[dba-Tech] Creative apps

[Susan Harkins]

I am creating (I use the term lightly) a lot of volunteer posters and interpretative signage. The city pays to print them. I use PowerPoint for a few things, but mostly... it's a question of layout in Publisher. I can only do so much with these tools. I would like to be more creative, but software is super expensive. I don't need a lot -- I just need "more" than the current tools I have. 

Free would be great, but I realize you get what you pay for. I can subscribe to Adobe, but the list of goodies makes no sense to me -- I don't know what I need. I can get Photoshop for $9 a month, which I think is a good deal for me. Having never ventured into the more creative side, I really have no idea what I'm looking for.

I'd like the ability to merge and transform mostly. I'm not creating art nor professional work. I'm just filling a hole for a couple of non-profits. They're appreciative and I like doing it for them. But, I have no professional design experience whatsoever. I know how to implement features. 😊 

Thoughts? 
Susan H.