Sketch
Currently used daily as the tool of choice for screen flows, wireframes, higher fidelity UI designs and rapid concept ideation. Also great for basic prototyping.
InVision
Used regularly, predominantly for sharing screen flows and hosting prototypes for early user testing. I also use the broader suite of tools from InVision like Freehand for ideation sessions and Studio for experimenting with motion design.
Zeplin
Used regularly for its neat integration with Sketch to produce rapid and automated design spec for developers to work from with support for comments and versioning to establish a single source of truth.
Figma
Experimenting with this new kid on the block - should I make the switch from Sketch?
Miro
Used for brainstorming / workshop exercises across our design chapter as well as individual pods and feature teams during discovery and early stage opportunities exploration and problem definition.
Userlytics
Powerful testing platform which supports qualitative and quantitate customer research. I am using this to run card sorting exercises to inform taxonomy and navigation structures as well as task-based analysis using early prototypes to help validate, refine and improve features ahead of delivery.
TheyDo
Great tool for producing empathy maps and high level customer journeys to draw out customer sentiments, key decision points and opportunities for making the most user impact.
Proto.io
Great online tool I’ve used to create examples for motion design and bespoke transitions. Really helpful to showcase an idea or intent for bespoke transitions that can bring the mobile experience to life.
Omnigraffle
Great for wireframes, customer journey flows, defining interaction patterns and providing annotated documentation for visual designers, developers and stakeholder reviews.
Axure RP
Used this for wireframes ranging from low to high fidelity. Also useful for creating prototypes for user testing and stakeholder feedback. Axshare online makes it easy to ensure the client always has access to my latest work and ideas.
Baslamiq
I found this was great for initial mockups to turn sketches into digital documents for sharing within an agile environment. It's useful for quickly iterating simple ideas to get together a functional design.
Illustrator
I love the flexibility afforded by illustrator's vector based environment. I use it occasionally for wireframes, but mostly for creating icons, editing shapes, and making templates, posters and cards. If I'm designing a business card or invite I'll usually do so in illustrator and bring in raster-based imagery such as photos from Photoshop.
Photoshop
I used to work regularly in photoshop but have moved to more UX-focused tools as an experience designer. I still use Photoshop for editing photos and on occasions to mockup proposed treatments which I'd like to discuss with visual designers.
Premiere Pro
At times I've found it useful to create a video of a user journey so that stakeholders can better visualise the customer experience and page interactions. I created a short film with 3D animation incorporated into filmed footage as my final year project at university and still enjoy video editing as a past time.
Visio
Some organisations I've worked for have stipulated UX work be completed in Visio to ensure source documents are shareable with others who have the software (typically project managers). I've found Visio can work sufficiently well in many circumstances to create wireframes, user journeys and process flows - and though it's not a tool of choice I am comfortable using it when the need arises.
Am also interested in trying out new tools which emerge to provide better ways of working; either saving time, providing improved workflows and/or facilitating greater collaboration between disciplines. Some recent examples include:
UX Pin
Wide range of functionalities, including the ability to create responsive clickable prototypes on your browser.
Pixate
A useful tool to test out complex mobile interactions, animations and transitions.
WireframeCC
Web-based wireframing. Open a new tab, create quick and dirty wireframes, and that's it. Speed over pixel perfection.
Sketch
A simple UI design tool that strips out the complexity of Photoshop and provides features and functions targeted for vector-based digital design.