Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered creative and editing tools have just become more accessible to Microsoft users after the company launched its Designer app that works for iOS and Android devices, as well as Windows desktop.

“Today, we’re announcing that the Microsoft Designer app is now generally available with a personal Microsoft account, with new features that help you create and edit like never before,” wrote a Microsoft representative in a blog post.

Joining rivals Canva and Adobe Express, Microsoft Designer can be downloaded for free by anyone with a Microsoft account and is available in more than 80 languages to accommodate customers in different countries worldwide.

Multiple App Integration

One of the highlights of this new product is its integration with existing Microsoft services, including Word and PowerPoint. This removes the need to open another application or AI tool when asking for design help.

By simply clicking on the Copilot icon, both mobile and desktop users can generate images and designs after only a few descriptions.

An upcoming update can also be expected on Word, which will automatically produce a banner for a document that is designed to match the content.

The AI capabilities in Microsoft Designer are likewise embedded in Microsoft Photos. “Without leaving Photos, you can edit your photos to erase objects, remove backgrounds, auto crop, make adjustments, apply filters, markup, or even add text without leaving your flow,” the blog said.

Though only available to Windows Insiders so far, the Washington-based tech company plans to roll out the same photo-editing features to Microsoft Edge to enable convenient use from web browsers.

Brand-New App Features

Apart from the usual generative AI skills, Microsoft Designer was developed with new capabilities that maximize the help that people can get from using the app.

Microsoft has introduced its latest “prompt templates” that house various ideas, styles, and descriptions, which users can access and customize to guide them in jumpstarting their creative process.

Additionally, Designer can turn simple descriptions into personalized stickers, emojis, clip art, wallpapers, monograms, avatars, and more. For those who often cannot find the right words, the app can also craft the perfect text content by simply describing what they want to covey.

Besides this, any photo can be transformed into a new image using the “Restyle image” option or into shareable memories using the “Frame image” option that adds custom frames and collages.

The tech giant is working on more features, too, promising a “Replace background” tool in the future, among others.  

Currently, the free version of Microsoft Designer offers 15 free daily boosts that users can apply not only in the app but also in Microsoft applications wherever it is integrated. Customers may opt to increase their number of boosts to 100 per day by upgrading to a Copilot Pro subscription.

“We have implemented a responsible AI process and taken actions to mitigate negative outcomes and further prevent misuse, including guardrails, threat monitoring, abuse detection, and provenance technology, and we are continuously working to strengthen our safety systems to help create a safer environment,” Microsoft stated, encouraging customers to use its products and AI responsibly.