Adobe raises prices, again

New generative AI products mean new higher prices for individual Adobe Creative Cloud customers, unless they downgrade to a version with fewer features.

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But it doesn't end there. In a move evocative of the latest season of Black Mirror, those who don't want to pay more for the same thing – plus a handful of new video and audio generative AI features – are free to downgrade to Creative Cloud Standard, provided they take action to do so before their next billing cycle.

Via The Register.

Designers have a mixed relationship with Adobe.

On the one hand I started my career out with these applications. Illustrator, Flash (owned by Macromedia at the time), Dreamweaver, InDesign, Photoshop; these tools were the gold standard. But on the other hand they feel outdated, unchanged, and holding onto an idea of design from earlier years.

Take Illustrator versus Figma for example.

Yes, I know. They’re entirely different tools for separate purposes. But, when designing in Figma I’ve grown to love the sidebar contextually changing based on the objects I select. It’s brilliant, and helps me move quickly through ideation.

Illustrator, in contrast, feels like a relic. The "Properties” toolbar has contextual shifting, but it’s not enough, and feels tacked on.

In the last decade Adobe has held their grip on the industry, but also meant a little less to many designers each year.

Many new tools are taking their place, and this feels like the moment where Adobe has to increase prices, instead of gain market share.

Their latest features—AI tools—no doubt have some value, but feel like a gimmick to charge more.