Top 12 Design Collaboration Tools: Empowering Teams in 2023

The 2020’s have brought in a new era of collaboration for designers and design teams. As we navigate this fully digital world, the tools designers use to collaborate have become as crucial as the ideas they share. Design collaboration tools are no longer nice to have; they are table stakes. They’re the digital workbenches where your ideas become reality.

In this roundup blog, we’ll look at the top design collaboration tools that drive team productivity and enhance communication. But you might be wondering: How did we select these tools? What makes them stand out in an ocean of solutions?

Our process was based on a set of criteria that we believe are important for finding the best design collaboration tools. We looked at factors such as ease of use, integration capabilities with other tools, real-time collaboration features, and the ability to handle file sharing. We also looked at major reviews from sites like G2.

But finding the best design collaboration tools is not just about the features. We’re living in the era of hybrid and remote work. These tools need to be built for these types of teams and enable them to collaborate independently of location.

So, buckle up as we jump into the world of design collaboration tools, looking at unique features and how they can take your team’s creative process to new heights.

The Need for Design Collaboration Tools

While inherently rewarding, design collaboration is not without its challenges – especially for teams. The journey from a creative vision to a finished and approved product is a complex one, involving a dance of ideas, feedback, revisions, and approvals. It’s a process that demands seamless communication, efficient workflows, and a shared understanding of the project’s goals. Technology is just a single part of the role.

Without the right tools, design teams often find themselves navigating a maze of scattered feedback, disjointed workflows, and a serious case of version control nightmares. As design teams grow and projects become more complex, the need for a centralized platform becomes increasingly apparent in order to improve design team productivity. Without it, teams can become siloed amongst themselves, with different members working on various versions of the same design. The result? Confusion, inefficiency, and a loss of the collaborative spirit vital to the design process for delivering value to the client.

But here’s the good news: the right design collaboration tools can turn these challenges into opportunities for improvementment. They streamline workflows, centralize communication, and foster an environment of creativity and innovation. These tools are more than just digital canvases for design. They’re platforms that facilitate real-time collaboration, allowing team members to share ideas, provide instant feedback, and make revisions on the fly. They integrate with other tools in your company’s tech stack, creating a unified workspace that eliminates the need to switch between apps.

With the right design collaboration tools, teams can focus less on managing workflows and more on what truly matters: creating amazing designs. As we delve into our top 12 picks, we’ll explore how each tool can enhance your team’s productivity and unleash their creativity. So, let’s get started with the apps!

Top 12 Design Collaboration Tools

Spike

Spike is the team chat solution for design teams.  It combines internal team chat, a conversational email app, file sharing, task management, and collaborative notes that are perfect for design teams. It’s like having a real-time conversation with your team but with the added benefits of email structure and organization.

Spike’s strength lies in its ability to streamline communication. It breaks down the barriers between different communication methods, allowing teams to interact in real-time, reducing the need for lengthy email threads and meetings. For design teams, this means faster feedback, quicker iterations, and a more streamlined design process. If you’ve ever struggled with having 5+ apps to do your work as a design team, then you need Spike.

InVision

InVision is a digital product design tool that allows teams to create interactive mockups for clients. It’s a tool that brings your designs to life, making it easier for decision-makers to understand your vision.

InVision enhances collaboration by providing a shared workspace where teams can create and test prototypes, receive feedback, and iterate on their designs in real-time. For design teams, this means a more efficient design process, with less time spent on explaining designs and more time spent on creating them.

Balsamiq

Balsamiq is a wireframing tool that puts simplicity and clarity at the front of house. It’s a tool that helps teams design user interfaces quickly and efficiently, focusing on the ‘what’ before the ‘how’.

Balsamiq enhances collaboration by allowing design teams to quickly sketch out their ideas and gather feedback. For designers, this means faster ideation, quicker iterations, and a shared understanding of the project’s goals. It’s a tool that fosters a shared understanding of the project, ensuring everyone is moving in the same direction to deliver client value.

Figma

Figma is a cloud-based design tool that’s great for collaboration and sharing. It enables multiple designers to work together in real-time, making it a go-to tool for remote and hybrid teams.

Figma enhances collaboration by providing a shared workspace where remote teams can design, prototype, and iterate together in real-time, no matter where they are. For design teams, this means a more collaborative design process so everyone can understand the vision.

Filestage

Filestage is a review and approval platform designed to streamline the feedback process for designers and clients. It makes it easy for teams to share their work, gather feedback, and track revisions, all in one place.

Filestage enhances collaboration by making the review and approval process turn-key. For design teams, this means faster feedback, quicker iterations, and a more streamlined design process. It ensures everyone’s feedback is heard and incorporated, leading to better designs and happier clients.

Mockplus

Mockplus is a comprehensive product design platform that offers tools for prototyping, collaboration, and design systems. It’s a tool that understands the needs of the modern design team and delivers accordingly.

Mockplus enhances collaboration by providing a suite of tools that allow teams to design and prototype together, gather feedback, and maintain a consistent design system. For design teams, this means a more efficient design process, with less time spent on creating prototypes and more time spent on perfecting designs. It helps foster creativity in a way that’s easy to understand.

Webflow

Webflow is a web design tool that allows designers (not developers) to build professional, responsive websites without writing a single line of code. It’s a tool that bridges the gap between design and development.

Webflow enhances collaboration by enabling designers to create and publish websites, while other team members can contribute to the content and functionality, all without needing to write code. For design teams, this means a more efficient design process, with less time spent on coding and more time spent on designing what the clients will see. It’s a tool that democratizes web design and brings teams together.

Red Pen

Red Pen is a feedback tool that’s all about speed and simplicity. It allows teams to upload their designs and receive comments in real-time, making the feedback process from clients a breeze.

Red Pen enhances collaboration by providing a platform where teams can quickly share their designs, gather feedback, and iterate on the design. For teams, this means faster feedback, quicker iterations, and a more streamlined design process. It’s a tool that makes feedback a seamless part of the design process instead of a hassle.

Miro

Miro is a visual collaboration platform that’s like a digital whiteboard for your team. It provides a shared space where teams can brainstorm, plan, and visualize their ideas together.

Miro enhances collaboration by providing a shared space where teams can brainstorm, plan, and visualize their ideas together, no matter where they are. For design teams, this means a more collaborative ideation process, with everyone having a say in the design from the very beginning. It’s a tool that fosters creativity and keeps teams aligned.

Asana

Asana is a project management tool that helps teams stay organized and on track. It’s a tool that understands the complexities of project management and delivers a solution that’s both powerful and easy to use for design teams.

Asana enhances collaboration by providing a platform where teams can plan their work, track their progress, and stay aligned on their goals. For design teams, this means a more organized design process, with everyone knowing what they need to do and when they need to do it. It’s a tool that keeps teams organized and focused.

Trello

Trello is a project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize and prioritize projects. It’s a flexible tool that adapts to your team’s workflow.

Trello enhances collaboration by providing a flexible platform where teams can organize their work, track their progress, and adapt their workflows as needed. For design teams, this means a more seamless design process, with the ability to adapt to any changes or challenges that come their way. It’s a tool that keeps teams agile and ready for anything.

Moqups

Moqups enhances collaboration by providing a suite of visual tools that allow teams to brainstorm, plan, design, and prototype together. For design teams, this means a more collaborative design process, with everyone having a say in the design from the very beginning. It’s a tool that fosters creativity and keeps teams aligned.

Wrap-Up on the Best Design Collaboration Tools

As we wrap up our exploration of the best design collaboration tools, it’s essential to come back to the core of why these tools are so critical in the digital age. As we’ve seen, design collaboration tools are more than just platforms for creating visually appealing designs. They’re the digital workspaces that foster creativity, facilitate real-time collaboration, streamline workflows, and centralize communication. They’re the catalysts that transform a group of individuals into a cohesive, productive team that can deliver value to clients.

Ultimately, the right design collaboration tool for your team will depend on your specific needs, workflows, and goals. But one thing is clear: in the fast-paced, ever-evolving design world, having the right collaboration tools in your tool stack is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. So, explore the tools we’ve listed, find your perfect fit, and take your team’s creativity and productivity to new heights.