Adobe Workflows

Leveraging the legacy suite that still powers professional design production.

Adobe Creative Cloud remains essential for many design workflows—particularly print production, complex vector work, image editing, and motion. While Figma has taken collaboration and UI design, Adobe tools retain advantages in precision, production, and specialized capabilities.

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The Adobe Ecosystem

Core Applications

Illustrator: Vector graphics and precision artwork Photoshop: Image editing and manipulation InDesign: Multi-page documents and print layouts After Effects: Motion graphics and animation Acrobat Pro: PDF creation and editing

When to Use What

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Illustrator

Core Strengths

• Precision vector control
• Advanced path editing
• Print-ready output
• Complex typography
• Pattern and symbol systems

Key Techniques

Pen tool mastery:

• Smooth curves with minimal points
• Corner and smooth point control
• Path manipulation shortcuts

Pathfinder operations:

• Unite, subtract, intersect, exclude
• Non-destructive with compound shapes
• Complex shape building

Appearance panel:

• Multiple fills and strokes
• Effects stacking
• Graphic styles
• Non-destructive editing

Typography:

• Text on path
• Area type options
• OpenType features
• Outline text for logos

Logo Design Workflow

1. Sketch concepts (paper or digital)
2. Build in Illustrator using shapes and pen
3. Refine with precision tools
4. Create artboards for variations
5. Export for applications

File Organization

• Artboards for variations
• Layers for organization
• Symbols for repeated elements
• Graphic styles for consistency

Export

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Photoshop

Core Strengths

• Image manipulation
• Photo editing and retouching
• Complex compositing
• Raster effects
• Mockup creation

Key Techniques

Layer management:

• Groups and naming
• Smart objects
• Adjustment layers
• Blend modes

Selection tools:

• Quick selection and refine edge
• Pen tool paths
• Channel-based selection
• Select and mask workspace

Non-destructive editing:

• Smart objects
• Adjustment layers
• Smart filters
• Layer masks

Retouching:

• Healing and clone tools
• Frequency separation
• Dodge and burn
• Liquify

Mockup Creation

For brand presentations:

• Smart object placeholders
• Realistic textures and lighting
• Perspective matching
• Shadow and reflection

Workflow:

• Design in Figma/Illustrator
• Place as smart object in Photoshop mockup
• Double-click to edit source
• Updates automatically

File Management

• PSB for large files
• Smart objects for linked content
• Organized layer structure
• Color profile awareness

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InDesign

Core Strengths

• Multi-page document design
• Print production
• Typography refinement
• Master pages and templates
• Long document features

Key Features

Master pages:

• Consistent elements across pages
• Multiple master types
• Override when needed

Paragraph and character styles:

• Consistent typography
• Global updates
• Nested styles
• GREP styles

Links panel:

• Placed images managed
• Update when source changes
• Preflight for missing links

Tables and data:

• Table styles
• Data merge
• Structured content

Brand Guidelines Workflow

1. Set up master pages (cover, content, spreads)
2. Define paragraph/character styles
3. Create component library (swatches, styles)
4. Build modular sections
5. Export interactive PDF or print-ready

Print Preparation

Preflight:

• Check for errors
• Missing fonts/links
• Color space issues
• Bleed and trim

Export:

• PDF/X standards for print
• Interactive PDF for digital
• EPUB for digital publishing
• Package for handoff

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After Effects

Core Strengths

• Motion graphics
• Animation and compositing
• Logo animation
• Video effects
• Kinetic typography

Key Concepts

Composition:

• Timeline-based animation
• Nested compositions
• Pre-composing for organization

Keyframes:

• Position, scale, rotation, opacity
• Easing and curves
• Expression control

Effects:

• Visual effects library
• Adjustment layers
• Track mattes
• Blending modes

Logo Animation Workflow

1. Prepare logo in Illustrator (layers for animation)
2. Import as composition
3. Animate elements
4. Add effects and refinement
5. Export for delivery

Export Options

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Cross-Application Workflow

Adobe Integration

Applications work together:

• Copy/paste between apps
• Place linked files
• Shared libraries
• Dynamic link (video)

Linked vs. Embedded

Linked:

• File size smaller
• Updates from source
• Requires managing files
• Best for production workflows

Embedded:

• Self-contained
• Larger file size
• No external dependencies
• Best for final delivery

Creative Cloud Libraries

Shared assets across apps:

• Colors
• Type styles
• Graphics
• Components

Useful for consistency but can add complexity.

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Adobe + Figma Workflow

Typical Integration

Modern workflows often combine:

1. Figma: UI design, components, collaboration
2. Illustrator: Complex vectors, logo precision
3. Photoshop: Image editing, complex mockups
4. InDesign: Print documents, guidelines

Moving Between

Figma → Illustrator:

• Export as SVG
• Import in Illustrator
• Clean up paths if needed

Illustrator → Figma:

• Copy paths
• Paste in Figma
• Or export SVG and import

Photoshop → Figma:

• Export layers as PNG
• Place in Figma
• Or use plugins for direct export

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Efficiency Tips

Keyboard Shortcuts

Learn the essentials for each app. Common patterns:

• V: Selection tool
• P: Pen tool
• T: Type tool
• ⌘Z/Ctrl+Z: Undo
• ⌘S/Ctrl+S: Save often

Workspaces

Customize for different tasks:

• Logo design workspace
• Print production workspace
• Photo editing workspace

Save and switch between.

Actions and Automation

Illustrator Actions: Record and replay sequences Photoshop Actions: Batch processing images InDesign Scripts: Complex automation

See Automation Tools for more.

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Related

• Tools
• Figma Techniques
• Automation Tools
• Asset Management