10 Useful and Free Mac Apps for Any Designer | Minervity
How To Create a Realistic Water Text Effect
459,827 Views | 521 Comments

Introduction
In this tutorial we will be creating a realistic water text effect that is sure to catch someones eyes. This tutorial requires some basic knowledge of Photoshop and how to work in it’s environment. For …

Read the full story »
Creative Corner

A series of in depth and heavily inspiring Graphic, Web and Logo Designer and Developer interviews.

Designer Apps

A resource vault of applications that would serve any Designer or Developer well to have in their arsenal.

Freelance Hub

A storage full of tips and tricks for every freelance Designer or Developer that wants to progress their business.

Geek Things

Every once in a while we’ll post a new geeky thing that might inspire you to go through the day with a laugh or a second thought.

Website Filter

A collection of websites that is sure to bring you creative inspiration and keep you on the edge of design.

Home » Designer Apps

10 Useful and Free Mac Apps for Any Designer

Submitted by Karen Mc Dade95,653 Views | 142 Comments

Mac Designer AppsTwo things make my life easier as a designer. Firstly, the smoother my Mac runs, the faster I can work. There’s nothing worse than trying to push work out as fast a possible and then upon the simplest of actions, opening Finder for instance, your little color wheel cursor appears…spinning and spinning… for no apparent reason other than to test your patience. It’s called a cursor for a reason – I have a special name for mine. The second thing that helps me is having the right combinations of tools that enable me to work as efficiently as possible. Below is a list of useful (and free) apps that I use consistently to help me as designer and web developer to work more efficiently and get my Mac running fast and smooth.

AppCleaner_sml

1. App Cleaner

AppCleaner is a small application that allows you to thoroughly uninstall unwanted apps. Installing an application distributes many files throughout your system using space of your hard drive. When you uninstall these apps, many of these bits and pieces are left on your hard drive, needlessly taking up space.  AppCleaner finds all these small files and safely deletes them. Simply drag and drop an application onto the AppCleaner window. It automatically finds all the related files specific to that app and adds them to the AppCleaner window for you to review. You then have the option of deleting all the files, or keeping the ones you think you may need at a later stage, should you reinstall the app. You then simply click the delete button. No more orphan files on your disk!

monolingual_sml

2. Monolingual

Monolingual is a program for removing unnecessary language files from Mac OS X, in order to reclaim several hundred megabytes of disk space. As designers, we usually have huge files which can very quickly eat away at your hard drive space so getting rid of any superfluous files is sometimes very necessary. Having a fair amount of freed-up space on your hard drive for Photoshop to use as a scratch disk will help you work on your files will less drag, especially if your RAM is limited. If you’re running out of hard drive space, this is the app for you.

quicksilver_sml3. Quicksliver

Quicksilver is an application that lets you reach any program, folder or file in a few keystrokes and is aimed at increasing user efficiency. It allows you to use the keyboard to promptly do things like launch applications, manipulate files and data, run scripts, or send email. You don’t have to go searching through your files to find something and you don’t have to worry about how your folders are arranged. You can customize its search options to include your address book, iTunes, and recent email addresses. Set this application to load at start up then customize a quick launch key so it can be at your fingers when you need it. This is the fastest way to find files and open applications.

Alternate: Namely

growl_sml4.  Growl

Growl is a notification system for Mac OS X. It allows applications that support Growl to send you notifications so you know what’s happening on your computer at all times. Growl installs itself as a preference pane and is added to the Mac OS X System Preferences. Users are able to fully control notifications by going to this pane. Here the interface will allow you to enable and disable Growl’s notifications for certain applications in their entirety, or select specific notifications for each application. The display options of the notifications can also be fully customized from small non-intrusive floating icons in the corner of your screen, to larger ones with sound.

Teleport_sml5.  Teleport

Teleport lets you use a single mouse and keyboard to control several Macs. It allows you to synchronize your pasteboard between computers (and limit the size of the pasteboard if you wish), so you can cut from one computer and paste in another. It also allows you to transfer files by simply dragging them from one Mac to another (although this tends to work better with smaller files).

Teleport will need to be installed on all Macs you wish to link up. After installing you can find the program in the System Preferences pane. You will need open up two ports on your firewall they will be saved as “trusted hosts” under the security settings.

onyx_sml6. OnyX

OnyX is a multifunction utility for Mac OS X (PowerPC and Intel). It allows you to verify the Startup Disk and the structure of its system files; to run miscellaneous tasks of system maintenance; to configure the hidden parameters of the Finder, Dock and of some of Apple’s own applications; to delete caches; to remove a certain number of files and folders that may become cumbersome and much more…

Alternates: Deeper and TinkerTool

magical_sml7. MagiCal

MagiCal is a menu-based clock and calendar. It features a huge range of configuration options for how the time and date are displayed, and can operate either in conjunction with, or as a replacement for the built in system menu clock. In addition to this, MagiCal features a handy drop-down calendar that can be torn off and placed anywhere on screen.

Alternate: MenuCalendarClock

filezilla_sml8. FileZilla

FileZilla is an open-source, cross-platform FTP, FTPS and SFTP client with lots of useful features and an intuitive graphical user interface. It is available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. Features include a message log, site manager, local and remote file and folder view, and a transfer queue. FileZilla also allows you to perform multiple file transfers simultaneously.

Alternate: Cyberduck

aptama_sml9. Aptana Studio

Aptana Studio is a top IDE for web developers. It offers integrated language support for HTML, DOM, JavaScript and CSS. Customize your Studio with additional plugins for PHP, Jaxer, Ruby on Rails, Python, Adobe AIR, Apple iPhone and Nokia S60 development. For Java support, plug Aptana Studio into Eclipse. Also available for Windows and Linux.

Alternate: TextWrangler

diskx_sml10: Disk Inventory X

Disk Inventory X is a hard drive analyzer for Mac OS X 10.3 (and later). It shows the sizes of files and folders in a special graphical way called “treemaps”. If you’ve ever wondered where all your disk space has gone, Disk Inventory X will tell you which folders and apps are eating away at your hard drive space. New features include a finder context menu plugin with an “Open in Disk Inventory X” command for folders (this needs to be installed manually in the preference window) and a new selection list which can show all files or limit them to a list of a specific file type.

adium_smlBonus App. Adium

Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X. It can be used to connect to any number of messaging accounts on any combination of supported messaging services, including, AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, AOL, GTalk, ICQ, Facebook, LiveJournal, Bonjour, MySpaceIM, Skype, Twitter and more. The latest version includes support for file transfers, and for the Growl notification system. Adium is highly customizable and allows users to alter the appearance of dock icons, contact list styles, message windows, and emoticons.

Sign up for 1Y0-A11 online web designing course and get expert E20-522 reviews and HP0-J33 tutorials to pick the best idea on how to create inspiring web designs.

142 Comments »

  • NHL Jersey said:

    Thank you so much.
    I read your blog from time to time. This will be very helpful for my business.
    Henrik Sedin Jersey

    [Reply]

  • ray ban pt said:

    Your site theme looks fantastic.

    [Reply]

  • ray ban dublin said:

    i hope you have a good day with your Friends……

    [Reply]

  • Youth nfl jerseys said:

    NFL jerseys, MLB jerseys, NBA jerseys sale on http://www.youthnfljerseys.org. An adage, yes, but still true: They all look the same in the box score. Hits, that is,

    [Reply]

  • cheap baseball caps said:

    I have to tell him that is cheap 59fifty,it will be your right choice.

    [Reply]

  • cheap custom jerseys said:

    I like it very much, thank you

    [Reply]

  • baseball online shop said:

    thank you for sharing,I enjoyed the article.

    [Reply]

  • baseball jersey said:

    thank you for sharing,i love this information.

    [Reply]

  • Houston Trash Debris Removal said:

    this is great information, these tools are neat. I need to try them out

    [Reply]

  • Jersey said:

    Great post,I will read your post time to time.thank you!

    [Reply]

  • r4 ds said:

    Thanks very much.

    [Reply]

  • wholesale cheap jerseys said:

    Wholesale Cheap Jerseys – Replica NFL/NHL/MLB/NBA/NCAA Jerseys

    [Reply]

  • bruins jerseys said:

    thank you for sharing,l like it.

    [Reply]

  • one shoulder dresses said:

    Coast dresses of 2011 summer full of vitality and color. This is your wardrobe an instant update of all those signals through the main trends for the coming occassion dresses 2011. From the luxurious fabrics, these basic essential pieces of the season will be a treasure you will relive for years. Coast dress into a modern urban women . Cheap coast clothing on sale, which is well known for their style and synchronized with the latest fashion trends.

    [Reply]

  • nike jordansuser said:

    Wonderful.
    Share a website with you

    [Reply]

  • Coach Online Store said:

    Thanks for your sharing. Thank you for the efforts you made in writing and sharing your points of view. Looking forward to learn some more from you.

    [Reply]

  • ravens jersey said:

    thank you for sharing, i love this it.

    [Reply]

  • Official Greg Jennings Jersey said:

    Cheap coast clothing on sale, which is well known for their style and synchronized with the latest fashion trends.

    [Reply]

  • Carlos Pena Jersey said:

    Cheap coast clothing on sale, which is well known for their style and synchronized with the latest fashion trends.

    [Reply]

  • Calvin Klein said:

    so CUTE,LOVE THEM.LOOKING FOR THEMThis have spawned developers to creating a slew of third party Twitter applications that are both useful and fun! I thought I was going to create a list of the ones that I know about so you can use them in your daily Twittering.

    [Reply]

  • custom jerseys said:

    i love this place,i love this layout,and i have a website too,i hope you will visit and guide,because we supply cheap NFL jerseys with high quality,we also supply custom jerseys,with you name,which number you like,if you like it,don’t forget contact us:
    http://www.custompersonalityjerseys.com
    or send a E-Mail to us:custompersonalityjerseys@hotmail.com

    [Reply]

  • Nike said:

    Great blog, very informative. I do not know why I did not find your blog. Wonderful blog. Thank you in particular this entry – looking forward to the next.

    [Reply]

  • True Religion Outlet Sale said:

    really interesting.

    [Reply]

  • designer fashion store said:

    in the commentary noted, the commentors do not even reference the original story. yet people have criticized the kids for not having citiations.

    [Reply]

  • Elegant wedding invitations said:

    Great job also to Howard, Rick and their families for putting on a terrific TRAFFIC Miami! Looking forward to the next one.

    [Reply]

  • Patriots Jersey said:

    know about so you can use them in your daily

    [Reply]

  • Saints Jerseys said:

    The article is very good, I like it very much.Here I learned a lot, then I will pay more attention to you
    Your post is an excellent example,I keep on reading this attractive blog.

    [Reply]

  • Packers Jerseys said:

    Thanks for giving me Knowledge about,In this article you have told about Brute Force SEO.

    [Reply]

  • Steelers Jerseys said:

    Good Suggestion,With the help of tis article i have learned many fact of improving sales.

    [Reply]

  • Air Jordan 2011 said:

    Thanks for sharing ,Ilearning more .

    [Reply]

  • packers jerseys said:

    You article is great, so I want to share with my friends.

    [Reply]

  • patriots jerseys said:

    thank you for sharing,i like this content.

    [Reply]

  • Cowboys Jersey said:

    NflCowboysJersey.com Shop featuring Sports Apparel and Fan Gear
    An Dallas Cowboys fan? Then our Dallas Cowboys shop can help you make your dream come true. Here you can find Dallas Cowboys jerseys you want with all kinds of styles and colors. It’s easy to get, just click your mouse. Here you can choose many types of Cowboys jerseys, such as authentic jerseys, premier jerseys , and replica jerseys, they are all of high quality. They are made of high-quality polyester two-way stretch pique fabric and has solid mesh inserts for ventilation. You can also see many jerseys of hot players such as Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and so on; you can choose what you like best from them. They are all free shipping and not tax.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    good site her,so surprise when i get here.i am sure i will use more in future.by the way sports jerseys here.any interst pls talk to me thx.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    We specialize in NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, NCAA jerseys, etc.good quality, cheap price.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    Thank you, this was an awesome post! Useful and most important: inspiring! Thanks for sharing.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    The article is very good, I like it very much.Here I learned a lot, then I will pay more attention to you.

    [Reply]

  • Griffey Sneakers said:

    If you are interested in purchasing Zumba Dance Sneakers, then you need to check out

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    We sell a baseball jersey, football jersey, hockey jerseys and soccer jerseys, etc. Good quality and price. Need please contact us.

    [Reply]

  • NFLshop said:

    it’s useful, get it!

    [Reply]

  • PittsburghSteelersJerseys said:

    Since you cannot get cheap Authentic NFL jerseys, a Replica NFL jersey may be the way to go.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    Exactly what I needed for tomorrow’s class presentation on the benefits of Social Networking websites.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    I found your post really helpful It helped me all the way in completing my research Thanks for posting such informative content Keep on posting.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    Thanks for the great info. I’ll be implementing much of this soon!

    [Reply]

  • Authentic Jerseys said:

    Aside from support, these jerseys also reflect on how much admiration football teams get from their fans. Wearing of jersey was first popularized by football fans but today this is considered a bandwagon among sports buffs in every corner of the world.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    Please loving sports and sports personalities of various circles of society pay close attention to this website thank you hey.

    [Reply]

  • Supra Vaider Low Black Rasta said:

    Please loving sports and sports personalities

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    NHL Philadelphia Flyers #12 #28 #30 White classic Hockey Jerseys
    NHL Toronto Maple Leafs #2 #3 #9 #17 #27 #28 #34 #42 #81 Blue New Hockey Jerseys

    [Reply]

  • cheap ugg boots sale said:

    Cool,I like this article.

    [Reply]

  • Beats by dre UK said:

    Please loving sports and sports personalities of various circles of society pay close attention to this website thank you hey.

    [Reply]

  • hermes birkin said:

    Discover a world of fashion Swarovski Crystal at hermes birkin. Their mission is to provide stunning and designer Swarovski Crystals.hermes birkin shall ship the items via DHL or EMS in 12-48 hours once your payment is cleared, and your parcels usually arrive in the next 3-7 business days. If for any dissatisfied reasons, you can request for an exchange or refund within 14 days upon receipt of the order in a resalable condition.

    [Reply]

  • hermes birkin said:

    Thank you once again for making Minervity.com such a great place to hang out for fresh and unique designer content!

    [Reply]

  • Cheap North Face Fleece Jackets said:

    Take Cheap North Face Fleece Jackets as example. North Face Fleece has quite the reputation among the outdoor set, and for good reason. For 40 years they have been refining their line of womens jackets with new designs from the latest fleece fabrics. This means that no matter what your outdoor needs are there is a fleece that will meet North Face Fleece Clearance during the holiday.

    [Reply]

  • Wholesale Cheap Jerseys said:

    “Tonight it absolutely was allabout itching and MLB Tops Cheap Available for sale Quick Shipping hammering,In . 3 rd baseman Eileen Youthful explained.”Facing a great pitcher like that that is putting the particular soccer ball as well asanybody hanging around, you just have to manage to scuff and claw with regard to runs andthat’s that which you were able to perform.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    Looking forward to your shopping, thank you.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    Welcome to our shop.jerseys bags and shoes all kinds of goods,the price is cheap.

    [Reply]

  • pandora bracelets said:

    Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very uen too great,they rich contents ma le scarpe non ti donano. meglio dei sandali con stringe più sottili e caviglia libera Perfect! and data accurately.they are help to me.I expect to see your new share.

    [Reply]

  • Atop Jersey said:

    very useful info for me ,thank you very much.

    [Reply]

  • sfp said:

    http://www.sfpex.com/sfp+ sfp+
    Order fiber optic transceiver from SFPEX – the leading manufacturer of optical transceiver such as SFP, SFP+, XFP, X2, XENPAK, GBIC, BIDI, CWDM, DWDM.

    [Reply]

  • Cheapest beats by dre said:

    A good article, I like!

    [Reply]

  • Office 2010 said:

    That is an awfully astounding column you’ve posted

    [Reply]

  • uggs chestnut said:

    will always have

    [Reply]

Leave a comment!

Add your comment below, or trackback from your own site. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS.

Be nice. Keep it clean. Stay on topic. No spam.

You can use these tags:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

This is a Gravatar-enabled weblog. To get your own globally-recognized-avatar, please register at Gravatar.

Anti-Spam Protection by WP-SpamFree

Spam protection by WP Captcha-Free