7 Awesome Free Android Design Apps Even Non-Designers Will Love

Back in the day, you had to create graphics on a computer, and it had to be a powerful one to handle the demands of graphics programs. Even simple layout took knowledge of specialized software. Later, cloud-based programs such as Canva came along to make it easy for everyone to edit photos and create graphics. Now, image-editing apps on mobile devices can do a lot of what desktop and online programs do. The Google Play store offers a ton of Android apps.

Here are some simple-to-use apps you can carry on your tablet or even your smartphone if you want to edit photos, sketch, design a social media graphic, or even create graphics for print, such as a business card. Now designers and non-designers alike can create killer visual content. All are free; most have some optional in-app purchases.

There are so many apps in the Google Play store that we’ve gone through them to find seven that are easy to use and offer a lot of design kick. These will make your life much easier!

Some of these also offer desktop apps. If you want more good ones, check out 7 great free online image editors.

1. Pixlr

Pixlr is a juicy, free-to-use photo editor. It lets users quickly fix and fine-tune images by adding plentiful effects and overlays. New designers or non-designers can use it to resize, rotate, draw, or add cool effects (millions of combinations) to their graphics.With the app’s tools, you can make your images look like an ink sketch, pencil drawing, poster, or more. You can make collages with your choice of layout, background, and image spacing; make one color as a focal point with Color Splash, or use Focal Blur; use captions, text, and a wide variety of fonts; easily resize images; and instantly share your creations.

2. SketchBook

Made by Autodesk, SketchBook is the coolest Android design app for both professional designers and non-designers. It allows users to create elegant designs and artwork. More than 100 different types of brushes are available, all customizable. SketchBook also gives you the opportunity to work in full screen with landscape or portrait orientation. You can record your process using Time Lapse. Users can use it for free or choose the Pro features through an in-App-Purchase. There’s a full-screen workspace, a layer editor with blending modes, and a Copic color library. You can use selection tools such as the magic wand, marquee, and lasso.

3. PicMonkey

PicMonkey is a free photo editor with in-App-Purchase availability. This free editing app puts top-tier tools and effects right in the palm of your hand. With their easy-to-use but the robust editor, you’ll get all you need to take your designs and artwork to the next level. You can use touch-up tools (with in-app purchase) to smooth skin, remove wrinkles, and do quickie tooth whitening; draw on photos; use stickers; use beautiful filters such as Ombre, Sepia, and black and white; and paint on adjustments such as contrast, brightness, and clarity.

4. Sketch – Draw & Paint

“Sketch” is the official drawing and painting app from Sony. It brings a fun drawing and photo editing experience to anyone who wants to be creative, regardless of skill level. You can use fun brushes and tools to draw, add text and stickers, zoom in to draw detail, use layers, and backup and sync to multiple devices.

5. PicsArt Photo Studio & Collage

Over four hundred million people find PicsArt a useful and amazing photo editing and collage apps. With thousands of features, PicsArt’s photo editor has everything you need to make every picture awesome. It includes tools to create cutouts, crop, stretch, clone, add text, and adjust curves. There’s even a free clip art library, stickers, and a sticker maker. You can use your camera to capture from the app. You can draw right on your photos. PicsArt really does a lot!

6. 500 Fonts – Text on Photos

As it says, this app gives you a ton of free fonts. Draw and write right on your picture, correct perspective; mirror, move, rotate, even stretch your pictures and text. You can also resize and add effects such as Glow, as well as change the color. You can save your photos to cloud storage such as Dropbox. Check it out, if you want to make great-looking memes, text quotes, and word art, or just watermark your images with a text overlay.

7. Poster Maker & Poster Designer

With this easy-to-use, intuitive photo app, you can instantly turn plain text into a poster. You can also embellish your images by adding frames, mirror effects, and more. You can pick from trending photo frames and add your own. You can also add adjustable texture layers. This app enables you to effectively execute your own creative concepts. Instantly share your design.

Try some!

These fun, free apps let you create your vision while sitting in the waiting room. Many have their own online communities with regular challenges, sharing, and support. You just might find these Android design apps to be addictive!