Design Tools
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Sketch
Sketch is a vector graphics editor for macOS developed by the Dutch company Sketch B.V. It was first released on 7 September 2010. It is primarily used for user interface and user experience design of websites and mobile apps and does not include print design features. Sketch has more recently added features for prototyping and collaboration. Being only available for macOS, third party software and handoff tools may be used to view Sketch designs on other platforms.
Sketch Plug-ins
There are hundreds of Sketch plugins, and more released every day. These plugins are the ones I use for boosting my productivity, speed, organization and creativity.
| Plugin | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midnight - Dark Theme | Applies dark theme and helps with organization |
| 2 | Rename It | for organization, rename layers and artboards in batches |
| 3 | Runner | helps you to get around Sketch quicker |
| 4 | Spellcheck | A basic spellchecker that checks all layers on a page |
| 5 | Stark | ensure your design is accessible and high contrast |
| 6 | Symbol-Instance-Renamer | rename symbol instances to the name of their master |
| 7 | Symbol-Organizer | Organize your symbols page into groupings by symbol names |
Version Control
Current available options GitHub with SourceTree, Kactus, Avocode, Absract
GitHub with SourceTree
GitHub: a development platform and cloud hosting service to host and review code, manage projects and build software
SourceTree: a Git Client that allows you to visualize and manage your repositories though a simplified UI
Both programs use Git. Git is an open-sources version control system that was started by Linus Torvalds
Additional Links Understanding Git, Git vs Github, What is Github
Pros:
- Can create as many versions/ branches as needed
- Conflict resolution
- Modal versioning
- A great deal of documentation, strong community support
Cons:
- Not built for design files, no comparison
- Need to understand/learn the basics of Git
Kactus
Advertised as true design version control without having to change tools, ability to manage changes, document work, and keep team in-sync. Tool is similar to SourceTree in function.
Pros
- Can create as many branches and needed
- Integration with GitHub
- Seems like a plug-in for sketch
Cons
- Conflict Resolution
- Learning curve - Need to understand basics of Git
- Independent developers – Not a large product team
Avocode
More robust, it combines a lot of functions other tools provide, it is integrated into your workflow.
Pros
- Has the same abilities as Zeplin
- Layers are automatically exportable
- Prototyping
- Supports multiple design programs
- Ability to collaborate with comments
- Web version, Windows, Mac OS, Linux
- Established company with clear roadmap
Cons
- No clean directions on how to manage modified files
- Primary focus is hand off
- Conflict management
- Not start support or documentation
Abstract
A secured place to version, manage and collaborate Sketch files and Sketch libraries. It also offers design review and hand-off features.
Pros
- Always open file from abstract: don’t need to remember to pull or push changes
- Strong community
- Visual representation of active branches and commits
- Handling merge conflict with a visual representation
- Ability to collaborate with comments
- Continuous support and updates
Cons
- Always open file from abstract: you’re always working in the cloud or online, can slowdown work time
- Files are stored on their server
- Learning curve
- Only available for sketch
- Difficult to manage external libraries
Research: Why I felt in love with Abstract, How to create a version controlled Sketch Library, Abstract vs Kactus vs Plant, The Great Design Battle of 2018