As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the globe, 114 million people lost their jobs. Artists, designers, and creatives were hit especially hard: in New York, two-thirds of arts positions are gone, while nearly a quarter of the creative workforce in Los Angeles has been cut. In response, Adobe established the Creative Residency Community Fund, a $1 million USD endowment, to support creators worldwide. Adobe selected me to participate at the end of April 2021. I was tasked with developing two logos for Creator Camp, a seven-week creative boot camp focused on content creation in Premiere Pro.

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of employment, the number of establishments and total wages in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector had each expanded significantly over the past decade, growing at a much faster rate than for all sectors citywide.” – Arts, Entertainment and Recreation in New York City Recent Trends and Impact of COVID-19, February 2021

What is the Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund?

Adobe hires creators for commissioned projects on a rolling basis. Based on available commission opportunities and their alignment with an applicant’s skill set, Adobe may reach out up to one quarter after application. There are two application options to choose from. Applicants can submit a proposal for a specific creative project or allow Adobe to assign a project, no proposal required. I opted for Adobe to assign a project. Application does not require a college degree.

To apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Creator of visual work
• Proficient in English (though Japanese candidates must be proficient in Japanese)
• At least 18 years old
• Have a PayPal account or bank account in your name

While Adobe is open to any type of project that showcases Creative Cloud capabilities, the following types of work are of particular interest:

• Video
• UI/UX design
• Photography
• Illustration
• Graphic Design

In addition to access to exclusive webinars/tutorials and compensation for the commission, fund recipients also receive one-year memberships to Creative Cloud and free Adobe Stock credits. Once the project is complete, fund recipients are required to create a post on Behance about their creative process and experience.

The Kick-Off

When I applied in November or December of 2020, I did not expect to ever receive a response. It was a complete surprise. After receiving the project brief, I attended an introductory/FAQ meeting with the program directors. Following that, I had a discovery call with my contact at Adobe, Emily. We discussed the purpose and goals of the commission, then it was time to begin designing.

The Design Process and Result

The goal was to create two logos that would create instant relation with Premiere Pro, while simultaneously conveying the creativity and excitement that Creator Camp offers participants. I quickly discovered during the preliminary sketching process that typographic treatments would be the strongest solutions. Creator Camp is open to a vast array of content creators. It was essential that all potential participants would be able to connect with both logos.

Both logos utilize a quirky, friendly font that evokes originality and playfulness. The quintessential play button is nestled into the “O” in “Creator,” further emphasizing the superior video editing skills gained through the program.

Reflection

I’m incredibly fortunate to have received this opportunity. Never in my life did I think I would be designing something for Adobe, especially at such a young age. This was an excellent opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a designer. Adobe gave me ample creative freedom, which allowed me to cultivate my skills. Specifically, I built confidence in my design decision-making, grew a deeper and more nuanced appreciation for typography, and gained experience in client communication and effective presentation of my creative work.

I encourage everyone to find opportunities to challenge themselves outside of their day-to-day roles!