Adobe Express is available to PPSC Faculty and Staff only. Students do not currently have access to the platform.

Access Adobe Express by signing in with your institutional email. Detailed instructions and tutorials are available on the Self Service Design webpage.

No, it’s user-friendly for beginners with access to customizable templates and the PPSC Brand Kit.

How to make a QR code using Adobe Express.docx 

• Process: Once you're logged into Adobe Express, find premade templates within the PPSC Brand Kit. If the Brand Kit doesn’t appear when you select "Brands" on the left-hand side, click the “Browse Shared Brands” option in the top right corner. From there the PPSC Brand Kit will appear, hover your mouse over it and a blue "Add" button will show up. Press it, head back to "Brands" and refresh your page for the PPSC Brand Kit to pop up. 

• Where to locate the templates: Within the PPSC Brand Kit, you'll find a collection of pre-approved templates for various purposes such as flyers, posters, social media posts, and banners. These templates are already formatted with PPSC logos, colors, and fonts to ensure consistency with the college’s branding. 

• How to use the templates: 

1. 1. Select a template within the PPSC Brand Kit that fits your project needs. 
   2. Open the template in the Adobe Express editor. 
   3. Customize the text, images, and other elements as needed while keeping the brand guidelines intact. Fonts, logos, and colors will be preset to ensure branding consistency.
   4. Once finished, save your design and either download it or share it via a shared project folder if collaborating with teammates.

• What is a Project Folder? 
  A Project Folder in Adobe Express is a shared space where you and your teammates can store and access design files collaboratively. Unlike personal files, which are only visible to the creator, files saved in a Project Folder are accessible to everyone who has been granted access to the folder, enabling seamless collaboration. 

• How to create a Project Folder: 

1. Open Adobe Express and navigate to the "Projects" section on the left-hand menu. 

1. Click the "Create a New Project Folder" button, usually found in the “Your Stuff” area. 

1. Name the folder something relevant to your team or project, such as "PPSC Marketing Team" or "Event Posters 2024." 

1. Once the folder is created, you can begin adding files to it. 

• How to share the folder with your teammates: 

1. After creating the folder, hover over the folder icon and click on the three dots (ellipsis) to open additional options. 

1. Select "Share" and choose “Invite People.” Enter your teammates' email addresses to give them access. 

1. You can choose between "View" or "Edit" permissions depending on what level of access your teammates need. 

1. Once they accept the invitation, they will be able to view and collaborate on any files saved within that folder. 

• How to ensure proper collaboration: 
  When collaborating with teammates in Adobe Express, it's important to create and save your design files directly in the shared Project Folder. Here’s why:
  1. Syncing and Access: Files created or saved in your personal Adobe Express account won’t automatically be available to the team. To collaborate, you must create projects directly within the Project Folder or copy existing files into the shared folder using the “Copy to” option. 
  2. Avoiding Sync Issues: If you work on a file saved only in your personal space, any updates or changes you make will not sync to the shared Project Folder. To avoid this issue, always save your work to the shared folder before collaborating.
  3. Keeping Files Updated: Once your file is in the shared folder, any changes made will be immediately visible to other collaborators. This ensures that everyone is working on the most current version of the project.

Important Notes: 

• If you create or edit a project in your personal account and want to share it later, you must manually copy it into the shared folder. This process doesn’t sync updates between your personal copy and the shared version. 

• Adobe Express is working on enhancing file management features to improve direct collaboration in shared folders, but for now, it’s crucial to work within the Project Folder from the beginning to prevent version control issues.

• Standard Sizes: 

• Flyers: 8.5x11 inches (letter size). 

• Posters: 24x36 inches (standard large poster size). 

• TV Slides: 1920x1080 pixels (HD format). 

• Using Sample Templates from the PPSC Brand Kit: 
  In the PPSC Brand Kit, you’ll find pre-sized templates for flyers, posters, and TV slides. These templates are formatted with PPSC branding, making it easy to start your project with the correct dimensions. Select the template that best suits your project needs from the Brand Kit to ensure your designs meet the required sizes and guidelines.

1. Access the Resize Option:
   • In Adobe Express, open your project and locate the Resize button in the toolbar. 
   • You can select from preset sizes like "Poster" or "Flyer," or enter custom dimensions manually.
2. Resize Automatically:
   • When you select a new size, Adobe Express will automatically attempt to adjust your design layout to fit the new dimensions. 
   • However, it’s important to review the resized design, as certain elements (like text or images) may need manual adjustments to fit properly.
3. Manual Adjustments:
   • Aspect Ratio: If your design doesn’t scale proportionally, you may need to manually move or resize elements (like logos, text boxes, or images) to ensure they aren’t distorted or cut off. 
   • Text and Images: After resizing, check for overlapping text, image misalignment, or stretched logos. You can easily drag and resize these elements to ensure they fit within the new layout.
4. Best Practices for Resizing:
   • Always use the circular handles on the corners of your text and images to resize without distorting the proportions. 
   • For high-quality prints (like posters), make sure your images are still high resolution after resizing to avoid pixelation.

In the Self Service Design system, it’s important to remember that Marketing doesn’t have the bandwidth to proofread all materials created at the college. This means that the responsibility for checking spelling, accuracy, and overall content lies with the user. 

• Text Accuracy: Before you publish or share your design, carefully check all the text for spelling, grammar, and accuracy. Make sure the information provided, including dates, contact info, and event details, is correct. 

• Imagery: Ensure that any images used are relevant, high-quality, and aligned with the college's brand and message. 

• Self-Review: For more complex projects, it’s a good idea to have someone else review your design before publishing. However, the final responsibility for accuracy remains with you as the creator. 

1. User Responsibility for Accuracy
   As a user of the Self Service Design system, you are fully responsible for ensuring that the information on your flyer, poster, or TV slide is accurate. Marketing will provide branding support and templates, but proofreading and content accuracy fall under your responsibilities.
   • Checklist for Publishing: Before finalizing your design:
     • Double-check all text for errors.
     • Ensure that dates, times, and contact details are correct.
     • Confirm that images and logos are used properly.
     • Ensure compliance with PPSC branding guidelines.

Yes, Adobe Express allows real-time collaboration on shared projects, meaning that as you and your collaborators make edits, those changes are updated instantly for everyone with access. Here’s a breakdown of how collaboration works: 

• Real-Time Updates: 
  Any edits made to a project in a shared folder are reflected immediately, allowing seamless collaboration. This means multiple people can work on the same design without worrying about version control or conflicting changes. 

• Sharing Projects with Editors or Commenters: 
  Adobe Express offers flexibility when it comes to sharing your project. You can invite collaborators with different levels of access: 

• • Editors: These users can make changes directly to the design, adjusting text, images, and layout as needed. 

• • Commenters: These users won’t be able to edit the design, but they can leave feedback or suggestions for changes in the comment section. This is ideal for stakeholders who need to approve content but aren’t directly involved in editing. 

• Managing Permissions: 
  When sharing a project, you can control who has editing rights and who is limited to viewing or commenting. To adjust permissions: 

• • Open the shared project. 

• • Click the three dots (ellipsis) next to the collaborator’s name. 

• • Choose between "Edit" or "Comment" permissions. 

• Best Practices for Collaborative Editing: 

• • Communication: Ensure that all collaborators are aware of each other’s roles and the scope of their editing permissions. This will help avoid confusion during the design process. 

• • Final Review: After the project has been edited by multiple people, it’s good practice to do a final review to ensure that all changes are correct and consistent with the project goals. 

Important Note: 
If you work on the project within your personal account and not in the shared folder, changes will not be visible to others. To collaborate effectively, make sure all project files are located in the shared folder from the start.

Currently, Adobe Express doesn’t support direct file-moving functionality to shared folders. Instead, you’ll need to copy projects from your personal files to the shared folder. Adobe is working on improving this feature, but for now, you can follow the steps outlined in the How to create a Project Folder to collaborate with your teammates section. 

• Link to Detailed Instructions: 
  For step-by-step guidance on copying your files to a shared folder, refer to this section. 

If you’re having trouble saving or loading a project in Adobe Express, try the following steps: 

• Clear Your Browser Cache: 
  Your browser cache stores temporary files that can sometimes cause issues with web applications like Adobe Express. To clear your cache: 
  1. Open your browser settings. 
  2. Find the option to clear browsing data (usually under Privacy & Security). 
  3. Select “Clear Cache” and restart your browser. 
• Refresh the Browser: 
  If the project isn’t loading, try refreshing the browser by pressing the refresh icon or using a shortcut (typically "F5" or "Ctrl+R" on most browsers). This forces the browser to reload the current page. 
• Log Out and Log Back In: 
  If refreshing doesn’t work, try logging out of your Adobe account and then logging back in. Sometimes session issues can cause loading or saving problems. 
• Try Another Browser or Device: 
  If the problem persists, try accessing Adobe Express on a different browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) or using a different device. This can help determine if the issue is with the browser or device you're using.
• Check Internet Connection: 
  Make sure you have a stable internet connection, as interruptions can prevent your project from saving or loading properly. 
• Reach Out to ITSS for Help: 
  If none of these steps resolve the issue, you can reach out to the Pikes Peak IT Service Desk (ITSS) for assistance. Submit a request through the IT Service Desk Portal, and they will help troubleshoot the problem further. 

To keep your files easily identifiable and accessible, follow these simple best practices for naming and organizing your projects:

• Use Clear and Descriptive Names: 
  Be specific about the content and purpose of your project. Include key details like the event name and date. This makes it easy for both you and your collaborators to quickly find the right file. 
  • Example:
    • Good: "Event_Poster_2024-09-25" 
    • Not Ideal: "Poster_Sept"
• Include Dates: 
  Adding the date to your project names helps you track designs over time and organize recurring events. Use a consistent date format like "YYYY-MM-DD" for easy sorting. 
  • Example: "Flyer_Fall_Orientation_2024-09-25" 
• Organize Files by Category or Project Type: 
  Create folders for different types of projects to help keep everything organized. For example: 
  • Events: A folder for all event-related designs. 
  • Flyers: A folder specifically for flyers. 
  • TV Slides: For any designs intended for display on TV screens around the campus. 
• Keep Your Workspace Clean: 
  Archive old projects into an "Archive" folder once they’re no longer needed. This helps keep your workspace focused on current work. 

By keeping names simple, descriptive, and organized into clear folders, you'll ensure that you and your team can quickly find and collaborate on projects. 

If you can’t see the PPSC Brand Kit in your Adobe Express account, follow these steps: 

1. Ensure You’re Signed In with Your PPSC Email: 
   Make sure that you’re logged into Adobe Express using your official PPSC Faculty or Staff email. The Brand Kit is only available to Faculty and Staff at Pikes Peak State College. Students do not have access to Adobe Express. 
2. Access the Brand Kit: 
   If the Brand Kit doesn’t appear automatically, try these troubleshooting steps: 
   • Navigate to the Brands section on the left-hand menu. 
   • If the Brand Kit isn’t visible, click Browse Shared Brands in the top right corner.
   • The PPSC Brand Kit will appear, hover your mouse over and a blue "Add" button will appear
   • Press the button, head back to Brands, and refresh for the PPSC Brand Kit to pop up. 
3. Link to Detailed Instructions: 
   For more details on how to access the Brand Kit, refer to the How to access our Brand Templates section. 

No, students at Pikes Peak State College currently do not have access to Adobe Express. Collaboration is limited to Faculty and Staff.

Once your design is finished in Adobe Express, follow these steps to download it: 

1. Click the Download button (usually a downward arrow icon) at the top of the Adobe Express editor.
2. Choose your preferred file format based on what you need the design for:
   • PDF:
     • Best for flyers, posters, or anything that will be printed. 
     • Ensures that your design maintains its layout and print quality across devices. 
   • JPEG:
     • Best for social media posts or images that will be emailed or used online. 
     • Smaller file size, making it easier to share via email or upload quickly to a website. 
   • PNG:
     • Best for TV slides or any design with a transparent background, such as logos or graphics used on different backgrounds. 
     • Higher quality than JPEG and retains transparency. 
3. After selecting the format, click Download and the file will save to your computer.

Currently, Adobe Express may not provide an option to recover deleted projects. Once a project is deleted, it could be permanently lost. Therefore, it’s important to be careful when removing files from your account. 

Best Practice: 

• Ensure you save your work regularly and work within shared project folders to avoid accidental deletion. 
• Always double-check before deleting a project to ensure it is no longer needed.

Yes, you should avoid using copyrighted images or logos that are not approved for use by Pikes Peak State College. However, you have several options for sourcing images: 

• Adobe Express Premium Photos: As part of PPSC’s Adobe Express subscription, you have access to premium stock photos and graphics directly within Adobe Express. 

• PPSC Internal Photo Library: You can also use images from our internal photo library. Access it here: PPSC Photo Library. 

Be sure to use approved or royalty-free images that are aligned with PPSC branding.

Adobe Express is available as a mobile app for both iOS and Android. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play. Log in with your PPSC credentials to access the same templates, projects, and designs as on desktop, making it easy to work on designs from anywhere.