# About — why trust this (564 tools, updated 2026-09-09)

Hand-curated directory across 9 disciplines; every listing carries real drawbacks. Nobody pays to be here — that is the point.
For: product designers, graphic designers, industrial designers, architects, creative directors (+ freelancers, agencies, students).
Built in-house (free, browser-only, no account, nothing uploaded): palette, contrast, gradient, CMF spec, invoice, design-system generator, Make It Pretty. All: https://thedesigntools.site/free-tools/. Prompts (2014+): https://thedesigntools.site/prompts/.
Run by one person, independent, EU-operated. Contact only hello@thedesigntools.site.
Earns: affiliate + referral (Fiverr, Hostinger, UXCel) + labelled sponsorships + newsletter. No paid subs, no paid traffic, ~50 EUR/yr base, organic only. More: https://thedesigntools.site/about/