Gráfica Extramuros
Exploring alternative digital tools for graphic design
The challenge
Contemporary graphic design relies heavily on a small number of industry-standard tools. While this standardization improves efficiency, collaboration and productivity, it can also influence creative decisions and lead to increasingly similar workflows and visual outcomes. The challenge was to step outside this familiar ecosystem, explore alternative digital tools and create a resource that encourages other designers and creatives to do the same.
The solution
A broad exploration of alternative online creative tools led to the selection of thirteen specialized tools focused on effects such as dithering, halftones and ASCII art. These were used to create graphic pieces that would be difficult to achieve with conventional design software. The process, selected tools and key findings were then documented in a web-based repository. Using a filtering system, the platform helps designers and creatives quickly find the most suitable tool for a specific effect or creative need.
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