The CreativePro Podcast

What's New in InDesign 2027

InDesign 2027 brings a fresh round of updates, but not all of them are ready for prime time. David Blatner walks Anne-Marie Concepción through what's new—from better font browsing and new search tools to improvements in Data Merge. They also take a critical look at the growing collection of AI features, discussing where they show promise, where they still fall short, and why some of them raise concerns for professional designers. Their final takeaway? Don't upgrade right away. Wait for the first maintenance release, back up your work, and don't open important existing documents in a brand-new version without taking precautions. Key Takeaways: The Good Enhanced font browser Windows ARM native support Search in Scripts panel Search in the Edit Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box Auto resize text frames in Flex Layout Export selected pages Data Merge improvements Align to bleed The Not-So-Good AI Assistant Check Document Rewrite updates Automatic AI-generated alt text Adobe Express integration Resources James Wamser's InDesign New Features Guide Adobe's What's New in InDesign The InDesign Conference, December 1-4, 2026 Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST

A Free, Vibe-Coded Adobe Suite? Our Reaction

What happens when the tools you've built your career around suddenly seem less permanent? In this episode, host Theresa Jackson and Photoshop expert Jesús Ramirez discuss the emergence of AI-generated alternatives to Adobe applications and what they mean for creative professionals. Together, they wrestle with the big questions beneath vibe-coded software: how might AI change the way creative tools are built, who gets to shape them, and what happens when the skills and software we depend on become obsolete? They explore how AI could reshape creative careers, particularly for those just entering the industry, and why creative vision, experience, and a trained eye remain valuable even as technology evolves. Key Takeaways: Be willing to adapt. The tools and workflows that served you in the past may not be the ones you use in the future. Continuous learning is essential to staying relevant. Focus on your creative judgment. While knowing keyboard shortcuts is useful, your ability to judge composition, color, and the overall impact of an image is what sets you apart. Recognize your transferable skills. Even if the software changes, your experience in creating, teaching, solving problems, and communicating ideas carries over. Use AI as a starting point, not a finished product. Even when AI produces something quickly, you should use your own judgment and skills to refine the result and make it unique. Acknowledge the challenge facing entry-level creatives. As AI takes over routine production tasks, newcomers may have fewer opportunities to gain the hands-on experience that develops their skills and judgment. Make room for both uncertainty and possibility. Technological change can disrupt careers, but it also creates opportunities for people to build tools, experiment, and create in new ways. Resources ArtCraft Prompt Vault About Jesús Ramirez Jesús's website Jesús's Youtube Channel Interview with Jesús, Photo Retouching in the Age of AI: Thoughts from Lisa Carney and Jesús Ramirez Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST The InDesign Conference, December 1-4, 2026

Adding Video to Your Design Toolkit

If you know Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign, you can use Premiere too. You don't have to be a video editor to make it useful. In this episode, Mike Rankin and designer and educator Myra Ferguson explore how Premiere can fit into an existing design workflow. Mike and Myra cover everything from animating Photoshop layers and creating interactive content to pulling still images from video and working with captions. They share practical advice for getting comfortable with Premiere without trying to learn everything at once, and show how even small video and animation projects can add new possibilities to your design work. Key Takeaways: Treat Premiere like any other design tool. You don't have to become a video editor to get value from Premiere. Think of it as an extension of the tools you already use. Build on what you already know. Premiere plays well with other CC programs like Photoshop. Start by fitting your Premiere experimentation into the work you're already doing. Start with a specific project. Instead of trying to learn the entire application, choose a small project that solves a real design problem and learn the Premiere features you need along the way. Change the interface. Maximize the application window, brighten your interface, and customize the workspace so the tools you need are easier to see and use. Write down the keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts reduce friction and increase efficiency. If you're having trouble remembering them, put some sticky notes on your monitor or desktop! Use transcripts to edit and caption video. Premiere can transcribe your video and turn that transcript into captions, while also allowing you to edit your video directly from the text. Mix it up! Turn video frames into print projects or add interactivity into your static content with animation. Resources About Myra Ferguson Members-only article, Getting Started with Premiere Find Myra Ferguson's Premiere tutorials on CreativePro's Working with Video playlist Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST The Design + Accessibility Summit, October 20-23, 2026 The InDesign Conference, December 1-4, 2026

Making Accessibility Part of Your Design Process

Designers know accessibility matters, but knowing that and knowing what to actually do about it are two very different things. In this episode, accessibility experts Colleen Gratzer and Chad Chelius share how they found their way into accessibility and discuss how it has changed the way they approach design. They explain why accessibility doesn't have to limit creativity or be a separate step at the end of the design process. Instead, accessible design can be a natural extension of your craft that leads to more efficient and more creative ways of working. Key Takeaways: Start with color contrast. Learning the contrast requirements for normal text, large text, and meaningful icons is a great first step for increasing accessibility without requiring you to learn the entire field at once. Map your styles to tags. When you create headings and other structured text, map your paragraph styles to the appropriate tags so the structure of your document is available to people using assistive technology. Build accessibility into your workflow. Many accessibility practices, like working with paragraph styles, are best practices. They're a simpler and more efficient way to design. Don't let accessibility limit your creativity. There's no such thing as a fundamentally inaccessible color or style. Look at how colors work together and find creative ways to create clarity and contrast. Offer conformance, not compliance. Designers should be careful about promising that a document or website is legally compliant. Instead, focus on the accessibility standards and level of conformance you're actually responsible for achieving. Expand your perception of accessibility. Accessibility benefits people using assistive technology, but also people who wear glasses, people who are color blind, and people experiencing design in non-ideal conditions, like the menu at a dimly lit restaurant. Resources The Design + Accessibility Summit, October 20-23, 2026 Free Webinar: Accessibility Essentials with Chad Chelius, September 29, 2026 at 10:00 am PT CreativePro Youtube Accessibility Tutorials Playlist Colleen Gratzer's Accessibility Training and Design Domination Podcast at Creative Boost Chad Chelius's Accessibility Training at Chax Training and Consulting Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST

How to Be a Better Designer

After more than a decade, Nigel French's How to Be a Better Designer series has reached its final installment. In this episode, Mike Rankin and Nigel French celebrate the conclusion of the 12-part series, which began as a pair of articles in InDesign Magazine back in 2013 and was later revisited and expanded for CreativePro Magazine. They look back at the long journey of the series and the ideas at its heart: studying the past, learning by doing, embracing constraints, understanding the rules of design, and knowing when to step away from the computer. They also talk about Nigel's approach to typography and composition, the influence of his photography on his design work, and the ongoing challenge of putting his own advice into practice. Key Takeaways: Study the past to understand the present. Learn from the history of design and typography, and look closely at how designers before you solved familiar problems. Paint the back of the fence. Take pride in the details that may never be seen by building files that are organized, thoughtful, and usable by whoever needs to work with them next. Don't polish a weak idea. When you find yourself endlessly nudging, tweaking, and adjusting, step away from the computer and ask whether the underlying idea is strong enough. Know the rules before you break them. Understand the principles behind established design practices so you can make deliberate choices about when to follow, adapt, or abandon them. Design is simple, that's what makes it so complicated. Limiting your choices can focus your thinking and lead to simpler, stronger solutions. Keep learning, no matter how experienced you are. The deeper you get into design, the more you realize there is to learn, so stay curious and embrace being a perpetual student. Resources How to Be a Better Designer article series (Members only): https://creativepro.com/tag/htbbd/ CreativePro Design + Marketing Summit, September 14–15, 2026: https://creativepro.com/event/design-marketing-summit-2026/ CreativePro Design + AI Summit Part 2, September 17–18, 2026 https://creativepro.com/event/design-ai-summit-2026/ Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/events/ Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/become-a-member/

Print Is Better Than You Remember

Print is alive and well, and it is more flexible, creative, and powerful than ever. In this conversation, Sabine Lenz and Chris Carls share their passion for print and explain why designers and marketing professionals should take a closer look at what it can do today. They explore how new technologies, digital embellishments, shorter print runs, and smarter production options have expanded what is possible. They also make a strong case for finding the right printer, building a trusted relationship, and starting that conversation before the design begins. Along the way, they share practical advice, inspiring examples, and plenty of reasons to believe that print really is better than you remember. Show Highlights Hear how Sabine proves that print is still alive by handing out a business card people can't stop touching. Discover how digital presses, short runs, foil, soft-touch finishes, and other embellishments have changed what designers can create. Hear how a nearly impossible World Cup menu project became possible with the right technology and the right printer. Hear why printed direct mail is getting attention again and why Chris says younger audiences may see it as something fresh, tangible, and worth opening. Learn why your first call should be to the printer, not after the design is finished, but before it begins. Leave inspired to stay curious, find a great printer, and go make some cool stuff. Resources CreativePro Design + Marketing Summit, September 14–15, 2026. See the agenda and register here. Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST PaperSpecs Cirrus Visual

Accessibility Quickstart with Dax and Chad

Recorded live at CreativePro Week 2026, this episode features Theresa Jackson talking with document accessibility experts Dax Castro and Chad Chelius about practical ways designers can start creating more accessible documents. Dax and Chad begin by sharing their own journeys into accessibility and how they came to focus on helping others create more inclusive documents. From there, they explain how small decisions in InDesign, PowerPoint, and PDF workflows can improve the experience for people using assistive technology. The conversation covers document metadata, heading structure, lists, decorative elements, accessibility checkers, screen readers, and what to do with older documents that were not designed with accessibility in mind. Show Highlights: Accessibility Quickstart Tips Add a descriptive document title and review the author information in your file metadata. Build a clear heading structure with paragraph styles mapped to H1–H6 tags. Use built-in list tools so screen readers recognize and announce lists correctly. Check color contrast early, before your palette becomes embedded throughout the design. Mark decorative graphics, running headers, and footers as artifacts so screen readers can skip them. Create an object style and keyboard shortcut to artifact decorative elements more efficiently in InDesign. Run an accessibility checker, but do not assume a passing result guarantees a good user experience. Test PDFs with a screen reader such as JAWS, NVDA, or Apple VoiceOver to hear how the content is actually presented. Fix reusable documents at the source whenever possible, especially templates and recurring reports. Use automated tagging tools to improve large collections of legacy PDFs, then review the results. Start with manageable improvements and build your accessibility skills over time. Resources CreativePro Accessibility Summit, October 20-23, 2026: https://creativepro.com/event/design-accessibility-summit-2026/ Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/events/ Chaxchat Podcast: https://www.accessibilitychecklists.com/ Chax Training & Consulting: https://chaxtc.com/ Free for Members–Accessibility Super Guide: https://creativepro.com/product/accessibility-superguide/ Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/become-a-member/

Wait, You Can Do That In…?

No matter how long you've used your favorite creative tools, there's always one more shortcut, hidden feature, or unexpected workaround waiting to surprise you. In this episode, Theresa Jackson and Mike Rankin share a collection of practical tips and "wait, you can do that?" discoveries submitted by CreativePro Week speakers. You'll hear tips for favorite tools from Acrobat to PowerPoint, including clever ways to edit faster, move between apps, customize layouts, animate designs, manage masks, and make AI more useful in real workflows. Theresa also talks with PageProof founder Marcus Radich about PageProof Intelligence (PI) and learns how a proof can mark itself with AI. Episode Highlights Hear why Mike Rankin is looking at Affinity as a useful add-on to Adobe workflows, including an easier way to use images as custom bullets Learn where to find your Firefly generation history, including the prompts you used to create past results Discover how to export video with transparency from PowerPoint Follow Theresa and Mike through practical "round trip" workflows, from editing PDF images in Photoshop to moving Firefly Boards assets into other Adobe apps Hear Amy Balliett's tip for getting better AI results by using more than one AI tool Learn how Ben Willmore uses keyboard shortcuts to build masks faster in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom Discover Dax Castro's simple InDesign alt-text tip that can save time when adding descriptions to multiple images Resources CreativePro Week 2026: Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026. https://creativeproweek.com/ CreativePro Events: https://creativepro.com/events/ Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/events/ Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/become-a-member/ PageProof Intelligence: https://pageproof.com/pageproof-intelligence José Semidei: Tips for Creating Gradient Mesh Effects in Illustrator: https://creativepro.com/tips-for-creating-gradient-mesh-effects-in-illustrator/ How to Edit Photos in a PDF with Photoshop: https://youtu.be/aak26NToW5g?si=_ZQBnAU3AkyU6XXV

Adobe Illustrator: Favorite New Features Spring 2026

Some of the most useful new Illustrator features are easy to miss if you aren't actively exploring the latest updates and beta tools. In this episode, Theresa Jackson talks with illustrator and toy designer Thaddeus Coates and digital artist Luke Choice about the new Illustrator features they're genuinely excited to use. Thaddeus shares how Illustrator fits into his character design and toy-making process, including using Turntable to communicate ideas to manufacturers. Luke dives into the practical side of Illustrator updates, from snapping improvements and smoother performance to AI-assisted vector workflows inside Illustrator Beta. Whether you spend your days designing logos, illustrating characters, building client work, or experimenting with new ideas, there's probably a feature in this episode you haven't tried yet. Episode Highlights Prototyping with Turntable: Hear how Thaddeus Coates uses Turntable to prototype toy ideas and communicate designs to manufacturers faster. Live Preview Tools: Learn why Illustrator's Live Preview drawing tools feel more natural and responsive for illustrators working on iPad and desktop. Workflow Efficiency: Hear Luke Choice explain how small workflow improvements, including font browsing and snapping updates can save serious production time. Sketch to Vector: Explore how Sketch to Vector in Illustrator Beta is changing the way artists turn rough sketches and low-resolution artwork into editable vectors. Real-World Application: Hear both guests share examples of using Illustrator's newest features for experimentation, iteration, and client work. Resources CreativePro Week 2026: Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026. https://creativeproweek.com/ CreativePro Events: https://creativepro.com/events/ Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/events/ Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/become-a-member/ Adobe Help: What's New in Illustrator on the Desktop: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/new-features/whats-new.html Thaddeus Coates: https://www.hippypotter.com/ Luke Choice: https://www.velvetspectrum.com/

Affinity: Why You Should Pay Attention

Canva's mission is to empower the world to design, and by most measures, it's working. Millions of people create content in Canva every day, which means design is no longer something that belongs exclusively to designers. Now, with the acquisition of Affinity, Canva is making a move into professional territory. So what does that actually mean for those of us who make a living in this space? In this episode, Theresa Jackson sits down with Steve Caplin to dig into Affinity by Canva: what it is, how it works, and why the conversation around it goes well beyond the software itself. They give an honest take on where Affinity genuinely impresses and where it still comes up short for professional work, covering the same questions a lot of designers are already wrestling with about their role in a changing industry. If you've felt friction between your design team and the non-designers who use Canva, or if you've found yourself wondering how your job is evolving, this one's worth your time. Episode Highlights Switching between Vector, Pixel, and Layout within a single document is a departure from everything most designers are used to, and Theresa and Steve get into why that matters Theresa calls Affinity Canva's "olive branch" to professional designers, and unpacks why that framing deserves a second look Affinity's live filters and real-time previews create a noticeably different editing experience, and the episode explores what that unlocks "Free" as a pricing strategy has real implications for who gets to call themselves a designer The episode covers what Affinity still lacks, particularly around publishing workflows, automation, and accessibility, and why those gaps keep professionals anchored to InDesign and Adobe The tension between design teams and non-designers using Canva is real, growing, and worth talking about openly Designers are once again being asked to justify their value, and this conversation doesn't shy away from that The bigger question isn't which tool to use; it's what's shifting in the design industry and how to position yourself within that shift Resources CreativePro Week 2026, Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026: https://creativeproweek.com/ CreativePro Events: https://creativepro.com/events/ Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/events/ Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/become-a-member/ Steve Caplin: https://stevecaplin.com/ Theresa Jackson's Self Portrait with Photoshop Displacement Map Filter: https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_3840_webp/00bfb313226357.56271a3df0ccf.jpg Canva Create Keynote: https://www.youtube.com/live/9HkO8masPT0 Affinity Download: https://www.affinity.studio/download Affinity for Photoshop Users by Steve Caplin: https://creativepro.com/affinity-photoshop-users/ YouTube: Displace Filter in Affinity: https://youtu.be/_9ZFMs1GkPg

Before & After: Timeless Design Lessons

Great design lessons outlive the tools, trends, and even the formats they were created in. In this episode, David Blatner and Mike Rankin revisit the work of John McWade and Before & After Magazine. It's a look at why foundational design thinking still matters and how McWade's work continues to shape how creatives see and communicate. You'll hear how Before & After began in 1990 and why it resonated with both designers and non-designers. McWade focused on clear, practical lessons that helped people communicate visually, not just learn the tools. There's also a personal layer to this story. David and Mike share how the archive found its way to CreativePro, and what it means to bring this work forward for a new generation. Have a memory of John McWade or Before & After? Share it with us in the comments. We'd love to hear how his work impacted you. Episode Highlights Hear how John McWade saw the future of desktop publishing early and made a bold career shift before the industry fully existed Learn why Before & After Magazine focused on teaching people how to see, not just how to use design tools Listen as David and Mike explain why design techniques outlast software, and why that still matters today Hear the story behind how the Before & After archive was recovered and brought to CreativePro after John's passing Explore how these lessons helped non-designers and self-taught creatives build real design skills Resources Design + AI Summit 2026, being held online April 9–10 and September 17–18: https://creativepro.com/event/design-ai-summit-2026/ CreativePro Week 2026, Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026: https://creativeproweek.com/ CreativePro Events: https://creativepro.com/events/ Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/events/ Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/become-a-member/ The Before & After Archive: https://creativepro.com/before-after-archive/ Gestalt Theory: https://creativepro.com/tag/gestalt-theory/ John McWade LinkedIn Learning Courses: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/john-mcwade?u=2125562 Before & After's Why We Design: http://www.mcwade.com/DesignTalk/2009/04/design-is-worthy-toil/

Photoshop Craft vs AI: What Still Matters

Lisa Carney and Jesús Ramirez join the CreativePro Podcast to explore the intersection of Photoshop craft and community in the age of AI. Drawing on years of Hollywood production experience (where every pixel counts) they compare notes on high-end retouching and compositing. The conversation bridges traditional techniques with the latest AI-powered tools. Lisa and Jesús share behind-the-scenes stories, trace Photoshop's AI evolution, and look ahead to the future of mobile and voice-controlled editing. Episode Highlights Hear how Lisa Carney and Jesús Ramirez first met while teaching at CreativeLive in Seattle, a chance meeting that grew into years of collaboration and friendship. Lisa tells Jesús she considers him one of her best friends on the planet and explains why working together has made both of them better creatives. Jesús shares his philosophy of learning with peers: "You go learn X, I'll learn Y, and we'll meet in the middle and see what we discover." Lisa and Jesús compare notes on working behind the scenes on movie and TV posters, where high-end retouching and compositing are part of everyday production. The conversation turns into a thoughtful debate about AI in Photoshop and how much creative professionals should rely on it. Jesús talks about why becoming part of a creative community matters and how sharing knowledge with peers helps everyone improve. Episode Resources Design + AI Summit 2026, being held online April 9–10 and September 17–18: https://creativepro.com/event/design-ai-summit-2026/ CreativePro Week 2026, Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026: https://creativeproweek.com/ CreativePro Events: https://creativepro.com/events/ Khara's Three Minute Max winning tip Three Minute Max Playlist Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/events/ Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/become-a-member/ Lisa Carney: https://lisacarney.com Jesús Ramirez: https://photoshoptrainingchannel.com Adobe Photoshop: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html Adobe Firefly: https://firefly.adobe.com

The Making of the CreativePro Week 2026 Agenda

In this episode of the CreativePro Podcast, David Blatner and Theresa Jackson pull back the curtain on how the CreativePro Week 2026 agenda came together for this summer's event in Nashville. Recorded in conjunction with the agenda launch, the conversation offers a timely look at the decisions shaping the program. If you've ever attended CreativePro Week and felt like the content spoke directly to your day-to-day work, this episode sheds light on why. David and Theresa talk about how listener feedback, community conversations, and real-world creative challenges influence what makes it onto the agenda. They also discuss how CreativePro Week fits into a larger ecosystem of events, membership, and ongoing education. They reflect on how the needs of creative professionals have evolved over time, why certain topics return year after year, and how particular constraints affect what ultimately makes it onto the schedule. This is a candid conversation about learning, community, and the invisible work that supports meaningful professional development for designers who want more than surface-level inspiration. Episode Highlights Theresa describes agenda planning as solving a difficult puzzle, and the relief of finally locking in the 2026 CreativePro Week schedule David and Theresa share where session topics actually come from, including speaker submissions, focus group surveys, and ideas shaped through conversations with each other and the community David admits that even Adobe designers still have to work in a Microsoft world Theresa shares what matters most when deciding whether to work with a new CreativePro speaker Why switching to Miro changed the entire agenda-building process, from color-coded topics to drag-and-drop scheduling and real-time collaboration Episode Resources CreativePro Week 2026, Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026: https://creativeproweek.com/ CreativePro Events: https://creativepro.com/events/ Speaker submissions: https://creativepro.com/speak-at-our-events/ Miro online white board https://miro.com/ Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/events/ Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST: https://creativepro.com/become-a-member/

Design Trends and Predictions for 2026

Theresa Jackson and Mike Rankin kick off the new year by reflecting on 2025 before looking ahead to 2026. They share their thoughts on design trends for 2026, framed less as visual styles and more as shifts in behavior and mindset. They also react to the Pantone Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, and what it suggests about the current cultural mood. AI enters the discussion, as it has become part of nearly every conversation about the creative industry. Theresa and Mike talk about AI as one piece of a much bigger picture—how it's influencing tools, workflows, and expectations without defining the entire creative process. The episode wraps with a practical perspective on skill building for the year ahead and a look forward at what's coming next for CreativePro, including the 2026 content direction they're excited about. This episode offers a grounded reset for the new year—reflective, forward-looking, and focused on helping creative professionals move into 2026 with intention and confidence. Episode Highlights Theresa and Mike reflect on what stood out in 2025 and what they were proud of accomplishing. They discuss design trends for 2026 and why those trends are not about colors or type. Hear their reactions to the Pantone Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, and what that choice suggests about the current cultural moment. Follow how AI enters the conversation naturally, as part of ongoing discussions about design tools, workflows, and expectations. Hear how talking about AI leads to a broader conversation about fundamentals, judgment, and experience. Get a preview of what's coming next for CreativePro, including what Theresa and Mike are excited to share in 2026. Episode Resources CreativePro Events Design Trends for 2026 – Adobe Blog Pantone Color of the Year 2026 Color and Culture by Nicte Cuevas Rebranding CreativePro – article by Nicte Cuevas Before&After – articles by John McWade How to Keep AI-Generated Presentations Fully Editable – tutorial by Camille Holden CreativePro Week 2026, Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026 Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code: PODCAST Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code: PODCAST

A Better Way to Review Creative Work

Theresa Jackson kicks off this episode of the CreativePro Podcast by digging into one of the most common frustrations for creative teams: review and approval chaos. She's joined by Mike McHugh from PageProof. Listeners are invited to learn alongside Theresa as she asks the questions many teams wrestle with every day. Together, they unpack why creative reviews break down, why email and ad-hoc tools fail at scale, and how centralized proofing changes the way designers, marketers, legal teams, and executives work together. They also explore accountability, reporting, and the human side of approvals, including why people—not tools—are usually the biggest bottleneck. The conversation closes with a look at how AI is beginning to support review and compliance, and why clear processes matter more than ever as creative work scales. Episode Highlights Hear Theresa slowly realize this is way more than a proofing tool—and why her workflow brain kicks into overdrive. Listen as Mike calls out email as the quiet culprit behind most approval chaos. Catch the moment when replacing copy without breaking styles feels almost too good to be true. Feel seen as Theresa and Mike put words to what you already know: people, not tools, are where things usually get stuck. Hear how visibility and accountability change reviewer behavior once everyone's progress is out in the open. Listen as the conversation turns to AI, content credentials, and spotting what changed—and what shouldn't have. Episode Resources PageProof – website PageProof Adobe Add-on – learn more Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) – website ​​CreativePro Week 2026, Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026 Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code: PODCAST Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code: PODCAST

Journey from Designer to Presentation Strategist

Mike Parkinson and Jody Wissing join the CreativePro Podcast for a candid conversation about their unexpected paths into presentation design. They explain that presentation design isn't what most people think it is. It's not about making pretty slides. It's about understanding and caring about the content well enough to turn it into a story. They walk through their favorite features for building slides in PowerPoint plus other essential apps for outlining, note gathering, and creating visual elements. Their conversation includes open and honest thoughts about the growing role of AI in presentation design. They share what's helping them, what's changing their workflows, and what keeps them curious—or cautious. They also talk about where they hope AI will take the industry and where they'd prefer it not to go, all while emphasizing the human thinking that still guides great presentation work. Episode Highlights Hear how Jody's very first presentation on a kindergarten playground set the tone for a lifetime of storytelling. Follow Mike's winding path from fine art to bioengineering to comic books before he ever opened PowerPoint. Learn why Jody sometimes shows 300+ slides in a 45-minute presentation, and how audiences never notice. Hear Mike describe AI as a Friction Fixer or Accelerator. It is part of the process, not the product. Listen as both designers share how AI is already part of their daily process, what it helps them do, and why the human element still matters. Catch their honest fears and hopes for AI—including how far they think avatars might go. Resources and Links Mike Parkinson – Website Jody Wissing – Website Inkscape – Free vector graphics editor Slidewise – Add-in for managing and inspecting PowerPoint content NXPowerLite – Windows file compressor Creative Cloud Libraries for PowerPoint – Add On The Presentation Design Conference 2026, February 17–20, 2026 CreativePro Week 2026, Nashville, June 29–July 3, 2026 Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code: PODCAST Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code: PODCAST

AI, New Tools, and Takeaways from Adobe MAX

David Blatner and Theresa Jackson return from Adobe MAX 2025 with stories, insights, and a few surprises. They recap the biggest announcements, their favorite new features, and the feeling of creative inspiration that had nothing to do with Adobe. From AI showing up in nearly every app to Firefly credits, new collaboration tools, and what it all means for creative professionals, they break down the most important takeaways from Adobe's flagship event. Episode Highlights David and Theresa share their experiences at Adobe MAX 2025 — what makes it both inspiring and overwhelming. Why David calls Adobe MAX a "double-edged sword" — part innovation showcase, part marketing machine. Theresa's favorite new Lightroom feature: AI-powered photo culling. Their cautiously optimistic thoughts about Firefly Boards and Creative Cloud Projects. An honest conversation about AI credits, ethics, and the future of Adobe's business model. What tools and gadgets inspired their friends at MAX — from painting software to portable lighting. The unexpected creative tip from Jason Hoppe that had everyone laughing (and rethinking their Halloween jack-o'-lanterns). How attending events like Adobe MAX and CreativePro Week builds real creative community. Links & Resources Adobe MAX Sneaks 2025 Escape Motions: Rebelle Painting Software Harlowe Lights Jason Hoppe's Pumpkin Carving - https://www.youtube.com/@JasonHoppe The InDesign Conference 2025, December 9–12 The Presentation Design Conference 2026, February 17–20 ​​CreativePro Week 2026, Nashville, June 29–July 3 Next Office Hours, Friday, December 19, at 3PM ET

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Canva Makes Affinity Free?!

During Adobe MAX, Canva dropped a bombshell announcement: the entire Affinity suite—Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher—would be free forever. In this episode, David Blatner, Theresa Jackson, and Mike Rankin share their reactions to the news and unpack what it means for creative professionals. They discuss how Canva's move shakes up the design software landscape and whether Affinity can ever rival Adobe's Creative Cloud. The team also explores why this announcement might be good news for everyone, from professional designers to the next generation of creatives. Episode Highlights Canva's surprise move announced during Adobe MAX Why David says "free" doesn't necessarily mean "professional-grade" Theresa's take on Adobe's shifting focus toward hobbyists Mike's look at Affinity's strengths (and key limitations) The gap between Adobe's "everyone" tools and enterprise solutions How Affinity compares for pros: what's missing and what's impressive The bigger picture: education, accessibility, and competition in creative software Resources Canva's official announcement: Affinity now free forever Affinity Suite overview (Photo, Designer, Publisher) Adobe MAX on demand sessions CreativePro InDesign Conference

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InDesign 2026: What's New

InDesign 2026 is here—and so are David and Anne-Marie! In this episode of The CreativePro Podcast, David Blatner and Anne-Marie Concepción bring back InDesign Secrets and dig into the newest release of Adobe InDesign (v21). They explore what's fresh, and what's just plain weird. From the new Flex Layout feature to live text editing in the browser, they unpack the good, the bad, and the future potential of InDesign's next chapter. Along the way, they share favorite finds, event updates, and a few classic "InDesign Secrets" throwbacks—complete with the return of the Obscure InDesign Feature of the Week (-eek!). Highlights: Who are David and Anne-Marie? Anne-Marie's LinkedIn Learning courses David's LinkedIn Learning courses InDesign User Group: 20th Anniversary Adobe MAX Obscure Feature of the Week: Emit CSS InDesign 2026: Flex Layout makes its debut (similar to CSS Flex Layout) David explains how Flex Containers let designers control spacing, alignment, and relationships among multiple objects. InDesign's "InCopy on the Web" (beta) Despite the confusing name, this new feature introduces true browser-based text editing for clients and collaborators. Cloud collaboration Cloud Documents Cloud documents now autosave, sync live edits, and support share-for-text-editing links. Math Expressions evolve Math Expressions MathML integration improves with a dedicated panel and the long-awaited ability to copy equations directly from Microsoft Word into InDesign. Jean-Claude's script to convert math expressions to RGB to CMYK Context Bar gets smarter (and slightly more confusing) The floating context menu now includes quick access to paragraph and character styles. Adobe Express template integration The new "Templates" option on InDesign's Home screen opens the Express web app, not native templates—an unexpected (and debatable) choice. Links & Resources Free Webinar: Bullets and Numbering in InDesign – Now available on demand Design + AI Summit – November 13–14, 2025 CreativePro Week – Coming to Nashville, June 29–July 3, home of Hatch Show Print Listeners can save $100 on any CreativePro event with the discount code: PODCAST CreativePro Membership – Unlock the magazine, downloads, and exclusive resources

AI's Impact on Creativity with Amy Balliett and Mark Heaps

In this episode, Amy Balliett and Mark Heaps sit down for an honest conversation about artificial intelligence and what it means for creative professionals. They share how AI is showing up in their work today, the opportunities it creates, and the worries it raises about originality, ethics, and the future of design. Along the way, you'll hear candid reflections on how creatives can keep their unique voice while adapting to rapid change, why embracing experimentation matters, and how to balance efficiency with authenticity. Amy and Mark bring both optimism and caution to the discussion, leaving you with practical insights and plenty to think about. Highlights Lighthearted banter about tech talk and finding "their people" Honest takes on common fears: job loss, plagiarism, and the "end of the world" narrative How AI is reshaping creative careers and where humans still hold an edge The balance between efficiency and originality when using AI in design Practical advice for staying relevant: evolve, experiment, and protect your value Why ethics, transparency, and authenticity matter in AI-powered workflows Opportunities for creatives to lead in strategy, storytelling, and human-centered design Future-proofing careers by learning adaptable skills, not just technical tasks AI Tools Mentioned Adobe Firefly Nano Banana for Photoshop Loveable Bolt Replit Streamlit Vercel Firebase Links & Resources Design + AI FREE Webinar – September 30, 2025: https://creativepro.com/event/free-webinar-unlocking-the-potential-of-ai-in-video/ Design + AI Summit – November 13–14, 2025:https://creativepro.com/event/design-ai-summit-2025/ Listeners can save $100 on any CreativePro event with the discount code: PODCAST CreativePro Membership – Unlock the magazine, downloads, and exclusive resources: https://creativepro.com/membership/