✅ Cross Platform Usability: One thing I love about the Adobe suite is how well all of its applications communicate with each other. Having access to Adobe software means you’ll be able to work with proprietary files other designers and clients send you without a problem. Although there’s workarounds for opening and creating Illustrator files with Inkscape, it’s far from perfect because things sometimes get lost in translation. psd, etc.) tend to be what’s most commonly used by designers and requested by clients. ✅ Proprietary Formats: Adobe’s proprietary formats (.ai. ✅ Development: Since Adobe is the industry leader, innovative new features and tools tend to debut on Illustrator before they eventually make their way over to the alternatives. A good example of this would be working with multiple art boards - something I always wished Inkscape had. ✅ Extensive Features: Although Illustrator doesn’t do anything that the other vector tools can’t also do, it does have some neat features that can automate some of your work and save time that would otherwise be spent doing it manually. Knowing how to use the Adobe software will put you in a great position to qualify for employment as a graphic designer. It’s what most employers and institutions use. ✅ Employment Opportunities: Since Illustrator is the industry standard for vector design, there’s more upside to learning it over any other vector application. It is widely recognized as the industry standard tool for vector design and is used by the overwhelming majority of studios, agencies, and professional designers. Illustrator is a vector graphics application by Adobe.

Anyone who deals primarily with digital design and will not need to design for print.

Anyone using a low-end computer that would struggle with more comprehensive applications like Illustrator.

Online business owners (bloggers, Instagram influencers, YouTubers, Amazaon sellers, etc.) whose focus is not design, but may occasionally need simple DIY graphics to supplement their work.

An aspiring freelancer who has no immediate plans to seek traditional employment at a design studio or agency.

❌ Employment: Hardly used by any design studios or agencies, meaning your Inkscape skills probably won’t land you a traditional job. This can pose a problem when someone else wants to send you an Adobe file for you to work on. ❌ Cross Platform: Since Adobe is the industry standard, Adobe’s proprietary formats tend to be what’s most commonly used by designers and clients.

❌ Instability: You’ll regularly experience bugs and glitches.

Inkscape vs gimp for drawing