Choosing Your Workspace
Affinity Photo
Clip Studio
Clip Studio
Fire Alpaca
Gimp
Ibis Paint
Kleki
Krita
MediBang
Procreate
Photoshop
How do you choose the right program for your classroom? It’s a big question to tackle, so let’s break it down into bite-sized bits.
1
Will It Run?System Requirements
2
How Much Does It Cost?Budget and Licensing
3
Ease of UseDifficulty Level
4
Compare FeaturesTest Drive!
1
Will It Run?
1. Will It Run?
System Specifications (“Specs”)
To find a program compatible with your current classroom, you need to know your System Specifications:
Find the information about your machine in System Settings.
Settings > About
Settings > About
Compare to Software:
System Requirements
System Requirements
VS
2
How Much Does It Cost?
2. What Does It Cost?
Licensing Types
Each license model has costs and benefits. Consider the needs and limitations of your classroom before you purchase…
Open Source
Publicly accessible source code. A good option for a DIY setup.
“Free”
Trade your data or watch ads to use a program without paying money.
Perpetual
Pay one time to use the current version of the software indefinitely.
Subscription
Pay on a recurring basis to continue using a software.
Some developers offer free or discounted Educational Licensing!
(doesn’t hurt to ask…)
3
Ease of Use
3. Ease of Use
Learning Curve
Ask Yourself: How much time can you dedicate to learning a new program?
Programs with fewer features such as Kleki and Procreate can be easier to pick up, but offer less robust tools. Programs like Adobe Photoshop give you more tools, but can be more challenging to learn.
Programs with fewer features such as Kleki and Procreate can be easier to pick up, but offer less robust tools. Programs like Adobe Photoshop give you more tools, but can be more challenging to learn.
TOOLS and features
difficulty to learn
Check out the software documentation to see how many tools and features are available.
4
Test Drive
4. Test Drive
Compare Your Options
Now that you know what you’re looking for, download a couple programs to compare features.
Most programs offer a free trial option for a limited time or limited set of features.
Software Shortlist
Not sure where to start? Here’s a list of some of the most common digital arts tools available.