Why Schools Should Teach Digital Art Using Affinity Software Instead of Adobe.

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 86

  • @LV4EVR
    @LV4EVR 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +31

    Love hearing your perspective as a teacher on this. Couldn't agree more that schools should teach Affinity, even if alongside Adobe. FWIW, I'm a senior designer, and a *_former_* brand advocate for Adobe. I left them when they stopped allowing you to own your own software. To me, RENTING software is immoral for the company to do, and stupid for me to support. And for Canva/Affinity to provide their suite for free for schools? Very smart.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      I like your idea of teaching Affinity alongside Adobe. I will really push the parents to get Affinity when I teach kids and teens since it won't cost them anything. It's a no brainer. I don't particularly like the idea of renting software either, but I can live with it. In the early days of subscriptions, I think most places gave you the option of turning off auto renew. Now you either have to cancel early or hope that you remember to cancel the following year. It should be our choice as a consumer to renew our subscriptions not remember to cancel it. I wonder how much Adobe makes each year from deceased customers because of auto renew.

  • @artsquirrel
    @artsquirrel 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    I think Affinity is very good, especially Designer. Inkscape, Krita and Gimp are free open source options, good for beginners who want to try digital art, but also used by professionals. As long as your teaching also focuses on skills, design principles and fundamentals I don't really think the software should matter too much as a lot of the things you can do with Adobe software are things you can also do in other software.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Hello Art Squirrel! Thanks for the comment! I had convinced the place I teach during the summers to change to Krita for digital painting, but after a couple of summers they switched back to Photoshop. I think marketing was the main reason. I think they decided that pitching that they taught students on the industry standard software went a lot further with the parents. And I love Krita! I find the learning curved to be significantly less because of the pop-up pallet. And I agree that if you teach the fundamentals the software shouldn't matter. One of these days I will have to try out Gimp.

    • @artsquirrel
      @artsquirrel 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      That is a shame but understandable. Hopefully they will be better about Affinity and that might get the ball rolling about other software becoming more acceptable as well. Good channel btw, thanks for making these videos 😊🐿️

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@artsquirrel I hear you! And thanks so much Art Squirrel!! 😊

  • @wraser
    @wraser 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    Learning fundamentals is so important. Imagine the future frustration when Adobe's AI servers go down, even for a single day. How much productivity will be lost if those future prompt designers don't have "manual" or traditional skills to solve their assignments/projects.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      I agree 100%. I have a funny story. Back in December there was an explosion at a power plant the night before final exams. Parts of the city experienced a blackout but at the school we were "fine." I was told we had power but no internet. I thought, great, I have all of my files on a flash drive so not problem. The lab tech pointed out to me that without internet access, NO ONE could sign into ADOBE Creative Cloud so we had to cancel the final exam for my class that uses Adobe Illustrator! It was crazy. It kind of blew my mind at the realization that losing internet access could mess things up so much.

    • @PhiddyPford
      @PhiddyPford 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Teacher_Tangents Worse yet, We get hit with hurricane season and a hurricane can drop the internet for a week, as towers go down etc….Generators are great, but if the net is down, so what!!

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ​@@PhiddyPford I once spent 10 days with no power after a hurricane but l at least I still had internet through my cell phone. It's scary how much we depend on the internet for so much in our everyday lives.

    • @PhiddyPford
      @PhiddyPford 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@Teacher_Tangents Yeppers! I unfortunately know that well. Same here

  • @jekalambert9412
    @jekalambert9412 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    My sentiments exactly! I'm a very part time semi-professional illustrator who wants a photo editing program but doesn't need the "advanced" functions included in Adobe.
    As a student I came to totally resent Adobe because even at "student" prices, it was expensive. My computer exceeded the hardware requirements specified by Adobe, but Adobe software would constantly hang and crash. Additionally, Adobe's Classroom in a Book series was extremely ridiculous to use because despite owning the latest version of CIB, the tutorials didn't match the software function. The reality of using Adobe software as a solo user without the support of knowledgeable colleagues available to coach me through the idiosyncrasies of using the programs was an exercise guaranteed to create excessive frustration and hours of wasted time trying to figure out why I couldn't do what I wanted to do.
    I'm a newbie at Affinity Photo, but after watching several introductory tutorials, I'm able to accomplish what I want to do with minimal frustration - a huge plus in my book! Affinity is my winner - hands down! I hope Adobe looses their anti-trust suit with the US Government and meets their demise as a result of it. I will NEVER use another Adobe product EVER!!!

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hello Jeka, sorry for the slow reply, I just saw your comment. I don't think I would personally say that I would never use Adobe products, well because I need it for my job. But I don't think I will ever pay for it again, unless I am making money from it. I am sorry to hear about your frustrations with the Classroom in a book. It sounds like the books didn't keep up with the changes in the software. I think the problem there is they can update the software overnight but a book is much harder to update. These day, if you find yourself stuck often you can find answer online, in forums. But yes, having nearby colleague would be much quicker but though. I am glad to hear that you are using Affinity Photo, I do think in many ways it is easier to use.

  • @itsjavidev
    @itsjavidev 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Very good video. I am using them for years and I don't miss Adobe. The difficult part for me was figuring out the Personas feature.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks so much! And I am still not deep into Affinity yet, but I can definitely relate to the difficulty in figuring out the Persona feature. One thing that I do appreciate about it is I feel like it was an innovation that actually makes the software easier to use by decluttering the interface depending on what you are working on. One problem I see with old school software like Photoshop is they have to balance innovation while also not frustrating it's users.

  • @auditcement
    @auditcement หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    We might benefit from taking this even further.
    In my previous school, I was forced to select an elective class, so I chose art becuase it looked the easiest.
    Turned out it was a digital art class and the teacher is teaching us Inkscape (A free and open-source Adobe Illustrator alternative) because the school didn't want to pay for Adobe subscriptions.
    What was more ridiculous is that our teacher was an AI user so she wasn't that familiar with Inkscape either.
    She had to search for solutions for problems during class and occasionally taught more philosophy about 2D art in the process.
    The Inkscape and 2D design skills I learned out of carelessness became phemonomenally useful when I wanted to start a TH-cam channel and make video thumbnails.
    I ended up making professional thumbnails without spending a penny.
    Due to my own experience, I recommend taking this concept further and teach students with FOSS (Free and Open Source Software), fundamental skills, and philosophy that will become handy no matter what software you use.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  หลายเดือนก่อน

      @auditcement! like the way you think! I once had a similar situation where I was supposed to be teaching a kid’s class at a library using Gravit Designer, a software that was free but it changed to a paid business model less than a week before the class started. So I had to find something new quickly, I decided on Inkscape. So I know the feeling of trying to figure out Inkscape in a pinch. But this is all beside the point. Your point is to teach them art and design principles and how they can use that with various software to create well designed art. I agree with that 100%.
      Back in the day, I worked for newspapers and when they made the switch to digital art, initially they hired people who could use the Adobe software. After a few years of getting bad graphics, the art departments start advertising that they were looking for artists and they would teach them how to use the software. They learned that good design skills were more important than software skills.
      I also had a kids digital painting class one summer where I was able to convince them to switch to Krita instead of Photoshop because I thought Krita had a much easier learning curve and, more importantly, all of them would retain access to the software when the class was over. Oddly enough, they switch back to Photoshop the next summer because they could sell the class as being taught using the industry standard software. I thought the kids lost out on that move.

  • @christopherc4526
    @christopherc4526 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I appreciate this video. Adobe subscriptions are not for the casual user. The cost is far too high with a monthly cost being comparable to Affinity’s perpetual license. I also recommend Procreate for mobile devices

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hello Christopher. Sorry, I missed your comment till now. What I always say is when I retire I won't be paying for Adobe. I find it interesting that Procreate is used by many professionals. It just surprises me because it is so inexpensive. I have been wanting to get an iPad for a while now, but only so I can get Procreate.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@cag19549 Yeah, it is too bad that Adobe doesn't have a month to mont subscription or even a weekly subscription that is reasonably price. Then you could dabble in it from time to time without breaking the bank. If you are interested in a more traditional frame by frame way of animating (not puppets) You can try that out in Krita which is free. But definitely not the same things as Animate.

  • @multimagical3137
    @multimagical3137 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    thanks for the video. i greed, ti,e to say good bay to predatory policy by adobe also in educational

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes, I hope they make these predatory policies against the law.

  • @tiffanyw3794
    @tiffanyw3794 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Affinity is great but you can’t automate your process with scripts and actions. If affinity adds automation I am switching over. They need to add styles, scripting, and actions

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Now that the company was acquired by Canva they might now have the finances to add that to the software. I have heard that is the deal breaker for some photographers.

    • @tiffanyw3794
      @tiffanyw3794 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@Teacher_Tangents I’m not a photographer but I love being able to automate my design process.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@tiffanyw3794 Interesting. I use automated processes with Photoshop all the time, but I have never used them in Illustrator. I need to explore that. Actually that is not true . . . I once worked with a client and I had to do about 1,000 little labels. There were only slight variations with each. The automation saved me a good 8 hours of repetitive work. Hmmmm . . . well, my fingers are crossed that Affinity adds automation soon. But for now, I still have Adobe.

    • @tiffanyw3794
      @tiffanyw3794 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Teacher_Tangents with illustrator I use a cvs file along with my Jsx script and design templates. Hundreds of designs straight automation. Saves me hours

    • @c.augustin
      @c.augustin 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yep, exactly my problem, too! There's some limited automation in Affinity Photo, but far from being enough. And completely missing in Affinity Designer - even though I only use it for *batch conversion* (and there's a real time saver with Photoshop and Illustrator). But there are some serious problems with export quality in Affinity Designer and handling of gradients on import and export - not ready for prime time, at least not yet.

  • @kapenimelesse5484
    @kapenimelesse5484 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great information......

  • @amydeleon3387
    @amydeleon3387 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I want to switch to Affinity, but I'm scared. I'll have to look at them again, it seems so much more affordable and I feel like there'll be more support/education re: Affinity.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I agree, there's lots of support out there for Affinity. And there is no need to be scared. They still have a 6 month free trial available right now for Mac, Windows or iPad. So you have plenty of time to try it out and they don't ask for a credit card. My fingers are crossed that they have another 50% off sale on Black Friday. But if not, I still think it is a bargain. 😀

    • @amydeleon3387
      @amydeleon3387 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Teacher_Tangents Yes, I just got the 6mo free trial & am learning the basics on Skillshare. Not much on SS right now, hopefully that'll change soon. I'll look out for their Black Friday sal - fingers crossed!

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@amydeleon3387 Awesome!! Congratulations!! I actually have a few classes on Skillshare and I have been considering diving in and learning Affinity more so that I can teach it. Which are you more interested in learning, Affinity Photo (Photoshop) or Designer (Illustrator)?

  • @Miguel-pe
    @Miguel-pe หลายเดือนก่อน

    Those who are in the US using Adobe products for profit can report that expense to reduce their taxes. That may be the reason some still stay using Adobe.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  หลายเดือนก่อน

      As a freelancer I have been able to write a portion of it off on taxes but it doesn't become free, just cheaper. I do think Adobe is a top tier software and as a professional it is important to have. I just can't imagine paying for it if I was a high school student or casual artist.

  • @amydeleon3387
    @amydeleon3387 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've been thinking about schools not teaching Affinity. I'm guessing they want to draw students (higher ed) by advertising that they teach the "industry standard in graphic design", thinking the likelihood of graduates landing a job in a graphic design related field is better with knowledge of Adobe CS. But I'm seeing more entrepreneurs and freelancers working from home - not working in firms. IMO as long as you can get the art made & present it in the format clients need it in, what does it matter what software you used?

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I agree with what you said about getting the work done in the proper format should work for most freelancers and entrepreneurs. On the teaching side, unfortunately it is harder to sell a class if you don't feature the "industry standard" software even thought it may not be the best option for everyone.

  • @PhiddyPford
    @PhiddyPford 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    NEA is on Adobe payroll/blackmail

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Maybe you are on to something!

  • @iExpertxC4x
    @iExpertxC4x 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    on top of that affinity provide 6 months free trail

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  2 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I know! It is crazy. I will tell people this and they still resist even trying out the software. I am hoping that they have another sale for Black Friday.

    • @iExpertxC4x
      @iExpertxC4x 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @ I am sure they will have another sale

  • @ahmedsaggaf1031
    @ahmedsaggaf1031 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Affinity is far from superior to Adobe.
    Affinity does not respect language support or RTL tools
    Despite all these years
    In your opinion, why all this deliberate neglect?

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I agree that Affinity is far from superior to Adobe, no question about that, but most people don't need all of the features packed into Adobe Suite. I think the main reason they don't have those things you are looking for comes down to money. They were recently purchased by Canva for an estimated $380 million to $886 million dollars whereas Adobe is worth $240 billion. They have a lot more money to spend on developing their products. But since Affinity was recently purchased by Canva, I think they will likely start improving the product.

    • @KuttyJoe
      @KuttyJoe 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      I wouldn't call it deliberate neglect. Serif simply has never made software on the level of Adobe in their whole 30 year history. A lot of people think that Affinity is a new company that came out of nowhere with 3 fresh new products. The truth is those 3 products are just rebranded versions of the same products that existed on Windows for many years prior. I was using them in the early 2000's myself. I was also using Adobe software back then both at home and on my job. The amount of things that Adobe has over Serif/Affinity is massive, but people don't know that. That's why there are so many youtube videos that make direct comparisons and compare prices as if these are comparable products. I mean, a pickup truck is cheaper than a 18-wheeler but nobody is doing price comparisons! But we do it with software and people really want to believe that you can get something like Photoshop for $50.00. In truth, there's nothing like Photoshop on the planet, at any price point.

    • @Teacher_Tangents
      @Teacher_Tangents  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@KuttyJoe Hello KuttyJoe, at a one time price that Affinity sells for, I don't think they can ever compete on Adobe's level. I didn't realize that Affinity has been around for so long, thanks for that history. I have owned a copy of Affinity Photo and Design since 2019 but I keep them for the most part as a back-up to Photoshop. Occasionally Adobe cuts me off if I am not connected to the internet even though I have paid access. I teach beginner Photohop and Illustrator classes so I rarely teach automation. In 2020 when everything went online my students didn't have access to Adobe till about a month into the semester, so I pivoted to Photopea. It isn't Photoshop but I was able to do about 95% of my class with it. But yeah, it was very slow at times. Also, with Photopea since it is browser based, when the schools started handing out Chromebooks to students, many couldn't run Photoshop, so Photopea got the job done where Photoshop couldn't in this rare instance. What I am saying is I value students having access to Affinity year round even if it is inferior to Adobe.

    • @KuttyJoe
      @KuttyJoe 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@Teacher_Tangents It's good that there are lots of low applications that people can use but there is an important distinction. Expensive software is built to support major industry. Cheap software never bothers with such features and functions because it's marketed to people who don't work in major industry. So it's not realistic to replace Adobe software with software who's sole focus is just painting images. The competitor for Illustrator is Coreldraw which costs the same as Illustrator. The competitor for Indesign is QuarkExpress which costs similar to Indesign. And there's nothing in the world like Photoshop. There are lots and lots of digital painting apps and a lot of them are really excellent but none of them are the total solution that is Photoshop. I hate Adobe pricing as much as anybody else. The reason I discovered Serif software back in the day was because I was looking for an alternative to Adobe, and this was long before the subscription pricing.

    • @SKMRify
      @SKMRify 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@KuttyJoe You're quite right. For example, a gifted digital artist can produce wonders with GIMP, Krita, even MS Paint or PowerPoint. However, the Adobe products are still overall the most powerful on offer. It's as simple as that.