What are Automation Tools?
Automation tools are software applications or platforms that allow users to simplify and automate a range of processes that would normally take time and effort to complete manually.
What Automation Tools are Used for Design?
Design automation tools are used to automate routine design tasks, such as resizing images, creating color palettes, compressing files, and generating code. They streamline workflow for designers, freeing them up to focus on creative work.
The Benefits of Automation Tools
Using automated design tools helps streamline workflow and make processes more efficient. It allows designers to do more in less time and helps ensure that all design tasks are completed accurately and consistently. Automation tools also make it easier to share creative assets across multiple platforms, ensuring that all content is compatible and up-to-date.
Popular Automation Tools for Designers
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Adobe Creative Cloud is a suite of popular design and development tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. Automation tools are built-in, allowing users to batch process images, automate layout, and generate CSS code quickly and easily.
- Sketch: Sketch is a popular vector graphics editor for MacOS and iOS. It has powerful automation tools, including Artboards, which allows users to quickly create multiple versions of designs in a few clicks. It also has tools for generating text styles and colors, and batch exporting.
- ScreenFlow: ScreenFlow is a screen recording and video editing software that enables designers to capture, edit and export videos. Automation tools such as recording without stopping and timeline synchronization are built-in, allowing designers to save time when creating video content.
- Avocode: Avocode is an app for designing, collaboration and sharing for UI and UX teams. Automation tools include automatic code export for HTML/CSS and automated merging of design changes.
- Zeplin: Zeplin is a platform for collaboration between designers, developers and product managers. Automation tools include Code Sync, which automatically exports code for developers, and Style Guide, which helps teams maintain a consistent design across multiple projects.
Tips for Leveraging Automation Tools
- Understand the capabilities of each tool and determine which ones are best suited to your workflow.
- Make sure to update your tools regularly to take advantage of new features.
- Use automation tools to simplify time-consuming tasks, like batch processing and resizing.
- Utilize automation tools to ensure consistency across design assets and platforms.
- Take the time to learn how to use the tools effectively and efficiently.
- Have a backup plan in place in case something goes wrong or the software isn’t compatible with your system.
