It’s 2024, convenience is a craved commodity. For many this convenience isn’t just a laid-back approach though, but a philosophy driven by efficiency and the market for it powers the creation of important tools like gadgets to boost productivity, smart AI tools for selecting colors, and AI tools for generating Images
Today we explore a realm of efficient tools different from the norm of most users- extensions.
“What are extensions?” you might ask. Well, these are nifty applications offering features enjoyed on browsers only, since modern-day users are frequent browsers, having a suite of powerful tools offers efficiency at all times. With extensions, users discover various tasks that can be performed on browsers without jumping from tab to tab and application to application. Thus making them super useful and time savers.
For graphic designers, a typical extension will carry out specific design tasks while browsing thus reducing their need to depend on software applications.
Ready for a world of efficiency without multiple applications? Here are 10 productivity extensions we recommend for designers.
ColorZilla
Is a powerful color picker that allows you to capture colors from any website. With just a few clicks, you can extract color codes and create harmonious color schemes. This extension also features an advanced color history and gradient generator, enabling you to save your favorite colors and experiment with new combinations. Whether you’re working on a branding project or a web design, ColorZilla is a must-have tool for maintaining a cohesive color palette.’
WhatFont:
Identifying fonts on a webpage has never been easier thanks to WhatFont. Simply hover over any text, and this extension will display the font name, size, line height, and color. It’s perfect for designers who want to match fonts or gather inspiration from other websites. Additionally, WhatFont provides quick access to Google Fonts, making it easy to integrate beautiful typography into your projects.
Page Ruler
Page Ruler is an essential tool for measuring elements on a webpage with precision. By drawing a ruler over any part of a web page, you can easily understand spacing, dimensions, and alignment. This extension is particularly useful for web designers who need to maintain consistent layouts. With Page Ruler, you can ensure that your designs are pixel-perfect and adhere to best practices in UI/UX design.
Loom
Communication is key in the design process, and Loom makes it effortless. This extension allows you to record quick videos to share your design feedback, tutorials, or project updates with clients and team members. You can capture your screen along with your webcam, making your communication clearer and more engaging. By using Loom, you can reduce misunderstandings and foster better collaboration, saving time and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Pinterest Save Button
The Pinterest Save Button is a fantastic way to curate design inspiration directly from your browser. As you explore the web, you can save images, articles, and ideas to your Pinterest boards with a single click. This extension helps you organize your creative thoughts and access them easily when you’re looking for inspiration for your next project. It’s a valuable resource for designers seeking fresh ideas and visual references.
Designify
Designify leverages AI technology to remove backgrounds from images instantly. With just a single click, you can extract the main subject from a photo, making it easier to create stunning visuals for presentations, social media, or marketing materials. This tool is especially useful when you need to produce high-quality images quickly without spending hours on manual editing. Designify saves you time while enhancing the professional quality of your work.
Grammarly
As a designer, effective communication is crucial. Grammarly helps you ensure your design descriptions, social media posts, and presentations are free of grammatical errors and typos. This extension checks your grammar, punctuation, and style as you type, providing real-time suggestions to improve clarity and tone. By using Grammarly, you can communicate your ideas more professionally and make a stronger impression on clients and collaborators.
Mockuuups Studio
Mockuuups Studio is an incredibly user-friendly tool for creating stunning device mockups. This extension allows you to easily drag and drop your designs into a variety of pre-made mockup templates, showcasing your work in a professional and eye-catching manner. Whether you need to present a mobile app design or a website layout, Mockuuups Studio provides an extensive library of realistic mockups that can elevate your portfolio and client presentations.
Mighty Screenshot
Mighty Screenshot simplifies the process of capturing screenshots and annotating them. With this extension, you can take full-page screenshots or select specific areas, allowing you to document changes, provide feedback, or create tutorials. The annotation tools enable you to highlight areas, add text, and draw shapes, making it easy to communicate your thoughts visually. This is particularly helpful for collaborating with team members or clients during the design review process.
Web Developer
The Web Developer extension is a comprehensive suite of tools designed for web designers. It offers a variety of features, such as CSS debugging, responsive design testing, and the ability to disable JavaScript to see how your designs behave. With Web Developer, you can quickly access vital information about any website’s structure and styles, helping you optimize your designs for various devices and screen sizes. This extension is invaluable for ensuring that your web designs meet industry standards and provide a seamless user experience.
Design Smarter with Extensions:
Make your browser the special assistant every designer needs to stay on top of things!
The extensions here provide the assistance you need for design tasks like inspiration gathering, design execution, and communication.
However, not all extensions are created with efficiency in mind, and installing the wrong ones can cause serious issues for your workflow.
Here are two key red flags to watch out for when adding an extension:
Permissions Requested:
When installing an extension, pay close attention to permission requests. Some extensions may ask for access to data that seems excessive for their functionality. For example, a color extension requiring access to your browsing history or personal information.
Developer Credibility:
Research the developer behind the extension. Established developers or companies with a track record of creating quality extensions are generally more trustworthy. Check for their other extensions and how well they are maintained.
Follow these two guidelines and you’re well on your way to enjoying a world of productivity powered by online tools.
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