Adobe Create Now Columbus

{% caption "Shilling for Adobe: “Ai” is for Adobe Illustrator, not artificial intelligence." %}

I’m not a particularly creative person and I’m certainly no artist. But I like photography and I’ve maintained some kind of web presence going back to the mid-1990s. I worked in the web design business for a few years around the turn of the century^[1], which is when I first started using Adobe products. And they’ve been part of my tool set ever since. I’m fortunate to have access to academic pricing, which is why I’m able to keep my subscription going. Today I have at least 10 Adobe apps installed on my Mac. It’s just easier to have them than to not.

Because I’m a subscriber, the folks at Adobe must believe that I really am a creative. They have yet to uncover the lie, so they invited me to Create Now Columbus, a roadshow event that is part sales pitch, part networking, and all “Rah Rah Adobe!” I initially wasn’t going to go but I thought, Hey, SWAG and free food.

On arriving, I was greeted by a lovely woman who was checking folks in one at a time. I gave her my name, which was there on the list—apparently without any special notes or warnings to be on the lookout. I’m in!

I wrote my name on one of those “HELLO My name is” labels using a black Sharpie. Rolls of colored dots were there to, so attendees could self-identify as illustrator, photographer, social media manager, and so forth. I chose the dot representing “Other.”

I picked up a few stickers and a nice Love Wins pin before entering the lounge area in search of the (open) bar. I didn’t make it very far before one of the waitstaff offered me a slider. That’s why I’m here.

I downed my slider then scored glass of merlot. While the bartender poured my fancy wine into a fancy plastic “glass,” I took a box of Adobe-branded matches from the bar. “Does anyone still use these?” I asked. “I wondered that too,” she said. We bonded briefly on this topic before I went on my way.

I milled around like a human Roomba for a few more minutes before discovering the macaroni and cheese bar. Where has this been all my life? My masterpiece comprised sriracha, sautéed onions, and bacon crumbles. (chef’s kiss)

After a bit of grazing and a bit of small talk, I grabbed a cup of coffee and found a seat in the back of the room and behind the 200-or-so other attendees. The presentation was essentially a “what’s new in Firefly, Illustrator, Express, and Photoshop” with a strong emphasis on a lot of generative AI features that I’m unlikely to use.

I learned a few things, and was briefly entertained. I didn’t win any door prizes, but it was worth the trip downtown. Not a terrible way to spend a couple hours.

Happy Friday, y’all.