October 1, 2025
Have you ever thought to yourself: “Do I really know how to use this tool?”
Tools are created to make life easier no matter what it is that you are doing. You might have a screwdriver at home when it’s time to assemble your new TV stand, but do you know which attachment to use? The same idea applies to any tool that exists out there!
Think of any task you need to accomplish. Then, think about what tools you’ll need to complete it successfully. Do you have that essay due at 11:59 p.m. today? You have tools available to help you work efficiently in any situation. Are you going to use Google Docs or Word? Are you going to search for lengthy articles that will take longer to read than to write the essay, or use concise sources that are just as effective for getting your points across? You have these choices to make your tasks become easier and less stressful, but you also have tools to help you find the best solutions.
Now, the beauty of tools is not only about choosing the right ones, but also about knowing how to use them right. Are you a beginner video game creator or someone who wants to make art designs for your portfolio? Imagine you are just stepping your toes into 2D art and have no idea where to start. Yes, you could get the fancy Adobe Illustrator software and hope for the best. But, what if you open it and get lost in the interface? Now you are more lost than you were before and have $22.99 less in your bank account. Adobe Illustrator is an amazing software, don’t get me wrong, but you need to know how to use it before deciding, “Oh well, maybe 2D art isn’t for me…”
On the other hand, there are free tools like Blender and Inkscape that can help you accomplish similar things as Adobe Illustrator without the extra cost or pressure. You can use these tools to build your foundation to then later open Adobe Illustrator and think, “I know exactly what to do!”
The exciting part about learning how to use your tools right is that you have all the resources available to you to figure out different techniques and tricks to become an expert. Going back to the 2D art example, you can use a tool like Inkscape to kickstart your journey. Inkscape is a free and open-source software. So, they offer free and accessible tutorials and manuals for you to learn everything you need to know about their software. You can pick up on some keyboard shortcuts that will make the process fun and not so overwhelming. Instead of hunting for a button among the hundreds of them on the screen, you will be able to use a few simple key combinations to achieve the same results. With time and practice, you’ll feel like a 2D art wizard. Once you are ready, you can explore fancier software like Adobe Illustrator to learn more cool techniques and advance the quality of your projects to a whole another level. The difference is that now you would walk into it with a solid foundation of skills and tricks up your sleeve to use this software with confidence instead of confusion.
Moving forward, think about any exciting projects or goals you want to accomplish. If you ever feel lost, look for the right tools and learn how to use them right.
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