<p>Published on <a href="https://blog.prototypr.io/tools-to-use-in-2018-13a53ce5347d?source=rss----eb297ea1161a---4">| Prototyping: From UX to Front End &mdash; Medium</a> Riley Jones </p>
<h4>What are you waiting for?</h4>
<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*Ip_q_6I-kNpUjuPMOutuTA.jpeg"></p>
<p>I understand, it is Spring time (In the U.S) and 2018 is already underway. But, I wanted to put this out there because I would be surprised if there wasn’t anyone not interested. We love our tools, right?</p>
<p>This list can go on and on, but here are some favorites that I would recommend anyone to use in 2018.</p>
<h3>1) Pen &amp; Paper</h3>
<p>Are you surprised? Disappointed? Why on earth would I recommend such outdated piece of technology during a time where touchscreens rule our lives? Well let me tell you. It’s because it is still the most simple and low cost solution for generating and forwarding ideas.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*M1MRvrZVPQL-r7yO6NGygg.jpeg"></p>
<h4>Reasons Why</h4>
<ul>
<li>Low cost.</li>
<li>Quick and Expressive</li>
<li>Portable &amp; Accessible</li>
</ul>
<h4>Recommendations</h4>
<p><a href="https://fieldnotesbrand.com/">Field Notes</a> (These are amazing. They will stay with you through the thick and thin)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.jetpens.com/Dong-A-Anyball-Ballpoint-Pen-0.5-mm-Black/pd/3145">Cheap Pens</a> (Do not need those fancy wancy utensils. All you need is a smooth idea generating weapon of mass creativity)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.baronfig.com">Baron Fig</a> (If you want to step up your notebook game, Baron Fig is the one and only stop shop for amazingly crafted notebooks. These bring a bit more style in how you carry your ideas around.</p>
<h3>2) Notion</h3>
<p>When it comes to digital documents, task flows, and notes, I have leaned towards a mixture of Trello, and Dropbox paper. But recently, I have been using <a href="https://www.notion.so/product">Notion</a> for organizing all my documents and collection of resources.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*PMIhzAfv6eEOXAM_.png"></p>
<h4>Reasons Why</h4>
<ul>
<li>Simplicity &amp; Flexibility</li>
<li>Portable &amp; Accessible</li>
<li>Organization &amp; Collaboration Galore</li>
<li>Powerful</li>
</ul>
<h3>3) Webflow</h3>
<p>(Affiliate links included)</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*0AxVcpgSquVlo3GtINi6tQ.png"></p>
<p><a href="http://bit.ly/2EKa4qP">Webflow</a> has had a significant impact on my web design process. From speed for development to having new ways to imagine design for the web; they offer an amazing tool that enables and empowers creatives who want to make the web a beautiful place. And, in 2018 the platform is only to become bigger and more significant.</p>
<h4>Reasons Why</h4>
<ul>
<li>Modern Day Web Design Tool(CMS, complex animations, design focused)</li>
<li>Advanced platform for developing websites</li>
<li>Accesible</li>
<li>Flexability and strong community</li>
</ul>
<p>I highly recommend <a href="http://bit.ly/2EKa4qP">signing-up</a> and trying it out if you are interested in experiencing something new in how you create web experiences. It has been such a game changer for me and how I design for the web, and will continue to be as the new year begins to unfold.</p>
<h3>4) A Book About Decluttering</h3>
<p>I want to recommend a decluttering tool in the form of a book by Marie Kondo called <a href="http://tidyingup.com/books/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-hc">“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”</a>. Now the book isn’t new, but I still think it can be relevant and beneficial in cultivating a more focused and valued atmosphere/living space whether that be your closet or your digital workspace. The concepts can be applied to any kind of clutter.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/189/1*5dxTMFJP5tuVUxyt9fZ73w.jpeg"></p>
<h4>Resons Why</h4>
<ul>
<li>breaks down decluttering in practical steps</li>
<li>easy &amp; simple read</li>
<li>motivates you to regain attention and control</li>
<li>allows your life to be a bit more breathable</li>
</ul>
<h3>5) Educational Resources</h3>
<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*R49yRXvFbFb4kQrfH1eSDg.jpeg"></p>
<p>I believe that one of the most beneficial habits people can do is learn something new/learn something that you can become passionate about. In today‘s world, so many opportunities (especially creative opportunities) are opening up and all it can take in achieving those opportunities is learning some fresh skills.</p>
<h4>Recommendations</h4>
<p><a href="https://www.skillshare.com/r/user/rileyj_s">Skillshare</a> (online education platform that allows you to take well crafted classes from top of line teachers) <strong>*get 2 free months by clicking my affiliate link above</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.codecademy.com/">Codeacademy</a> (simple lessons on coding techniques)</p>
<p>U<a href="https://www.udemy.com">demy</a> (a large library of online courses over a vareity of topics, very helpful and the selections are awesome)</p>
<p><iframe src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fupscri.be%2Ff51076%3Fas_embed%3Dtrue&amp;dntp=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fupscri.be%2Ff51076%2F&#038;image=https%3A%2F%2Fe.enpose.co%2F%3Fkey%3DdRXnS9Gplk%26w%3D700%26h%3D425%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fupscri.be%252Ff51076%252F%253Fenpose&amp;key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=upscri" width="800" height="400" frameborder="0"><a href="https://medium.com/media/b85dfbb5286d8a25cf2e754b9462cf45/href">https://medium.com/media/b85dfbb5286d8a25cf2e754b9462cf45/href</a></iframe><img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=13a53ce5347d" width="1" height="1" alt="stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSou"></p>
<hr>
<p><a href="https://blog.prototypr.io/tools-to-use-in-2018-13a53ce5347d">Tools To Use In 2018</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.prototypr.io">Prototypr</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>


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