Exciting New Tools for Designers, February 2026

There are so many new – and good – tools for designers out there right now. From tiny bits of artificial intelligence to icons that delight, there’s something to help almost every creative professional work more efficiently, while creating products that look amazing.

This list includes a few OS-specific goodies too, with a couple of supercharged Chrome extensions and some delightful Mac apps. We think you’ll be happy with this month’s roundup.

Here’s what’s new for designers.

InfoBlog

This is a use of generative AI, that comes in handy for anyone needing quick infographics. Infoblog helps you build editable SVG templates, not flat pixels. With prompts, you can turn articles into data-rich infographics or slide decks, then tweak every text, color, and icon. It combines the speed of AI with the control of professional design software. You get a workspace, not just a PNG.

UX HeatGrid

UX HeatGrid is a Chrome extension that analyzes layout structure and content density in real time using a visual heatmap. Real-time analytics measure layout balance, element density, and spacing; plus, it detects crowded areas and structural imbalance. Best of all, this heatmapping tool is free!

Thiings

Thiings is a free and growing collection of 7,000 AI-generated 3D icons in full color. Browse by theme, generate your own, or download the full set. All icons are free to use in personal or commercial projects (a bit of a rarity).

BlazorOctigons

BlazorOcticons provides GitHub Octicons as native Blazor components. Instead of copying SVG files or managing icon assets manually, you can reference any icon by name and customize size and color directly in your Blazor code. The library keeps your icons consistent with the Octicons set and makes it easier to work with icons in Blazor projects.

Its Hover

Its Hover is a versatile set of line-style icons that are animated and move with intent. The tool works seamlessly with Next.js, shadcn, and modern design systems.

Unblocked

Unblocked is a code review tool for designers and developers. It leverages your team’s past decisions, conventions, and standards to identify what matters by referencing Slack discussions, past PRs, and documented decisions, rather than relying on generic best practices. It works with virtually any tech stack as well.

HTML Drag

HTML Drag is a freeform canvas to edit any HTML without grid constraints. Import a URL, upload any HTML file, or paste code, and then drag elements anywhere and double‑click to edit text. No rigid structures, just creative freedom for your web content. You can share or download when finished.

Melina Studio

Melina Studio is an AI tool that uses the ideas you put on the canvas to help you expand your thinking and develop broader concepts. Melina sees what’s on your board — shapes, structure, and visual context — not just text prompts and uses multiple AI models depending on the tasks you are trying to complete.

Amara

Amara is a tool to build a three-dimensional environment through exploration and iteration. Amara uses artificial intelligence to help you create 3D models and then build your environment in Unreal Engine, enabling creators to create multiple scenes and refine them in seconds until a favorite emerges. Use this tool to make creative exploration part of your workflow.

Compressor

Compressor is a lightning-fast, ad-free, super-lightweight native video compressor for Android. The tool is super zippy and easy to use.

ConvertMe.to

For web developers, ConvertMe.to offers a practical collection of fast, browser-based conversion tools that simplify everyday tasks like converting CSS units, file sizes, time zones, measurements, percentages, and data values without cluttered interfaces or unnecessary steps. Whether you’re debugging layouts, optimizing assets, handling responsive design calculations, or working across different APIs and formats, the platform provides quick access to reliable utilities that help streamline development workflows and save time during coding sessions.

InspireNote

InspireNote is an app designed to help you brainstorm more effectively and creatively. It features over 150 creative method cards to help you approach problems from different perspectives. Use cards as prompts to spark new ideas and create your custom cards to continuously expand your creative methodology library. Think of this as a creative strategy tool.

Vincent

Vincent is an old-school digital painting tool with modern vibes. Vincent is minimal, so the canvas stays front and center. The layout is clean, modern, and intentionally small so your focus stays on the drawing, not the controls.

Grid Overlay Pro

This is a must-have design tool! Grid Overlay Pro is a browser extension that helps designers and developers ensure pixel-perfect alignment by overlaying customizable grid systems on any webpage. Unlike static design tool overlays, it features responsive grid adaptation—automatically adjusting column widths and spacing as the viewport resizes, maintaining consistent proportions across all screen sizes.

Kokori

Kokori is a Mac app that transforms text to speech with a powerful local API server and desktop app. The tool includes high-quality voices, speed control, and seamless menu integration. Use the API to generate audio for applications, or the desktop interface to generate audio for podcasts, social media voice-overs, and soundbites.

KlingAI

KLING AI is a visually impressive, cutting-edge creative studio by Kuaishou Tech. It excels in image and video generation and helps ignite your creativity through prompts and images, producing realistic visuals with advanced text comprehension, intricate details, and diverse styles. It also includes native 4K video output.

Carrie Cousins

Carrie Cousins is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience in the communications industry, including writing for print and online publications, and design and editing. You can connect with Carrie on Twitter @carriecousins.