Good to hear! I use Affinity designer but miss using Illustrator. I think that's mainly because I used Illustrator for 20+ years. But yeah, subscriptions aren't always great. If I ever get around to it, I'll start a website where "pay once models" are an effective replacement for the subscription model that is so common these days. It makes sense for some things, but very much over done IMO.
I honestly am starting to question if it makes sense for anything (other than like home utilities/insurance stuff???)! Like, I'm even SERIOUSLY considering dropping Spotify and buying a physical album (or even two, if I buy used) each month for the same cost I'm paying monthly and being more intentional about the music I listen to! That way I'll own all the music I love and can still try new things - plus Youtube and free Spotify exist for discovery so it's not like I can't access streaming. I dropped Netflix as well because they kept taking shows I loved off of it.
I've cut Adobe three years ago and moved to Affinity and never regretted it. Affinity has even smoother workflow with their Personas. And with the latest model you have everything you need to make successful design projects.
At the moment my business costs are limited to hosting, bank and accountancy fees. I seriously was thinking about Honeybook or Dubsado. But now I'm very curious about free alternatives you use. Would love to know more about them.
I'm basically at that same level with my business too! Banking, hosting (website, email, domain), Canva which is $10/mo so .... very minor (and I think that's it I was trying to double check yesterday but couldn't find any other expenses LOL). I'm going to start writing the one about the like $$$ CRMs this week and how I manage things without them super efficiently!!!
Thanks for the detailed write-up of your experience. I've promised myself that I'll do the same should Adobe ever try and bump up my price. I used Affinity way back in beta, and it seems like it has come a long way from it's humble (and perfectly functional!) beginnings.
Best wishes, and maybe give us a follow-up so we can see how things have gone long-term? :)
Great idea!!! I should definitely follow up in a year or so (or sooner if it makes sense). I think Affinity definitely has come a long way especially with their most latest version. It seems to have really made itself a strong competitor.
Thank you for this detailed and timely post! I appreciate your insights into the Adobe alternatives and would love to read more about cutting Honeybook & other apps from your biz. It is exhausting how we're constantly bombarded with so many apps to 'streamline our workflows' (which yes, good systems really help!) but then get stuck with things that don't meet our needs AND take valuable revenue. Thanks again for sharing!
I'm on it! It's honestly SO draining to be constantly told the narrative of you NEED these systems and paid things to be a good designer. I fell trap to it and then over the last two years have done a HARD re-evaluation and pivot away, and honestly my business is just as streamlined and smooth as ever. I use free software options for the important stuff like contracts + invoicing / payments too! I saw a few smaller designers I know say their business expenses for running their design business are like $500-600/mo I was like AAAAAAAAAAAA. I have some friends who also spend more but also make disproportionately more as well, so that feels at least more realistic like if you're making 6 figure incomes like... sure buy a few mockups or systems! But I feel most of us are not there making that kinda revenue.
Thank you! Can you open up IDML in your publisher app? Rather than INDD. Try that out! I may have to start the arduous process of changing my file types to that plus ensuring eps files are saved! I am seriously considering jumping ship. and yes PLEASE write another post like this about honeybooks etc. I would love to save there! I really prefer when the payment info is captured though so that I don't have to chase clients down. It's just one less thing to admin.
Omg I just looked it up and it CAN open IDML!!!! HECC YEAH. Also I'm on it! I still use a like automated system to send out invoices and it does automatic reminders and can capture payments too - I'm dyscalculic so punching in numbers manually by myself and doing maths is a BAD IDEA. But I use a free software for it! :)
I have dyscalculic as well!!! Designers w/ dyscalculic unite <3 Yes, this would be a huge, huge help if you can share that with us!
I'm so happy the IDML file worked!! That is awesome. Also...I saw this image floating around the other day - I can't post images though. It had a whole sheet of program suggestions vs adobe products! If I find it I will send it to you in IG :)
Omg we must unite for real. I abandoned doing annual report work because working with the tables and spreadsheets made me cryyy ~ That chart sounds cool - I'll remember to check IG in the next few days or so to see if you found it!
I'll work on the follow-up substack about the systems things this week :)
I've saved by using my husbands .edu email address :D lol - but the whole 'we will train AI by showing it your work'...that's what's making me jump ship. I'd prefer to own the program anyway. Wish adobe would bring back the discs.
I was cheesing their .edu system for years too! And then I got offered a like "alumni" rate for a bit... alas my luck ran out! I wish they'd bring the discs back too!
Thank you for this deep dive, Renee! I get those feelings with Adobe's monopoly. I just discovered their new agreement and I was in shock. I did not imagine a company which states they believe in creatives (events, grants, community...) would want to use the dear creations of their users like that. I thought it was fake news, but no. It is real and so many ethical questions arise.
Life without Adobe is possible for sure. I have been using procreate, descript and other tools and they have shifted my workflow. Nevertheless, Adobe is still important in the process. Sometimes, I dabble with Canva and it is truly effortless to compose quick video shares there, yet Adobe has its charm.
I use mainly few software: XD, illustrator, photoshop, audition, and After Effects... they are a bunch and they are not easy to replace overnight. There is a learning curve Adobe had instilled and after nearly a decade as a user, it is not conscious of them to impose such an agreement. I hope as a collective we can bring changes to this agreement.
I don't know what I will do, my creations in the AI machine are not my vision of creation. I don’t want to be watched while doing my work and mostly train an AI on my process. The rapid changes are way too critical for any creative to not see a warning sign.
As for Figma, I tried it and found XD more fluid for me. But it's nice to hear you found Figma super useful.
You are right, with all the investment each designer has placed in the creative suite, we should own some of it by now. Anyway, I will investigate this information and see what works best long term.
I honestly don't trust any kind of corporation much, alas. I don't really think Adobe has our best intentions at heart - especially with how expensive their programs are.
It's definitely hard to find a mix of other tools - I love Canva too! It's effortless for handing some files off to clients as well. They love it, I love it. Win win!
I know for video editing, there's Final Cut Pro X (which I use for Mac) and then Vegas Pro for Windows (both 1 time purchases). But they're a bit different from Adobe: depends what kind of tools you need for video editing/how complex it is!
I hope that Adobe walks back their policy, but they honestly don't have to unless they feel pressure from people boycotting en masse. They hold the monopoly power :( And are working to put profits over their users... it sucks.
I hope you can find some solutions! Or that Adobe walks back the AI policies! It's definitely hard work though to break from tried and true standard workflows to experiment with new programs and it's not possible to do for every project!
Thank you, Renee! I will see decide. It will depend on the projects for sure. I already knew it but now I witness how they really got me hooked on their ecosystem 🤣.
"Advienne que pourra" as we say in French. (Whatever will be will be...).
Wow! What a great read Emma, thanks for sharing your experience trying other design programs.
I hate that adobe makes you commit to paying them every single year and also hate all the other subscriptions that seems to come along with running a business. Hearing about how you're working through that yourself is extremely helpful, sincerely thank you. Navigating all these changes with AI is also intimidating and concerning for many creators, not just through Adobe but also through social media and digital platforms across the board.
Recently, I've been debating on exploring things in Figma more (although they are very limitting for their free version) but never gave much thought to the Affinity Suite—now I feel like that could be something worth exploring as well. Are they also apps that you download or do they live on the web?
In regards to your need for something to work on dielines for packaging projects, I'd recommend checking out pacdora. You can choose the type of package you are working on and download the corresponding dieline as a ai or pdf file.
Hopefully you continue enjoy exploring these new avenues for digital creation! Wishing you all the best on this quest away from the "industry standard." You've really got me thinking over here.
Adobe honestly is a menace haha. I will say, they didn't make me pay a cancellation fee - I was on the "Annual but Pay Monthly" plan though.
Figma is honestly the best - the free version is definitely limiting though. I was cramming all my files into the three "boards" per project files. So you get like 9 "boards" total in the end, which you could consider 9 files. Which is okay but I'll definitely be paying for it when the next brand project comes around. I'm not paying right now, but I'll be doing month-to-month when needed for it!
OOh, I'll have to check out pacdora! It sounds great! Thanks!
The Affinity Suite is desktop (and mobile) apps just like Adobe :D
That's good to hear at least, I pay the annual price all at once for the minimal discount that is offered that way.
Glad to hear you've enjoyed Figma, I've only dabbled in it so far. Definitely going to start prioritizing learning the ins and outs. Maybe will download the Affinity programs as well—sounds like a great option to explore as well!
It's really cool, reach out if you need a link or have trouble finding it. I haven't used it a ton but hope to get into more package design work over the next couple years.
For some reason at some point they offered me the same discount for annual all at once for annual but monthly (in addition to normal monthly which was more expensive, don't ask me why lmao) so I took it.
I recommended this to someone else over email, but Figma's tutorials are actually kickass (honourable mentions to:
- Create and Edit Layers (this breaks down how frames work which is a key difference from "artboards" but they function similarly (but also more powerfully! basically everything should be in a frame vs a group like illustrator)
- Build Design Systems (components are AMAZING for templates)
- Use Auto-Layout (makes your design spacing perfect with 0 manual work)
I stopped using adobe a long time ago, relying now on figma, Davinci Resolve, Darktable and Clip Studio, but also I do more illustration than design work. Glad you could quit, I hate how expensive they are even if the tools are far from perfect - I will few trying affinity publisher soon
Good to hear! I use Affinity designer but miss using Illustrator. I think that's mainly because I used Illustrator for 20+ years. But yeah, subscriptions aren't always great. If I ever get around to it, I'll start a website where "pay once models" are an effective replacement for the subscription model that is so common these days. It makes sense for some things, but very much over done IMO.
I honestly am starting to question if it makes sense for anything (other than like home utilities/insurance stuff???)! Like, I'm even SERIOUSLY considering dropping Spotify and buying a physical album (or even two, if I buy used) each month for the same cost I'm paying monthly and being more intentional about the music I listen to! That way I'll own all the music I love and can still try new things - plus Youtube and free Spotify exist for discovery so it's not like I can't access streaming. I dropped Netflix as well because they kept taking shows I loved off of it.
I've cut Adobe three years ago and moved to Affinity and never regretted it. Affinity has even smoother workflow with their Personas. And with the latest model you have everything you need to make successful design projects.
At the moment my business costs are limited to hosting, bank and accountancy fees. I seriously was thinking about Honeybook or Dubsado. But now I'm very curious about free alternatives you use. Would love to know more about them.
This makes me so excited to use Affinity more!
I'm basically at that same level with my business too! Banking, hosting (website, email, domain), Canva which is $10/mo so .... very minor (and I think that's it I was trying to double check yesterday but couldn't find any other expenses LOL). I'm going to start writing the one about the like $$$ CRMs this week and how I manage things without them super efficiently!!!
Thanks for the detailed write-up of your experience. I've promised myself that I'll do the same should Adobe ever try and bump up my price. I used Affinity way back in beta, and it seems like it has come a long way from it's humble (and perfectly functional!) beginnings.
Best wishes, and maybe give us a follow-up so we can see how things have gone long-term? :)
Great idea!!! I should definitely follow up in a year or so (or sooner if it makes sense). I think Affinity definitely has come a long way especially with their most latest version. It seems to have really made itself a strong competitor.
Thank you for this detailed and timely post! I appreciate your insights into the Adobe alternatives and would love to read more about cutting Honeybook & other apps from your biz. It is exhausting how we're constantly bombarded with so many apps to 'streamline our workflows' (which yes, good systems really help!) but then get stuck with things that don't meet our needs AND take valuable revenue. Thanks again for sharing!
I'm on it! It's honestly SO draining to be constantly told the narrative of you NEED these systems and paid things to be a good designer. I fell trap to it and then over the last two years have done a HARD re-evaluation and pivot away, and honestly my business is just as streamlined and smooth as ever. I use free software options for the important stuff like contracts + invoicing / payments too! I saw a few smaller designers I know say their business expenses for running their design business are like $500-600/mo I was like AAAAAAAAAAAA. I have some friends who also spend more but also make disproportionately more as well, so that feels at least more realistic like if you're making 6 figure incomes like... sure buy a few mockups or systems! But I feel most of us are not there making that kinda revenue.
Thank you! Can you open up IDML in your publisher app? Rather than INDD. Try that out! I may have to start the arduous process of changing my file types to that plus ensuring eps files are saved! I am seriously considering jumping ship. and yes PLEASE write another post like this about honeybooks etc. I would love to save there! I really prefer when the payment info is captured though so that I don't have to chase clients down. It's just one less thing to admin.
Omg I just looked it up and it CAN open IDML!!!! HECC YEAH. Also I'm on it! I still use a like automated system to send out invoices and it does automatic reminders and can capture payments too - I'm dyscalculic so punching in numbers manually by myself and doing maths is a BAD IDEA. But I use a free software for it! :)
I have dyscalculic as well!!! Designers w/ dyscalculic unite <3 Yes, this would be a huge, huge help if you can share that with us!
I'm so happy the IDML file worked!! That is awesome. Also...I saw this image floating around the other day - I can't post images though. It had a whole sheet of program suggestions vs adobe products! If I find it I will send it to you in IG :)
Omg we must unite for real. I abandoned doing annual report work because working with the tables and spreadsheets made me cryyy ~ That chart sounds cool - I'll remember to check IG in the next few days or so to see if you found it!
I'll work on the follow-up substack about the systems things this week :)
I've saved by using my husbands .edu email address :D lol - but the whole 'we will train AI by showing it your work'...that's what's making me jump ship. I'd prefer to own the program anyway. Wish adobe would bring back the discs.
I was cheesing their .edu system for years too! And then I got offered a like "alumni" rate for a bit... alas my luck ran out! I wish they'd bring the discs back too!
Thank you for this deep dive, Renee! I get those feelings with Adobe's monopoly. I just discovered their new agreement and I was in shock. I did not imagine a company which states they believe in creatives (events, grants, community...) would want to use the dear creations of their users like that. I thought it was fake news, but no. It is real and so many ethical questions arise.
Life without Adobe is possible for sure. I have been using procreate, descript and other tools and they have shifted my workflow. Nevertheless, Adobe is still important in the process. Sometimes, I dabble with Canva and it is truly effortless to compose quick video shares there, yet Adobe has its charm.
I use mainly few software: XD, illustrator, photoshop, audition, and After Effects... they are a bunch and they are not easy to replace overnight. There is a learning curve Adobe had instilled and after nearly a decade as a user, it is not conscious of them to impose such an agreement. I hope as a collective we can bring changes to this agreement.
I don't know what I will do, my creations in the AI machine are not my vision of creation. I don’t want to be watched while doing my work and mostly train an AI on my process. The rapid changes are way too critical for any creative to not see a warning sign.
As for Figma, I tried it and found XD more fluid for me. But it's nice to hear you found Figma super useful.
You are right, with all the investment each designer has placed in the creative suite, we should own some of it by now. Anyway, I will investigate this information and see what works best long term.
I honestly don't trust any kind of corporation much, alas. I don't really think Adobe has our best intentions at heart - especially with how expensive their programs are.
It's definitely hard to find a mix of other tools - I love Canva too! It's effortless for handing some files off to clients as well. They love it, I love it. Win win!
I know for video editing, there's Final Cut Pro X (which I use for Mac) and then Vegas Pro for Windows (both 1 time purchases). But they're a bit different from Adobe: depends what kind of tools you need for video editing/how complex it is!
I hope that Adobe walks back their policy, but they honestly don't have to unless they feel pressure from people boycotting en masse. They hold the monopoly power :( And are working to put profits over their users... it sucks.
I hope you can find some solutions! Or that Adobe walks back the AI policies! It's definitely hard work though to break from tried and true standard workflows to experiment with new programs and it's not possible to do for every project!
Thank you, Renee! I will see decide. It will depend on the projects for sure. I already knew it but now I witness how they really got me hooked on their ecosystem 🤣.
"Advienne que pourra" as we say in French. (Whatever will be will be...).
It was a proactive read! I Loved it 👏
Wow! What a great read Emma, thanks for sharing your experience trying other design programs.
I hate that adobe makes you commit to paying them every single year and also hate all the other subscriptions that seems to come along with running a business. Hearing about how you're working through that yourself is extremely helpful, sincerely thank you. Navigating all these changes with AI is also intimidating and concerning for many creators, not just through Adobe but also through social media and digital platforms across the board.
Recently, I've been debating on exploring things in Figma more (although they are very limitting for their free version) but never gave much thought to the Affinity Suite—now I feel like that could be something worth exploring as well. Are they also apps that you download or do they live on the web?
In regards to your need for something to work on dielines for packaging projects, I'd recommend checking out pacdora. You can choose the type of package you are working on and download the corresponding dieline as a ai or pdf file.
Hopefully you continue enjoy exploring these new avenues for digital creation! Wishing you all the best on this quest away from the "industry standard." You've really got me thinking over here.
Adobe honestly is a menace haha. I will say, they didn't make me pay a cancellation fee - I was on the "Annual but Pay Monthly" plan though.
Figma is honestly the best - the free version is definitely limiting though. I was cramming all my files into the three "boards" per project files. So you get like 9 "boards" total in the end, which you could consider 9 files. Which is okay but I'll definitely be paying for it when the next brand project comes around. I'm not paying right now, but I'll be doing month-to-month when needed for it!
OOh, I'll have to check out pacdora! It sounds great! Thanks!
The Affinity Suite is desktop (and mobile) apps just like Adobe :D
Thanks so much for your encouragement friend!!
That's good to hear at least, I pay the annual price all at once for the minimal discount that is offered that way.
Glad to hear you've enjoyed Figma, I've only dabbled in it so far. Definitely going to start prioritizing learning the ins and outs. Maybe will download the Affinity programs as well—sounds like a great option to explore as well!
It's really cool, reach out if you need a link or have trouble finding it. I haven't used it a ton but hope to get into more package design work over the next couple years.
Yes of course! I hope you've been well!
For some reason at some point they offered me the same discount for annual all at once for annual but monthly (in addition to normal monthly which was more expensive, don't ask me why lmao) so I took it.
I recommended this to someone else over email, but Figma's tutorials are actually kickass (honourable mentions to:
- Create and Edit Layers (this breaks down how frames work which is a key difference from "artboards" but they function similarly (but also more powerfully! basically everything should be in a frame vs a group like illustrator)
- Build Design Systems (components are AMAZING for templates)
- Use Auto-Layout (makes your design spacing perfect with 0 manual work)
All from here: https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/categories/360002042553-Figma-design
Ah, that's lovely. I don't blame you for taking them up on that.
Ooo, thanks for that extra resource! I'll have to check a few out!
I stopped using adobe a long time ago, relying now on figma, Davinci Resolve, Darktable and Clip Studio, but also I do more illustration than design work. Glad you could quit, I hate how expensive they are even if the tools are far from perfect - I will few trying affinity publisher soon
*adding these new programs to my list to snoop out in the near future* hehe.