Designing is all about creativity, but let’s be real—it can also be time-consuming. That’s where AI tools come in. They’re like your secret weapon, helping you streamline your workflow, spark new ideas, and get more done with less effort. As a designer who’s always on the lookout for fresh tools, I’ve come across some hidden gems that deserve more attention. Here are seven lesser-known, free AI tools that have earned a spot in my design toolkit.

1. Kittl

Why I Love It: Kittl is like having a design buddy that knows exactly what you need. Whether I’m whipping up a logo, poster, or social media graphic, Kittl’s AI-driven features make the process almost too easy. It offers smart text effects and vectorization tools that let me create professional-grade designs without getting lost in the details. Plus, the templates are solid starting points that I can easily tweak to match my vision.

How It Helps: Time is money, and Kittl saves me loads of it. It’s great for quick projects where I still want to deliver something polished. The AI does a lot of the heavy lifting, so I can focus on refining the final touches.

Try It Out: Kittl

2. Khroma

Why I Love It: Colors can make or break a design, and Khroma is my go-to when I need inspiration. It’s an AI tool that learns your color preferences and generates palettes that fit your style. What’s cool is how it lets you see these colors in action, whether on typography or full-on layouts.

How It Helps: Picking the right colors used to take me forever. With Khroma, I get custom color palettes that not only look good but also resonate with my design aesthetic. It’s like having a personal color consultant who gets your vibe.

Try It Out: Khroma

3. Artbreeder

Why I Love It: Artbreeder is an AI tool that allows you to create and explore stunning visuals by blending images together. It’s like having a virtual studio where you can experiment with different art styles, landscapes, portraits, and more. The AI behind Artbreeder lets you tweak every aspect of your images—colors, shapes, and even genetic traits—resulting in unique, high-quality creations.

How It Helps: Artbreeder is perfect for generating inspiration or creating visual assets that are truly one-of-a-kind. Whether you need concept art, character designs, or abstract imagery, this tool offers endless possibilities with just a few clicks.

Try It Out: Artbreeder

4. Runway ML

Why I Love It: Runway ML is where I go to experiment and push my creative boundaries. It offers a whole suite of AI tools for video editing, image generation, and more. The best part? You don’t need to be a coding wizard to use it. It’s all about playing around with machine learning in a way that’s accessible and, frankly, pretty exciting.

How It Helps: When I’m stuck or need a fresh perspective, Runway ML is my playground. It helps me break out of creative ruts by offering new ways to approach visual storytelling, especially in animation and video.

Try It Out: Runway ML

5. Let’s Enhance

Why I Love It: Let’s Enhance is the tool I turn to when I need to upscale images without losing quality. Whether I’m working with low-res client photos or preparing a design for print, this AI tool sharpens and enhances images to look their best.

How It Helps: It’s saved me from a few tight spots where I had to work with less-than-ideal image files. The results are sharp, clear, and print-ready, which means I can confidently deliver high-quality work, even from low-res sources.

Try It Out: Let’s Enhance

Wrapping It Up

AI is changing the game for designers, offering tools that make our lives easier without compromising on creativity. These seven tools are more than just novelties—they’re practical, powerful additions to any designer’s workflow. Give them a try, and you might find that they not only save you time but also inspire you to create something truly unique.