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

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