I test the AI tools, design trends, and brand moves marketers are talking about, then tell you what holds up and what doesn’t. Written by the author of the bestselling The Visual Marketer, after 20+ years leading brand, creative, and digital experience marketing teams.
Adobe vs. GenAI: The Battle for the Future of Design
13 September 2023 | Issue #14 |
If you've been watching TV lately, you might have noticed Adobe Photoshop is back in the advertising game. Yes, the brand that has become synonymous with image manipulation is reminding us all of its capabilities. But why now? Adobe is acutely aware of the seismic shifts happening in the design world. Generative AI technologies are democratizing design, enabling virtually anyone to create graphics without the traditional barriers of a formal education or years of experience. While this is liberating for many, it poses existential questions for professional designers—questions that even Adobe seems to be wrestling with. Take a quick glance at Photoshop's homepage, and you'll see their new positioning: "Everyone can Photoshop," followed by "Generative AI is now in Photoshop (beta)." It's a clear signal that Adobe is adapting to an evolving market, but at what cost? Adobe's acquisition of Figma was a business move to hold off a competitor that was encroaching on an emerging market (UX/UI design). Adobe knows how to identify and address impending threats. Now with the introduction of AI built into Photoshop, the message is clear: Adobe is willing to pivot—even if it means alienating its core audience of professional designers—in order to remain the go-to design tool for the masses. And let's not forget the rise of Canva, a platform that's increasingly finding its way into conversations about design software. My Creator Economy Expo friend, Katie Brinkley, recently highlighted the wonders of combining ChatGPT and Canva for efficient content creation. It's another sign that the design landscape is changing, and fast. So, what does all this mean for us, the designers and marketers who have relied on Adobe for years? It's a wake-up call. If Adobe is willing to shift its focus and potentially cannibalize its original user base, it's a stark reminder that we too must adapt or risk becoming irrelevant. When Adobe starts to pivot away from designers, it's not just a business decision—it's a harbinger of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for all of us in the design community.
🦾 Adobe Photoshop 25 Review: AI is Here to StayThe article from Creative Bloq dives into the latest features of Adobe Photoshop 25, emphasizing how its new generative tools powered by AI are a game-changer for creatives.
😌 Design Made Easy: Microsoft's AI-Powered Tool Now Right in Your Edge BrowserMicrosoft has integrated its AI-powered design tool, Designer, into the Edge browser, making it super convenient for users to create various designs without needing to open a separate application.
🎥 AI-to-Video GeneratorWe all know video is the future, but it's a lot of work, or money, to create. Guess what? AI is going to solve that problem too (sorry video designers, it's coming for you too)
Watch the 7-minute overview video
Report: AI Will Reach Human-Level Performance Much Earlier Than Originally Projected. The accelerated development of generative AI has been greatly facilitated by advancements in computing power, data availability, and machine learning algorithms. A pivotal study conducted by McKinsey in 2017 predicted a much slower rate of progression for this technology. At the time, the complexity of human-like text generation and the nuanced understanding of language seemed decades away. However, the reality has far outpaced these early predictions. AI is now able to generate text that is increasingly indistinguishable from human-authored content. Platforms like ChatGPT by OpenAI and Midjourney have been game-changers. They’ve shifted how we perceive generative AI’s abilities. As designers, we’re familiar with seeing, feeling, and experiencing things tangibly. These platforms ... Keep Reading Okay, that previous article wasn't new. But I had a birthday and covid this past week, so something had to give. Next week I'll dive into the just-released Gartner Hype Cycle for Generative AI! HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
|
14 Grapevine Road, Merrimack, NH 03054 |
Marketing by Design – Design thinking that makes marketing work
I test the AI tools, design trends, and brand moves marketers are talking about, then tell you what holds up and what doesn’t. Written by the author of the bestselling The Visual Marketer, after 20+ years leading brand, creative, and digital experience marketing teams.
09 November 2026 | Issue #139 In this issue: Marketing is your starting pitcher MPB2B Design quote of the week Marketing is Your Starting Pitcher In baseball, the starting pitcher is the star. Fans pick the night they buy tickets around who is on the mound, and an ace can make a game must-see and nearly guarantee a win. Teams pay for it. In 2026, a pitcher was the highest-paid player on 12 of 30 MLB teams, and Zack Wheeler leads the way at $42M. Middle relievers carry the game to the closer,...
26 October 2026 | Issue #138 In this issue: Creativity is less important than consistency Amazing real-world video effects Design quote of the week Why Consistency Beats Creativity in B2B Branding Your audience isn’t nearly as familiar with your brand as you are. And that’s a problem when you’re constantly changing it. Years ago, I worked with a CMO who had a habit of explaining our solution story to the marketing team. Over and over again. He’d stand at a whiteboard or one of the glass walls...
11 October 2026 | Issue #137 In this issue: Avoid these AI design tropes Don't use Muse if you like privacy Design quote of the week I Know You Used AI for Your Design You already know the em dash is a dead giveaway of AI writing (sorry, Ann Handley). Design has its own tells, and there are a lot of them. None of them is wrong on its own. A good writer can use an em dash on purpose, and a good designer can use any pattern below on purpose. They become a tell when they show up because nobody...