Home > Administration & Operations > Marketing > Brand > Self Service Design

Self Service Design

Student Accessing Adobe Express

How to Access and Use Adobe Express for Self-Service Design

Adobe Express is a powerful and user-friendly tool that allows you to create stunning graphics, social media posts, TV slides, flyers, and more. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you access and use Adobe Express for all your self-service design needs:

Adobe Express is available to all Faculty and Staff and PPSC. Please note that Adobe Express is not currently available to students at PPSC.

Accessing Adobe Express

  1. Visit the Adobe Express Website
  2. Sign in with Your CCCS Login Credentials
    • Click on the "Sign In" button at the top right corner. 
    • Use your Colorado Community Colleges System (CCCS) login credentials to sign in. Ensure you are using CCCS account and NOT your Pikes Peak State College account.
    • If you have any issues signing in to your Adobe Account, please contact ITSS.
  3. Accessing Adobe Express
    • Once Logged in, you will be redirected to the Adobe Express dashboard. 
    • By using your CCCS login credentials, you will have access to any premium features available through our institutional subscription.
Accessing Adobe Express
Basic Training

Basic Training

To help you get started with Adobe Express and make the most of its powerful features, a variety of tutorials and guides are available. These resources are designed to provide step-by-step instructions and tips for creating designs.

  1. Access Adobe Express Tutorials
    • Visit the Adobe Express Tutorials page to find a comprehensive set of tutorials.
    • The tutorials cover a wide range of topics, from basic design principles to advanced techniques, ensuring users of all skill levels can learn and improve their design skills.

Using Adobe Express

  • From the dashboard, click on the "+" button to start a new project.

  • Choose the type of project you want to create, such as a social media post, flyer, poster, or custom size. 

  • Adobe Express offers a wide range of templats to get started.

  • Browse through the template categories or use the search bar to find a template that suits your needs. 

  • Click on a template to open it in the design editor.

  • Text: Click on any text box to edit the text. Use the toobar to change the font, size, color, and alignment.

  • Images: Click on the image placeholders to replace them with your own images. You can upload images from your device, use Adobe's stock photo library, or access the Pikes Peak State College photo library at https://photos.pikespeak.edu/view.

  • Elements: Add shapes icons, and other design elements from the toolbar. Customizee their size, color, and position.

  • Background: Change the background color or add a backgroun image to enhance your design. 

Using Adobe Express
PPSC Brand Elements

Access the Pikes Peak State College Brand Elements

  1. How to add the PPSC Brand libraries to your Adobe Express Account
    • Click the link in the Brand Library Links section below. This will bring up a webpage with the Adobe logo in the top left corner.
    • Click the button at the top right corner of the screen that says "make a copy"
      • This will make a copy of the brand kit into your Creative Cloud Account. Please note that this process may take several minutes to fully sync and complete on your computer.
        • If the copied library is not showing up, ensure that:
          1. The Creative Cloud accounts are properly synchronized.
          2. You are logged in with the same Adobe ID used to save the library. When using Adobe Express you should only be logged in using the CCCS login. 
  2. Brand Library Links and Download Resources
    • Access the PPSC Brand Library
      • This library houses PPSC logos, brand colors, and typefaces.
    • Access the PPSC Graphic Element Library
      • This library houses all patterns, shapes, and Arnie illustrations.
    • Access the PPSC Icon Library
      • This library houses all PPSC program icons.
    • Access all PPSC Department and Division Logos
      • All Department and Division logos can be accessed on the Pikes Peak State College website on the Department Logo page.
        • Download your logo and upload it into your Adobe Express design as needed.
    • Access the PPSC Photo Library
      • This library houses all PPSC images.

Surfacing the PPSC Brand when you design

  1. Accessing the Brand Library
    • Click on "Your Stuff" in the toolbar, then select "Libraries."
    • Here, you can find the Pikes Peak State College brand library that includes logos, fonts, and color palettes.
  2. Adding Elements of the Brand to Your Design
    • Logos: Use the logos from the brand library in your designs. Ensure they are placed prominently and maintain their aspect ratio.
    • Fonts: Apply the brand-specific fonts for all text elements to maintain consistency with Pikes Peak State College's branding.
    • Colors: Use the color palettes from the brand library for backgrounds, text, and other design elements to ensure your design aligns with the college's visual identity.
  3. Maintaining Consistency
    • Ensure all your designs adhere to Pikesp Peak State College's brand guidelines by consistently using the elements from the brand libraries. This helps create a cohesive look across all materials.
Surfacing the Brand
Student Studying

Design Essentials: Tools, Tips, and Downloads

  1. Experiment with Tools
    • Adobe Express provides various tools to enhance your design, such as filters, layers, and alignment guides
    • Experiment with these tools to achieve the desired look for your project. 
  2. Tips for Effective Design
    • Keep it Simple: Avoid cluttering your design with too many elements. A clean and simple design is often more effective.
    • Consistent Branding: Use consistent colors, fonts, and logos to maintain brand identity.
    • High-Quality Images: Use high-resolution images to ensure your design looks professional.
    • Alignment and Spacing: Pay attention to alignment and spacing to create a balanced and visually appealing design.
  3. Saving and Downloading
    • Once you're satisfied with your design, click on the "Download" button at the top right corner.
    • Choose the file format (PNG, JPG, PDF) and the quality you need, then click "Download."
    • Your design will be saved to your device.
With Adobe Express, you have all the tools you need to create professional-quality designs quickly and easily. Happy designing!