Playbook by MediaBistro | Tools & Software for Creative Professionals
Affinity Designer 2 and Haikei serve completely different needs in the graphic design workflow. Affinity Designer 2 is a comprehensive vector design application that rivals Adobe Illustrator, offering professional tools for illustration, branding, and complex artwork at a one-time price of $69.99. Haikei is a free, browser-based generator that creates trendy SVG backgrounds and shapes in seconds, perfect for quick web design assets.
Affinity Designer 2 stands as a full-featured vector graphics editor built for professional designers who need complete control over their work. The software handles everything from logo design and illustration to UI mockups and print layouts, with tools for pen work, typography, pixel editing, and advanced effects. The interface follows familiar design software conventions while adding innovations like unlimited artboards and a streamlined workflow that lets you switch between vector and raster editing modes instantly.
The one-time purchase model makes Affinity Designer 2 particularly attractive to freelancers and small studios tired of subscription costs. Available across Mac, Windows, and iPad with file compatibility between platforms, it delivers professional results without recurring fees. The software receives regular feature updates and includes export options for all major file formats, plus the ability to open and edit PSD and AI files. For designers who need a serious vector tool but want to escape subscription lock-in, Affinity Designer 2 represents a complete professional solution.
Haikei takes a radically different approach by focusing on a single task: generating beautiful SVG backgrounds and shapes through an intuitive web interface. The tool offers a curated set of generators for waves, blobs, gradients, patterns, and other trendy design elements that have become staples of modern web design. You adjust parameters through simple sliders, preview results in real time, and export production-ready SVG or PNG files in seconds. The browser-based workflow means zero installation and instant access from any device.
The free tier provides full access to all generators with unlimited exports, though paid plans add features like saving presets and accessing additional variations. Haikei excels at solving the specific problem of creating those polished background elements that would take considerable time to craft manually in a traditional vector editor. Web designers and developers particularly appreciate how it streamlines the creation of hero section backgrounds, dividers, and decorative elements. The tool does one thing exceptionally well rather than attempting to be a comprehensive design suite.
Full pen tool, nodes, curves, boolean operations, and advanced path editing
Parameter-based shape generation with no manual path editing
Manual creation of backgrounds using vector tools and effects
Instant generation of trendy backgrounds through preset generators
SVG, PDF, EPS, PSD, AI import/export plus raster formats
SVG and PNG export only, optimized for web use
Professional text tools with OpenType features and text on path
No text capabilities
Desktop and iPad apps requiring installation and license
Browser-based tool with instant access and no installation
User-created libraries, symbols, and reusable components
Curated generator presets with randomization options
These tools target completely different budgets and commitment levels. Affinity Designer 2 requires upfront investment but becomes more economical for designers who use it regularly over time. Haikei offers immediate value at zero cost, making it risk-free to try and perfect for occasional use or as a complement to existing design tools.
Affinity Designer 2 and Haikei belong in different categories despite both outputting SVG files. Affinity Designer 2 is a destination application where you spend hours crafting detailed artwork, branding systems, and illustrations that require precision and complete creative freedom. Haikei is a quick-hit utility that generates specific assets in seconds, perfect for those moments when you need a polished wave divider or gradient blob but have neither the time nor desire to build it from scratch. Most working designers will find these tools complementary rather than competitive.
The choice depends entirely on what you're building. If you're doing serious illustration work, creating logos, or need a professional vector editor for daily use, Affinity Designer 2 delivers exceptional value at its one-time price. If you're spinning up websites and need those signature modern background elements that define contemporary web design, Haikei gets you there faster than any traditional editor could. Many designers will benefit from having both: Affinity Designer 2 as their primary vector workhorse and Haikei bookmarked for those specific background generation tasks where speed and trend-aware presets beat manual crafting every time.
