Sketch (sketchapp.com) has already dethroned Photoshop as the top tool for developing websites and many readers could be hearing about Sketch for the first time. If you are a designer that makes websites in Photoshop and haven’t tried out Sketch yet then it is something you should be seriously considering for both your skillset as well as your main tool for making wireframes and creating websites.
Sketch - for Mac snobs only
Probably the biggest downside of Sketch is that it’s only really available for Mac/Apple computers only and this is automatically alienating the majority of computer users especially the developing world where freelancing is big business. Photoshop is of course available for Mac and Windows computers although their creative cloud charges $20/month, it is still an expensive to use for those that actually pay for software. Sketch on the other hand is $99/license so just buy it once and you are set for a long time. For Windows and Linux users, this is a bit extreme to ask them to move their OS for a single tool but I think it is worth considering.
Sketch is just faster
Designing a site in Sketch is definitely faster and easier once you know what you are doing compared to doing the same in Photoshop. The tools, plugins and short cuts just make working in Sketch a lot faster. To make things even crazier you can download these full UI kits which has almost everything you need for making a website or even an app. The kits just save a ton of time whether you want to design an app or just make a website. You can drag and drop header bars, add in text and add in modules like there is no tomorrow. Once you start working with Sketch and learning how to design with it, you’ll realize that Sketch is the only web design tool you’ll need.
Using Sketch for mockups
Sketch is great for doing quick mockups as well if you want to create a layout without adding a design or skin to it. It has now wiped out my need for mockup tools like moqups.com.
Why Designers are dropping Photoshop for Sketch
The rise of Sketch was so fast, the people at Adobe probably didn’t know what hit them. Adobe’s Photoshop practically owned the domain as being the go to design tool for everyone. Photoshop is still a great tool but if you read what people are saying about switching to Sketch, a lot of the comments are along the lines of not using Photoshop ever again.
Just do a search for “Sketch vs Photoshop” and you’ll find most of the articles highlight why Sketch is so powerful and you might find the odd Sketch hater article.
If you are a designer, having Sketch on your resume as a skill, that could be the difference of getting more work and possibly better paying work. Just take upwork.com for example, people that want a Sketch designer will search for that skillset. For myself I can automatically weed out a lot of designers just by using this filter.
https://www.upwork.com/hire/sketch-freelancers/
From now on, all designs at HorseshoeAgency.com will be done in Sketch. It might take a bit of time to learn a new tool like Sketch but those that have done it only regret not doing it sooner.
