Ruby Helyer-Author

Ruby Helyer

Author

January, 2022
BA (hons) Graphic Communication, MA English with Creative Writing
Adobe, Canva, Graphic Design
  • 281
    articles
  • 1
    News
  • 99
    Features
  • 92
    Lists
  • 89
    Guides

About Ruby Helyer

Ruby has been a freelance writer since 2020, initially starting in the sustainability and wellness sector. After graduating from her master’s in English with a concentration in creative writing in 2021, Ruby began working for MUO in 2022 and for XDA in 2024. Her writing focuses on creative technology, which goes hand-in-hand with her experience as a graphic designer and photographer, following on from her graphic communication BA in 2016.
 

Besides a vested interest in art and creative technology, Ruby is a keen traveler and animal lover. She’s a Brit who has lived in over five countries including the USA, Germany, and Australia. Since moving back home from the USA, Ruby has worked as a pet-sitter alongside her creative writing and design work. Her camera roll is 99% filled with photos and videos of clients’ pets, to include dogs, cats, tortoises, ducks, chickens, and more. Ruby's happy place is walking through the English countryside during sunrise, with a well-behaved pup on the other end of a leash.
 

Latest

HTVRont H17 Phone Case Heat Press with the lid closed.
This little machine makes crafting addictive, and I can’t stop using it

My new favorite way to be creative.

Hands holding an iPhone horizontally with the Project Indigo camera on the screen
These underrated photography apps are free and you probably haven’t tried them

Fresh picks to level up your shots for $0.

1
Focus Friend app on an iPhone 13 Pro
I tried the new focus timer app that everyone's talking about but it didn't click

Focus timers aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Pippit AI Generated Video Timeline on MacBook Pro
You've Never Heard of This AI Video Generator, but It Works Like a Dream

Free, easy, and almost too good to be true.

Magic Hour GIF Animation Generator on a MacBook Pro
I Found a Free AI Animation Tool That Turns Ideas Into GIFs Instantly

Free, fast, and surprisingly addictive.

1
Canva Design Homepage
I Used Canva in These 8 Ways and It Made College So Much Easier

Canva became my unofficial college survival kit.

Photopea Homepage on MacBook
I Ditched Photoshop—This Web App Has All the Features I Need

My browser replaced a $20/month subscription.

WeTransfer Homepage on a MacBook Pro
I'm Ditching My Favorite File Sharing App After 10 Years—Here's What I'm Using Now

Old habits die hard—unless a better app comes along.

1
LOKLiK machine with drawing on Canvas and MacBook
I Finally Have a Screen-Free Hobby—Thanks to AI

The most analog thing I do came from AI.

1
Hands holding an iPhone horizontally with the Project Indigo camera on the screen
Every Smartphone Photographer Should Know About This Adobe App

I thought I’d seen it all—then this Adobe app rewrote my photo workflow.

3
Canva Website Editor Preview Page
Canva Isn’t Just for Posters Anymore—I Built a Whole Website With It

Making a website was way easier than I expected.

NeuralCam on iPhone
People Keep Asking What Camera I Use—It’s Just This App

I don’t carry a DSLR. I carry this app.

5
Photoshop on Android Phone in Hand
Photoshop Is Free on Android (For Now)

Android gets Photoshop at last, no subscription required (for now).

1
Steppin App Instagram Block on iPhone
This App Won’t Let You Doomscroll Until You Get Your Steps In

Scroll all you want—after your 3K steps.

Photoshop Mobile App and Web App on MacBook
Adobe’s Done It Again—Price Hikes and Unfortunate Creative Cloud Plan Changes

Creative Cloud users just can’t catch a break.

GIMP Dialog Box on MacBook Pro Laptop
9 Ways GIMP’s Latest Update Makes Photoshop Obsolete

Image editing that rivals Photoshop CC—for free.

1
Film Photos and Negatives in a Flatlay
How to Scan Old Photos With Your Phone and Actually Make Them Look Good

Your childhood deserves more than a blurry JPEG.

OldRoll Camera Emulator on iPhone
This Retro Camera App Blows All the Others Away—Here’s Why

The retro cam app that nails both vibe and usability.

3
Instant Camera App on iPhone Taking a Photo
6 Instant Camera Apps for That Polaroid Vibe—No Printer Required

Old-school charm without buying a camera.

Aperty Photo Editor on Macbook
I Used This App to Fix My Portraits—Now They Look Amazing

Keep the details and clean up the noise.

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