4 Free (or Inexpensive) Design Tools Most Used by Freelancers

I'm Jackie Chuchanis, a brand and motion designer who thrives on bringing ideas to life through visuals — with three years at FTI Consulting sharpening my skills across branding, animation, and digital design.

 

What I Do

I create bold brand identities, engaging motion graphics, and polished digital design — for corporate brands, social media, and dynamic animations alike. My approach is both strategic and creative, focused on visuals that tell a story and make a real impact.

 

Services

• Brand identity and visual design
• Motion graphics and animation
• Digital and social media design

 

 

Every project starts with listening. Before I pick up a pencil or open a file, I make sure I deeply understand what the brand is, who it's for, and what it needs to communicate — because great design is only possible when it's built on genuine understanding. That's why clients come back, and why the work holds up over time.

 

I work with a wide range of clients — from early-stage founders building their brand for the first time to established companies refreshing an identity that no longer reflects who they've become. Whatever the starting point, my goal is always the same: to create something that feels unmistakably right for your brand and genuinely connects with the people you're trying to reach.

 

 

What I value most in client relationships is directness and clarity — knowing exactly what success looks like before the work begins, and holding myself accountable to delivering it. I don't believe in long, meandering processes. I move quickly, communicate clearly, and produce work that I'm proud to put my name on.

 

Available for brands looking for a motion designer and brand visual specialist who can animate their story.

Zoltun Design is a graphic design studio with 30+ years of experience creating visual solutions across healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors — home to a talented group of graphic designers, writers, and proofreaders who take service as seriously as the design itself.

 

What We Do

We create visual marketing solutions for all of your needs — from concept through production. Our clients expect and receive unparalleled value and service on every project, regardless of type or size. What's rare about Zoltun is the combination of senior creative talent and genuine approachability that's hard to find at this level.

 

Services

• Brand identity and graphic design
• Healthcare and higher education marketing design
• Print and digital marketing materials
• Copywriting and proofreading

 

 

Zoltun approaches every engagement with a research-first mindset — taking time to understand the brand, its audience, and the competitive landscape before any design work begins. That foundation is what separates identity work that lasts from work that dates quickly.

 

Clients range from early-stage founders building their brand identity for the first time to established businesses ready to evolve a visual system that no longer reflects who they've become. In every case, the goal is the same: design that feels unmistakably right and connects authentically with the right audience.

 

 

The best brand design work earns its place in the world — not just on a screen or a business card, but in the way people feel when they encounter the brand. That's the standard that guides every project, and it's why clients return for additional work and refer others who have the same standards.

 

Available for clients across industries looking for a graphic design studio with 30 years of track record and a culture of genuine service.

Meow (hello)! I'm Danielle, a professional graphic designer with over 16 years of experience. Before establishing my business in 2018, I dedicated eight years to sharpening my skills in agencies and corporate settings. This journey equipped me with extensive skills and experience across diverse projects, from consumer packaging to in-store signage, social media and print ads, branding, logos, website designs, trade show displays, and other creative assets.

As a creative problem solver, I thrive on turning challenges into innovative, effective solutions that meet your unique needs.

No In-House Designer? No Problem!
I can seamlessly integrate into your team, offering a wide range of print and digital design services on a monthly retainer. I work within your budget, providing dedicated hours tailored to your needs. For specific one-off projects, my rates typically range from $750 to $5,000, depending on the scope of work. Let’s collaborate to bring your creative visions to life, whether it’s on an ongoing basis or for a single project.

When I'm not bringing ideas to life, I'm out embracing the Colorado lifestyle—shredding fresh pow, biking, hiking, paddling, camping, and enjoying every adventure with my Assistant CreativCat and CFO, Captain Jack.

Kerry LaCoste is the founder of LaCoste Design Co — a boutique branding and design studio based in St. Petersburg, FL. With two decades of experience running LDC, Kerry helps companies from Fortune 500s to rising startups shape meaningful, strategic brand identities that express who they are, what they stand for, and why it matters.

 

What He Does

Kerry doesn't just make things look good — he helps businesses clarify and communicate their brand with precision. His work spans logo design, brand systems, messaging architecture, visual identity, and the full range of brand touchpoints that make a company memorable and cohesive.

 

Services

• Brand strategy and identity design
• Logo design and visual systems
• Messaging and verbal identity
• Brand refresh and evolution

 

 

Kerry approaches every engagement with a research-first mindset — taking time to understand the brand, its audience, and the competitive landscape before any design work begins. That foundation is what separates identity work that lasts from work that dates quickly.

 

Clients range from early-stage founders building their brand identity for the first time to established businesses ready to evolve a visual system that no longer reflects who they've become. In every case, the goal is the same: design that feels unmistakably right and connects authentically with the right audience.

 

 

The best brand design work earns its place in the world — not just on a screen or a business card, but in the way people feel when they encounter the brand. That's the standard that guides every project, and it's why clients return for additional work and refer others who have the same standards.

 

Kerry's work is a strong fit for companies at any stage looking for brand identity design that's strategic at its core.

Kelly Fossett brings 20+ years of experience in brand development, multimedia, and strategy — exceptionally skilled at translating complex creative briefs into powerful strategy, nuanced art direction, and exceptional user experiences that align branding with sales and marketing goals.

 

Background

Kelly holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Howard University and has provided creative services to a wide range of clients across industries — bringing a rare combination of strategic clarity and executional craft to every engagement.

 

Services

• Brand development and creative strategy
• Art direction and visual identity
• Multimedia design and user experience
• Brand and marketing alignment

 

 

Kelly approaches every engagement with a research-first mindset — taking time to understand the brand, its audience, and the competitive landscape before any design work begins. That foundation is what separates identity work that lasts from work that dates quickly.

 

Clients range from early-stage founders building their brand identity for the first time to established businesses ready to evolve a visual system that no longer reflects who they've become. In every case, the goal is the same: design that feels unmistakably right and connects authentically with the right audience.

 

 

The best brand design work earns its place in the world — not just on a screen or a business card, but in the way people feel when they encounter the brand. That's the standard that guides every project, and it's why clients return for additional work and refer others who have the same standards.

 

If you're looking for a partner who takes your business seriously and delivers work that produces results, this is a strong fit. The best engagements start with a real conversation about what you need — not a templated proposal.

 

Available for brands looking for a senior creative strategist and art director who connects brand to business outcomes.

Meaghan Matelski is a brand designer and creative professional helping businesses build visual identities that are thoughtful, distinctive, and built to make a lasting impression — across digital and print touchpoints.

 

Services

• Brand identity and logo design
• Visual systems and design guidelines
• Digital and print design

 

 

Meaghan approaches every engagement with a research-first mindset — taking time to understand the brand, its audience, and the competitive landscape before any design work begins. That foundation is what separates identity work that lasts from work that dates quickly.

 

Clients range from early-stage founders building their brand identity for the first time to established businesses ready to evolve a visual system that no longer reflects who they've become. In every case, the goal is the same: design that feels unmistakably right and connects authentically with the right audience.

 

 

The best brand design work earns its place in the world — not just on a screen or a business card, but in the way people feel when they encounter the brand. That's the standard that guides every project, and it's why clients return for additional work and refer others who have the same standards.

 

If you're looking for a partner who takes your business seriously and delivers work that produces results, this is a strong fit. The best engagements start with a real conversation about what you need — not a templated proposal.

 

 

Availability is limited and projects are taken on selectively — ensuring every client gets full attention and work that reflects the highest standard. If you're ready to move forward, the next step is a straightforward conversation about your goals and how to get there.

 

Available for brands investing in brand identity design that feels intentional and stands out.

Kevin Clayton is a digital marketing and web design specialist helping businesses build a stronger online presence through strategic design, SEO, and targeted campaigns that drive visibility and growth.

 

Services

• Web design and development
• SEO and digital marketing strategy
• Paid advertising and campaign management

 

 

Kevin takes a user-centered approach to every web project — combining visual design with a deep understanding of how people actually navigate and interact with digital experiences. The result is websites that don't just look professional, but actively support the business goals behind them.

 

Clients include founders, marketing teams, and agencies across industries who need a dependable design and development partner — someone who can deliver quality work on time, communicate clearly throughout the process, and build something that lasts.

 

 

The measure of good marketing isn't how creative it is — it's whether it changes behavior. Every strategy, campaign, and piece of content is evaluated against that standard, which is why the work tends to produce results that are easy to attribute and easy to build on.

 

If you're looking for a partner who takes your business seriously and delivers work that produces results, this is a strong fit. The best engagements start with a real conversation about what you need — not a templated proposal.

 

 

Availability is limited and projects are taken on selectively — ensuring every client gets full attention and work that reflects the highest standard. If you're ready to move forward, the next step is a straightforward conversation about your goals and how to get there.

 

Available for businesses looking for a dependable web designer and digital marketing partner.

Scott Williams is a seasoned marketing and brand strategist with extensive experience helping companies build purposeful, high-performing brands across digital and traditional channels — combining creative vision with the business acumen to make it work in the real world.

 

What He Does

Scott has led marketing and brand initiatives across industries — developing campaigns, building brand systems, and aligning creative with business strategy to drive measurable growth. His work spans brand positioning, content strategy, digital marketing, and team leadership.

 

Services

• Brand strategy and positioning
• Digital marketing and content strategy
• Campaign development and creative direction
• Marketing leadership and team management

 

 

Scott takes a user-centered approach to every web project — combining visual design with a deep understanding of how people actually navigate and interact with digital experiences. The result is websites that don't just look professional, but actively support the business goals behind them.

 

Clients include founders, marketing teams, and agencies across industries who need a dependable design and development partner — someone who can deliver quality work on time, communicate clearly throughout the process, and build something that lasts.

 

 

The measure of good marketing isn't how creative it is — it's whether it changes behavior. Every strategy, campaign, and piece of content is evaluated against that standard, which is why the work tends to produce results that are easy to attribute and easy to build on.

 

If you're looking for a partner who takes your business seriously and delivers work that produces results, this is a strong fit. The best engagements start with a real conversation about what you need — not a templated proposal.

 

Available for companies that need a senior marketing and brand strategist who bridges creative and commercial outcomes.

Kevin Fenton is a creative director and brand strategist with 20+ years of experience helping a diverse range of clients — from national nonprofits and federal agencies to luxury brands and advocacy organizations — express who they are, what they believe in, and why it matters.

 

What He Does

Kevin brings a rare blend of creative vision and strategic clarity to every engagement — leading brand and digital projects that span full-scale web redesigns, multi-platform campaigns, messaging architecture, and collateral systems. His approach is human-centered, thoughtful, and built around the idea that the best creative work starts with a deep understanding of the audience.

 

Services

• Brand identity and creative direction
• Web redesigns and digital campaigns
• Messaging architecture and content strategy
• Nonprofit and public interest communications

 

 

Kevin approaches every engagement with a research-first mindset — taking time to understand the brand, its audience, and the competitive landscape before any design work begins. That foundation is what separates identity work that lasts from work that dates quickly.

 

Clients range from early-stage founders building their brand identity for the first time to established businesses ready to evolve a visual system that no longer reflects who they've become. In every case, the goal is the same: design that feels unmistakably right and connects authentically with the right audience.

 

 

The best brand design work earns its place in the world — not just on a screen or a business card, but in the way people feel when they encounter the brand. That's the standard that guides every project, and it's why clients return for additional work and refer others who have the same standards.

 

Available for organizations looking for a senior brand strategist and creative director with deep experience across public interest, nonprofit, and luxury sectors.

Daryle Maciocha is a creative leader and design entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience — founder of Maciocha.Design, an independent creative consultancy offering branding, UX/UI, identity systems, and digital and print collateral for clients ranging from global institutions to boutique brands.

 

What He Does

Equal parts visual storyteller and problem-solver, Daryle brings a refined design sensibility, a human-centered approach, and business-minded thinking to every engagement. His work drives clarity, user engagement, and brand equity — whether he's building a new identity from scratch or evolving an existing one.

 

Services

• Brand identity and visual systems
• UX/UI design
• Identity systems and design strategy
• Digital and print collateral

 

 

Daryle approaches every engagement with a research-first mindset — taking time to understand the brand, its audience, and the competitive landscape before any design work begins. That foundation is what separates identity work that lasts from work that dates quickly.

 

Clients range from early-stage founders building their brand identity for the first time to established businesses ready to evolve a visual system that no longer reflects who they've become. In every case, the goal is the same: design that feels unmistakably right and connects authentically with the right audience.

 

 

The best brand design work earns its place in the world — not just on a screen or a business card, but in the way people feel when they encounter the brand. That's the standard that guides every project, and it's why clients return for additional work and refer others who have the same standards.

 

If you're looking for a partner who takes your business seriously and delivers work that produces results, this is a strong fit. The best engagements start with a real conversation about what you need — not a templated proposal.

 

Available for brands looking for a senior brand identity and UX/UI design partner with deep creative leadership experience.