![]() ![]() You can share lists, sync across devices, plus do all the other magic you expect from an app these days. ![]() Todoist – Managing your to-dos is a snap with Todoist.Every time the words “I can do that” come out of your mouth, write it down. If you can get to a computer with internet, you can get to your stuff. Dropbox – The tagline says it best: Your stuff, anywhere.I’ve got just one recommendation here, and believe me, it’s well worth the investment. Having my files somewhere online where I can always access them has saved my bacon more times than I care to count. It also helps you focus on your writing, and its robust export options are the sexiest part. Typed – This brand-new app goes toe-to-toe with all the features I’ve come to love in Writer Pro.It walks you through the writing process from rough initial notes to the polished final product, giving you the confidence to work through your writing the right way: in drafts. Writer Pro – This has been my favorite app for a long time.The following apps provide the focus you need to craft winning content. This can be a real challenge at times, and for me, focus is the missing ingredient. Lorem ipsum can play its part in blocking out space in a design, but when it comes time to show your work to a client or coworker, real content always sells the design. Just last week, John offered up 10 UX copywriting tips for designers designed to help you skip the lorem ipsum. I’ve always been an advocate for filling in your designs with content that’s as close to the real thing as possible. I’ve been using it forever because it’s simply the best of the bunch. If you need to move files up to a server, this app has you covered. Transmit – Transmit is the #1 FTP client for Mac OS X.If you aren’t optimizing your assets, I’d argue you don’t love your users. After you’ve exported your assets for the web, just drag and drop them into ImageOptim and watch your page load times drop. ImageOptim – This is one of those apps that does one thing really well.Sure, you can do it all through the CLI, but why bother with that when Tower can lay it all out for you visually? Tower 2 – As soon as you get up and running with code, you’ll need to get to know Git, and Tower’s my go-to app for managing all my Git repositories.It works as a code compiler for awesome web things like Sass, it auto-refreshes browsers so you can instantly see your changes, and it just works. CodeKit – CodeKit helps you build websites faster and better.You can install packages that extend the app’s functionality, including beautiful color schemes like Predawn. Sublime Text 3 – The development app space is crowded, but I love Sublime Text the most.These are my go-to apps when development is the task at hand. Learning the language of the web can only help you as a designer. I’m not talking full-stack, backend, systems development. I’m a firm believer that all designers should learn to code. Some have even argued that if you work late at night, you could even sleep better with f.lux. f.lux – f.lux adjusts your computer’s display to the time of day, warm at night and sunlight-bright during the day.It lives in your menu bar and will throw anything you’ve saved to your clipboard with one click. MenuBrain – This stupid-simple app helps you keep snippets of information at your fingertips.You can set shortcuts for screen size and placement, as well as open a great tool for placing windows just where you want them on a grid. Divvy – Divvy takes the pain out of managing your windows.Set your keyboard shortcut and get the HEX, RGB, or RGBA value of a color straight onto your clipboard. ColorSnapper – Here’s your go-to for grabbing colors from anywhere you see them.It lives in your menu bar, making it easy to throw some filler text right onto your clipboard. Littleipsum – Sometimes, lorem ipsum has its place.Get to know this quick-launching madman today. With all kinds of shortcodes and plugins, this one’s essential. Alfred – Apple essentially ripped off a bunch of Alfred in Yosemite’s new Spotlight tool.Together, they create a complete experience for me on Mac. If designers wore toolbelts, these would be the most-used tools in mine. They’ll help you focus, boost your productivity, stick to your commitments, and be the best designer you can be. So here’s my list of must-have apps to help you become the design hero you’ve always wanted to be. So to get the job done, you need to grow your skills-and find and use the right tools. Every phase of a project requires a different skillset and level of focus. As a designer, you’re constantly pulled in a dozen different directions. ![]()
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