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Design File Formats Explained
Design files are not like documents or spreadsheets. A Word file opens in Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and half a dozen other applications. A design file, by contrast, is often locked to the application that created it. A .psd file is a Photoshop file. A .sketch file is a Sketch file. A .fig file exists only inside Figma's cloud. This tight coupling between format and tool is one of the defining characteristics of creative work, and one of its persistent frustrations.
Understanding which formats do what, which tools open them, and when to reach for each one saves time, prevents compatibility headaches, and helps you make better decisions about how to store and share your work. This guide covers the major design file formats in use today, from Adobe's long-established standards to newer tools and the interchange formats that bridge between them.
Adobe formats
Adobe's applications have dominated professional design for decades, and their native file formats remain the industry standard in many fields.
PSD (Photoshop Document) is the native format for Adobe Photoshop. It is raster-based, meaning it works with pixels rather than mathematical shapes. A PSD file preserves all of Photoshop's features: layers, masks, adjustment layers, smart objects, blending modes, and text layers that remain editable. PSD is the standard working format for photo editing, digital painting, raster-based design, and image compositing. The format supports files up to 2 GB in size; for larger files, Photoshop uses the PSB (Large Document Format) extension. PSD files can be opened in Photoshop and, with varying degrees of fidelity, in tools like Affinity Photo, GIMP, and Photopea. Some features, particularly newer ones, may not translate perfectly outside of Photoshop. Understanding the distinction between raster formats like PSD and delivery formats like JPEG is easier with a grounding in image file formats.
AI (Adobe Illustrator) is the native format for Adobe Illustrator. It is vector-based, meaning artwork is defined by mathematical paths and points rather than pixels. This makes AI files resolution-independent: a logo in an AI file can be scaled from a business card to a billboard without losing quality. AI is the standard format for logo design, illustration, icon creation, and any print-ready vector work. AI files can contain both vector and embedded raster elements. They can be opened in Illustrator and, with varying support, in tools like Affinity Designer, CorelDRAW, and Inkscape. The format is closely related to EPS and PDF; in fact, modern AI files are technically PDF files with additional Illustrator-specific data.
INDD (Adobe InDesign Document) is the native format for Adobe InDesign, the standard tool for multi-page layout. INDD files are used for magazines, brochures, books, catalogues, annual reports, and any project where text flows across pages alongside images and graphics. InDesign handles typography with precision that Photoshop and Illustrator do not match, including fine control over hyphenation, justification, paragraph styles, and master pages. INDD files reference external assets (images, fonts) rather than embedding them all, which means the file itself may be small but depends on linked files being available. This linking behaviour makes organising design project files particularly important for InDesign work. INDD files can only be fully opened in InDesign, though InDesign can export to IDML (InDesign Markup Language) for backward compatibility.
AE and AEPX (After Effects) are the project formats for Adobe After Effects, used in motion design, animation, visual effects, and video compositing. Like InDesign, After Effects projects reference external footage and assets. The AE format is binary; AEPX is an XML-based variant. Neither can be opened outside of After Effects in any meaningful way, which makes exporting rendered output essential for sharing motion work with non-After Effects users.
Non-Adobe native formats
The design tool landscape has broadened considerably, and several non-Adobe formats are now central to modern workflows.
Sketch (.sketch) is the native format for Sketch, a UI and UX design application that runs only on macOS. Sketch helped pioneer the component-based approach to interface design, with reusable symbols, shared styles, and a focus on designing for screens rather than print. Sketch files can be inspected (though not fully edited) using tools like Figma, Zeplin, and Abstract. The format uses a structured ZIP archive internally, which means it is possible to extract some information programmatically. Sketch remains popular in some design teams, though its macOS-only limitation has led some teams to migrate to cross-platform alternatives.
Figma takes a different approach to file formats entirely. Figma files live in the cloud and are accessed through a web browser or desktop application. There is no local file to download, email, or lose on a hard drive. Figma files are identified by URLs rather than filenames. This model eliminates many of the versioning and compatibility problems that plague file-based formats; everyone always sees the current version, and multiple people can edit simultaneously. Figma can export designs to PNG, SVG, PDF, and other formats, and it can import Sketch files. The trade-off is dependency on Figma's service; your design files exist on Figma's servers, and offline access is limited.
XD (.xd) is the native format for Adobe XD, Adobe's UI/UX design tool. XD was launched as Adobe's answer to Sketch and Figma but has seen declining adoption as Figma has grown. Adobe announced the end of active development for XD in late 2023. Existing XD files can still be opened, but teams relying on XD are generally migrating to Figma or returning to other Adobe tools. If you have a library of XD files, exporting key screens as SVG or PNG and archiving the native files is a sensible precaution.
Affinity formats (.afdesign, .afphoto, .afpub) are the native formats for Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Publisher, respectively. These applications, developed by Serif, offer professional-grade capabilities at a one-time purchase price, positioning them as alternatives to Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Affinity tools can open and export PSD, AI, and PDF files with reasonable fidelity. Their native formats are less widely supported than Adobe's, but the applications' ability to work with Adobe files makes them practical for teams that want to move away from subscription-based tools without abandoning compatibility entirely.
Interchange and delivery formats
While native formats preserve full editability, several formats exist specifically for sharing work across tools and delivering final output.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is the closest thing to a universal design format. Created by Adobe but now an open ISO standard, PDF preserves layout, typography, colours, and embedded images regardless of what software or operating system the recipient uses. PDFs can contain vector and raster content, support colour management (including CMYK for print), and can be generated from virtually any design application. For delivering final designs to clients, sending files to a printer, or archiving completed work, PDF is almost always the right choice. Understanding the nuances of DPI and PPI matters when preparing PDFs for print, since raster images embedded in a PDF need sufficient resolution for the intended output size.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an open, XML-based vector format designed for the web. SVG files can be opened in web browsers, edited in code, styled with CSS, and animated with JavaScript. They scale cleanly to any size without losing quality, making them ideal for logos, icons, and illustrations on websites and in applications. SVG supports transparency, gradients, and basic text, though complex typography is better handled elsewhere. For web design and development, SVG has largely replaced older formats for vector assets. Every logo in a brand kit should include an SVG version.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is an older vector interchange format that was once the standard way to move vector artwork between applications. EPS files can be opened in Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and some other tools. While EPS is still encountered in print workflows, it has largely been superseded by PDF and SVG for most purposes. If you receive EPS files from a stock image service or a legacy archive, they remain usable, but creating new work in EPS is rarely necessary.
Raster delivery formats like PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and WebP serve different purposes in the final output stage. These are covered in depth in the image file formats guide, but in the context of design files, the key point is that these are output formats, not working formats. Flattening a layered PSD to a JPEG discards the editability that makes the PSD valuable; the JPEG is for delivery, the PSD is for future editing.
When to use which format
Choosing the right format depends on what you are designing, who will work on it, and what the final output needs to be.
For logo design, start with a vector tool like Illustrator or Affinity Designer. The native file (AI or .afdesign) is your editable master. Deliver the logo as SVG for digital use, PDF for print, and PNG with a transparent background for situations where vector formats are not supported. This coverage ensures the logo works in every context, from a website header to a trade show banner.
For UI and product design, Figma is the dominant tool today. Its browser-based, collaborative model suits the iterative nature of interface design. If your team uses Sketch, the same workflow applies with .sketch files. Exports from these tools are typically PNG or SVG for handoff to developers.
For print layout, InDesign remains the standard. The INDD file is your working document, and you deliver as PDF, typically using the PDF/X standard for print-ready output. Ensure that all linked images are high-resolution and that fonts are embedded or outlined.
For photo editing and raster-based design, Photoshop (PSD) or Affinity Photo (.afphoto) are the primary tools. Keep the layered native file for ongoing editing and export to JPEG, PNG, or TIFF for delivery depending on the destination.
For motion design, After Effects or similar tools produce the working project, and you render to video formats (MP4, MOV) for delivery. The project file is essential for future edits but useless to anyone without the application.
Compatibility and collaboration challenges
The tight coupling between design formats and their applications creates real friction in collaborative work. Sending a PSD to a project manager who does not have Photoshop installed means they cannot open it. Asking a Windows-based developer to review a Sketch file is a dead end without a third-party viewer.
Figma's browser-based model addresses this directly: anyone with the link can view a Figma file, regardless of their operating system or installed software. This accessibility is one of the primary reasons Figma has gained adoption so rapidly, particularly in cross-functional teams where designers, developers, product managers, and stakeholders all need to see and comment on designs.
For file-based formats, the practical solution is to export flat versions (PNG, PDF) alongside native files. The native file is for the designer who will edit it; the flat export is for everyone else who needs to see it, review it, or use it. Annotation tools that work on exported images and PDFs can bridge the gap between the designer's working file and the reviewer's need to provide feedback.
Sharing design files across teams and with external partners also raises questions about storage and access. Keeping native files, flat exports, and supporting assets together in a single cloud workspace prevents the fragmentation that happens when files are split across email attachments, messaging apps, and multiple cloud storage services. Searching across design files becomes particularly valuable when a project has produced dozens of iterations and the latest version needs to be found quickly.
Archiving design files
Design files need to be archived thoughtfully, because the software that created them may not be available indefinitely. Adobe's shift to subscription-based licensing means that cancelling a subscription removes the ability to open native files. Sketch requires macOS. XD is no longer actively developed.
The safest archival strategy is to keep native files alongside flat exports. The native file preserves editability in case the software remains available; the flat export (PDF for vector/layout work, PNG or TIFF for raster work) ensures the content remains accessible regardless of software availability. For vector work, SVG is a strong archival format because it is an open standard that can be opened in multiple tools and even read as code.
Version control practices help keep archives usable over time. Naming files clearly, including version numbers or dates, and separating current from archived files prevents the confusion of returning to a project months or years later and trying to identify which file is the final approved version. An organised digital file system pays for itself many times over when you need to revisit old work.
If you work across multiple design tools, or if your team includes people using different applications, understanding how formats relate to each other helps you make better decisions about what to keep, what to export, and how to ensure your work remains accessible to everyone who needs it.
The format landscape going forward
The trend in design tools is toward cloud-based, browser-accessible applications. Figma demonstrated the viability of this model, and other tools are following suit. This shift changes the nature of "design files" from local documents to cloud-hosted projects, which simplifies collaboration and versioning but raises questions about data ownership and portability.
At the same time, the traditional file-based formats are not going away. Print workflows still depend on INDD and PDF. Photo editing still centres on PSD and TIFF. Logo files still need to be delivered as SVG, PDF, and PNG. The practical reality for most designers and creative teams is working across both models: cloud-based tools for collaborative design work and file-based formats for delivery, print production, and archiving.
Understanding the strengths and limitations of each format, knowing what opens where and when to use which, removes a layer of friction from creative work and helps ensure that the right people can access the right files in the right format at the right time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a PSD file without Photoshop?
Yes, with some caveats. Affinity Photo, GIMP, and the browser-based Photopea can all open PSD files and preserve many features including layers. However, complex features like certain adjustment layers, smart objects, or newer Photoshop-specific effects may not translate perfectly. For viewing and basic editing, these alternatives work well. For production work on complex PSDs, Photoshop remains the most reliable option.
What is the difference between AI and EPS?
Both are vector formats associated with Adobe Illustrator. AI is Illustrator's native format and preserves all of the application's features, including artboards, layers, and live effects. EPS is an older interchange format designed to be opened in multiple applications. Modern AI files are technically PDFs with embedded Illustrator data. For new work, AI (or SVG, or PDF) is preferred over EPS; EPS is mainly encountered in legacy files and some print workflows.
Why can Figma files not be downloaded?
Figma files are stored on Figma's servers and rendered in the browser. There is no local file equivalent. You can export individual frames, components, or pages as PNG, SVG, PDF, or JPG, but the native Figma project with all its interactive properties, components, and prototyping links exists only within Figma. This is by design: it enables real-time collaboration and eliminates version conflicts, but it does mean your work depends on continued access to Figma's service.
What format should I send to a printer?
PDF is the standard format for sending work to print, specifically PDF/X, which is a subset of PDF designed for reliable print reproduction. PDF/X ensures that fonts are embedded, images are at the correct resolution, and colours are specified in CMYK. Most printers accept PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4. If the printer requests native files (an INDD package, for example), send those alongside the PDF. Always confirm the printer's specifications before sending.
Is Sketch still worth using?
Sketch remains a capable UI design tool with a loyal user base, but its macOS-only limitation and the rise of Figma have reduced its market share. If your team is entirely on macOS and you have established Sketch workflows, there is no urgent reason to switch. If you are starting fresh, or if cross-platform access matters, Figma is the more common choice today. Migrating from Sketch to Figma is possible, as Figma can import .sketch files.
How should I store design files for a team?
Keep native files and their flat exports together in a shared location that the whole team can access. Cloud storage with visual previews is particularly helpful for design files, since filenames alone often do not convey what a design looks like. Smart organisation features that tag and categorise visual files can save significant time when a project has many assets. Avoid splitting files across personal drives, email, and messaging apps; centralisation prevents version confusion and lost files.
What is an IDML file?
IDML (InDesign Markup Language) is an interchange format for InDesign documents. When you need to share an InDesign file with someone using an older version of InDesign, or when you need a more portable version of the layout, exporting to IDML provides broader compatibility. IDML files can be opened by older InDesign versions and by some third-party tools. They do not preserve every InDesign feature, but they capture layout, text, and linked images effectively.
What is the best format for archiving design work?
Keep the native file (PSD, AI, INDD, .sketch, or whatever the original format is) for future editability. Alongside it, save a flat export: PDF for vector and layout work, TIFF or PNG for raster work. The native file gives you the option to make changes later if the software is available; the flat export ensures you can always see and use the content. For vector work, SVG is a strong choice because it is an open, human-readable standard.
Should I convert all my designs to one format?
No. Different formats serve different purposes, and converting between them inevitably loses something. A PSD converted to AI does not become a vector file; it just becomes a raster image inside an AI wrapper. Keep files in the format they were designed in, and export to the appropriate delivery format when needed. The goal is not one format to rule them all, but the right format for each stage of the workflow.
How does colour management work across design formats?
Colour consistency across formats depends on using the correct colour profiles. Design files can contain colours specified in RGB (for screens), CMYK (for print), or Pantone (for exact colour matching). When converting between colour modes, shifts can occur; a vibrant RGB blue may look muted in CMYK. Embedding colour profiles in your files and understanding colour space helps ensure that colours remain consistent from the design application to the final output, whether that is a screen, a printed page, or a sign.