tools, all in one app
One of the most powerful features of Affinity for iPad is that you can use vector and pixel tools in the same app. So, Steve says that he’s able to work on a vector design, and then switch over to Pixel Persona to add texture with raster brushes.
For you, it could mean working on some app icons in vector and then see the pixel preview. Or edit a photo to use in your website mock-up. Cool, eh?
‘God Lion’ was created by designer and illustrator Juan Manuel Orozco during the Affinity Designer for iPad VIP beta.
“Discovering this app has been amazing, I’ve fallen in love. I can ink in vector and colour in raster all in one portable app, with no layer limitations. It’s totally changed my workflow.” – Juan Manuel Orozco
3. Ultimate speed and sensitivity
Affinity Designer utilizes all of Apple’s magic technology so it’s lightning-fast. You can see that by using all the effects, in real-time. And it works in the way that you always hoped it would with the Apple Pencil too, so you can take advantage of its incredible pressure sensitivity.
“Blending modes work great and fast (and it’s hard to say the same for Illustrator). Noise/grain parameters for colours are amazing. The layer structure is great. It’s a lot faster, especially when comparing performance with blurs and crazy blending modes in a large file.” – Art director and concept artist Eric Pautz on his experience of using Affinity Designer for iPad.
4. Gestures have been pushed to a whole new level
In terms of creative workflows on iPad, there are some gestures that just shouldn’t be messed with. Double finger tap for ‘undo’, and three-finger tap for redo is a case in point. So ‘redo’ and ‘undo’ gestures work in the same way in Affinity Designer for iPad, but for some actions, there is no established paradigm. So Affinity has taken an innovative approach. This tutorial video gives you the lowdown on all the gestures you need to know.
5. You have full control over export
You’re not limited by what you can export to just because the app is on iOS. You have full control over format, slices and with standard and retina options you can complete projects on the move. Send your projects by email, save to iCloud or Dropbox, the choice is yours. Continuous export works like a charm too.
Continuous export works like a charm too. See how artist and VIP beta tester, Bob Byrne, uses continuous export from Affinity Designer on iPad to work on his desktop with Spine at the same time…
“I’m shocked at how fast it is. I know a large part of that is due to Apple magic but it’s crazy that we can do things which would make a desktop chug a little, instantly on the iPad.” – Bob Byrne talking about Affinity Designer for iPad.
6. The file format is seamless
Whether you’re working with Affinity Designer on desktop or iPad, or on other Affinity apps, it’s seamless. We don’t believe you should have to sacrifice your normal workflow just because you’re not in the office and neither do Affinity.
7. 1,000,000% zoom (well, even more than that actually…)
Yes, you read that right. Don’t believe us? Check out the video
We were blown away when we first saw this, as the power available under the hood is monumental. Not only can you zoom to your heart’s content, but the process is incredibly speedy, allows for real-time adjustments, and has super smooth panning. It’s such a jaw-dropping experience and we’re excited for you to see it for yourself!
Super smooth panning and zooming in Affinity Designer for iPad.
8. No subscription and incredible value for money
Affinity Designer for iPad is just as feature-packed as the desktop version and has everything you need to create stunning illustrations, branding, icons, and UI/UX designs, print projects, typography, concept art, and much more − all completely free from the confines of your desk!
Affinity apps are not linked to a subscription model. You simply buy the app once and get free updates until version 2.
Within hours of release, it became the #1 Paid App on the App Store in over 100 countries worldwide and was awarded Editor’s Choice by Apple.
Affinity Designer for iPad is available for a one-off payment of £19.99 / $ 19.99 USD / € 21.99 on the App Store. Bargain!
Michelle Payne
WordPress.com
Becca
