Design agencies have to deal with multiple projects simultaneously, each with its unique deliverables and deadlines. This necessitates careful planning and organization to ensure that every project stays on track and meets client expectations.
Project management software empowers creative professionals to streamline and enhance the coordination, execution, and oversight of design projects.
In this blog, we’ll explore the 7 best project management software for designers, including their top features and pricing, to help you choose the ideal solution for your team.
Project management software aims to improve communication among designers, project managers, and clients, making the design review and approval process more efficient.
Almost 87% of designers leverage these platforms, allowing them to focus on their core design activities while ensuring client requirements are met on time.
These software incorporates advanced features like task automation, team collaboration, file sharing, and scheduling—all designed to optimize the creative process.
Below is an updated list of the best project management software for designers, with their standout features and current pricing.
1. Monday.com — Best For Effective Workflow Automation
Monday.com is a leading all-in-one platform designed to streamline task workflows, manage design projects, and improve team collaboration. It offers a centralized workspace, allowing project managers to simplify complex project planning, allowing real-time updates to stakeholders.
Why Choose Monday.com
Monday.com automation functions as a personal workflow assistant, operating consistently to keep your design projects running smoothly and efficiently. Project managers choose Monday.com to streamline their workflow by automatically sending updates when design tasks are completed, alerting the team about upcoming deadlines, and managing other critical actions in one place.
2. Basecamp — Best For Seamless Remote Communication Among Designers
Basecamp provides a centralized platform to manage all communications and information with teams and remote designers. The platform offers both group communication and private messaging options.
Its real-time group chat feature is ideal for team conversations, quick questions, and simple file sharing. Each project comes with a dedicated chat room, where you can tag team members, attach files, and share videos effortlessly.
Why Choose Basecamp
Basecamp's flat rate pricing model is cost effective for startups and small design teams. This basic plan offers access to all of Basecamp’s features such as unlimited projects, free guests invites, and 500 GB storage space.
3. Trello — Best For Visual Work Management Using Kanban Boards
Trello offers an intuitive and visual interface with ’Kanban Boards’ that organize tasks into clear categories, making it ideal for teams collaborating on design projects. It provides clear visibility into who is working on what and the status of tasks and subtasks in progress.
Why Choose Trello
Trello is a good choice for small teams whose workflows are simple and don’t require complex project management. This free graphic design project management software also allows the team to use Kanban boards and visualize their entire creative design projects.
4. ClickUp — Best For Simplified Project Oversight With AI Project Manager
Graphic design teams can streamline and manage their complex project planning and workflow with ClickUp’s advanced features. Project managers can enhance their team's performance by simplifying and automating tasks across the design lifecycle.
Why Choose ClickUp
ClickUp has recently introduced its AI feature called ClickUp Brain that integrates task management, documentation, and team collaboration, streamlining workflows. This all-in-one solution automates tasks, provides progress updates, and enhances productivity, making it an ideal choice for efficient project management.
5. Notion — Best For Its Powerful Customization Capabilities
Notion is task management software with various features, an aesthetically pleasing design, and an easy-to-use interface. It allows project managers to brainstorm project ideas and track, organize, and execute design projects seamlessly within one platform.
Why Choose Notion
Notion is an excellent all-in-one solution for creative teams who need project management tools for brainstorming, planning, and scheduling. Its added AI features allow teams to achieve more with fewer resources.
6. Jira — Best For Iterative Design Processes
Jira is a great project management software for designers, allowing project managers to plan, track, manage, and complete design tasks on time. The platform is primarily designed for ’Agile Project Management‘, providing features tailored to support Kanban and Scrum methodology.
Pricing
Why Choose Jira
Jira provides features for managing tasks and sprints through frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban. This customized approach enables teams to effectively plan, monitor, and deliver design projects, enhancing collaboration and transparency at every stage.
7. Hive — Best For Streamlining Design Approval Processes
Hive stands out as a project management tool for creative teams due to its comprehensive project management features and easy-to-navigate interface. It offers multiple project views, allowing creative teams to manage tasks and projects in a format that best suits their workflow.
Why Choose Hive
The approval process is crucial in design work, and Hive simplifies it with its proofing and approvals tool. This feature ensures smooth feedback on your project designs, allowing multiple designers to add comments and annotations. Approvals can be obtained from both internal team members and external stakeholders, streamlining the entire process.
Design agencies have different requirements for choosing project management software; the ideal choice ultimately depends on each creative design team's needs. Monday.com is ideal for design teams as it provides built-in templates, whereas Basecamp provides streamlined communication between teams and remote designers.
ClickUp and Notion have AI-powered features to assist teams in handling complex information easily. Hive empowers teams to simplify the design approval process. If Kanban boards are your top priority, then Trello would be the best option to consider.
With the right design project management software, your team can meet deadlines while maintaining artistic excellence. These tools provide a variety of features, from pre-built templates to fully customizable options, helping you streamline your workflow and align with your goals while saving time and resources.