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Hi there! My name is Val Sanna and I am an independent graphic designer based in Oakville just west of Toronto, Ontario. Since 1995, I’ve been helping clients create and enhance their brands with enticing visuals that get noticed and strategic communications that set them apart from their competition.
My passion is truly understanding your communications challenges and offering solutions that position your business for greater success. Have a project in mind? Let’s get in touch and discuss your needs.
In this blog, I hope to share some insights into my work as well as some observations from the worlds of design, technology, business and whatever else strikes my fancy either personally or professionally.
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By now, many in the creative design industry are aware of the new Adobe Creative Cloud subscription plan that puts a halt on further development of purchased software products. The last version of its flagship Creative Suite that can be purchased with a perpetual license is CS6. There will be no CS7.
The newly announced model involves paying a monthly subscription fee for a cloud-based delivery system that in some ways is advantageous. It offers a lower cost of entry for new users and allows access to their complete roster of software products, among other perks. It also allows Adobe to offer upgrades as they are developed rather than waiting to bundle them together in a new version release.
The sticking point for individuals and small business, however, is that we will end up paying more in the long run than before if one compares the cost of paying for upgrades over a set period of time vs. paying monthly. It’s much like leasing a car is more expensive over the long term than purchasing. Current users of CS3 up to 5.5 will pay $30 (US) per month for the first year and CS6 users will pay $20 (US). After the first year the price jumps to $50 (US) per month. These prices are quoted in US dollars on Adobe’s Canadian web site. Does that mean the actual price we pay is going to be subject to the valuation of our dollar?
Of biggest concern for individuals and small business is the loss of control over software budgets. A subscription model allows Adobe to increase the monthly fee it charges at any time and the potential for changing or removing your access to their software. A petition at change.org has been quite successful in enlisting support in asking Adobe to reconsider making joining Creative Cloud mandatory. Even if you are not a creative professional and currently affected, you may still want to sign this. I believe most major software companies will move in this direction and a large negative response could help shape policies for other companies such as Microsoft.
My intent with this post was inform as well as offer some alternatives that could be beneficial for both Adobe and its users. Here are some options:
Perhaps you’ve given it some thought as well. What would you suggest could work for both sides?