The fervor and buzz surrounding NFTs in the market seem to have diminished, almost two years after the NFT summer craze. However, it would be incorrect to dismiss NFTs as an outdated technology that we should overlook in favor of other fields like AI. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The era of scams, overrated projects, overpromised outcomes, speculators, and wash trading in the NFT space appears to be gradually fading away. This allows the technology to refocus on its true potential: revolutionizing the world as a means of establishing ownership, serving as a better medium for art, storing valuable information, and representing online assets, among other purposes.
In this article, we aim to present six indispensable tools for NFT art creators or individuals interested in exploring the realm of NFT creation. These tools are designed to support artists on their creative journey, simplifying the process and facilitating a smooth start to their NFT ventures.
Things to Consider When Choosing NFT Creation Tools
Before introducing the tools, we would like to discuss some criteria you might need to consider before picking them. To give you a more direct understanding of your needs and straightforward tools to kick-start your creative journey!
Features and Performance
When choosing the right NFT creation tool for your needs, it’s essential to consider the features and performance of each option. First and foremost, assess the editing capabilities of the software, ensuring it offers a comprehensive suite of tools to create, modify, and refine your digital assets.
Second, look for a wide range of tools and templates catering to your artistic style and requirements. Tools and templates can save lots of time needed on the creation and as an extra help, especially for beginners, who might need templates for standardizing formats and parameters.
Precision plays a pivotal role in producing exceptional NFTs, as it empowers creators to meticulously craft intricate details that elevate the overall quality of their artworks. When considering your tool selection, it’s important to recognize that the level of precision required may vary depending on the type of artwork you aim to create. For instance, if your focus lies on creating artwork with less intricate details, such as profile picture (PFP) designs, you may have a wider array of tool options at your disposal when compared to the meticulous nature of NFT art illustrations.
Budget, Free vs. Paid
When considering the cost of an NFT creation tool, it’s essential to factor in your budget, especially for those new to the world of NFT artistry who may have limited resources to invest. Start by evaluating the pricing structure of each tool, whether it requires a one-time purchase, a monthly subscription, or operates on a freemium model, which offers limited features for free with the option to upgrade for more advanced capabilities.
For beginners with a tight budget, it might be more sensible to explore free or low-cost options first to get a feel for creating NFTs without committing significant money. As you gain more experience and confidence in your skills, you can then consider investing in more advanced, feature-rich tools that could enhance your work and ultimately generate a higher return on investment.
Remember, its price tag doesn’t solely determine the value of an NFT creation tool; it’s also about its potential for unlocking your creativity and enabling you to produce high-quality, engaging NFT art. So, take a step back, consider your budget, and consider the potential value each tool can add to your work.
Hardware Compatibility, Desktop vs. Mobile App
When choosing an NFT creation tool, the cost isn’t the only financial factor you should consider; you also need to consider the compatibility of the software with your current hardware. Do you need a high-end desktop or a specific tablet to use the tool effectively? If so, beginners might not want to invest in new devices just yet.
Another point to keep in mind is whether the software operates on a desktop, mobile app, or both. This can affect your workflow, especially if you’re used to switching between devices for different tasks. Having a tool that caters to your preferred device setup can make a huge difference in your overall creative process, so don’t overlook this aspect when making your decision.
Learning Curve
When it comes to selecting an NFT creation tool, it’s essential to consider the learning curve associated with each software. Some tools may require more time and effort to master than others. It’s important to find a balance between advanced capabilities and user-friendliness to ensure a smooth creative process without getting bogged down by overly complex features.
Additionally, keep in mind that the skills you acquire while mastering an NFT creation tool can often extend beyond the world of NFTs. These abilities can open up new income-generating opportunities, such as working as a part-time illustrator, photo editor, or other creative roles. By investing time and effort into learning a versatile and powerful tool, you’re enhancing your NFT creation abilities and broadening your overall skillset, making you a more valuable and marketable professional in the creative industry.
Community and Support System
When choosing an NFT creation tool, don’t underestimate the value of the tool’s community and support system. Having access to a wealth of resources and a network of like-minded creators can be invaluable in refining your skills and expanding your knowledge. Connecting with others who share your passion for NFT creation can help you learn from their experiences, troubleshoot issues, and even discover new techniques to take your work to the next level.
Moreover, popular tools with larger communities often benefit from more tutorials and learning materials on online platforms like YouTube. This abundance of information makes the learning process much more enjoyable and accessible. You can easily find step-by-step guidance for almost any feature or technique you want to master. So, when selecting an NFT creation tool, remember to consider the strength and size of the community behind it — it can make all the difference in your creative journey!
What are the Best Tools to Create NFT Art?
1. Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector-based graphic design software that has become an industry standard for creating digital illustrations and NFT artwork.
Features:
Vector-based illustrations, advanced editing tools, color management, typography tools, and seamless integration with other Adobe products.
Pros:
High-quality vector illustrations, scalable without loss of quality, extensive editing capabilities, great for creating intricate designs, beyond NFT-creation skillset.
Cons:
A steeper learning curve, subscription-based pricing can be resource-intensive on lower-end systems.
Supporting Device: Desktop (Windows, macOS)
2. Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a popular raster-based graphic design and photo editing software widely used for creating digital art, including NFTs.
Features:
Layer-based editing, extensive brush library, advanced color management, filters and effects, and seamless integration with other Adobe products.
Pros:
Powerful editing capabilities, versatile for various artistic styles, favor NFT creation requires layering, large user community with abundant resources and tutorials, beyond NFT-creation skillset.
Cons:
A steeper learning curve, subscription-based pricing, not ideal for vector-based illustrations.
Supporting Device: Desktop (Windows, macOS), iPad app
3. Krita
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting software for illustrators, comic artists, and NFT creators.
Features:
Customizable brushes, layer-based editing, color management, vector and raster support, and various file formats.
Pros:
Free and open-source, user-friendly interface, versatile tools for different art styles, and regular updates from the community.
Cons:
Not as feature-rich as Adobe products, performance may vary depending on hardware and a smaller user community.
Supporting Device: Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)
4. Procreate
Procreate is a powerful, intuitive drawing and painting app for iPad, allowing NFT creators to design on the go.
Features:
Responsive brushes, layer-based editing, customizable color palettes, time-lapse recording, import/export options.
Pros:
Intuitive interface, responsive and natural drawing experience, optimized for iPad, affordable one-time purchase, favor NFT creation requires layering.
Cons:
iPad-only app, limited features compared to desktop alternatives, not ideal for vector-based illustrations.
Supporting Device: iPad
5. SketchAR
SketchAR is an augmented reality drawing app that offers a unique NFT creation experience by combining digital drawing with real-world environments.
Features:
Augmented reality sketching, step-by-step drawing lessons, AI-driven image recognition, and import/export options.
Pros:
Innovative AR drawing experience, easy-to-follow lessons, suitable for beginners, mobile-based application.
Cons:
Limited to mobile devices, less advanced editing tools, not ideal for complex or intricate designs.
Supporting Device: Mobile (iOS, Android)
6. Figma
Figma is a collaborative design tool primarily used for UI/UX design but also versatile enough for creating NFT designs and illustrations.
Features:
Vector-based editing, design components, real-time collaboration, version history, and plugin support.
Pros:
Cloud-based software, accessible from any device, real-time collaboration favors NFT creation and requires layering, suitable for creating geometric and minimalistic NFT designs.
Cons:
Not explicitly tailored for digital art, less advanced illustration tools than other options, subscription-based pricing.
Supporting Device: Web-based (Windows, macOS, Linux), Desktop app (Windows, macOS), Mobile-app (IOS, Andriod)
Mint with AERIE!
Aerie is a web portal and desktop application offering business-focused NFT services, digital identity, and CRM management. Here are some of the unique features you can enjoy with AERIE:
Wallet Connect
Our Wallet Connect feature ensures seamless integration with your favorite wallets for smooth transactions. It lets you keep transactions on your mobile device if you worry about safety.
Bulk NFT Minting
Bulk NFT Minting allows you to create multiple NFTs in a single go, saving you both time and effort and allowing a single creator to mint thousands of NFT copies in a budget timeframe.
Minting NFTs with Different Blockchains
The future is inevitably a multichain universe. We are staying ahead of the curve with minting NFTs on different blockchains, opening doors to diverse opportunities in the rapidly evolving NFT landscape.
Multisig Voting for any NFT Operations
This adds a secure and democratic decision-making process to your NFT community, giving your NFT creation extra utility and tools to grow beyond just an NFT piece.
Final Thoughts
Picking the perfect NFT creation tool is vital for all talented artists and potential creators ready to dive into the amazing NFT universe. Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Krita, Procreate, SketchAR, and Figma each have their own unique features, perks, and downsides, so there’s something for everyone. Keep in mind the essentials like features, cost, device compatibility, learning curve, and community when making your decision. The world of NFTs is ready for your creative magic, so go ahead, choose a tool that vibes with your artistic style, and kick-start your fantastic NFT adventure right now!
