Adobe MAX Overview
Adobe MAX is The Creativity Conference. If you work in marketing, web design, graphic design, or another creative field, you may have heard of Adobe MAX. During its annual gathering, Adobe gathers the best creative minds, talents, and companies together to push the boundaries of creativity. During the conference, attendees experience a variety of inspirational keynotes, educational sessions, and epic parties. ANS has attended for the past two years, here is our recap of Adobe MAX 2017.
Venue
Held at the Venetian in Las Vegas, the conference was spread out across five different floors. With 12,000 attendees, crowd control was bound to be an issue to a degree, but Adobe nailed the logistics and minimized delays due to excessive crowds.
The conference will be returning to California in 2018 making a repeat appearance in Los Angeles. Potential attendees can lock in a $500 savings on the conference tickets by pre-registering here.
Exhibit Hall
The exhibit hall at Adobe MAX 2017 was like a playground for creative adults. Attendees were able to get professional headshots, screen print t-shirts, design and print custom labels for a bottle of Coca-Cola, and even fly the latest drones from DJI. Many of the exhibitors brought in large, elaborate booths designed with engagement and interactivity in mind.
In addition to the exhibits, Adobe MAX allowed for aspiring artists and creatives to showcase and sell their work in the hall. Available items included artwork in all mediums, shapes, and sizes.
Sessions
The sessions at Adobe MAX 2017 were all about skill development, creative inspiration, and pushing the boundaries of the creative process. Sessions ranged in skill level from beginner to expert allowing for skill development for those young in their careers up to those that have been using Adobe’s creative software for decades. The material was presented by experts in various applications with proven records of success.
While many sessions focused on using on specific Adobe platforms, there were also many that dove into the creative process and theory. One of my favorites was a session from renowned graphic designer Aaron Draplin titled, “Stuff that has nothing to do with graphic design.” In this course, Aaron discussed how he lives his life, the process of acquiring inspiration, and about the things that motivate him.
Keynotes
The keynotes were the headliners at Adobe MAX and are where Adobe discussed updates to their new products, released new applications such as Adobe Dimensions, dove into the minds of some of the top creatives, and introduced the projects that are currently in development. In true Adobe fashion, the keynote hall was full of loud music, lights, and stunning visual displays all showcasing the incredible creativity for which Adobe is known.
Key Takeaways
Is Adobe MAX 2017 something that you should attend next year? Here are our key takeaways to help you decide if it’s right for you:
- Skill Development. During Adobe MAX 2017 I was able to learn new skills in several Adobe applications including Photoshop, Muse, and InDesign. Maybe more valuable than in the in-class instruction, however, were the printed guides provided that allowed for retention and further dissemination of information back at the office. If you are looking to further your team’s skill with Adobe products, Adobe MAX may be for you.
- The Creative Process. Adobe MAX is all about the creative process. At the conference, attendees learn from talented creatives to understand unique approaches to the creative process. If you are looking for further understanding and development of the creative process, Adobe Max may be for you.
- Networking. No other conference will provide the vast networking opportunities with creatives like Adobe MAX. If you a looking to network with other creatives or build new strategic partnerships, Adobe MAX may be for you.