Design Unleashed: Francoise's Must-Have Toolkit for Designers

We're all familiar with the challenge of staying organized in the midst of the creative design process. Today, we're excited to hear from Alpha tester Francoise Danoy of Aroha Knits, as she opens the door to her world of design organization. Join us as Francoise unveils her essential list of tools that have streamlined her process.

As a knitwear designer, I'm always on the lookout for new ways to streamline and accelerate my design process. I'm excited to share the top 5 tools and platforms that have helped me become more efficient and effective. These tools have made it easier for me to stay organized, create beautiful patterns, and distribute my work across multiple platforms.

Staying organized is the secret ingredient to success. Project management tools like Asana, Trello, or ClickUp act as my digital assistants, ensuring seamless collaboration and on-time project completion. Templates keep me on track, transforming the design process into an organized and enjoyable venture.

Why is project management so crucial? It's the backbone that supports creativity, offering a roadmap to navigate through the intricate steps of brainstorming, sketching, and execution. These tools provide added structure that allows for creative freedom, turning the design process into a well-choreographed dance rather than a stumbling improvisation.

Procreate is my go-to app for sketching out my ideas and designs. It helps me formalize my thoughts and keeps everything in one digital space, eliminating paper clutter. Whether you prefer digital or traditional sketching, having a reliable method for organizing your ideas is crucial. With Procreate, you can easily create detailed sketches and make changes on the fly.

Read more from Francoise: Unraveling My Knitwear Design Process: The SWATCH Framework

Stitch Mastery is one of my favorite tools for speeding up the design process. It's a charting tool that allows you to create stitch patterns, charts, and written instructions. The program even checks your math to ensure correct stitch counts. This invaluable tool saves time and helps avoid errors in my patterns. Plus, it's easy to use, even if you're not a charting expert.

See more of our favorite tech tools here: Stitch Tech: A Guide for New Designers

When starting out as a new designer, it's essential to practice and develop your unique style and voice. Using templates and style sheets can help you get a better understanding of the design process and make your work more efficient. There are many resources online that can provide inspiration and guidance for creating your templates. 

You can also use templates to create a consistent look and feel across all of your designs, making them instantly recognizable to your fans and followers. From understanding design intricacies to maintaining a consistent visual language, these elements contribute to your signature style as a designer. 

Keep reading: The Power of Style Guides: A Key Player in Successful Branding and Tips on creating your own

Enter gosadi, your new tool to streamline pattern distribution across multiple platforms! gosadi has transformed the way I manage and distribute patterns. It's the hub where I upload and organize my creations while seamlessly sharing them across platforms like Ravelry and LoveCrafts– this can save so much time! With gosadi, you get to focus on creating beautiful designs, while the platform takes care of the distribution logistics.

As you embark on your own design adventures, keep in mind that these tools are more than just instruments—they are companions in your creative journey. Experiment, refine, and let each tool become a part of your knitwear designs. 

Remember: the key is finding what works best for YOU and your unique style. Stay on the lookup for new tools and platforms to help streamline your process even further. 

Ready for more? Check out Francoise’s Designer Landing Page! Enjoyed this post? Sign up for our Newsletter for more industry insights and opportunities.