These posts are rarely sponsored, but Adobe Express reached out and offered me a free year for sharing a story. The thing is, I already pay for Adobe. I don’t need the free year.
In fact, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today without Adobe’s creative tools. They’re not paying me to say that, that’s just how I feel. So instead, I’m giving away a free year of Adobe Express to a reader. All you need to do is interact with this post in some way—like, share, comment, email, DM, whatever.
That week off was needed, but I’m back, feeling recharged, and this is a solid batch. Enjoy.
This week’s post is sponsored by Adobe Express
Illustration
Various Medical illustrations 2024-2025 by Hola Holga
A selection of my medical-themed illustrations and editorial work, created for Noema Magazine, The Lancet, BBC Science Focus, The Pharmaceutical Journal, El Diario, Impact Media Verlag, and personal projects.
Surreal botanical illustration by Mary Maka
A series of botanical illustrations on the border between observations of real nature and imagination.
Web Design/UX/UI
Design Patterns For AI Interfaces
Designing a new AI feature? Where do you even begin? From first steps to design flows and interactions, here’s a simple, systematic approach to building AI experiences that stick.
Photography
The photographer with 60,000 undeveloped images of rock history ‘waiting to come back to life’
Charles Daniels took intimate pictures of his friends the Rolling Stones, Hendrix and others – but few have seen the light of day until now
Teen-Agers in Their Bedrooms, Before the Age of Selfies
Adrienne Salinger’s cult photography book from the nineties makes a comeback
Industrial Design
Holofan
Our innovation has the ability to create hyper-realistic 3D holographic visuals that will leave the audience mesmerized. No special glasses, and no screens.
Finally, a Wall Desk That’s More Designer Than Dorm Room
a minimalist, thoughtfully-crafted solution that blends into your space rather than stick out like an afterthought
What’s in a fob? The surprising complexity of designing car keys
It is an interesting subject – the fob. The way a consumer first interacts with a car is also one of the least relevant details of the driving experience. Yet, it serves as a handshake: A good design will communicate brand values, even status.
The Aqara G410 Is a Smart Doorbell and Home Hub in One
The G410 strikes a careful balance between modern tech and design subtlety. Available in three color options, its form factor is sleek and polished, with a premium plastic build that feels durable in hand.
Books
Girl Gangs, Zines, and Powerslides: A History of Badass Women Skateboarders By Natalie Porter
Porter shines a spotlight on the unsung women, BIPOC pioneers, and queer trailblazers who helped propel skateboarding to the Olympics, highlighting the need to validate the stories of older women often ignored by the industry.
Graphic Design/Branding
Best of the Bone
the brand’s bare bones philosophy; stripped back, purposeful, and quietly full of character
Technology/Tools
FlashDepth: Real-time Streaming Video Depth Estimation at 2K Resolution
A versatile video depth estimation model should be accurate and consistent across frames, produce high- resolution depth maps, and support real-time streaming.
Kompressor
For ease of use, you can drag n’ drop to convert between over 50 supported image formats like JPEG, HEIC, PNG, WebP, AVIF, camera raw images, Photoshop files, windows, and Mac icons.
split-flap board by Gregory Dolder
Create eye‑catching, retro split‑flap announcements on your Apple TV—dynamic lines, real flap sound, full customization, no subscription required
Random
An Algorithm for a Better Bookshelf
Managing the strategic positioning of empty spaces
Sponsored Content
Good Design Is Worth Paying For
Adobe offered me a free year of Adobe Express, no strings attached. I’m not being paid to write this, but I am giving away a free year of Express to one of you. More on that at the end.
If you’re doing anything public, starting a business, building a brand, making a thing, you need design. Not just decent-looking stuff, but design that feels intentional. Design helps people understand you, trust you, and remember you.
And while DIY tools like Adobe Express are great (especially if you’re moving fast or working solo), nothing beats having a real designer involved. Someone who can help shape the way your brand feels—not just how it looks.
Design isn’t decoration. It’s communication. It’s structure. It’s how you signal to the world that your product, service, or business is worth paying attention to.
About Adobe Express
I’ve been playing with Express for the past few weeks. It’s surprisingly good for quick visuals—social posts, flyers, pitch decks, even branded merch mockups. The templates don’t feel overly generic, and it’s fast enough to use in between bigger design cycles.
It won’t replace a real designer, but if you’re in the early days of a project or want to keep your visuals consistent without a lot of overhead, it’s a solid option.
Want a free year of Adobe Express?
I’ve got one code to give away. I’ll pick a random reader. Just interact with this in some way. Like, share, comment, email, DM–just let me know you are out there and interested.