Keyboard Shortcuts Every Designer Needs to Memorize in 2025

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of design, every second counts. Whether you're a graphic designer, UI/UX specialist, or digital illustrator, your tools are only as efficient as your ability to navigate them. And in 2025, with creative software becoming more powerful (and complex) than ever, mastering keyboard shortcuts isn't just a productivity hack — it's an absolute necessity.

Think about it: how many times a day do you reach for your mouse to align an object, switch tools, or zoom into a canvas? Now imagine cutting that time in half — or even more — simply by using the right keystroke. That’s what this guide is all about. We’re not just listing shortcuts for the sake of it. We're focusing on the most essential, time-saving keyboard shortcuts that every modern designer needs to commit to memory in 2025.

This year, industry giants like Adobe and Figma have rolled out updates that changed the way we interact with our favorite tools. With more remote collaboration, AI-assisted features, and multitasking demands than ever before, learning shortcuts is no longer optional — it's the key to staying competitive.

But here's the thing: many designers still struggle to keep up with all the new shortcut combinations and hidden tricks across various software. That’s why we’re breaking it down — clean, categorized, and crystal clear.

By the end of this blog, you'll have a handy list of must-know shortcuts for Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma, plus tips on creating your own custom shortcuts and integrating them seamlessly into your daily design routine.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts by Design Software

Design software is constantly evolving, but one thing remains the same — the power of a good shortcut. Whether you’re retouching a photo, designing a logo, or building a user interface, knowing the right keys to press can dramatically speed up your workflow. In this section, we’ll explore the essential keyboard shortcuts every designer should know in 2025, broken down by the tools used most.

Adobe Photoshop Shortcuts

Photoshop is the go-to tool for image editing, and shortcuts can turn a 10-minute task into a 30-second one. Here are the most valuable shortcuts you should memorize:

• V – Move Tool

• M – Marquee Tool (selection)

• L – Lasso Tool

• B – Brush Tool

• Ctrl/Cmd + T – Free Transform

• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N – New Layer

• Alt/Option + Backspace – Fill with Foreground Color

• Ctrl/Cmd + D – Deselect

• Ctrl/Cmd + J – Duplicate Layer

Pro Tip: Combine Alt/Option + Ctrl/Cmd + Z to step back multiple times. Unlike the regular undo, it lets you go back through your full history.

Adobe Illustrator Shortcuts

Illustrator is all about precision and shape manipulation. These shortcuts help keep your vector game sharp:

• P – Pen Tool

• A – Direct Selection Tool

• Ctrl/Cmd + G – Group

• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + G – Ungroup

• Ctrl/Cmd + D – Repeat Last Action

• Shift + M – Shape Builder Tool

• Ctrl/Cmd + 2 – Lock Selection

• Ctrl/Cmd + 7 – Make Clipping Mask

Example: Instead of manually aligning objects, use Shift + Ctrl/Cmd + [ or ] to arrange layer order instantly.

Figma Shortcuts

Figma is the rising star of interface design, thanks to its collaborative and cloud-based nature. Its keyboard shortcuts are incredibly intuitive and essential for fast design execution.

• R – Rectangle

• T – Text Tool

• Ctrl/Cmd + G – Group Selection

• Ctrl/Cmd + D – Duplicate

• Shift + A – Auto Layout

• Ctrl/Cmd + / – Quick Actions (search anything)

• Alt/Option + Drag – Duplicate element

• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + K – Place Image

Workflow Tip: Use Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + L to toggle layout grids — perfect for responsive UI planning.

Advanced and Custom Shortcuts for Power Users

Once you’ve mastered the basic keyboard shortcuts, it’s time to elevate your workflow to a professional level. Power users know that the secret sauce lies in personalization and integration. This section explores how you can go beyond the default shortcuts and build a system tailored specifically to your design needs.

Creating Custom Shortcuts

Design software today offers flexibility that allows users to redefine how they work. Custom shortcuts give you complete control over your workflow and can save hours over time.

How to Create Custom Shortcuts:

• Photoshop: Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts, then select the command and assign a custom key combo.

• Illustrator: Use Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts and set new values under different categories.

• Figma: While Figma doesn't officially support custom keyboard shortcuts, you can use browser extensions or remap keys via OS-level utilities (e.g., Karabiner for macOS or AutoHotkey for Windows).

Pro Tip: Map shortcuts for actions you use most often but don’t have quick access to — like “Export As PNG” or “Flatten Selection.”

Cross-Tool Shortcuts Every Designer Should Know

Some keyboard commands work across nearly all design platforms. These “universal” shortcuts not only save time but reduce cognitive switching between apps.

Must-Know Universal Shortcuts:

• Ctrl/Cmd + C / V / X / Z – Copy, Paste, Cut, Undo

• Ctrl/Cmd + S – Save

• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + S – Save As

• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z – Redo

• Ctrl/Cmd + Plus/Minus – Zoom In/Out

• Ctrl/Cmd + 0 or 1 – Fit to screen / 100% view

• Spacebar + Drag – Pan canvas in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma

Why it matters: These shortcuts give you a consistent, fast workflow whether you're wireframing, editing, or designing graphics.

Integrating Shortcuts Into Daily Workflow

Knowing shortcuts is one thing — making them second nature is another. Integrating them into your daily work will boost speed and reduce design fatigue.

Tips to Build Muscle Memory:

• Practice one new shortcut a day

• Print a cheat sheet and keep it visible

• Use tools like KeyCue (Mac) or CheatSheet

• Avoid reaching for the mouse — force yourself to use keys

Example: If you design UI components daily, practice using Shift + A (Figma’s Auto Layout) until it becomes second nature.

Over time, these shortcuts will become instinctive — your hands will know what to do before your brain finishes the thought. That’s the kind of workflow that separates fast designers from great ones.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving world of design, speed and precision are everything. Whether you're polishing a product mockup, building an app interface, or crafting a killer visual for social media, your ability to work efficiently can make or break your creative flow. That’s where keyboard shortcuts come in — not as optional extras, but as essential tools in your designer toolkit.

We’ve covered the core shortcuts across today’s most-used design platforms — Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma. Each of these tools is packed with potential, and shortcuts unlock that potential in ways that clicking through menus never will. You’ve also learned how to create your own custom shortcuts and how to integrate them into your workflow, making your design sessions faster, smoother, and more focused.

The truth is, mastering shortcuts won’t just make you a faster designer — it’ll make you a more confident one. You’ll navigate your tools like a pro, solve creative challenges quicker, and stay in your creative zone longer. That’s powerful.