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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 at PPSC. Please note that Adobe Express is not currently available to students at PPSC.

Accessing Adobe Express

  • Open your web browser and go to Adobe Express.
  • Sign in to your Adobe Account
    • To sign in to your Adobe Account you will use your Pikes Peak State College Email.
    • It will then redirect you to the CCCS login portal.
      • Enter your current password.
    • You will then be prompted to select an Adobe Profile.
      • Select the "COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM" option.
        • This option is listed as the second option on the profile select screen.
    • It is important to note that you will only have access to Adobe Express through our institutional subscription.
      • If you log in and it says you don't have access to Adobe Express, you have most likely logged into the wrong account. Try logging in again with the "COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM" profile. 
      • If you are still having any issues signing into your Adobe Account, please contact ITSS.
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 templates 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. Customize their size, color, and position.

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

Using Adobe Express
Surfacing the Brand

Surfacing the PPSC Brand when you design

  1. Accessing the Brand Kit
    • Click on the "Brand" option in the toolbar along the left side of your screen to access the PPSC brand kit.
    • At first, the page will display no available brands, from this page, head to the top right and press a button called "Browse shared brands".
    • It will then bring you to a new page and the PPSC Brand Kit will appear. Hover over the kit, a blue "Add" button will appear, press this to add to your brands. 
    • Go back to the Brand Kit and refresh the page for the PPSC Brand Kit to appear. 
    • Here, you can find the Pikes Peak State College brand kit that includes logos, fonts, color palettes, graphic elements, and template files. 
  2. Adding Elements of the Brand to Your Design
    • Logos: Use the logos from the brand kit 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 kit 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 Pikes Peak State College's brand guidelines by consistently using the elements from the brand libraries. This helps create a cohesive look across all materials.
  4. Additional Brand Resources
    • 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.

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!
Student Studying

Adobe Express FAQ