Naming is hard. The language we use shapes the way we think about things, but also the conversation we have about it. That’s why we have so much confusion about colors, icons, UI components, features — and that’s why we struggle to name design tokens, HTML classes, and variables.

Sometimes, the names we choose are too generic, so it’s difficult to understand what exactly is meant. And sometimes they are too specific, leaving little room for flexibility and reuse. How do we choose the right names? And which naming conventions work best? Let’s take a closer look.

How To Name Things

If you’re looking for some inspiration for naming HTML classes, CSS properties, or JavaScript functions, Classnames is a wonderful resource jam-packed with ideas that get you thinking outside the box.

The site provides thematically grouped lists of words perfect for naming. You’ll find terms to describe different kinds of behavior, likeness between things, order, grouping, and association, but also themed collections of words that wouldn’t instantly come to one’s mind when it comes to code, among them words from nature, art, theater, music, architecture, fashion, and publishing.

How To Name Colors

How would you choose the right name for a given color? Fortunately, David Aerne maintains a tremendous repository of color names, currently with 30355 unique color names, sourced from various references and 1000s of user contributions.

Of course, the repository comes with a color picker and name search and plenty of other color pickers as well. Tremendous work, which is also a fantastic reference to keep nearby.

How To Name Layers and Groups

What makes a good name? Javier Cuello summarized a set of naming best practices that help you name your layers, groups, and components in a consistent and scalable way.

As Javier points out, a good name has a logical structure, is short, meaningful, known by everyone, and not related to visual properties. He shares do’s and don’ts to illustrate how to achieve that and also takes a closer look at all the fine little details you need to consider when naming sizes, colors, groups, layers, and components.

How To Name Design Tokens

How to build a flexible design token taxonomy that works across different products? That was the challenge that the team at Intuit faced. The parent company of products such as Mailchimp, QuickBooks, TurboTax, and Mint developed a flexible token system that goes beyond the brand theme to serve as the foundational system for a wide array of products.

Nate Baldwin wrote a case study in which he shares valuable insights into the making of Intuit’s design token taxonomy. It dives deeper into the pain points of the old taxonomy system, the criteria they defined for the new system, and how it was created. Lots of takeaways for building your own robust and flexible token taxonomy are guaranteed.

Frequent Names For UI Components

Looking at what other people call similar things is a great way to start when you’re struggling with naming. And what better source could there be than other design systems? Before you end up in the design system rabbit hole, Iain Bean did the research for you and created the Component Gallery.

It’s a collection that includes plenty of examples for more than 50 UI components — from accordion to visually hidden — and also lists other names that the UI components go by. A fantastic resource, and not only with regard to naming.

Bonus: Name That UI, a visual dictionary of common UI components.

How To Name New Features

Features often have low adoption due to poor discoverability. Feature adoption needs time — first the feature must be discovered, then understood, then tried, learned, and eventually built into existing workflow. Erin Gannon has written a helpful practical guide on how to make sure all of it happens.

Good names are driven by user needs and problems. They should signal the value or outcome of a feature (the job-to-be-done), and — most importantly! — tap into the user’s own language. So ask people to explain a feature in their own words and then use the words they use.

How To Name Variables (Taxonomy Map)

A wonderful example of naming guidelines for a complex multi-brand, multi-themed design system comes from the Vodafone UK Design System team. Their Variables Taxonomy Map breaks down the anatomy and categorization of a design token into a well-orchestrated system of collections.

The map illustrates four collections required to support the system and connections between tokens — from brand and primitives to semantics and pages. It builds on top of Nathan Curtis’ work on naming design tokens and enables everyone to gather insight about where a token is used and what it represents, just from its name.

If you want to explore more approaches to naming design tokens, I’ve put together a list of useful Figma kits and resources that are worth checking out.

Design Token Naming Guide + Inventory

Romina Kavcic created a helpful little tool for naming design tokens — from learning how they work and how to name them well to configuring your own naming structure with components, categories, states, and roles.

Bonus: The Design Token Names Inventory spreadsheet, with a simple structure with four levels to give you a bird’s-eye view of all your design tokens. You can easily add rows, themes, and modes without losing track, and filter your tokens.

Naming Products or Services

If you are looking for the right name for your product or service, Onym is a fantastic open-source repository that organizes tools and resources for finding names for brainstorming, vetting, guides, sprints, etymologies — all the way to cautionary tales and agencies that name things, as well as useful books to take a look at.

Useful Bookmarks for Naming Things

A quick-reference list of tools and guides for naming just about… well, anything, in one place:

Wrapping Up

The right name is the one that’s well-understood and used by the team and users. So much time is wasted speaking about the very same thing but in different dialects — the designer’s dialect, the developer’s dialect, the product manager’s dialect, and the user’s dialect. That’s what often causes frustration and confusion.

So if you see low adoption, it might be merely because of the name. And pay attention to potential naming conflicts and put them in a backlog of things to address later. It’s one of those fine little details that can reduce frustration and confusion and help teams work together better.

Meet “Design Patterns For AI Interfaces”

Meet Design Patterns For AI Interfaces, Vitaly’s new video course with practical examples from real-life products — with a live UX training happening soon. Jump to a free preview.

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The post A Practical Guide To Naming Things appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

The templates in this collection cover many common production needs, including titles, logo reveals, slideshows, video openers, intros, lower thirds, animated typefaces, and icons. Some provide a complete sequence, while others handle one specific part of a larger edit. Colors, typography, footage, audio, and timing can usually be changed to suit personal and client projects.

Free templates vary considerably in quality. Some are carefully organized and include helpful documentation, while others may require fonts, plugins, presets, or older versions of After Effects. Checking these details before downloading will save time later.

The best results come from treating an After Effects template as a foundation rather than a finished design. Small changes to the pacing, type, color, and movement can make a familiar animation feel far more appropriate for your content. The collections below offer plenty of options for different styles, skill levels, and video formats.

What to Look for in an After Effects Template

A polished preview does not tell you everything about a template. Before downloading, check how the project was built and whether it will work with your version of After Effects.

• After Effects compatibility: Confirm the minimum version required to open the project.
• Plugin requirements: Check whether the template relies on paid or third-party plugins.
• Included assets: See whether fonts, sound effects, music, footage, and images are supplied or need to be downloaded separately.
• Project dimensions: Check the resolution, frame rate, orientation, and duration.
• Layer organization: Clearly named compositions, layers, and placeholders will make editing much simpler.
• Documentation: Look for written instructions or a video showing how the main controls work.
• License terms: Confirm whether commercial and client work is permitted and whether attribution is required.

Titles After Effects Templates

A title sequence is often the first design element viewers see, so typography, timing, and movement all matter. Even a simple title can give a video personality and prepare the viewer for what follows.

Designing animated titles from scratch is rewarding, but it can also take hours of testing keyframes, transitions, and effects. A good template handles much of that groundwork while leaving plenty of room for your own creative choices.

This collection features free title templates for a range of styles and project types. Each can be customized in After Effects with your preferred text, colors, fonts, and timing to create an opening that fits your video.

800+ Text Effect Elements for After Effects

This extensive After Effects template includes over 800 animated text effect elements. Each element is easy to edit with simple text and color controls. These text elements are perfect for bold titles, clean openers, and social videos that need modern animated typography.

2001 Space Odyssey Movie Titles for After Effects

Free to Download

This free title template recreates the 2001 Space Odyssey film’s familiar typography style and effects in After Effects. You can quickly adjust the text size and spacing for unique branding while honoring the original 2001 look.

Retro Movie Titles for After Effects

Try the Retro Movie Titles template if you’re looking for retro-style typography. The template comes with easily editable layers and full color control, making it easy to customize the title to match your brand.

Glitch Text Maker for After Effects

The glitch effect will help make your videos stand out. This template pack makes it easy to add your own text and is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a retro or vintage effect.

Switch To Text Box Titles After Effects Template

Free to Download

This free kinetic title template includes seven scenes with two media placeholders. Each element is labeled to help speed up the editing process, and the design is suitable for various purposes, including corporate slideshows and personal videos.

Liquid Animation Titles for After Effects

This well-organized title animation opener template is ideal for promoting anything. It contains 110 animated elements pre-rendered into .mov files with a JPEG + Alpha codec. It also includes nine pre-designed text scenes, and you can easily add more.

Flipped Titles After Effects Template

Free to Download

Flipped Titles is a clean and well-organized free template for After Effects. It includes seven unique full-screen titles with some cool and creatively animated effects.

Simplicity Title Pack for After Effects

This After Effects pack includes over 60 different titles. The titles are modern and minimal, making them suitable for most projects.

Swirling Letters Title Template for After Effects

Free to Download

Add a simple yet impressive title to your next video project with this free swirling letters titles template. Easily add a video, edit the text, and match your colors to make this title template your own.

Elegant Serif Titles for After Effects

If you’re looking for an elegant After Effects Title template, look no further than this template pack. It includes 16 different typography styles and a detailed help file to help you customize the project to your needs.

Poly Titles After Effects Titles & Graphics

Free to Download

These title templates will come in handy if you want to give your titles an abstract look and feel. The template includes nine different titles and graphics, and it is easy to customize with your own colors.

4K Rolling Titles for After Effects

This modular 4K After Effects template includes 10 title scenes with up-and-down rolling text animations. It offers editable timing controls and easy text customization. It is ideal for openers, title sequences, or social media videos that need modern kinetic typography.

Basic Animated Titles for After Effects

Free to Download

This free After Effects template includes animated titles and lower thirds in a clean, minimal style. It’s simple to edit with text placeholders and color controls. Great for presentations, YouTube videos, or social content that needs clear and simple text animation with no extra setup.

4K Fullscreen Titles for After Effects

Free to Download

This 4K After Effects template includes nine full-screen animated titles. Each title template is fully editable with text and color controls. These clean titles are ideal for openers, presentations, or promotional videos that need a clear, modern, and simple title animation.

Clean & Simple After Effects Titles

Free to Download

This free titles template has a modern aesthetic, with smooth animations and beautiful typography. The title is easy to customize with editable text and color controls. It is perfect for corporate videos or presentations that need a quick title animation with a professional look. It is compatible with After Effects 2023 and above.

Minimal Titles Pack for After Effects

Free to Download

This Free Minimal Titles pack includes 20 animation styles and titles and a royalty-free music track that can be used even in commercial projects. To use it, you just need to add your text and render the file.

Tagline Bold Title Template for After Effects

Free to Download

Make your headlines pop with this bold titles template. It is a collection of 25 free-to-download titles that can be quickly customized to match your brand.

Cinematic Title Style Library for After Effects

Free to Download

This style library for After Effects and Adobe Premiere is a great way to add style to your titles without wasting time creating them from scratch. You can quickly download and import this style library and use it in your projects.

Pop-Up Titles After Effects Templates

Free to Download

If you’re looking for stylish typography, use this free pop-up title template for After Effects. The template allows you to edit the text and customize your titles’ colors and duration.

Classic Kinetic Titles for After Effects

Free to Download

Free Classic Kinetic Titles is a universal and multi-purpose title template perfect for your company’s business presentations. The project includes a color controller for quick changes and editable text layers.

Modern After Effects Titles Template

Free to Download

If you’re looking for a smooth and elegant title pack, check out this pack of six free After Effects titles. The titles feature a fresh and modern style that’s perfect for young startups and small businesses.

Logo Reveal After Effects Templates

Logo reveals turn a static brand mark into a short animated sequence. By combining motion, sound, and visual effects, they give a logo more presence at the beginning or end of a video.

The best logo animations are usually brief. A few well-timed movements can say more than an overly complicated sequence, whether the logo belongs to a global company, a local business, or a personal creative project.

The free After Effects templates below cover styles ranging from restrained and minimal to energetic and cinematic. They can be adapted for promotional videos, presentations, social media, YouTube channels, and client work, subject to each template’s license.

Typographic Logo Intro for After Effects

This logo reveal or intro template uses bold typography and kinetic transitions to present your brand beautifully. It is easy to customize. Simply swap in your logo, edit the text, tweak the colors, then render. It would be an ideal template for app launches or brand reveals.

Click Three Logo Reveals for After Effects

Free to Download

This free After Effects logo pack includes three reveals in a modern and minimal style. They include a simple circle reveal, a mouse click-to-reveal, and an animated button push.

White Scroll Logo Reveals for After Effects

If you’re looking for a more classic-style logo opener, try the White Scroll logo reveal. The template comes with three background versions and three different logo placement options.

Glitch Logo Reveal for After Effects Templates

Free to Download

This free After Effects logo reveal template uses pixelation and static noise to give your logo reveal a glitchy look and feel. This is a great template for gaming content or digital-themed videos.

Search Logo Reveal for After Effects

A unique way to reveal your logo is to use an animated search bar with a sample question. Your logo then shows up as the answer. You can customize the text and quickly drop in your logo.

4K Logo Reveal After Effects Template

Free to Download

This logo reveal template would be great for a startup or a small business. It is easy to use and includes detailed instructions on how to customize and render your logo reveal project.

Battle Logo Reveal for After Effects

The Battle Logo Reveal template would be perfect for a sports or gaming brand. It comes with a detailed help file, a logo placeholder, and an extensive set of backgrounds that you can use to customize your logo reveal.

Hi-Tech Logo Reveal for After Effects

This premium animated logo reveal features a dark blue background paired with light blue HUD elements. It’s a perfect logo template for any tech company looking to stand out online.

Super Logo Reveal After Effects Template

Free to Download

This free logo reveal template features a clean and high-energy animation with bold transitions and dynamic light effects. It’s very easy to customize. All you have to do is drop in your logo and edit the colors or background. It is perfect for intros, brand openers, or YouTube channels that want a sharp, professional-looking logo animation without any extra setup.

Clean & Light Logo After Effects Template

Free to Download

This simple 4K logo reveal template is super-easy to make your own. All you have to do is swap out the logo placeholder and edit the text layer. It is compatible with After Effects CS6 and above.

MoGraph Logo Reveal After Effects Template

Free to Download

This logo reveal template uses MoGraph Lines. They are animated lines used to connect elements and add flow or rhythm to animated scenes. The template is compatible with After Effects 2022 and above.

MoGraph Logo Reveal Template

Free to Download

The MoGraph in this logo reveal templates are animated geometric elements used to create movement or transitions within a composition. This bold style is perfect for many business types. It is compatible with After Effects 2022 and above.

Another 2D Logo Introduction Template

Free to Download

If you’re looking for a 2D style logo reveal, try this 2D logo introduction Template. This template allows you to easily customize the colors and insert your own logo. It also includes a detailed help file.

Three Animated Logo Reveals for After Effects

Free to Download

This free template pack contains three different logo reveals suitable for any corporate video. This template is an excellent choice for a modern and professional logo reveal.

4K Logo Reveal v.1 After Effects Template

Free to Download

This elegant logo reveal would be perfect for a high-end fashion or luxury brand. The template includes logo placeholders, editable text layers, and an intelligent color controller.

Fast Flip After Effects Logo Reveal Template

Free to Download

The free Fast Flip After Effects logo reveal template is a great starting point if you’re on a budget. It uses stock photography, which you can replace with photos of your team or company to reveal an elegant logo at the end. All you have to do is customize the colors, replace the images, and add your logo.

Blue Action Logo Reveal After Effects Template

Free to Download

Try the Blue Action Logo Reveal template if you’re looking for a minimalist logo opener. It features a dynamic animation style, and includes a logo placeholder and editable text layers. You can also easily adjust the colors.

Hiro Anime-Inspired Logo Reveal for After Effects

Free to Download

Try this logo reveal template if you’re looking for an action-packed, hi-tech animation style. To edit the project, drop your logo or text into the logo composition and then render the project.

Hi-Tech Logo Reveal After Effects Template

Free to Download

If you want a logo reveal template designed in a Matrix-style, try the Hi-Tech Logo Reveal template. This template contains two color versions, logo placeholders, and two editable text layers.

Slideshow & Gallery After Effects Templates

A good slideshow depends on more than placing images in sequence. The order, timing, transitions, and music all influence how the work is presented. It can be used to showcase a portfolio, document an event, tell a visual story, or bring a set of photographs to life.

Galleries take a slightly different approach, displaying several images within the same composition. Grids, frames, and animated layouts allow related photos to be viewed together without making the screen feel crowded.

Building every layout and transition from scratch takes time. The free After Effects slideshow templates below have the structure, while giving you control over the images, colors, typography, pacing, and soundtrack.

Wall Gallery Photo Slideshow for After Effects

This After Effects template gives you a wall gallery-style photo slideshow with smooth camera moves and realistic lighting. It includes multiple image placeholders and editable text layers. It would be excellent for weddings, personal portfolios, or family photo collections.

Bold Slideshow for After Effects

Try the Bold Slideshow if you want a bold and colorful look. This template includes a detailed help file, editable placeholders and text layers, and full color control so you can easily customize the colors to match your brand.

Old Slideshow After Effects Template

Free to Download

The Old Slideshow template is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a retro-style gallery or slideshow. The template comes with full-color control, so you can easily customize the color scheme.

Wall Slideshow for After Effects

Try the Wall Slideshow if you want a cool-looking, modern gallery to display your family photos and albums. The template is easy to customize and comes with full-color control.

Modern Zoom Telescopic Slideshow After Effects Template

Free to Download

This Modern Zoom Telescopic Slideshow Video features a unique zoom effect visualized through a telescopic transition. It also includes multiple light leaks and six image placeholders.

Slideshow Constructor for After Effects

This template features a vintage-style slideshow of polaroid photos. It’s a great choice if you want to combine all your photos and create a truly unique photo album.

Parallax Scrolling Slideshow After Effects Template

Free to Download

Parallax is a popular animation effect used on many websites. Thanks to this template, you can also use the effect in your videos. This template contains nine image or video placeholders and nine text placeholders.

Creative Slideshow After Effects Template

This Creative Slideshow template features a dynamic, fast-paced animation style and bold typography. It would be perfect for a corporate video presentation and includes full-color controls and editable text layers.

Stylish Slideshow Template for After Effects

Free to Download

This free After Effects slideshow template includes 23 image or video placeholders and six text layers. It has smooth transitions, clean animation, and allows for simple customization. Replace the media, edit the text, and render. It would be great for photo reels, travel videos, or quick promo videos.

Romantic Photo Slideshow Template for After Effects

This After Effects template creates a polaroid-style photo slideshow with a rustic aesthetic. It includes multiple media and text placeholders and would be perfect for wedding photoshoots, travel reels, or event highlights that need a vintage or a touch of romance.

Digital Film Strip for After Effects

Free to Download

This free After Effects template features a digital filmstrip animation with photo or video frames moving in sequence. It includes 18 media placeholders and 10 text layers. The layout is simple to edit and renders in full HD. It is compatible with After Effects CS4 and above.

Fast Slides After Effects Slideshow Template

Free to Download

Use this template if you’re working on a video that needs fast-moving animation. This slideshow would be perfect at the beginning of a video to introduce the different concepts.

Modern Tile Slideshow After Effects Template

Free to Download

The Modern Tile Slideshow is an excellent choice for professional and corporate videos. The slideshow template features a unique, tiled look and a 3D tile drop-down effect to reveal your images and transition between them in 3D. The template also includes multiple light leaks.

Dynamic Colorful Slideshow After Effects Template

Free to Download

This dynamic template features a modern and colorful style paired with minimal typography. It’s an excellent choice for both business and personal video slideshows. The template includes 23 media placeholders, 19 editable text layers, and an intelligent color controller.

Stylish Spinning Columns Slideshow After Effects Template

Free to Download

Consider the Stylish Spinning Columns Slideshow Template if you’re working on a high-end project. The template includes six image placeholders, a modern spinning column transition effect, and multiple light leaks.

Elegant Slideshow After Effects Template

Free to Download

This After Effects template is perfect for corporate and business slideshows. The template features elegant slide transitions and includes several placeholder images. You can easily add more and customize text and colors to match your brand.

After Effects Slideshow Templates

Free to Download

In this template, you will find 14 image placeholders arranged in a stunning grid layout. Thanks to the intelligent color controller, you can easily adjust the colors and replace the text with your own.

Clean Slideshow After Effects Templates

Free to Download

If you want a clean slideshow that you can use to present your family photos or if you need a clean slideshow for a corporate project, the Clean Slideshow template is the right choice. It features a stylish design, simple text animations, and smooth transitioning effects.

Opener After Effects Templates

Video openers have a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time. They combine footage, typography, graphics, and sound to establish the pace of a video before the main content begins.

Getting those elements to work together can involve detailed editing and plenty of keyframes. A pre-built template provides the timing and structure, while After Effects presets can help with individual animations and effects.

This collection includes free After Effects opener templates for YouTube videos, presentations, promotions, event films, and other creative projects. The styles range from quiet and minimal to fast, colorful, and effects-heavy. Replace the sample footage and text, adjust the colors, add your soundtrack, and shape the opener around your own content.

Colorful AE Opener Template

This creative and colorful opener template works well for travel, fashion, or kids’ brands. It’s also a great choice for simple video or photo slideshows, showreels, corporate presentations, or even a family album.

YouTube Opener for After Effects

Free to Download

This classic YouTube opener can be used in business and corporate projects. It comes with full-color control, and you can easily change the text and other elements to make it your own.

Glitch Media Opener for After Effects

Try this Glitch Media opener template for any grunge or retro-style video project. It comes with a detailed help file, animated fonts, and full color control

Mozaic Opener for After Effects

This mosaic opener template is versatile and works for many types of projects. It has a unique mosaic design, and you can easily add your own text and change the colors.

Colorful Sketch Speech Opener for After Effects

This After Effects opener has a fun, hand-drawn style with doodle textures and comic-style speech bubbles. It comes with six editable text spots, a logo slot, and a photo cut-out. It’s great for social media clips, creative presentations, or talk-show intros.

Good News Opener Template for After Effects

Free to Download

This After Effects opener uses bold text, smooth animation, and bright transitions to create a fresh news-style intro. The template is easy to edit with text and media placeholders. Replace the footage, update the titles, and render, and your intro will be ready.

Animated Slideshow Opener for After Effects

Free to Download

This slideshow-style opener template uses clean transitions, a simple layout, and subtle motion to present your photos or video clips. Just swap the placeholders with your media, edit the text and colors, then render. It is compatible with After Effects 2022 and above.

Dynamic Style Opener Template for After Effects

Free to Download

This free 4K opener template provides a rapid editing setup for Adobe After Effects. It supports multiple aspect ratios (horizontal, vertical, and square). Use the horizontal format for YouTube, the vertical format for social media, and the square format for posts.

Dynamic & Fast After Effects Opener

This is another opener template that would work well for a company that targets a young audience. It features an energetic, fast-paced animation style. It comes with 16 image or video placeholders and six text placeholders.

Web Presentation Template for After Effects

Free to Download

This free After Effects template includes eight scenes and a logo reveal, making it ideal for promoting digital products or online services. It includes 45 text placeholders, 12 media placeholders, and a logo placeholder, along with color controllers for quick customization.

Parallax Opener for After Effects

Free to Download

If you’re looking for a stylish and elegant opener, look no further than this parallax opener. The template includes a stunning parallax animation with eight editable text layers, eight photo or video placeholders, and one logo placeholder.

Creative After Effects Opener

Try this template if you’re looking for a modern opener. It features a fast-paced animation in a slideshow style. You can easily change the colors and fonts, add your own elements, and render the project.

Elegant Corporate Intro AE Template

This elegant intro template can be used in corporate-style videos, weddings, or fashion projects. It includes eight text and image placeholders.

Short Opener After Effects Template

Free to Download

If you need something simple to quickly create a video opener, this is the free After Effects intro template you need. The template is as simple as possible, and you can easily customize colors and add your chosen text.

Glitch Effect Intro for After Effects

Free to Download

Looking for a sleek and edgy way to introduce your video? Check out this glitch template for After Effects. The best part is that no plugins are required – simply edit and render. Even if you’re new to After Effects, you’ll find this glitch intro template easy to customize to your needs.

Instagram Opener for After Effects

Free to Download

Use this opener to engage your Instagram or YouTube followers and stand out in their feed. The template comes with 27 image and video placeholders, 20 editable text layers, and one logo placeholder.

Modern Website Presentation AE Template

If you need a creative and unique way to present your design client work or portfolio, try this modern website presentation template. You can also use it to showcase your website templates or CMS themes.

Clean & Elegant After Effects Intro Templates

Free to Download

This free After Effects intro template comes with 15 image placeholders and can be used for corporate videos or any video promoting a fashion or jewelry brand.

Intro After Effects Templates

An intro gives recurring video content a consistent identity. It can combine a channel name, series title, logo, short clips, and music into a sequence that viewers soon recognize.

The most effective intros are usually short enough to avoid delaying the main content. Clear typography, purposeful movement, and well-timed sound can establish the visual style in just a few seconds. They work particularly well for YouTube channels, podcasts, tutorials, episodic content, and branded video series.

These free After Effects intro templates provide the animation and timing needed to build your sequence. Add your logo, replace the text and footage, adjust the colors, and choose music that fits the character of your content.

Boiled Down Intro After Effects Template

Free to Download

The Boiled Down opener template makes things bold and fast. It has six media placeholders, one logo slot at the end, and 17 text-replaceable comps. The resolution is 4K, and it is compatible with After Effects 2020 or later.

Big Bold Typography Intro or Opener

This free opener template, as the name suggests, features overly large, bold text and some lovely clip transitions. It would be perfect as the opener or intro of any travel or vacation-related video.

Retro Wave Intro AE Template

Free to Download

This free Retro Wave Intro template is perfect for any vintage or retro project. The template has a colorful design, two editable text layers, one logo placeholder, and a full-color controller.

Cyberpunk Intro for After Effects

If you’re a fan of the cyberpunk style, don’t miss this Cyberpunk Intro. This is an excellent choice if you want to have a cinematic look in your videos, and it would also be an ideal fit for a tech company.

Smooth After Effects Intro Template

Free to Download

This free intro template features bold titles and duotone colors. You will get five image or video placeholders, four text placeholders, one logo placeholder, and a custom color controller.

Scribble Logo Intro for After Effects

Free to Download

This free After Effects template displays your logo with a hint of elegance. The animation starts by outlining your logo and gradually reveals the full design. The animation’s simplicity adds to its beauty, making it the ideal choice for anyone looking for a refined, polished way to showcase their brand.

Business Intro for After Effects

Free to Download

This bright, clean After Effects intro template features seven media and seven text placeholders. It features an elegant animation perfect for corporate or business video projects.

Lower Thirds After Effects Templates

Lower thirds may occupy a small part of the screen, but their design still requires careful thought. Names, job titles, locations, and other details need to be readable without drawing attention away from the footage.

Good lower thirds use clear type hierarchy, controlled movement, and enough contrast to remain legible against different backgrounds. They are useful for interviews, documentaries, news videos, presentations, YouTube content, and branded productions.

These free After Effects lower-third templates offer a range of layouts and animation styles. Each can be edited to match your visual identity by changing the typography, colors, timing, shapes, and displayed information. Some collections also include several coordinated designs for speakers, locations, captions, and social media details.

Lower Thirds B&W After Effects Template

The Lower Thirds After Effects template features a classic black-and-white style. Your text appears as a stylish box, and you can easily edit the colors and adjust the text and the duration.

4K Lower Thirds for After Effects

Free to Download

This huge template pack includes 24 lower third templates in a bold and colorful style. You can easily adjust the colors to match your brand and set your desired duration.

Titles & Lower-Thirds for After Effects

Another combo pack, this titles and lower-thirds After Effects template features a modern and minimal style that can be used in various video projects. This template comes with full-color control and a detailed help file.

20 Minimal Lower Thirds for After Effects

Free to Download

If you love minimalism, try this free lower third pack. The template includes 20 lower thirds and ten premade color schemes. Customize the colors, set the duration, replace the text, and render your project.

After Effects Titles & Lower Thirds

This After Effects template pack includes titles and lower thirds, so it’s an excellent choice for those who need both for their video projects. The template is incredibly easy to edit as it comes with text boxes that automatically adjust to your text size and width.

Sports Lower Thirds Template for After Effects

Free to Download

This free sports-themed lower thirds template features a callout with a performance chart and space for a headline and profile picture. With its modern and classy design and customizable features, this template is a great way to add some extra flair to any sport-related video.

Image Lower Thirds & Titles After Effects Templates

Free to Download

This creative and colorful pack of lower thirds also includes images and cartoon-style icons that you can use for extra eye candy. The package comprises 15 titles, lower thirds, and a detailed help file.

Elegant Lower Thirds Templates for After Effects

Free to Download

Consider this template if you’re looking for an elegant lower thirds template. It comes with lower thirds, transitions, a logo reveal, and more. With five text placeholders and a spot for your logo and tagline, this template is an excellent choice for corporate videos.

Flat Lower Thirds After Effects Template

Free to Download

This simple lower thirds template has been designed in a flat and modern style. It features a circular call-out container that’s easy to use and customize. It’s an excellent choice for modern companies and businesses.

Stylish Lower Thirds After Effects Template

Free to Download

This is another elegant and stylish After Effects template with four different graphics. All the text layers and colors are easy to edit, and the project renders super fast, which makes it an excellent choice if you have a rush project.

Dynamic Lower Thirds AE Template

Free to Download

This dynamic template offers eight beautiful animations that you can fully customize with colors of your choice. With 24 text placeholders, you can quickly replace them and enjoy fast rendering. These lower thirds are a great way to add visual appeal to your next video.

Modern Call-Out After Effects Template

Free to Download

This free lower thirds template includes a left-to-right call-out with floating rating sliders underneath. It’s perfect for brands, businesses, and projects that want to add a touch of modern style to their videos and presentations.

Animated Box Entrance Lower Thirds Template

Free to Download

This modern, beautifully designed free lower thirds template features two call-out boxes, a flawless entrance animation, and a bounce effect.

Animated Text & Font Templates for After Effects

Animated typefaces give individual letters their own movement and character. Text can bounce, stretch, rotate, flicker, or appear one character at a time, making them a playful option for video titles, captions, and short promotional graphics.

Rather than animating every letter by hand, these After Effects templates include pre-built animations, text placeholders, and adjustable controls. You can type your own words, change the colors, refine the timing, and combine different letter movements to suit the project.

The free animated typefaces in this collection cover several visual styles, from clean geometric movement to rough, hand-drawn effects. They are particularly useful for music videos, social media clips, opening credits, and other projects where typography takes a leading role.

PolyNoise Alphabet Animated Typeface

This animated typeface features a glitchy look, so it’s perfect for videos that use glitchy animations. The colors are easy to customize, and you don’t have to worry about dropping each letter on a separate timeline with this typeface.

Alquimia Animated Font

Free to Download

The Alquimia Animated Font has a truly unique look. The font can be freely used in both personal and commercial projects, and you can easily modify the colors.

Paper – Grotesque Shady Animated Typeface

The Paper is a perfect choice if you’re working on a video that requires a creative touch. The font includes a full alphabet, numerical characters, basic currency symbols, and basic math symbols.

Neon Animated Typeface for After Effects

Free to Download

This free preset includes all 26 letters, numbers (0-9), and After Effects AEP file for quick customization. The preset’s glowing neon aesthetic will create an energetic and modern look and feel to any After Effects creation.

Helvetica Neue Free After Effects Template

Free to Download

Consider the Helvetica Neue animated font if your next project needs an elegant or classic touch. This After Effects template font has 43 unique letter, number, and punctuation compositions.

Sketch Animated Font After Effects Template

Free to Download

The Sketch Animated Font is perfect if you want a handwritten look and feel. It includes capital letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.

Paint on Animated Typeface

The Pain On animated typeface is a must-have if you want to add a unique style to your videos. Each character paints white, black, and blue colors, which can easily be customized to match your own brand colors.

Animography Animated Font for AE

Free to Download

The Animography font is a full-featured animated font created as a collaborative project between 110 animators and one designer. It has a distinct, bold look and can be used for corporate videos.

Animated Icon Templates for After Effects

Static icons already communicate a lot with very little space. Add movement, and they can also show an action, change of state, or response. A loading symbol can rotate, a notification can pulse, and a button can confirm that it has been selected.

These small animations work well in app demonstrations, interface presentations, explainer videos, infographics, and social media content. Careful timing keeps the movement clear without distracting from the information around it.

The free animated icon templates below save you from keyframing every shape individually. They include coordinated icon sets in several styles, with controls for adjusting colors, scale, timing, and movement to match the rest of your project.

Technicons Animated Business Icons for After Effects

Free to Download

Technicons is a set of technical icons for After Effects. This icon pack comes with 30+ animated icons, and you’ll also find a variety of business icons, making this pack suitable for all kinds of projects.

Animated Icon Set for Video Editors

Free to Download

This free icon pack includes 20 different icons for business and personal projects. The icons are all pre-rendered footage, so you can use them in any video editing or motion graphics software. The project file is also included in the download.

390 Animated Icons for After Effects

This is another icon pack with a large selection of icons for business, technical, and other types of videos. The icons feature a modern, flat design, and you can change the size and color of each icon.

Animated Technical Icons for After Effects

Free to Download

This creative icon pack has 15 icons perfect for any technical niche. The template’s intelligent color controller makes it easy to customize the icons with your brand colors.

Social Media Icons for After Effects

Consider this social media icon pack if you’re looking for icons with a unique design. This icon pack is an excellent choice for any food-related business or brand that specializes in children’s products and uses video as part of its marketing strategy.

AE Animated Social Icons Pack

Free to Download

Check out this free icon pack if you need social media icons for your project. You’ll find icons for all major social media networks, and you can use the default colors or customize them with your own.

Flat Animated Icons Library for After Effects

This icon pack includes an impressive 1,000 icons covering almost any niche. You’ll likely use this library repeatedly in your projects, especially since it was designed using flat design.

Anicons: Customizable Icon Library for After Effects

Free to Download

Consider the Anicons icon pack if you want a complete icon library that can easily be customized. The icon pack allows you to quickly animate and adjust the icon parameters easily. The package contains 40+ icons.

How to Install an After Effects Template

Most After Effects project templates do not need to be installed. They are downloaded, extracted, and opened like any other project file. Keep all supplied folders together so After Effects can locate the linked assets.

• Download the template and extract the ZIP archive to a dedicated project folder.
• Read the included documentation before opening or moving any files.
• Check the required After Effects version, fonts, and plugins.
• Open the supplied .aep file through File > Open Project.
• If After Effects converts an older project, save the converted version as a new file.
• Relink missing footage, images, or audio when prompted.
• Open a .mogrt file through File > Open Project when it needs to be edited in After Effects. Templates intended for Premiere Pro should be added through its Graphics Templates panel.

How to Customize an After Effects Template

Template creators organize projects differently, but most use clearly labeled compositions and placeholder layers. Work on a duplicate of the original project so you can return to the untouched version if an edit causes problems.

• Open the main composition and identify the editable text, image, video, and logo layers.
• Replace placeholder media while preserving its position, scale, and timing.
• Edit the text, then check that longer words do not extend beyond the composition.
• Change the colors and fonts to match the project rather than the preview.
• Adjust keyframes or layer durations when the original animation feels too fast or slow.
• Review any controller, Essential Properties, or Effect Controls layers supplied by the creator.
• Preview the entire sequence before rendering to catch missing media, clipped text, or abrupt cuts.

Tips for Improving Performance

Templates can contain large footage files, complex effects, 3D layers, and many nested compositions. A few temporary adjustments can make editing and previewing them much more manageable.

• Reduce the preview resolution to Half or Quarter while editing.
• Use a Region of Interest when working on one small part of the composition.
• Keep source files and the disk cache on a fast local drive when possible.
• Close unused panels and other memory-heavy applications.
• Temporarily disable motion blur, depth of field, shadows, and demanding effects.
• Use proxies or pre-rendered compositions for large video files and complex scenes.
• Remove unused footage and compositions from a working copy of the project.
• Clear the memory and disk cache if previews become unreliable or storage space runs low.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

The most useful After Effects template is rarely the one with the busiest preview. A simpler project with clear controls, organized layers, and restrained animation is often easier to adapt and more useful across different types of work.

Choose a template that suits the pace and purpose of the video. A rapid sequence may work well for an event promo but feel out of place in a documentary or portfolio presentation. Typography and movement should support the content rather than compete with it.

Before committing to a template, check its license, After Effects version, plugin requirements, and included assets. Open the project and test a short section before replacing every placeholder. This can reveal performance issues or missing dependencies early in the process.

Finally, spend time changing more than the sample text. Adjust the timing, type choices, colors, transitions, and sound so the finished sequence belongs to the wider project. Free After Effects templates can remove hours of setup, but thoughtful editing is what stops the result from looking like the original preview. Keep an untouched copy nearby, make deliberate changes, and give the animation enough space to do its job.

More After Effect Templates

Read more articles by Paul Andrew

The post 80+ Best Free After Effects Templates in 2026 appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

To be completely honest with you, I missed the news when CSS Container Queries first shipped. And when I finally heard about it, my very first thought was, “Why exactly do I need this when media queries already exist?”

I’m not proud of that reaction, knowing what I know now, but it was comforting to know that I wasn’t alone. In fact, there are legions of us out there.

What baffles me is that container queries aren’t a new feature, as it currently sits at around 94% browser support. And yet, very few people are actually using it. According to the State of CSS survey, 86% of developers are aware of container queries, but only 41.4% actually use them. Surveys can be biased and not completely representative of our entire field, but this one is certainly the best indicator we’ve got.

Kevin Powell also talked about this at SmashingConf Amsterdam 2026: Container Queries adoption has been terrible. And that is so strange to me, knowing that the ability for components to adapt to the size of their outer container has been at the top of so many CSS wishlists over the years.

I’m not particularly interested in how many people are using container queries as much as in how they are using them. I can’t account for everyone, but from what I’ve seen — including in my own early attempts — many of us are using them wrong.

The bottom line is that incorrect use comes down to the same impression I had when learning about them: they absolutely look just like media queries at first glance. And since they look similar, it’s easy to assume they serve similar purposes and work the same way.

They don’t.

Note: I should state up front that what I’m focusing on in this article is using container size queries, i.e., a responsive design technique for responding to the size of a particular container. There are also container style queries that respond to a container’s computed styles (and are experimental at the time of this writing). You can catch up on those in Juan Diego’s piece here on Smashing Magazine where he examines their possible use cases.

The viewport is a proxy. It always has been. Media queries are what gave us the illusion that screen width alone is responsible for how responsive apps adapt to their environment.

Ask yourself this: When you write @media, what are you asking the browser?

@media (min-width: 1024px) {
  .card {
    display: flex;
  }

I, like most developers, am asking the browser: How wide is the screen right now? That’s it.

Media queries answer that beautifully, but what happens when this .card component is placed in a grid cell that’s 300px wide on a 1920px desktop screen?

The media query doesn’t care; it does its job. The viewport is still 1920px, so min-width: 1024px fires and the matched query styles are applied, even though the card only has 300px of space to work with. Eventually, everything in the card deforms, overflows, or cramps up.

“Media queries are dumb. Not dumb in terms of the concept, but dumb in that they don’t know very much. In fact, most people assume that they know more than they do.”

— Kevin Powell

It’s common to think of responsive design purely as a system for updating complete page layouts, like going from two columns on a large screen to a single column on a small screen.

Container Queries Look Inward

Container queries are smarter than that. They make responsive layouts more reliant on what’s happening inside a component rather than on the outer context that has no insight into a component’s contents. It is more like: “How much space is available for me in this specific spot, right now?”

Here is the same card code example we looked at in the last section, but with a container query:

.card-wrapper {
  container-name: card;
  container-type: inline-size;
}

@container card (min-width: 450px) {
  .card {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: row;
  }
}

This changes everything. The card isn’t influenced by the viewport; its only concern is whether the .card component’s parent wrapper has at least 450px of inline (i.e., horizontal in a left-to-right writing mode) space. If that condition is true, the component goes horizontal; if not, it goes to its default block display.

“Macro” Layout Vs. “Micro” Layouts

A very interesting way to distinguish @media and @container queries is the layout type.

Media queries are for the “macro” layout; they look outward. Stuff like page structure, the header that spans the window, footers, main grid layout, system preferences (prefers-color-scheme), device capabilities (touch screens). You know, anything that is majorly true to the entire page structure.

Container queries, I’d say, are for “micro” layouts, i.e., most things that live inside the “macro” layout. We use them when any content needs to responsively fit whatever space it is allocated. Components that come to mind are things like cards, widgets, forms, navigation, and so on.

In other words, think “page layout” vs. “component layout”.

An element shouldn’t magically become “tablet-sized” just because the width exceeds an abstract width threshold like 768px. Instead, it should switch layout when it has enough space to do so, whether that happens on a mobile viewport or inside a desktop sidebar.

In case you’re still not convinced, did you know there are over 2,300 unique viewport sizes on the modern web? Do you think it is possible to account for all of them?

I’m not hating on media queries. It’s that in this era of responsiveness and component re-use, layout logic is closer to the container than the viewport. When we think in terms of containers and components, we’re effectively relying on the content to determine layout, not the viewport.

This is how it should be.

Example: Fluid Typography Inside A Component

Responsive typography is a good example of something many of us have relied on media queries for. The fact that media queries come with their own CSS units — e.g., vw, vh, and so on — that are relative to the viewport size makes media queries look really good for adjusting font size based on the user’s screen size.

.card-title {
  font-size: clamp(100%, 1rem + 2vw, 24px);
}

This works until that same component is moved into a different context, like a sidebar, where the viewport is completely irrelevant. Now, because we tied the responsiveness to the wrong reference point, the scaled typography can get too big or too small.

Container queries come with their very own units — cqi, cqw, cqb, among others — and we can take responsive components further by coupling those units with the CSS clamp() function, using it for fluid typography that scales with the component rather than the viewport:

.card-title {
  font-size: clamp(1rem, .5rem + 3cqi, 2rem);
}

With this in place, the entire code is self-contained to that element’s specific container.

Example: Flexbox Wrap Detection

Interestingly, container queries can, in a way, detect the state of a component’s internal layout. It’s not bulletproof, but it is also something media queries simply cannot do because they only observe the external browser window and are structurally blind to internal layout events like when, for example, flex items wrap onto a new line. Let’s poke at that.

Flexbox is superb at wrapping content (flex-wrap: wrap), allowing flex items to automatically wrap to new lines when the flex container runs out of space to fit them in a single row. But CSS by itself can’t tell when that wrap happens. There isn’t something like a :wrapped pseudo-class or a media query like @media (flex-wrapped: true) that would get us there.

Media queries only observe the browser window, as they can’t see internal changes. That is pretty much what flex wrapping is: a width state change on the item itself.

For example, if you have a horizontal menu that is lined up with flexbox and you want the items to restyle themselves only when wrapped, you’d be in JavaScript territory, using ResizeObserver to get that information. However, when we nest container queries inside flex items, we can come up with a workaround to get what we need without JavaScript, thanks to this technique I learned from Kevin Powell. The core idea is to allow a flex item to flex-grow: 1 when we query the container’s inline size.

The logic works like this:

1. When there’s enough room, both items (.flex-item) sit side-by-side, each exactly half the parent container’s width.
2. When there is limited space, the second item wraps to the next line.
3. Because flex-grow is active on each item, the wrapped items stretch to fill most of the parent’s width.
4. If the item is a container itself, it detects the sudden width expansion and fires.

/* The flex parent */
.flex-layout {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

/* Register a flex item as a container */
.flex-item {
  container-type: inline-size;
  flex: 1 1 390px; /* Grow to fill space, wrap at 390px */
}

/* Default Card Styles (narrow / side-by-side) */
.card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  background: #f4f4f4;
}

/* Once there's enough room for a full row */
@container (min-width: 600px) {
  .card {
    flex-direction: row;
    align-items: center;
    background: #e2f0d9;
  }
}

This works. As the parent size shrinks and the cards wrap to two lines, the card item expands, the container query fires, and applies the necessary styles.

Container Queries Do Have Side Effects

Container queries, like all things, come with some side effects or caveats you will want to watch for before reaching for them.

Container queries need something similar to a parent-child relationship to function as expected. Let’s say we have this markup:

<div class="card">
  <div class="card-content">...</div>
</div>

We can’t actually query the .card component to adjust the .card-content, like this:

/* DOES NOT WORK */
.card {
  container-name: card;
  container-type: inline-size;
}

@container card (min-width: 400px) {
  .card {
    display: flex;
  }
}

This doesn’t work because a container cannot query itself. In that last example, we’re querying a card container and then attempting to adjust that container’s display based on its size. It’s an infinite loop.

Instead, we need an additional wrapper that makes the .card a descendant of the container:

<div class="cards">
  <div class="card">
    <div class="card-content">...</div>
  </div>
</div>

From there, we can query the .cards container and adjust the .card layout accordingly:

.cards {
  container-name: cards;
  container-type: inline-size;
}

@container cards (min-width: 400px) {
  .card {
    display: flex;
  }
}

In media queries, this doesn’t matter as @media does not care which element you style inside the block; its only concern is the viewport, which is always available. So you can just slap a condition on any element and call it a day.

2. Querying A Container’s size Could Collapse Your Layout

This happens when querying the container’s size (i.e., its block, or vertical, size) instead of its inline-size:

/* Collapses to 0px even if it has content inside */
.hero-banner {
  container-type: size;
}

Why? Because the browser calculates the container’s dimensions without looking at its children. If we don’t give the .hero-banner an explicit height (or min-height or aspect-ratio), the browser sets a height of 0px.

For that reason, it’s often better to query a container by its inline-size instead. That is, unless you genuinely need to query the container’s block size.

Media queries aren’t affected by this, as they treat height the same way they treat @media (min-height: ...) does, i.e., ask the viewport and move on.

3. Queries Cannot Accept Custom Properties

Another container query limitation: we can’t query against a custom property value:

:root {
  --breakpoint-lg: 1600px;
}

/* DOES NOT WORK */
@container (min-width: var(--breakpoint-lg)) {
  /* ... */
}

This is because custom properties depend on values that cascade down the DOM tree. There’s the possibility that a container query that relies on a custom property can change that same custom property. And it can quickly get complicated:

:root {
  --breakpoint-lg: 1600px;
}

/* DOES NOT WORK */
@container cards (min-width: var(--breakpoint-lg)) {
  .card {
    --breakpoint-lg: 1000px;
  }
}

I don’t think any project should wholesale use @container instead of @media. Media queries still play an important role in responsive layouts. It’s about understanding the separation of concerns.

I tend to reach for container queries when a component is used in more than one layout context. For example, a .card element could live in a full-width grid or a narrower sidebar. If that’s the case, then we’ll want the component’s content to determine when it adjusts rather than a media query that looks at the outer viewport.

Similarly, I reach for media queries when a component solely exists at the page level. This would be something like a main navigation that always sits at the top of the page. It is directly influenced by the viewport’s size, meaning that the viewport is a reliable reference for when the navigation needs to adjust. Again, it’s all about “macro” layout versus “micro” layouts.

Here’s a diagram for how I reason about which type of query to use:

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the core reason why container queries look incredibly similar to media queries is simply familiarity. They’re not exactly “new”, but they are way less understood and adopted than media queries. But media queries have plenty of their own limitations; otherwise, we wouldn’t need container queries to fill those gaps.

What we have is a more effective feature for detecting when a specific component’s context changes and a means for adjusting styles based on its content, as it should be when that component can exist in multiple contexts.

(gg, yk)

The post Stop Treating CSS Container Queries Like Traditional Media Queries appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

Yes, you could create a few versions of the branding materials and call it a day, letting your client pick the ones they like the most. But let’s be real: it’s one thing to see your design on a computer screen, and it’s another to see it in real life.

What would your design look like on stationery? Would the logo fit on the pen your clients are planning on giving away to their customers? Does the business card carry the weight of expertise, backed by professional design and structured information?

If you’re a designer, you know how much a single branding identity material can say. It’s a game-changer. So the next time you prepare branding identity materials, look into mockups.

Realistic representations of what your designs would look like in 3D and when placed in various settings, branding identity mockups help you assess your own designs and convince your clients.

From business cards and coffee cups to stationery and contextual mockups, there’s something for every project you’re passionate about in this beautiful collection of branding identity mockup templates for Photoshop.

You might also like our collection for free InDesign branding templates.

What are Branding Identity Mockup Templates?

Branding identity templates are pre-designed files that allow you to showcase your branding elements in a real-world context. Whether it’s your logo playing the solo on a business card, your color palette painting the background of a website, or your typography setting the rhythm on a letterhead – mockup templates let you visualize the symphony in action!

1. Logos & Colors: See how your visual elements interact and harmonize on various platforms and materials.
2. Typography & Imagery: Visualize the rhythm and flow of your text and images across different mediums.
3. Business Collateral: Business cards, letterheads, envelopes – see your brand melody resonate in every piece.
4. Digital Presence: Witness the harmony of your brand’s digital footprint – websites, social media, and more.

It’s not just about seeing; it’s about experiencing your brand from the audience’s seats, feeling the vibes, the beats, the highs, and the lows of your brand’s symphony.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Simple and professional, these branding identity mockup templates are perfect for companies and corporations. You can pick from 3 different styles for phone, envelope, business card, and other mockups. You can hide the ones you don’t want and easily win over your audience with a photorealistic presentation!

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

The Stationery Cards Mockup Scene is a template that allows you to showcase your branding elements in a natural and minimalist setting. With customizable objects and high-resolution images, you can create a stunning presentation that beautifully showcases your brand identity.

Free to Download, in Figma Format

Spark is a free collection of branding and corporate identity mockup templates for Figma that can help you showcase your design in a professional and polished way. With various templates for different branding elements, you can create a diverse range of presentations.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

The Stationery Branding Identity Mockup is a customizable, realistic, and professional presentation template for your brand identity. You can showcase your branding elements in different contexts and ensure your brand identity is consistent and impactful.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This Stationery Branding Mockup will help showcase your branding elements professionally and realistically. And with its various objects, including documents, business cards, pencils, stamps, notebooks, and more, you can create a stunning presentation.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Minimalist and incredibly professional, these isometric corporate branding identity mockups for Photoshop are perfect for B2B audiences! Composed of crucial mockups such as stationery, business cards, small boxes, and envelopes, this set offers a simple way to showcase your design. Add it to your branding toolkit, and wow your clients!

In Photoshop PSD Format

Elegant and sophisticated, this stationary branding mockup template set is perfect for your next presentation. Pick from various elements, from standard branding mockups such as business cards and letterheads to leather files and CDs. You’ll also get five different PSD scenes – there really is something for everyone!

Free to Download, in Figma Format

This free Figma file is a branding mockup template with an extensive collection of items, including a mug, clock, pen, pencils, notepads, tote bag, flag, and more. This mockup template will allow you to create diverse branding presentations for clients.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This free dark branding mockup is a photorealistic template that allows you to showcase your branding elements in a professional and modern way. With easy-to-use smart object layers, you can customize the template to fit your brand identity and create an impressive presentation.

In Photoshop PSD Format

If you want your branding identity to shine, choose this corporate identity mockup set. With plenty of elements (which also include lanyard straps, flash drives, lighters, and more), you can make sure that your design fits your clients’ needs. Easily add your work in Photoshop, and delight your audience!

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This free photorealistic stationery branding mockup set is a collection of eight Photoshop PSD templates that can help you showcase your branding elements realistically and professionally.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This free corporate branding identity mockup is a customizable template that can help create stunning presentations for your corporate brand identity and showcase your branding elements professionally.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Photorealistic and elegant, this minimal stationery branding mockup template comes with everything you need to share your vision with the world. From flash drives and business cards to letterheads, and pens, you’ll get plenty of options to showcase your design. You can even edit background textures and colors!

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

For an elegant corporate identity, check out this business stationery mockup set. The template is free for commercial and personal use and can be edited via smart objects in Photoshop.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This free PSD stationery scene creator comes with 18 different items that you can place on the canvas as you please to create a unique presentation for a corporate identity.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Perfect for tech brands, this corporate branding identity mockup set for Photoshop has everything you need: 8 photorealistic PSD scenes, elements such as business cards and letterheads, as well as shopping bags and diaries with decorative elements. Mix and match to get beautiful results that seamlessly combine professional and practical!

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This classic branding identity mockup includes a set of stationery items as well as product tags that you can use to present a complete brand identity. The mockup includes smart layers and individual items that you can arrange to your liking.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

Try this free mockup if you’re looking for a unique way to present a brand identity. With it, you will be able to show your client how his brand will look on laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Make your branding stand out with this corporate branding identity set! It’s a perfect fit if you’re working on a corporate project and want to showcase bold logos in colors complementary to black and yellow. Add your branding to mugs, lanyards, envelopes, flash drives, and more!

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

Thanks to this branding and corporate identity mockup, you will be able to easily present any brand that needs a classic presentation. A number of different items are included that you can arrange as you like.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

Check out this stationery branding mockup if you’re looking for a dark and elegant mockup file. The template includes a variety of stationery items and smart objects for easy editing.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Photorealistic and effective, these branding and stationery mockup templates for Photoshop are perfect for putting your designs in the spotlight. Featuring elements such as business cards, pencils, and tablets, this branding identity set offers incredibly photorealistic results. You’ll get seven distinct mockups and replaceable backgrounds for beautiful presentations!

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This colorful branding mockup is an excellent choice for a vibrant and bold brand with a retro feel. Thanks to smart objects, the template is easy to edit, and you can even customize the shadows for a more realistic look.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

Use this corporate identity mockup to give a holistic overview of your brand design. The template is easily editable with smart objects and includes a complete stationery set as well as a stamp, shopping bags, USB keys, and more.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Fun yet professional, these branding stationery mockup templates offer everything you need to amaze your clients! With 7 PSD files, and plenty of elements such as papers, folders, envelopes, badges, tubes, and pencils, you’ll love showcasing your designs. You can easily change the color of backgrounds and elements!

In Photoshop PSD Format

With an already set scene and endless combinations, these branding identity mockup templates are easy to customize in Photoshop. Pick from a plethora of elements such as coffee cups, letterheads, tubes, and flash drives. Then, combine them as you see fit, replace the background texture, and have fun while presenting!

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This stationery mockup set includes a complete stationery set designed with a minimalistic approach. The template includes smart objects for easy editing, and you can even edit the shadows and the backgrounds.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

Take a look at this modern corporate identity mockup. It features a complete stationery set with a modern design and includes smart objects that make it easy to customize.

In Photoshop PSD Format

With photorealistic scenes and over 60 elements, this versatile stationery branding identity mockup creator is an absolute dreamboat. Add your designs, change the background textures and colors, add layer styles (unlimited foil stamp colors), and more! Add this set to your kit – you can use it for every project!

In Photoshop PSD Format

Realistic and personable, these office stationery branding mockup templates are perfect for friendly, down-to-Earth brands that want to emphasize their personality. With elements like letterheads and CDs and five different scenes, you can easily bring your designs closer to your audience. All it takes is a few clicks in Photoshop!

In Photoshop PSD Format

A professional flat-lay business stationery mockup set, this asset is perfect for presenting your branding identity designs in a simple and straightforward manner. You’ll get a few key elements set against a blue backdrop, such as letterheads, business cards, and envelopes, all easily customizable with Photoshop smart objects.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

This template is an excellent choice if you need a simple CV mockup. You can easily place your design via smart objects and then customize fonts, colors, and other aspects of the CV.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

Try this corporate mockup template if you need an elegant way to present your brand. The template includes a light and a dark version with a complete stationery set.

Free to Download, in Photoshop PSD Format

With this retro business card mockup, you will be able to showcase your retro business card designs with ease. The template can be edited via smart objects, and it includes two different business card sizes.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Coffee branding and merchandising have never looked this good! This gorgeous set of photorealistic coffee branding mockups comes with all the elements you need: coffee and sugar bags, cups, shopping bags, brochures, and more! And with five beautiful PSD scenes, your audience will really wake up and smell the coffee!

In Photoshop PSD Format

You’ve never seen a set of branding identity essentials as comprehensive as this one! With five different PSD mockups, and every element under the sun (from lanyards and tubes to professional business cards and journals), you’ll get everything you need for a perfect corporate branding presentation!

In Photoshop PSD Format

If you’re working with a beer brand, it’s time to display your designs in an informal setting. And nothing works better than this mockup template featuring two people clinking beer mugs. You can customize the tablet illustration, as well as the beer bottle labels. Have fun!

In Photoshop PSD Format

Elegant and depicted in earthy tones, Athena branding identity mockup templates are a perfect fit for fashion, beauty, and other aesthetically-conscious brands. You can completely customize the 11 branding mockups: adjust colors, replace the background, and add foil stamping. Make your designs shine with these stunning, photorealistic branding identity templates!

In Photoshop PSD Format

A pristine 2D and 3D corporate identity mockup templates for Photoshop, this set comes with all the essentials (tablet, phone, letterhead, business cards, envelopes, and more). You can easily customize these branding identity mockup templates with Photoshop smart objects to create professional and photorealistic presentations your corporate clients will adore.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Nothing says luxury more than this branding identity mockup set! With six high-quality background textures and 11 Photoshop elements, you can paint an atmospheric picture with your designs depicted on leather file covers, crisp envelopes, and business cards that send a clear message: this is a brand you can trust.

In Photoshop PSD Format

This simple, photorealistic branding identity mockup template set will help you create a convincing presentation! Pick from 9 incredible mockups, change the background color, and add your designs to lanyards, envelopes, business cards, and other corporate identity essentials. Save time, and showcase your work with these phenomenal corporate identity mockups!

In Photoshop PSD Format

Let your audience get up close and personal with your design through this atmospheric branding mockup kit. The scene is staged – and it’s time for your designs to shine! Change colors and backgrounds, experiment with foil stamping, and make this mockup work for you and your brand.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Envision your designs in their true environment: a desk. This corporate branding mockup allows you to add your logos and other graphics to elements such as screens (laptop, tablet, phone, and Mac), letterheads and envelopes, coffee cups, tubes, and more! Add designs in Photoshop, and your clients will love you!

In Photoshop PSD Format

Dynamic and interesting, these branding identity mockup templates are a perfect fit for engaging brands! Easily add your designs to letterheads, tri-fold brochures, calendars, hangers, and more! You’ll definitely get plenty of options, including two photorealistic scenes. Not even the sky is the limit with these branding mockups!

In Photoshop PSD Format

Create a stunning brand presentation with these beautiful branding identity mockups. Copperstone branding templates for Photoshop contain 10 PSD files, as well as plenty of options such as selective foil stamping, customizable backgrounds and colors, and more! Professionally lit, these mockups offer incredibly photorealistic results that your clients will love.

In Photoshop PSD Format

Working with a coffee brand, or just designing a visual identity for coffee lovers? These coffee branding mockup templates are the perfect choice! With plenty of elements (including coffee bags, shopping bags, and labels), and customization options for shadows, backgrounds, and colors, you’ll love creating your next branding presentation!

In Photoshop PSD Format

Can school actually be cool? You bet! These back-to-school and office supplies mockups prove that everything is possible with a design as gorgeous as yours. Pick from plenty of elements (notebooks, screens, envelopes, erasers, glue, and more), adjust the background and colors, and get ready to amaze with your presentation!

Show Your Brand’s Personality!

Your design is the first gateway to your brand. And when you’re creating branding identity materials, you have to make sure that they’re enticing and keep the prospect interested in your products.

Fortunately, you no longer have to rely on your hunch. Instead, pick one of these beautiful mockups, and show your clients how they’ll win over their customers. From coffee cups to stationery mockups, you’ll get plenty of incredible options.

More Logo Templates

Read more articles by Paul Andrew

The post 40+ Best Branding Identity Mockup Templates appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

When you have the task of looking through so many resumes, you’re not only looking for candidates with the most experience or best skills, but you’re also looking for something that makes them stand out. That is especially true when applying for jobs in the creative industry.

And that is why resume design has such an important role in the application process.

There are plenty of web-based services for creating a resume, and yes, the internet is chock full of basic resume templates. However, not many of those have been designed with creativity in mind. They certainly don’t consider modern design trends or the competitiveness of applying for a creative role.

The free resume templates for designers we have for you are the perfect starting points for creating a CV that will help you stand out and land your dream job. They have all been created by designers for designers.

Which Resume Template Format Should You Choose?

The right format depends on the application you prefer to work in and how the finished resume will be submitted. Some formats give you greater control over the layout, while others make ongoing edits easier.

• Figma: A good choice for designers who want browser-based editing, familiar layout controls, and easy PDF export.
• InDesign: Best suited to detailed page layouts, precise typography, and resumes with matching cover letters or portfolio pages.
• Illustrator: Useful for highly visual designs and custom vector graphics, although editing longer sections of text can be less convenient.
• Photoshop: Suitable for image-led layouts, but it is not always the best option for a text-heavy resume.
• Microsoft Word: Practical for frequent updates and applications that request a DOCX file. Word templates may also be easier for recruiters to open and review.

Check the required application version, included fonts, and available file types before downloading. If a template includes several formats, choose the one you already know well.

Free to Download and in Photoshop PSD Format

The Neat Resume is a contemporary, highly customizable free template with an eye-catching header, well-organized content sections, and a clean, minimalist design that focuses on beautiful typography.

In Photoshop PSD, AI & InDesign Formats

This resume template prioritizes readability, making it a polished option for creating a professional resume. In addition to a resume template, you will also get a cover letter and a printable portfolio template.

Free to Download and in Figma Format

This free resume template is simple and minimalist, with well-organized and spacious content sections. It is fully customizable in Figma, with editable colors, fonts, and layout.

In Word, Photoshop PSD, AI & InDesign Formats

This highly creative resume template features a clean, minimalist design and clearly labeled, organized layers, making it easy to customize in your favorite application.

Free to Download and in Figma Format

This professional resume template focuses on beautiful typography and perfectly laid-out content sections. In addition to the resume template, you will also get a printable portfolio template designed in the same clean style.

In Photoshop PSD, AI & Word Formats

This modern resume template has a minimalist layout with a focus on big and bold typography. It’s fully customizable to match your personal branding and includes sections for education, work experience, and skills. It also comes with a matching cover letter template.

Free to Download and in InDesign Format

This free resource is a highly customizable resume and cover letter template with a minimalist, professional design and well-organized sections to highlight your skills, education, and experience.

In Word, AI & InDesign Formats

With its focus on creativity, this resume template is perfect for designers and creatives who want to create a polished and highly professional resume.

Free to Download and in Sketch & Photoshop PSD Formats

This free resume template has a simple and stylish design, well-organized sections, and customizable Sketch and Photoshop files. Its attention to detail and readability make it an excellent option for creating a professional-looking resume.

Free to Download and in Figma Format

This free resume template has been designed for UX and UI roles with plenty of space for projects and skills. Built in Figma for easy editing. It is perfect for portfolios and product design roles.

Free to Download and in Illustrator AI Format

Whether you’re looking for your first creative job or a professional looking to update your resume, this free and highly customizable minimalistic resume is all you need to make a memorable first impression.

Free to Download and in Photoshop PSD, Sketch & Word Formats

Clean, colorful, and highly customizable, this free template is an excellent choice for creative job seekers and professionals who need to create or update their resumes quickly.

Free to Download and in Figma Format

This is a collection of 20 modern, minimally designed resume templates. All templates focus on clarity and readability, making them an excellent option for creating a professional resume in Figma.

Free to Download and in Figma Format

This collection of five free Figma resume templates features bold typography, eye-catching graphics, and minimalist layouts. It is perfect for designers, developers, and marketers looking to create a professional resume.

Free to Download and in Figma Format

This spacious resume template features a black-and-white color scheme and is perfect for highlighting your work experience, portfolio, education, and contact information.

Free to Download and in Word & InDesign Formats

Make a great first impression with this resume template, which features bold and beautiful typography. It can be edited in InDesign or Microsoft Word.

Free to Download and in Word & InDesign Formats

This minimalistic resume template has a clean design and a two-column layout. It also has plenty of room for your profile photos. This free template can be edited in InDesign and Word.

Free to Download and in Illustrator AI Format

This two-page resume template features a bold design that’s perfect for promoting your skills and projects. It can be edited in Illustrator.

Free to Download and in Photoshop PSD Format

If you want a creative resume design, take a look at this resume template. You can edit it in Photoshop and use it to apply for a job in any creative field.

Free to Download and in Photoshop PSD Format

This resume template has a clean, two-column layout that’s easy to edit. The template has been designed in Photoshop and comes with well-organized layers.

Free to Download and in Photoshop PSD Format

Check out this resume template featuring an elegant and minimalist design. This Photoshop PSD template includes a one-page resume layout and well-organized layers for easy editing.

Free to Download and in Illustrator AI Format

This resume was designed in Illustrator and contains a two-page resume and a matching cover letter template. Thanks to its minimal design, it can be used for any type of job application.

Free to Download and in Photoshop PSD & Illustrator AI Formats

This stunning resume template will capture the attention of any employer. It has a beautiful header section and uses modern, clean typography that makes an impact.

Free to Download and in Illustrator AI Format

This clean resume template has a standard two-column layout. In the larger column, you can showcase your education and work history. In the sidebar, you can share your contact information and skills. This template can be edited in Illustrator.

What to Include in a Designer Resume

A designer resume should communicate your experience quickly while giving recruiters a clear route to your work. There is no need to fill every available section if the information does not support the role.

• Name and role: State your name and the type of design position you are applying for.
• Contact details: Add a professional email address, phone number, and general location. A full postal address is rarely needed.
• Portfolio link: Place a direct link near the top of the page so it is easy to locate.
• Professional profile: Write a brief overview of your experience, specialisms, and the type of work you do.
• Work experience: List relevant roles in reverse chronological order. Include results and responsibilities rather than a list of routine tasks.
• Selected projects: Mention relevant client, freelance, or personal projects when they add useful context.
• Design skills: Include methods, disciplines, and applications that relate directly to the position.
• Education and training: Add relevant qualifications, courses, and certifications without giving them more space than your professional work.

References can be supplied when requested, so they do not need to take up room on the resume.

Final Recommendations

Choose a template that suits both your experience and the position. A recent graduate may need more room for education and selected projects, while an experienced designer will probably want greater space for employment history and results.

Treat the template as a starting point. Replace every piece of sample content, remove sections you do not need, and adjust the type sizes and spacing around your own information. Check that links work, dates follow a consistent format, and the smallest text remains comfortable to read.

Before sending the resume, review it at its actual size and ask someone else to proofread it. Export a PDF for direct applications, but keep an editable copy for future updates. If a recruitment portal requests a particular file type, follow that instruction rather than submitting the most decorative version.

A restrained design with clear information will usually serve you better than a complicated layout. The resume should give employers a useful overview of your experience, while your portfolio provides the fuller picture of your design work.

Read more articles by Paul Andrew

The post 20+ Best Free Resume Templates for Creatives in 2026 appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

Part of the challenge is that it’s not always easy to identify accessibility issues. It often requires digging deeper to find and fix them. This is where the right WordPress plugin can be useful.

Some plugins allow users to adjust visual elements like font size and color contrast. Even better, some scan your content and alert you to problems. You might be surprised to find out how many issues can pop up in your theme and other installed plugins. The results may lead you to consider different options.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best WordPress accessibility plugins on the market. They won’t fix every issue, but they can help you learn and improve your site.

Accessibility Checker isn’t a band-aid for your site’s shortcomings. However, it will add missing skip links, focus outlines, and form labels upon request. It also scans your site’s content and creates a laundry list of potential issues. It catches common problems, such as ambiguous link text and missing ALT attributes.

Like all automated tools, you may find some false-positive results. As such, a manual inspection is required to verify them. But the plugin offers tips for fixing any issues it finds. The free version scans your site’s pages and posts, while the pro version includes custom post types and other handy features.

Use WP Accessibility to fix common issues, such as missing language/text direction attributes, missing ARIA labels for navigation, and viewports that don’t scale. It will also enforce ALT attributes in the editor and identify media with missing descriptive text.

These are optional and can be activated as needed. The other big feature here is a front-end toolbar that controls page zooming and color contrast. This gives users more control over how they view your site.

We’re starting to see AI used for a variety of purposes, including accessibility improvements. Alt Text AI automatically analyzes uploaded images and generates an ALT description.

The feature can save you a lot of time and effort – just be sure to double-check to ensure the description is accurate. Note that the plugin requires purchasing AI “credits” to work. There’s a free trial for trying the plugin before you buy.

Are you looking to provide visitors with accessibility options? This plugin adds a widget with a variety of optional feature modules. Users can change the font size and contrast. But there are also tools for switching to a dyslexia-friendly font, highlighting titles, and pausing animations.

You’ll also find a feature that helps you create an accessibility statement. Experiment to see which features will benefit your visitors.

Accessibility is about more than fixing issues – it’s also about adding accessible features. SimpleTOC creates a WCAG 2.2-conforming table of contents for your content. It’s a great way to help users navigate longer pages and blog posts. By default, the plugin adds zero CSS or JavaScript to your site.

Instead, it relies on HTML details and summary tags, which work natively in your browser. When it comes to accessibility, simple is always better.

Media embeds, particularly from third-party services, can be difficult to use. Some are bloated with JavaScript and other code that inhibit accessibility. Able Player offers an accessibility-first solution and implements an HTML5 media player via a configurable shortcode.

It works with locally uploaded files and videos from YouTube and Vimeo. The shortcode offers several options impacting the style and functionality of the player.

Leave No User Behind

Accessibility is not a “nice-to-have” feature – it’s an obligation. It’s also an ongoing process that requires your attention. Thankfully, there are tools to help you find potential issues and fix the most common ones. The WordPress plugins above will help you in your quest. Bonus: Some will add accessible elements that benefit everyone.

No singular plugin can make your site fully accessible. But they can make your job easier. We hope you find a solution to do just that.

Website Accessibility Plugins at a Glance

The post 6 Best WordPress Plugins for Improving Website Accessibility in 2026 appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

The best thing about Lightroom presets is that they can save you time in your editing workflow. Instead of spending hours modifying settings and experimenting with different effects, you can simply apply a preset and see how it looks. If you’re a photographer, designer, or someone who works with digital photos, Lightroom presets can be a valuable tool in your toolbox.

One of the great things about Lightroom presets is that they’re not just limited to desktop editing. With the rise of mobile photography, presets are also available for mobile versions of Lightroom. This means you can edit your photos on the go and produce professional-looking results without carrying around a heavy laptop.

One thing to note is that presets are different from LUTs. The main difference between LUTs and presets is that LUTs apply a specific color grading or effect to your photos, while presets adjust individual Lightroom settings to achieve a specific style or aesthetic. LUTs are less flexible, while presets offer more customization options.

Finding the best Lightroom presets can be challenging because you need to sift through many lower-quality options. This extensive collection highlights some of the best free Lightroom presets you can download. With the right presets and a little practice, you can create stunning photos.

If you’re new to Lightroom or presets in general, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn. You could start with our very own collection of Lightroom tutorials.

Film Effect Lightroom Presets

With these Lightroom presets, your digital photos can take on a film-like quality. While the effects may be subtle, they can bring out the beauty of your photos and give them a classic look.

Cinematic Photo Effect Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

With this free set of eight Lightroom presets, you can quickly recreate the intriguing effects found in arthouse movies. From moody and atmospheric to stark and cinematic, these free presets offer a range of dramatic effects that will transform your photos with just a few clicks.

Film Emulation Lightroom Presets

This Lightroom preset will replicate the aesthetic qualities of iconic films from Kodak, Fujifilm, and Agfa. This one-click wonder dips your photography into a variety of retro styles.

Retro Film Lightroom Presets

Offering ten vintage-inspired portrait photography styles, these Lightroom presets blend today’s moments with yesterday’s retro style. They are perfect for photographers looking for a light, nostalgic touch.

Fuji Astia Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

Fuji Astia is an undervalued gem in Fujifilm’s lineup. This free preset will subtly make your photographs beautiful and is incredibly useful when you want flattering, natural tones.

35mm Film Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

The 35mm collection of free presets adds subtle grain and color edits to your photos, giving them a classic cinema look and feel. They will add a touch of dreaminess to your shots.

Vibrant Fujifilm Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

This free Lightroom preset will give your shots that vintage-inspired Fujifilm color effect everybody loves. It adds a little extra brightness and vibrancy, making your photos look amazing.

Portrait Lightroom Presets

Whether you want to improve the styling of your portrait photography or make your selfies a little better, these Lightroom presets are the solution you need. They will all add a professional touch to your photos.

Instagram Selfie Lightroom Preset for Desktop & Mobile

Free to Download

This free Lightroom preset can take your self-portraits to a new level of professionalism. With its natural look, this preset will add a touch of refinement to your photos.

Minimalist Portrait Lightroom Presets

Minimalist Portrait is a collection of Lightroom presets for portrait photographers who want to envelop their subjects in minimalism and warm tones. With a focus on natural light, this preset offers a subtle, clean aesthetic.

Skin Tone Lightroom Presets for Mobile & Desktop

Free to Download

Designed to preserve your subjects’ natural skin tones, these free presets can give your portraits a polished, professional look.

Portraiture Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

Transform your portraits with these free Lightroom presets. Each preset blends and optimizes light, tone, and color for different scenes and conditions, producing a distinct style for headshots, selfies, and studio portraits.

Seasonal Effect Lightroom Presets

No matter the season, these Lightroom presets will give your photographs a refined color effect. With subtle adjustments that don’t overpower your photos, these presets will improve the mood and style of your photos.

Autumn Color Boost HDR Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

This free HDR Lightroom preset will bring your autumn photos to life. Designed to work on the dynamic range and colors of your fall shots, this preset can bring out the best in your photos with just a few clicks.

Autumn Forest Desktop & Mobile Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

This free Lightroom preset collection will add a touch of moodiness to your forest and nature photos. Small but mighty, these presets create striking effects that produce an immersive atmosphere.

High Dynamic Range Effect Lightroom Presets

One of Lightroom’s greatest strengths is its ability to expand the dynamic range of your photos, bringing out detail even in the most challenging lighting conditions. While the latest version includes a new HDR merge feature, it requires multiple exposures of the same scene. Fortunately, these presets can create an HDR-like effect with just a single photo, allowing you to quickly achieve amazing results.

HDR Pro Lightroom Presets

The HDR Pro collection includes 10 presets, including black & white, sepia, saturated colors, and shadow effects. Excellent for bringing out the details and contrasts in your photos.

Cinematic HDR Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

This dramatic HDR Lightroom preset will take your landscape and nature photos to the next level. It will add drama and beauty to your outdoor shots by enhancing tone and contrast.

Black & White HDR Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

Designed to work on the deep, beautiful blacks in your photos, this HDR preset makes it easy to apply a range of black and white effects to any photo.

Color Effect Lightroom Presets

Lightroom offers various options for working with color. You can add vibrancy to dull photos, create a vintage aesthetic, and adjust colors in highly creative ways. All of these presets let you quickly add creative color effects to your photos.

Urban Soot Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

Urban Soot is a free collection of 10 Lightroom presets that add an atmospheric, cinematic feel to your street photography. They’re very simple presets, but effective.

Cyberpunk Color Effect Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

Transform night photos with this free Lightroom preset that will give your shots a cyberpunk twist. Whether you want to add an edgy and futuristic feel or create a striking and dramatic effect, this preset is what you want.

Blvck Paris Black Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

Inspired by the dark, luxurious style of the BLVCK PARIS clothing brand, this preset is for photographers looking to add sophistication to their urban shots.

Cyberpunk Lightroom Presets

Take your photography into the future with these Cyberpunk Lightroom presets. Designed to create the iconic cyberpunk style effect, these presets will give your photos a vibrant yet dystopian feel.

Flames Mobile & Desktop Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

This free preset will quickly convert your photos into a soothing, warm aesthetic. It provides the starting point for creating photos that truly capture the essence of your subjects.

Vivid Brown Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

Are you looking for a preset that will add a touch of warmth to your photos? These brown Lightroom presets are just what you need.

One Click Wonder Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

Are you struggling to find the perfect style for your photos? Look no further than this versatile Lightroom preset. Designed to give your editing process a head start, it includes the most common adjustments to transform a RAW file from flat to amazing.

Bright, Colorful & Vibrant Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

Are you looking to add energy and vibrancy to your photos? Look no further than these free Lightroom presets. Designed to brighten your pictures with vivid color accents, these presets are for photographers who want to add excitement to their shots.

Edgy & Intense Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

Do you want to add an edgy or intense effect to your photos? Check out this collection of fifteen Lightroom presets. They’re designed to help you create photos that capture your subjects with boldness and intensity.

B&W Effect Lightroom Presets

Converting a color photo to black and white in Lightroom is fairly easy, but the results can be lackluster without additional adjustments.

To make your black-and-white photos truly stand out, you need these Lightroom presets. You can transform your photos into striking monochromes with just a few clicks.

Black & White Deluxe Edition for Lightroom

Dive into classic monochrome with Black & White Deluxe Edition. These presets are ideal for photographers looking for professional-grade black-and-white effects. They will transform your shots with nuanced contrasts.

Contrast Noir Lightroom Preset

Free to Download

Black and white doesn’t have to mean boring. Contrast Noir converts your images to monochrome with added punch. It’s ideal for helping make an impact, even without color.

B&W Berkeley Mobile & Desktop Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

This preset will not only convert your photos to black and white but also give them a charming vintage effect. It is easy to apply and customize.

Nostalgia Effect Lightroom Presets

These Lightroom presets are the perfect solution if you’re looking for a vintage or retro aesthetic. They can quickly transform your photos into a classic, timeless look.

Dark Vintage Lightroom Presets

The Dark Vintage Lightroom presets are for bloggers and photographers who want to add a moody, vintage feel to their photos.

Warm Retro Mobile & Desktop Preset

Free to Download

This collection of free Lightroom presets will add a warm, vintage feel to your photos. They’re ideal for portraits, landscapes, and more.

Adventure Lightroom Presets

These travel and adventure Lightroom presets are for those who love to explore and document the world around them. They offer a range of effects that will add drama to your travel photos.

Lightroom Presets for Travelers & Bloggers

Free to Download

Created for travelers, this collection of 14 free Lightroom presets will bring your beautiful landscape photos to life and make them truly memorable.

ARTA Traveling Presets for Lightroom

These Lightroom presets, created for modern travelers, will sprinkle contemporary colors throughout your photos. They’re ideal for travel and lifestyle bloggers.

The Tropics Travel & Nature Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

The Tropics is a collection of 11 free presets for travelers that add green and yellow tones to your photos, giving them an instant tropical look and feel.

Astro & Space Lightroom Presets

Take your astrophotography to the next level with these Lightroom presets. Designed to bring out the beauty of the galaxy, these presets offer a range of effects that will add depth, contrast, and vibrancy to your photos.

Astrophotography & Night Sky Desktop & Mobile Lightroom Presets

Free to Download

If you’re looking for a preset that will bring out all of the tiny details of our universe, then these ten free Lightroom presets are what you need. They have been specifically created for Astro and long-exposure photography.

50 Galaxy LUTs Pack for Lightroom

Journey to the stars with this space photography preset pack. Explore the cosmos and let your photos capture the beauty of our galaxy.

VSCO Lightroom Presets

These VSCO Lightroom presets replicate the aesthetics of analog film photography. They offer a variety of color schemes and tones, allowing you to quickly apply film-inspired effects.

Cinematic VSCO Lightroom Presets

Improve your travel, lifestyle, or portrait photography with these VSCO Lightroom presets. They are for photographers looking for a professional aesthetic.

VSCO Beauty Lightroom Presets

Improve your portrait photography with these VSCO portrait presets. With matte textures and subtle grain, you can give your portrait photos a dramatic, warm, and soft aesthetic.

How to Install Lightroom Presets

Importing and applying a Lightroom preset to a photo is a simple process. Here are the steps:

1. Open Adobe Lightroom: Launch Lightroom on your computer.
2. Import Your Photo: Import the photo you want to edit into your Lightroom library. You can do this by clicking the Import button and selecting the photo from your computer.
3. Navigate to the Develop Module: Click on the Develop module in the top-right corner of the Lightroom interface to access the editing tools.
4. Open the Presets Panel: In the left panel, click on the Presets tab to open the Presets panel.
5. Locate & Expand Preset Groups: In the Presets panel, you’ll see a list of preset groups (folders) on the left side. Expand the preset group that contains the preset you want to apply.
6. Preview the Presets: Hover your mouse over different presets within the group to see a preview of how they will affect your photo.
7. Apply the Preset: Click on the preset you want to apply to your photo, and Lightroom will instantly apply the preset’s adjustments to your photo.
8. Fine-Tune the Edit (Optional): After applying the preset, you can make additional adjustments to your photo using the editing tools.
9. Export or Save the Edited Photo: Once you’re satisfied with the edits, you can export the edited photo or save it to your Lightroom library.

How to Create a Lightroom Preset

Creating your own Lightroom presets lets you apply consistent, customized edits to your photos with just a click. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can create your own presets:

1. Edit a Photo: Open a photo in Lightroom that you want to use as the basis for your preset.
2. Apply Edits: Make the desired adjustments and edits to the photo’s exposure, color, tone, and other settings until you achieve the desired look.
3. Access Develop Module: Click on the Develop module to access the editing tools.
4. Open Presets Panel: In the left panel, find the Presets tab and click on it to open the Presets panel.
5. Create New Preset Group (Optional): Right-click on an existing preset group or click the + button to create a new preset group (folder) to organize your presets.
6. Create New Preset: Right-click within the Presets panel or click the + button in the group you created to create a new preset.
7. Name Your Preset: Give your preset a descriptive and memorable name that reflects the adjustments you’ve made.
8. Choose Settings to Include: In the New Develop Preset dialog box, check the boxes next to the settings you want to include in your preset. This can include adjustments like exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, color balance, and more.
9. Save Your Preset: Save the preset by clicking the Create button.
10. Apply Your Preset: Open another photo in Lightroom then go to the Develop module. In the Presets panel, find the group you created, then click your custom preset to apply the saved adjustments to the new photo.
11. Fine-Tune & Adjust: If needed, adjust the settings on the new photo to ensure that the preset works well through different images and lighting conditions.
12. Save & Organize: As you create more presets, you can organize them into different groups to keep your workflow efficient.
13. Export & Share (Optional): If you want to use your presets on another computer or share them with others, you can export the preset files and import them into different Lightroom installations.

More Lightroom Presets

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The post 30+ Best Free Lightroom Presets for Photographers in 2026 appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

Our collection offers a range of filters to give your photos soft palettes, gentle fades, and other quaint effects. From landscapes to portraits, you can create an authentic vintage aesthetic with just a few clicks.

These actions can help recreate the look of a vintage postcard or an old family album or bring the style of a bygone era to your modern images.

This collection has the best Photoshop actions and presets to streamline your workflow and help you achieve the vintage look you want. Find the perfect action for your next project below!

If you’re looking for more vintage or retro resources, you might like our free collections of Photoshop brushes, vector templates, or fonts.

Light leaks, date stamps, and more! This retro Photoshop action collection has everything you need for nostalgic photographs. You’ll get 15 retro film Photoshop actions inspired by vintage camera styles, ten light leak overlays, and more. If you love retro, add this pack to your kit!

Capture stunning shots and add indie charm to them with these Photoshop actions. This collection includes 17 actions, over 110 gradient maps, and 21 PNG light leak effects. Perfect for creating a nostalgic atmosphere for your portfolios, magazines, and social media images.

With these Photoshop actions, you can transform your photos into watercolor art or give them a vintage atmosphere. This set includes Photoshop brushes, patterns, 20 actions, and everything you need to create vintage. With one click, you’re ready to go!

With these Photoshop actions, you will get authentic retro contrasts and vignetting. This set includes ten actions to create an analog film atmosphere in your images, perfect for portfolios, magazines, and social media. You’ll love the subtle retro tones.

All you need to travel back in time is Photoshop and these vintage actions. This collection helps you transform your standard photos into vintage works of art. You can fine-tune the actions’ details to get old camera effects or create a full-on masterpiece.

From the faded ’60s to the vibrant ’70s, this set of retro Photoshop actions has every old-school aesthetic you’d ever want! It includes seven editable Photoshop actions, textures, and light leak overlays. Easily create a beautiful lookbook, image, or poster!

Elegant and authentic, these retro text effects for Photoshop are perfect for your next project. Drawing inspiration from the 50s and 60s aesthetics, in this pack, you’ll get ten unique 3D styles, and they’re 100% editable.

Create Polaroid photos without a Polaroid camera! This Photoshop generator will give you a vibrant Lomography effect that replicates the original styling of Polaroid photos. You can also choose a colorful frame and add special effects like fisheye.

Transform your photo into a work of art with this vintage art Photoshop action set. The action pack also includes brushes, splashes, and color grading, so you can easily give your modern photos a vintage look.

Perfect for wedding photographers, these vintage Photoshop actions will give your clients an unforgettable wedding album. They will give your original shots a soft and gentle look and feel.

Give your photos a retro touch with these light leak Photoshop presets. They’re ideal for retro-themed photos and add vintage charm to adventure shots. You’ll get 25 light leak effects to work with.

You don’t need to travel back in time with your camera to create stunning retro videos. Use these animated retro vintage film Photoshop actions. You’ll get 24 color options with animated light leaks, camera shakes, and other effects.

These stunning photo effect actions allow you to create vintage photos and graphics quickly. Download them to add vintage charm with just a few clicks. They’re perfect for stylish fashion editorials and engaging social media posts.

Stylish and authentic, these retro and vintage text Photoshop actions are perfect for old-school typography. You’ll get 18 high-quality Photoshop actions that offer creative text effects for a variety of projects, from flyers and posters to cinematic titles and covers. You can easily use them via smart objects.

Create gorgeous graphics with these vintage text effects. Nine styles are included, from old-school cafe signs to funky 3D text effects. The smart objects system in Photoshop allows you to easily add your own content with just a few clicks.

Get perfect toning with these vintage and retro color effects for Photoshop! This pack includes 21 effects, as well as creative effects like vignettes, noise effects, and more.

Turn your original photos into vintage art with this retro Photoshop action. In just a few clicks, you can transform your images into masterpieces with vintage splashes, typography, effects, and colors.

These vintage film Photoshop actions are perfect for professional photoshoots. You’ll get ten actions to create a vintage atmosphere while retaining the beauty of your original shots. They have been inspired by analog films such as Agfa, Fujifilm, and Kodak.

Create retro prints with these Photoshop actions. Inspired by retro art, this collection includes brushes and patterns to create unique effects. All you have to do is brush over the parts of the image you want to transform and play the action.

How to Install Photoshop Actions

1. Open Photoshop: Launch Photoshop.
2. Locate Actions Panel: In Photoshop, you’ll find the Actions panel. You can usually find it by going to the Window menu and selecting Actions.
3. Load Actions: Go to the Actions panel. Click on the little menu icon (usually represented by three horizontal lines or dots) at the top-right corner of the panel. From the dropdown menu, select Load Actions. A file dialog box will appear. Navigate to the location where the .atn file is saved, select it, and click Load.
4. New Actions Set: Once you’ve loaded the actions, you’ll see them appear in the Actions panel as a new set. The set will have a folder icon and the name of the action set.
5. Apply Actions: To use the installed actions, open an image you want to edit in Photoshop. Then, select the action you want to apply from the list in the Actions panel.
6. Run the Action: Click on the action name, and you’ll see the play button at the bottom of the Actions panel. Click this button, and Photoshop will automatically apply the selected action to your image.
7. Adjust Settings: Some actions may have customizable settings. If so, double-click on the action name to access these settings and make adjustments as needed.
8. Save Your Work: Once you’re happy with the edits made by the action, make sure to save your image using the File menu in Photoshop.

A Touch of Retro & Vintage Charm

This collection of Photoshop actions has everything you need to give your photos and graphics a retro or vintage touch.

Versatile and user-friendly, these actions will streamline your workflow and help simplify the editing process. With just a couple of clicks, you can transform your work into beautiful, timeless art.

More Photoshop Actions

Read more articles by Paul Andrew

The post 20+ Best Photoshop Actions for Retro & Vintage Photo Effects appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

Keynote is a powerful presentation application that is part of the Apple iWork productivity suite. It offers various features that allow you to quickly create beautiful slideshow presentations.

In this collection, we have the best free Keynote templates for you to download and use. These templates can be used for various purposes, from business presentations and investor pitches to proposals and portfolios.

So why not take advantage of these free keynote slideshow templates and save yourself some time and effort?

If you’re looking to take your presentations to the next level, you might also like our collection of Keynote tutorials.

Packaged with over 90 slides and three color options, Muli is a beautifully designed Keynote template that can be used for various project types or purposes.

Created by Rits Studio, Softly is a classically designed free Keynote template with an impressive 60 individual slides that are all completely editable.

Drawing inspiration from the metaverse, Virtual for Keynote is a beautifully designed presentation template with over ninety easy-to-edit slides.

Blanc embodies minimalism. Its stylish and spacious design ensures your presentation content shines, offering clarity without clutter. For slides that resonate with simplicity, Blanc is your top pick.

Xiumin Urban is a bright, bold, and ultra-modern free template for Keynote. It would be perfect for edgier design presentations. This template is also available for PowerPoint.

Every is a minimally designed free Keynote template that would be perfect as a base for any creative or business presentation. It has been built using the golden grid system.

Perfect for minimalists, the multi-purpose Envirion template comes with 38 beautifully designed slides and can be used to create presentations for many different business types.

Designed in a bold and playful style, Circle Brand is a free Keynote template for making a memorable statement. It is also available for PowerPoint.

With 28 slides, 400+ icons, and all the components needed to create a detailed presentation, this Keynote template is perfect for most creative and business purposes.

Merging modern elegance with a clean design, this free Keynote template ensures your presentation stands out.

Born Ink is a free Keynote template with ten slides and a muted color scheme. It would be perfect for any type of business or presentation.

The free Keynote template Montana has been designed with simplicity in mind, giving you the base to edit the fonts, color schemes, and content to make a stunning presentation in no time.

This free version of the Geometry Keynote template comes with 25 slides, enough for creating most creative presentations. It has a professional and modern design.

Balance is a modern and minimalist Keynote template. It has 145+ unique slides and fully editable shapes and icons. The template was designed in widescreen format.

Appo 3.0 is a free Keynote template designed for the modern presenter. Its clean and professional style makes it an excellent choice for those wanting to communicate clearly and effectively. Simplicity meets style.

The Agency Keynote template is an excellent choice for an agency or freelance designer looking for an attractive, modern presentation template. It comes with 21 unique slides and subtle slide animations.

With bold typography and minimally designed components, Pattern is a free Keynote template that allows you to create a stunning presentation quickly.

This free Keynote template stands out from the rest thanks to its beautiful typography and stunning color schemes. You can also download the PowerPoint version if you need to.

Created by David Felipe, this free Keynote template offers a minimal and spacious layout with bold typography, giving you a simple base for quickly creating your next presentation.

If you need to create a professional proposal or share detailed data with your clients, the free Keynote template Yellue is exactly what you need.

Ultra-modern, bold, and memorable, Altezza is a beautifully designed free Keynote template that would be perfect for any creative presentation.

Self One is a free Keynote template (email required for the download) that packs every possible slide so that you can quickly create a detailed and beautiful presentation for your new mobile app.

The free Keynote template Easy is packed full of all the easy-to-edit slides you need to create a detailed business presentation. It is perfect for building a quick slide deck.

Space is a free Keynote template with a modern design. It has over 40 colors and 100 unique slides with thousands of custom icons. The template is easy to edit, and it uses free Google Fonts.

This pastel Keynote presentation is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a soft and gentle presentation template. It includes several slides and various presentation elements, such as icons and charts.

This presentation template has a stylish and minimal design. It’s an excellent choice for fashion or beauty presentations. It features large images, perfect for showcasing your fashion and jewelry pieces.

The Voodoo template for Keynote has a clean design. It includes 100 animated slides, bonus icon packs, and 40 color themes, which you can use as a starting point for your next presentation.

The Blockchain Keynote template offers 135 unique slides, all based on master slides for easier editing. The template also has an impressive number of icons and graphics you can use throughout your presentation.

Planets is another modern and minimalist Keynote template. It includes 150 slides, light and dark versions, and has been designed in widescreen resolution.

The Balance is a minimal Keynote template. Thanks to its simple design, it can be used for any type of presentation and comes with over 18 unique slides, drag-and-drop object placeholders, and resizable vector elements.

As the name suggests, this template features a duotone color scheme, a trend that has been gaining in popularity over the last few years. This free template has an impressive number of pre-designed slides – over 132, and you’ll also get a duotone Photoshop action as a bonus.

If you’re looking to create a presentation with a feminine and elegant feel, take a look at this free Keynote template. It features 21 pre-designed slides and beautiful typography.

The Basics template comes with 31 pre-designed slides and drag-and-drop object placeholders, so you can easily replace the demo content with your own.

This template includes over 6000 icons, Venn diagrams, vertical and horizontal timelines, and more.

The ProBusiness template has a professional and corporate feel, so it’s perfect for your corporate clients who need a presentation that matches their company’s image.

This template includes drag-and-drop placeholders, vector icons, and a widescreen layout.

If you want to use Keynote to make proposals for your clients, consider the Business Proposal template. It has an impressive selection of premade slides and includes elements such as section breaks, text and image slides, and various diagrams like timelines, graphs, and charts.

The Air template includes stunning full-width placeholders for images and split-screen layouts that are perfect for showing off your portfolio or other designs. It also features beautiful typography, more than 60 premade slides, and 450 vector icons as a bonus.

The Eva Keynote template is an excellent choice for working with clients in the fashion and photography industry. Its layout and overall design are perfect for creating a slideshow portfolio.

You can also use this template for your own design business. This Keynote template includes more than 200 slides, a light and dark color scheme, and 250+ vector icons.

This Keynote template is perfect for when you need to make an impression on potential clients, investors, or partners. The free template includes a variety of slides to present facts about your company, your team members, and any other information you need to include for a successful presentation.

The last template in our collection, X, offers 18+ unique creative slides and features a clean and fresh design. The template comes in a 16:9 format and includes drag-and-drop placeholders and resizable vector elements such as icons, maps, charts, and more.

How to Import & Install a Keynote Template

1. Download the Template: Find and download the Keynote template file you want to use from the collection above.
2. Locate the Template File: Once downloaded, locate the template file on your computer. It’s usually in a .key or .keynote format.
3. Open Keynote: Launch Apple Keynote on your computer.
4. Create a New Presentation: You can either open an existing presentation or create a new one to apply the new template to.
5. Access Themes & Slide Masters: Go to the View tab in the Keynote menu and select Show Master Slides.
6. Import the Template: In the Master Slides view, go to the Slide Master menu and select Choose… or Import Theme. Navigate to your downloaded template file and select it.
7. Customize and Apply: The template’s master slides will be added to your Master Slides view. You can customize the template by editing text, images, colors, fonts, and other elements in the master slides.
8. Exit Master Slides View: Once you’ve customized the master slides, go back to the normal view by closing the Master Slides view.
9. Apply the Template to Your Presentation: With the template master slides available, you can now apply them to your presentation. Go to the slide where you want to use the template’s design. Go to the Format tab in the Keynote menu and select Slide Background & Border. Choose the template’s background from the list of master slide backgrounds.
10. Repeat for Other Slides: You can repeat the process of applying the template design to other slides in your presentation.
11. Save Your Presentation: After applying the template and making the necessary adjustments, save your presentation.

More Presentation Templates

Read more articles by Paul Andrew

The post 40+ Best Free Keynote Templates for Creative Presentations in 2026 appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

Designers have spent years saying they would do better work if the organisation got out of the way. Not always in those exact words, obviously. It usually comes out as something more reasonable: we didn’t get enough engineering time, product had already decided the solution, the roadmap was too packed, leadership only cared about this quarter’s numbers, research got cut, the experiment was never run properly, the design debt was known about, but nobody wanted to spend a sprint fixing it.

Much of this is true. Most designers have worked inside that awkward middle space between product and engineering. Product frames the problem, or at least thinks it does. Engineering decides what is feasible, or at least what is affordable. Design is expected to make the thing clearer, simpler, more coherent, more usable, and occasionally more desirable, while also being careful not to disrupt the plan too much.

That position has always been uncomfortable.

Designers are told to think strategically, but often lack the power to act strategically.

They can spot the broken onboarding flow, the confusing upgrade path, the empty state that makes users feel stupid, the feature that looks reasonable in a product review but makes no sense in real use. Seeing the problem is one thing. Getting it fixed is another.

So design often becomes an argument. You make the case. You annotate the flow. You bring the research clip. You point to the support tickets. You show the Figma prototype. You explain why the “small edge case” is actually the first-run experience for half your new users. Then everyone nods, agrees it matters, and moves on to whatever had already made it onto the roadmap.

This is one reason AI is more interesting for design than the usual “will it replace designers?” debate suggests. The real change is not that designers can make more screens. Nobody needs more screens. The interesting change is that designers may need less permission.

The Bull Case: Designers Need Less Permission

A good designer can now move from “we should fix this” to “I fixed this, and pushed it live.” They can prototype the alternative onboarding flow, write and test clearer product copy, build a rough working version of the interaction, clean up small pieces of design debt without waiting three months for a roadmap slot, and make the better thing visible enough that it becomes harder to ignore.

That changes the politics of the work. Design has often relied on persuasion because designers lacked direct means of production. AI weakens that dependency. Not everywhere, and not for everything. Complex products still have architecture, infrastructure, data models, permissions, security, compliance, legacy systems, and all the other unglamorous reasons software is hard. But the boundary is moving.

More of the gap between having the idea and making the idea real can now be crossed by a motivated designer with the right tools.

In this version of the future, designers become less permission-dependent: less reliant on product to bless the problem, less reliant on engineering to make every small improvement real, less trapped in the role of internal critic, taste-provider, or Figma operator. More able to make, test, repair, and ship.

The best designers start to look less like traditional product designers and more like hybrid product leaders. They still care about interaction, hierarchy, language, flow, brand and craft, but they also understand the commercial shape of the problem. They can make trade-offs. They can prototype in code, or close enough to code. They can use AI to explore options quickly, then use judgment to throw most of them away. They can sit with a founder or PM and move from a vague product concern to something tangible by the end of the day.

There may be fewer of these people, but they will be harder to ignore. The current design-org model was partly built around scarcity: scarce engineering time, slow production, expensive prototypes, handoffs between specialists, heavy coordination across teams. If AI reduces some of that scarcity, it probably reduces the need for some of the roles that grew around it. The optimistic case is not that every designer keeps their job and gets a productivity boost. That feels like wishful thinking. The more believable version is that the total number of designers goes down, but the designers who remain have more direct influence over the product.

That is not a bad outcome for the strongest designers. It may even be the thing many of them have wanted for years.

The Bear Case: Autonomy Exposes The Gaps

Autonomy has teeth. If AI gives designers more room to act, it also removes some of the cover. The same constraints that held good designers back have also protected weaker ones from being tested too directly.

For years, it has been easy to say: I had a better idea, but we never got the engineering time. Sometimes that was exactly what happened. Sometimes the better idea was never really more than a critique. It had not been made concrete. It had not been tested. It had not dealt with the awkward trade-offs. It sounded strong because it lived safely in opposition to the shipped thing.

A lot of designers are good at noticing what is wrong. Fewer are good at deciding what should happen instead. Fewer still can make that alternative real enough for other people to judge. AI will expose this gap.

If you can prototype the recommendation, the recommendation has to get better. If you can make the alternative flow, the flow has to survive contact with details. If you can test the product copy, you have to care what happens when users read it. If you can fix the small piece of design debt, you have to decide whether it was really worth fixing.

Some designers are not as strategic as they think they are. They have learned the language of strategy without the discomfort of owning outcomes. They can talk about user needs, business goals, systems thinking, and product quality, but struggle when asked to make a call. They want influence, but not the exposure that comes with it.

The profession has spent a long time arguing that design deserves more power. Fine. But more power means fewer excuses. It means the work is judged less by the elegance of the argument and more by the quality of the thing you made, tested, or changed. That is a better standard, but it will not be kind to everyone.

There is a second bear case, and it is probably the one large design teams should worry about most. Product and engineering already have more institutional power than design in most companies. They own the roadmap, the technical architecture, the sprint machinery, the metrics, and usually the language leadership understands. Design often has to translate its concerns into someone else’s terms before they count.

AI may not rebalance that power. It may hand product and engineering enough design capability to make design easier to bypass. A PM who can generate a decent flow, decent copy, and a decent prototype may not feel the same need to involve design early. An engineer who can use AI to produce a reasonable interface may decide the design system covers enough of the decision-making. A founder who can get to a polished demo in an afternoon may confuse polish with product thinking.

The problem is not that these people will suddenly become great designers. The problem is that many companies do not know the difference between great design and plausible design. Plausible design is dangerous. It looks coherent in a product review. It uses the right components. The spacing is fine. The copy is not embarrassing. The flow mostly works. Nobody in the meeting feels strongly enough to object. So it ships.

A lot of bad product decisions already survive because they look plausible. AI will produce more of them. This is where design could lose ground quickly: not because taste, judgment, research, and interaction thinking stop mattering, but because the visible outputs of design become easier for other functions to imitate.

If a company already thinks design is mostly screens, prototypes, and polish, AI gives it a cheaper way to get those things.

In that world, design does not gain more agency. It gets narrowed. The remaining designers manage the design system, police component usage, review flows that have already been decided, tidy the interface, maintain brand consistency, and get pulled into high-stakes launches, executive demos, and the occasional messy cross-platform problem. Useful work, but a smaller surface area. Less shaping the product, more maintaining the furniture.

This is why the “AI will automate the boring 20%” argument feels too comforting. In some companies, perhaps that is what happens. But in large tech organisations, where design teams grew around coordination, production and process, the cut could be much deeper. Not 20%. Maybe 50%. Maybe more. Especially in places where leadership never really understood why the design team had grown so large in the first place.

Where I Think We Might End Up

The painful part is that both futures can be true at the same time. AI can make the best designers more capable and many average designers less necessary. It can give design more agency while reducing design headcount. It can help a small number of designers move closer to product leadership while pushing others into governance and clean-up work. It can free designers from waiting for permission, then reveal that some were more comfortable waiting than acting.

The designers who do well will not be the ones who merely use AI to produce more options. Options are cheap now. They will be the ones who know which option is worth pursuing, why it matters, how to test it, what to cut, where the product is lying to itself, and when “good enough” is quietly damaging the business.

They will have taste, but taste will not be enough. They will need product judgment, technical curiosity, commercial awareness and the nerve to make decisions before every variable is settled. They will need to be comfortable moving between a customer conversation, a prototype, a pricing concern, a brand question, and a messy implementation detail without insisting that all of those belong to someone else.

I’m not completely sure where we end up. I hope it is closer to the bull case: fewer permission structures, more making, more agency, better designers finally able to show what they can do without being held back by the machinery around them.

I fear it may be closer to the bear case: product and engineering absorb much of the work, companies decide plausible design is good enough, and design loses status, headcount, and strategic ground.

In reality, it will probably be some uncomfortable mix of the two. Some designers will use AI to gain more agency. Some companies will use it to need fewer designers. Some teams will produce better work because the distance between judgment and execution gets shorter. Others will ship more plausible mediocrity because nobody in the room can tell the difference.

For years, designers have said they could create more value if they were less constrained by the organisation around them. AI is about to test that claim. Some will finally get to prove it. Some will find out the constraints were doing them a favour.

Further Resources

• “Good from Afar, But Far from Good: AI Prototyping in Real Design Contexts,” Huei-Hsin Wang and Megan Brown (NN/Group)
  Lately, the UX design field has been flooded with AI-powered prototyping tools that generate interfaces instantly from natural-language prompts. Despite the massive marketing hype, this evaluation with real design scenarios revealed that while these tools can follow instructions to achieve a general goal, they often lack the sophistication to weigh design tradeoffs and to produce thoughtful, high-quality designs without extensive guidance from humans.
• “AI Design Tools Are Marginally Better: Status Update,” Megan Brown, Caleb Sponheim and Taylor Dykes (NN/Group)
  AI-powered design tools have improved, but we’re still nowhere near the usefulness we’ve been promised, nor are design professionals yet in danger of being replaced by AI. This article reviews in detail several tools and some specific AI-powered features, including: Figma’s Rename Layers, Rewrite This, Find More Like; Khroma Color; and Midjourney. The authors also take a look at the wireframe and prototype generation capabilities of some AI tools.
• design + AI conference

(mb, yk)

The post The Bull And Bear Case For Digital Design In The Age Of AI appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

The phrase “artificial intelligence” has many excited, especially those in tech. But for those of us in creative fields like digital art and design, AI can be more concerning than it is exciting.

AI-generated art, videos, and images have flooded the internet, raising questions about whether more companies will turn to tools like OpenAI’s Dall-E, Midjourney, Leonardo.ai, and more, rather than employing human artists. What’s more, the fact that these AI models are trained on real artists’ work without their consent leaves many feeling as if they have no choice but to accept AI into their work and lives.

In a digital world increasingly dominated by faceless AI chatbots, agents, and features, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all the technology. AI will certainly play a huge role in reshaping many industries, including design. We can’t deny this. But at the same time, humanization, empathy, and having a person at the wheel have never been more important.

Rather than viewing AI as something that replaces human creativity, we at MacPaw saw an opportunity to explore how we could make AI feel more personal and accessible — all the while keeping humans at the center of the experience. That led us to rethink how AI assistants are created.

The Concept Of A New AI Assistant

Traditional AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT typically take the form of a conversational textbox or webpage on screen, as this is how users have interacted with their devices. It’s comfortable and familiar. While extremely useful for a variety of tasks, interacting with these AI assistants can feel transactional and technical.

Using the same textbox format across all AI assistants does provide consistency. But we wanted to create a new, more personal and differentiated experience for users. But what format would be best? Even if we change how an AI tool looks, it still needs to be useful and intuitive to use.

As humans, it’s easier to understand and connect with things that resemble us. This is why we often find ourselves drawn to things like animals and characters: they have traits that we recognize within ourselves. Understanding this, we saw an opportunity to combine these values: utility and personality.

The Importance Of Character In Design

Enter Eney: a new proactive AI assistant. MacPaw didn’t want Eney to simply be another AI tool for users, but rather one that proactively assists within a user’s workflow. The vision was to help users connect with Eney more easily than with other AI tools, so we decided to create a character users could interact with. We wanted Eney to be expressive, friendly, and to emote as humans do. But we needed to strike an important balance: making Eney cheerful without it being overly goofy or childish.

This is where human animation and intervention played a critical role. While challenging, it was crucial because an overloaded character UI could turn users off and make navigating Eney difficult. To avoid this, the design team chose to create a select set of emotions and gestures for Eney to express, ensuring that its expressions conveyed useful information. For example, when working on a task, Eney’s figure resembles a loading icon. To do this, we worked to reduce Eney’s on-screen movement to make sure it wasn’t distracting or excessive.

After exploring a few different shapes and styles for Eney, we settled on a circular figure, as it felt the most approachable. It was simple and helped create the feeling of a calm, floating digital companion, rather than another rigid interface element on a user’s desktop. Eney’s minimal face design also plays an important role in connecting with the user. Its eyes are the main emotional connector — a key feature in showing emotions without being cartoonish.

The color choice for Eney was also important. Many AI assistants and companies use blue in their products, as it’s typically associated with intelligence. Blue is a great color, but we wanted Eney to stand out. We still wanted the color to be warm and inviting while slightly more visually stimulating, which led us to choose the color pink. Among dozens of other AI products that choose a more blue aesthetic, Eney was designed to catch a user’s eye and stand out in their mind (and on their screen).

All in all, we wanted to create a character that was present but not attention-seeking; a warm and supportive digital helper that enhances a user’s workflow rather than distracts from it. Eney’s character gives personality to otherwise invisible processes.

Artists In The AI Era

While those who aren’t design professionals may assume there wasn’t much significance behind Eney’s character creation, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Like many other products, all these elements — style, design, emotion, size, name, and more — were intentionally chosen, not by machines but by humans.

Even though AI has streamlined many design processes, namely enabling faster design, there are still many things it can’t do well. Even when designing Eney, while technology supported the process, human designers controlled every step and decision.

As designers, it’s more important than ever to have good judgment, artistic direction, integrity, and emotional sensitivity when working in the field. Technology like AI can help us work faster, but it can’t replace the values that inspire and shape our work.

What’s more, while anyone can easily generate something by typing a prompt into an AI image tool, there’s a true beauty and talent when intentionally crafting something through manual design.

As designers, we shouldn’t stray away from the latest tools. Rather, we should learn them and see how they could potentially help us within our creative workflows. Personally, I like to use AI tools such as Perplexity and ChatGPT for research purposes in the early stages. However, we need to remember that they’re just that: tools. At the end of the day, technology like AI cannot, and should not, replace human artistry. It should help us express our visions, not replace us entirely.

If there’s one thing to take away from this piece, it’s that curiosity helps build taste over time, and taste becomes more valuable, not less, in the AI era.

(yk)

The post Thinking Outside The Box: Digital Design In The AI Era appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

Today, we’ll introduce you to some fantastic color-grading LUTs for Adobe’s Lightroom. These presets help you tell visual stories by adjusting aspects of your images, such as color, saturation, curves, and white balance. It’s a way to convey emotion, mood, and even time.

Our collection features a variety of color grading options. Use them to depict times of day, seasons, and color temperature, among other unique effects. The possibilities are nearly endless!

You might be surprised at what can be accomplished through these simple add-ons. Not to mention the time you’ll save by not having to edit your images manually.

Ready to get started? Keep reading to find the perfect fit for your visual storytelling project.

You may also like our free collection of Lightroom LUTs.

Add warmth to your photos with these Lightroom presets. They’re designed to bring out orange, red, and yellow tones. Use them to improve landscapes and portraits with a sunny glowing effect.

Are you looking to add a cool touch to your shots? These LUTs accentuate cool color tones, making your image stand out to a whole new level. They’re perfect for making your subject pop.

Quickly add beautiful vintage film effects to your images with this collection. You can use these presets to bring out rich film tones and create a sense of magic. You’ll find everything you need to design a classic look.

This LUT collection offers a variety of cinematic styles. You’ll find presets for different color temperatures and moods. It’s an easy way to add a bit of Hollywood to your work.

Enhance your lifestyle photography with this set of muted tone presets. They’re great for setting a dark or serious mood. Even better, you can apply these eye-catching looks with a single click.

Create just the right mood with these LUTs. Inspired by a good cup of coffee, they bring rich, warm tones to photos. The large number of presets will help you find the perfect effect for your project.

These color-grading LUTs are designed to add cinematic tones to your photographs. Bring out a dramatic matte finish in an instant. You can also adjust these presets to fit your needs.

Soft pastel tones are great for portrait and landscape photography. They add a gentle touch and create a light mood. This LUT collection will help you add a look that will produce smiles.

Enhance your urban landscapes with this set of desaturated Lightroom LUTs. Use them to create a moody and contemporary look with just a click. You’ll find a variety of presets here to achieve your desired result.

Nothing stands out more than an image with rich color contrast. These presets will help you create high-end contrast effects with minimal effort. Add them to your collection and bring out the best in your photos.

The warm glow of the “golden hour” is a longtime staple of photography. The color-grading LUTs in this pack can help you improve or even simulate the effect. Best of all, they work well with just about any photograph.

Use this collection of presets to add cool blue tones to your photos. They can bring a moody vibe to your landscapes and portraits. The effect is gentle on the eyes and easy to implement.

Bring your images to life with a bright, sun-kissed effect. The presets in this collection can improve even the dullest low-light photos. The gorgeous glow of a sunset is within your reach.

Here’s a fun collection to make your images look otherworldly. Multiple styles are available, each with a unique spin on infrared film effects. Experiment with these presets to discover a whole world of possibilities.

Ensure your color stands out with this set of cross-processed LUTs. Choose your desired color, and the preset will do the rest. It’s a great way to add a dominant hue to your photos.

These LUTs will desaturate your image – resulting in an understated tone. They’re an excellent choice for fashion and landscape photos where a touch of nostalgia is needed. You’ll have professional effects in no time.

Add a vibrant touch with these color-popping presets. You can turn your images from dull to vivid with just one click. Use them to create attention-grabbing social media, web, or print photos.

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Transform your photos with rich autumn tones that evoke the season’s spirit. Each LUT offers cinematic quality with an array of options to choose from. A simple way to decorate your images for fall!

Think of lush greens, pastel yellows, and bright whites. Bring out these springtime colors with a collection that’s blooming with potential. It’s perfect for outdoor nature shots and portraits.

Turn up the intensity with this collection of summer-themed LUTs. They’re designed to accentuate the rich, warm tones of your photos. Use them to beautify your summer shots without breaking a sweat.

These presets create a sharp and cool style reminiscent of winter. Each option focuses on a different shade, giving you multiple ways to make a statement. Use them on fashion, lifestyle, and outdoor images.

More Lightroom Presets

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