Voice to Text for Affinity Designer
Typing breaks your creative momentum in Affinity Designer. Whether you're naming layers in a complex vector illustration, adding text elements to a poster, writing export preset notes, or documenting design decisions for clients, stopping to type pulls you out of your visual flow. Blurt lets you speak directly into Affinity Designer. Hold a button, say what you want to type, release. Text appears instantly at your cursor. Your hands stay on the pen tablet, your mind stays on the artwork.
The Typing Problem
Layer naming becomes a tedious afterthought
Your vector illustration has 150 layers. You know you should name them properly: Background-Gradient-Radial, Character-Outline-Main, Logo-Wordmark-Shadow. But typing out descriptive names for each layer would take 45 minutes. So you leave them as Curve 23, Rectangle 47, and spend twice as long searching when you need to make edits.
Text elements require constant context switching
You're designing a flyer and need to add headlines, body copy, and contact information. Every text frame pulls you out of your layout zone. You want to say 'Summer Music Festival, August 15th through 17th' and keep arranging elements. Instead, you click, type, adjust, losing your compositional thinking each time.
Export notes and file organization get skipped
You've created 30 artboards for a social media campaign. Each needs specific export settings and naming conventions. Documenting which artboard goes where, what format each needs, and the file naming pattern would help your team. But typing all those notes takes longer than the design itself, so you skip it.
Design annotations for handoff take forever
The logo design is finished, but now you need to document the specifications. Pantone colors, minimum clear space requirements, usage guidelines, font information. You know exactly what to communicate, but typing it all out feels like writing a manual. So handoff documentation becomes minimal and clients ask questions you should have answered.
Symbol and asset descriptions never get written
Your design system has 80 symbols. Each one should have a description explaining when to use it, size constraints, and color variations. But typing 'Primary button for main CTAs, includes hover and pressed states, minimum width 120 pixels' for every symbol is exhausting. The descriptions stay empty, and teammates misuse components.
How It Works
Blurt works anywhere you can type in Affinity Designer. Layer names, text frames, artboard labels, document notes, and any text field. If there's a cursor, Blurt works.
Click into any text field
Text frame on the canvas, layer name in the panel, artboard label, document metadata. Anywhere you'd normally type.
Hold your hotkey and speak
Press your chosen shortcut and say what you want to type. Blurt handles punctuation automatically.
Release and continue designing
Text appears instantly. No delay, no extra steps. Your hands never left the pen tablet.
Real Scenarios
Naming layers across complex vector artwork
Your character illustration has 80 layers that need proper organization. Double-click the layer, hold your hotkey, say 'Character Main Body Outline.' Next layer. 'Character Hair Highlights Group.' Next. 'Background Gradient Overlay.' What would take 30 minutes of typing is done in 5 minutes of speaking. Future you will find exactly what you need.
Adding text elements to marketing materials
You're designing a conference poster. Headlines, speaker names, event details, venue information. Select the Artistic Text tool, click your position, hold your hotkey: 'Annual Design Conference 2026. Where creativity meets innovation.' Text appears, ready for styling. Next element. 'Keynote speakers, panel discussions, hands-on workshops.' Poster content at speaking speed.
Export preset notes and batch naming
You've created 40 icons across 40 artboards. Each needs a specific export name following your team's convention. Click the artboard name, hold your hotkey: 'Icon dash Navigation dash Menu dash Hamburger.' Next artboard. 'Icon dash Action dash Share dash Outline.' Batch export naming without the repetitive typing.
Design annotations for client handoff
You're preparing a brand identity package for the client. Create an annotation layer and add text: 'Logo clear space is equal to the height of the letter D. Never place the logo on busy backgrounds without the white container. Primary blue is Pantone 2935 C.' Comprehensive specs captured before the next meeting.
Symbol documentation in design systems
Your UI kit has button components that need descriptions. Hold your hotkey: 'Primary action button. Use for main CTAs, maximum one per screen. Includes default, hover, and disabled states. Minimum touch target 44 by 44 pixels.' Every symbol documented, usage guidelines included. No more Slack messages asking how to use components.
Color palette annotations
You're building a style guide in Affinity Designer. Each color swatch needs labels and usage notes. Hold your hotkey: 'Brand Primary Blue. Hex 0066CC. Use for interactive elements, links, and primary buttons. Passes WCAG AA on white backgrounds.' Color documentation that actually helps the development team.
Print production specifications
The poster design is ready for print but needs production notes. Create a specs layer: '3mm bleed on all sides. CMYK color mode. 300 DPI minimum. Spot varnish on logo area. 170gsm silk coated stock.' All the information the printer needs, spoken in 15 seconds instead of typed over 5 minutes.
Why Affinity Designer users choose Blurt over built-in dictation
| Blurt | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Single customizable hotkey | Double-tap Fn or click microphone |
| Response time | Text appears in under 500ms | 2-3 second delay, sometimes fails silently |
| Design terminology | Handles 'bezier', 'CMYK', 'kerning', 'artboard' correctly | Struggles with design and print terms |
| Workflow integration | Works without disrupting Affinity Designer focus | System UI appears, breaks concentration |
| Reliability | Consistent transcription quality | Inconsistent, requires retries |
Frequently Asked Questions
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