InDesign 2027 brings a fresh round of updates, but not all of them are ready for prime time. David Blatner walks Anne-Marie Concepción through what's new—from better font browsing and new search tools to improvements in Data Merge. They also take a critical look at the growing collection of AI features, discussing where they show promise, where they still fall short, and why some of them raise concerns for professional designers. Their final takeaway? Don't upgrade right away. Wait for the first maintenance release, back up your work, and don't open important existing documents in a brand-new version without taking precautions.

Key Takeaways:

The Good

• Enhanced font browser
• Windows ARM native support
• Search in Scripts panel
• Search in the Edit Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box
• Auto resize text frames in Flex Layout
• Export selected pages
• Data Merge improvements
• Align to bleed

The Not-So-Good

• AI Assistant
• Check Document
• Rewrite updates
• Automatic AI-generated alt text
• Adobe Express integration

Resources

• James Wamser's InDesign New Features Guide
• Adobe's What's New in InDesign
• The InDesign Conference, December 1-4, 2026
• Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST
• Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST

What happens when the tools you've built your career around suddenly seem less permanent? In this episode, host Theresa Jackson and Photoshop expert Jesús Ramirez discuss the emergence of AI-generated alternatives to Adobe applications and what they mean for creative professionals. Together, they wrestle with the big questions beneath vibe-coded software: how might AI change the way creative tools are built, who gets to shape them, and what happens when the skills and software we depend on become obsolete? They explore how AI could reshape creative careers, particularly for those just entering the industry, and why creative vision, experience, and a trained eye remain valuable even as technology evolves.

Key Takeaways:

• Be willing to adapt. The tools and workflows that served you in the past may not be the ones you use in the future. Continuous learning is essential to staying relevant.
• Focus on your creative judgment. While knowing keyboard shortcuts is useful, your ability to judge composition, color, and the overall impact of an image is what sets you apart.
• Recognize your transferable skills. Even if the software changes, your experience in creating, teaching, solving problems, and communicating ideas carries over.
• Use AI as a starting point, not a finished product. Even when AI produces something quickly, you should use your own judgment and skills to refine the result and make it unique.
• Acknowledge the challenge facing entry-level creatives. As AI takes over routine production tasks, newcomers may have fewer opportunities to gain the hands-on experience that develops their skills and judgment.
• Make room for both uncertainty and possibility. Technological change can disrupt careers, but it also creates opportunities for people to build tools, experiment, and create in new ways.

Resources

• ArtCraft
• Prompt Vault
• About Jesús Ramirez
• Jesús's website
• Jesús's Youtube Channel
• Interview with Jesús, Photo Retouching in the Age of AI: Thoughts from Lisa Carney and Jesús Ramirez
• Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST
• Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST
• The InDesign Conference, December 1-4, 2026

If you know Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign, you can use Premiere too. You don't have to be a video editor to make it useful. In this episode, Mike Rankin and designer and educator Myra Ferguson explore how Premiere can fit into an existing design workflow. Mike and Myra cover everything from animating Photoshop layers and creating interactive content to pulling still images from video and working with captions. They share practical advice for getting comfortable with Premiere without trying to learn everything at once, and show how even small video and animation projects can add new possibilities to your design work.

Key Takeaways:

• Treat Premiere like any other design tool. You don't have to become a video editor to get value from Premiere. Think of it as an extension of the tools you already use.
• Build on what you already know. Premiere plays well with other CC programs like Photoshop. Start by fitting your Premiere experimentation into the work you're already doing.
• Start with a specific project. Instead of trying to learn the entire application, choose a small project that solves a real design problem and learn the Premiere features you need along the way.
• Change the interface. Maximize the application window, brighten your interface, and customize the workspace so the tools you need are easier to see and use.
• Write down the keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts reduce friction and increase efficiency. If you're having trouble remembering them, put some sticky notes on your monitor or desktop!
• Use transcripts to edit and caption video. Premiere can transcribe your video and turn that transcript into captions, while also allowing you to edit your video directly from the text.
• Mix it up! Turn video frames into print projects or add interactivity into your static content with animation.

Resources

• About Myra Ferguson
• Members-only article, Getting Started with Premiere
• Find Myra Ferguson's Premiere tutorials on CreativePro's Working with Video playlist
• Event Savings: Save $100 on any CreativePro event in 2026 with the discount code PODCAST
• Membership Discount: Get $15 off one year of CreativePro membership with the discount code PODCAST
• The Design + Accessibility Summit, October 20-23, 2026
• The InDesign Conference, December 1-4, 2026