# Design Tools

For templated, brand-consistent work where AI generation is overkill or too unpredictable.

## Canva

Best for non-designers who need polished output fast.

- **Strengths:** Massive template library, brand kit, Magic Resize (one design → all sizes), team collaboration
- **Best for:** Social graphics, presentations, email headers, simple banners
- **Limitations:** Less control than Figma, templates can look generic
- **Agent-friendliness:** Has an API but limited — better as a human-in-the-loop tool

## Figma

Best for teams with design systems or pixel-perfect needs.

- **Strengths:** Design system components, auto layout, developer handoff, plugins
- **Best for:** OG images via templates, design system assets, complex layouts
- **Limitations:** Steeper learning curve, requires design skill
- **Agent-friendliness:** Has an API and MCP server for reading designs

## When to Use Design Tools vs. AI Generation

| Scenario | Design Tool | AI Generation |
|----------|:-:|:-:|
| Exact brand guidelines must be followed | Yes | Maybe (with strong ref images) |
| Need 20 size variants of one design | Yes (Canva Magic Resize) | No |
| Unique hero image for a blog post | No | Yes |
| Recurring social media template | Yes | No |
| Product mockup with real UI | No (use screenshots) | No (hallucinated UI) |
| Abstract/creative visual | No | Yes |