> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Photoshop Alternatives: Tools for Creating AMAZING Visual Content - URL: https://www.hypebot.com/photoshop-alternatives-tools-for-creating-amazing-visual-content/ - Published: 2014-11-05T11:29:00.000Z - Updated: 2014-11-05T11:29:00.000Z - Description: By Yannick Ilunga on TheJazzSpotlight.com How many times have you heard that social media posts and tweets that include visual elements are more engaging and share more often? What do you think when you. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2014/11/photoshop-alternatives-tools-for-creat - Author: Guest Author - Tags: DIY Advice & Tips, Music Business, Music Marketing, Social Media, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:38 [![Visual-content](https://a7.typepad.com/6a016766638dee970b01bb07a5f42f970d-200wi "Visual-content")](http://a7.typepad.com/6a016766638dee970b01bb07a5f42f970d-popup?ref=hypebot.com) B*y Yannick Ilunga on [TheJazzSpotlight.com](http://www.thejazzspotlight.com/photoshop-alternatives-tools-creating-amazing-visual-content/?ref=hypebot.com)* How many times have you heard that social media posts and tweets that include visual elements are [more engaging](http://www.thejazzspotlight.com/episode2?ref=hypebot.com) and share more often? What do you think when you see some cool pictures being shared by your friends and people you follow on social media? Sure, some of them have been help out by professional designers. Others are probably some kind of [Photoshop](http://adobe.com/photoshop?ref=hypebot.com) wizards.But here’s something I wanted to tell you. What if you could craft incredible visual content? **What if I told you that you could do that in just a manner of minutes, for FREE?** Interesting, right? Well, that’s the topic of this post. In this article I am going to tell you about some tools you can start using today to create visually-engaging content that people will want to share. **A quick note before you continue.** I don’t have anything against Photoshop, quite the opposite actually! I still use it often. However, I am aware of the fact that not everyone likes Photoshop and that it may take time to learn how to properly use it for picture editing. This is why, I thought about writing this post about Photoshops alternatives, tools that are easier to use and that are free. Just wanted to make things clear! ![:)](http://www.thejazzspotlight.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif) ## Different kinds of visual content Before we dive into the tools, I think it is important to quickly talk about the different kinds of visual content you can create and share online. There are many great ideas, so this really depends on your style and what you want to achieve and communicate. > *A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words* \[[tweet this quote](http://ctt.ec/cwcY7?ref=hypebot.com)\] Images are a very powerful tool and can help you drive traffic to your site (if you are interested in visuals and how to leverage them to get traffic to your website, I recommend you check Donna Moritz’s blog [*Socially Sorted*](http://sociallysorted.com.au/?ref=hypebot.com)). These are some of the most popular types of visuals musicians should think about sharing online: - Behind-the-Scenes: photos that give your fans a special behind-the-scenes look at your career - Stage [Pictures](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image?ref=hypebot.com): images of you “in action”, on stage during a live performance - Pictures taken by fans - Professional photos: high-quality pictures taken by a professional photographer - Quotes - Digital flyers and posters And now…the tools! ## Canva ![Canva](http://www.thejazzspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/design1.jpg) Credits: techcrunch.com [**Canva**](https://www.canva.com/?ref=hypebot.com) is a tool that enables you to create amazingly simple graphic design. Want to refresh the look of your [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/) cover? Or perhaps you want to create a brand new [Twitter](http://twitter.com/?ref=hypebot.com) header? Or wait, you are about to create a Facebook ad and want to have an image that stands out. No matter what your desire is, you can be sure that Canva will deliver big time! Once you have signed up for Canva (for free), you choose the layout (e.g. Twitter header, Facebook cover) and Canva will automatically generate a layout optimized for the specific platform. At this point, you can either create something for scratch, use one Canva’s templates (some are free while others are premium) or you can do a combination of both. In this case, you will be able to edit the template, upload your picture and combines the two to create a killing design. Here are some of the other things you can do with Canva: - create an artwork for a podcast and cover for a Kindle [eBook](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book?ref=hypebot.com) - create a flyer and business card (that can also be printed) - craft a design for Pinterest and [Google](http://www.google.com/?ref=hypebot.com)\+ cover - put together a photo collage Canva recently announced the launch of its [free iPad app](http://blog.canva.com/canva-ipad-app/?ref=hypebot.com), which means that now you can comfortably create incredible designs on the go! Ah, and did I tell you that Canva also has a directory of over 1 million stock images? The Webbys dubbed Canva *The easiest to use design program in the world* and I think they are right. > *Canva is the easiest to use design program in the world – the Webby* \[[tweet this quote](http://ctt.ec/S9Db8?ref=hypebot.com)\] Canva also has a [blog](http://blog.canva.com/?ref=hypebot.com) that features useful tips on topics like font pairing, color selection and much more. Definitely worth checking if you want to learn more about visuals! ## [PicMonkey](http://www.picmonkey.com/?ref=hypebot.com) Along with Canva, [**PicMonkey**](http://www.picmonkey.com/?ref=hypebot.com) is one of my favorite tools for crafting amazing visual content. ![PicMonkey](http://www.thejazzspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/design2.jpg) Credits: concrete5.org PicMonkey is a free alternative to Photoshop, which doesn’t even require any type of sign up process. This online service gives you the opportunity to quickly edit or touch up your images, as well as create designs and collages. Using PicMonkey is ridiculously simple. You go to PicMonkey.com and upload your picture from either your computer, Facebook, Dropbox or OneDrive. And then you can do many of the things you can do on Photoshop. Resizing your photo, change the canvas color, apply a frame, add overlays, text…you name it! The only things you need are a computer, a picture, an Internet connection and a touch of creativity! ## Over & WordSwag ![WordSwag](http://www.thejazzspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/design3.jpg) Credits: itunes.apple.com \[left\], pelfusion.com \[right\] [**Over**](http://madewithover.com/?ref=hypebot.com) is a mobile app that lets you add text & artworks to your images. Available for both [iPhone](http://www.sprint.com/iphone?ref=hypebot.com) and [Android devices](http://code.google.com/android/?ref=hypebot.com), it gives you the opportunity to turn your pictures into amazing designs people will love. **[WordSwag](http://wordswag.co/?ref=hypebot.com)** is my #1 choice for creating awesome designs on the go. What WordSwag does, is enabling users to apply cool typography to your photos. You can also create design quotes by using some of the default templates available. WordSwag only works for iPhone devices though. ## Instagram ![Instagram](http://www.thejazzspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/design4.jpg) Credits: blog.edreams.it I included [**Instagram**](http://instagram.com/?ref=hypebot.com) in this article, not really for its powerful features, but mostly because it is the tool I use to actually publish my images online. By now, you probably know that this social media allows you to add filters and effects to your photos and lets you share them on major social media like Facebook and Twitter. While I still use Instagram for sharing images, I now use it more as the actual publishing tool rather than as photo editing tool. What I do is I use Instagram to share the amazing visual content I have created with some of the apps I mentioned before, on Facebook and Twitter. **Instagram is growing and if you are not using it, you are missing out on great opportunities to connect with people and grow your fanbase.** Now you know about some amazing tools you can use to create designs people love, how to share them online and grow your fanbase in a creative way. Whether you are sitting at your desk at home or are on the go, you can quickly create amazing visual content. Have fun! > There’s no limit to your creativity! \[[share the inspiration](http://ctt.ec/3U9aA?ref=hypebot.com)\] Related articles [![](http://i.zemanta.com/306464905_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/a-guide-to-getting-gigs-part-3-how-to-promote-your-shows/)[A Guide to Getting Gigs (Part 3): How to Promote Your Shows](https://www.hypebot.com/a-guide-to-getting-gigs-part-3-how-to-promote-your-shows/)