Design is an ever-evolving discipline, and with it, the tools that define each era come and go. Some shape generations of creativity, only to be left behind in the digital dust as sleeker, faster, more collaborative tools take over. Today, we rewind time and pay tribute to once-beloved design tools that lit up the creative world—before fading into near-forgotten history.
1. Macromedia FreeHand: The Vector Pioneer That Time Forgot
Before Adobe Illustrator became the standard for vector graphics, Macromedia FreeHand was the go-to for graphic designers in the '90s. Launched in the late '80s and later acquired by Macromedia (before Adobe acquired Macromedia), FreeHand was known for its intuitive interface and strong page layout features.
What happened?
Adobe acquired Macromedia in 2005 and discontinued FreeHand, citing redundancy with Illustrator. Loyal users staged protests and even lawsuits, but the tool quietly faded into the archives.
2. Fireworks: The Web Designer’s Dream
Also, a Macromedia gem, Fireworks was purpose-built for web designers, a hybrid of raster and vector design capabilities. It allowed easy slicing, prototyping, and optimisation for web images, long before tools like Sketch or Figma came along.
What happened?
Adobe, once again, absorbed Fireworks and let it fade away, with the last update rolling out in 2013. The rise of mobile-first, responsive design and modern prototyping tools pushed Fireworks out of relevance.
3. Adobe Flash: The Animator’s Playground
Before HTML5, CSS3, and JS frameworks, Flash ruled the internet with interactive websites, banner ads, and animations. Designers and developers alike spent years mastering its timeline and ActionScript quirks.
What happened?
Steve Jobs wrote a famous open letter in 2010 titled “Thoughts on Flash”, pointing out security, performance, and battery issues, especially on mobile. The writing was on the wall. Flash was officially discontinued by Adobe in 2020.
4. CorelDRAW (in the West): The Unsung Workhorse
Though still alive and kicking in certain parts of the world (especially India and parts of Europe), CorelDRAW lost significant market share in the West to Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.
What happened?
Lack of integration with wider creative ecosystems and a dated UI meant CorelDRAW slowly fell out of favour for many professionals outside niche industries.
5. Framer Classic: The Code-First Prototype Tool
Before Framer reinvented itself as a no-code design platform, it was known as Framer Classic, a powerful tool for designers who could code in CoffeeScript. It allowed unparalleled flexibility in prototyping.
What happened?
While immensely powerful, Framer Classic was intimidating for non-coders. The tool evolved to cater to a broader user base, pivoting to a visual interface, and the code-first version was deprecated in 2020.
6. InVision: The Prototyping Powerhouse
In the early 2010s, InVision was the darling of the design world, offering seamless prototyping and collaboration features. It was a staple in many design teams, facilitating the transition from static designs to interactive prototypes.
What happened?
Despite its early success, InVision struggled to innovate and keep up with competitors. The rise of Figma, with its real-time collaboration and integrated design tools, overshadowed InVision's offerings. InVision's announcement to cease operations by the end of 2024 marked the end of an era.
7. Adobe XD: The Unfulfilled Promise
Adobe XD was Adobe's answer to the growing demand for UI/UX design tools. It aimed to integrate design and prototyping in a single platform, promising a streamlined workflow for designers.
What happened?
While XD had potential, it couldn't keep pace with the rapid advancements and user adoption of Figma. Following Adobe's attempted acquisition of Figma, development on XD slowed, leaving it in a state of uncertainty and limbo.
In the End
Design tools are like languages—living, evolving, and sometimes disappearing altogether. While many of these tools are now obsolete or niche, they were essential stepping stones to the rich, intuitive platforms we use today. They taught us how to think, create, and adapt—and their influence is still subtly woven into the DNA of modern design software.
So, the next time you open Figma, Illustrator, or Procreate, take a moment to tip your (digital) hat to the tools that walked so the rest could run.
Curious about the future of design tools and how modern platforms are shaping creative work? Discover our latest projects and UX/UI expertise on our main website https://rockpaperscissors.studio
(Source: Articles on medium.com)
Social Plugin