Creative professionals thrive in a rapidly changing, mobile world, according to research released by Adobe.
The New Creatives Report, a U.S. survey of 1,048 creative professionals and 535 students in fields such as graphic design, illustration, Web design, photography and video, found that an overwhelming majority — 96 percent — are happy with their work and optimistic about the future. At the same time, respondents acknowledged a rapidly shifting professional environment with constant pressure to produce and learn new skills.
More than three-quarters of respondents say that industry change is swift, and two-thirds expect their current roles will shift significantly within three years. This group also identified app development and 3D modeling as skills that will be most in demand over the next 12 months.
Mobile rules
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Three-fourths of creatives working with mobile technology view it as transformational, with seven in 10 reporting they now create specifically for mobile devices. The vast majority are happy with this development.
The survey revealed a variety of workflows and habits, however, which indicates that deeply engrained practices are not so easily changed. For example, 28 percent of those questioned say they still rely on pen and paper to map out ideas and 36 percent use them for brainstorming.
The survey subjects are quite fond of their devices, though, as 30 percent said they want to use their tablets for creation even more than they now do.
Already, nearly half those questioned now use mobile devices for recording inspiring ideas on-the-go, and 42 percent say they use mobile devices to create content wherever they happen to be.
Part of the reason for that might be accelerated time pressure, however. Respondents expressed concern at the fast pace required for many jobs they do. Moreover, they were aware of the constant need to keep up with new skills and tools for burgeoning cross-media and interdisciplinary workflows. A full 75 percent now work across different kinds of media.
Despite the pressures, nearly all respondents are happy with their work, feel valued by their companies, colleagues, and clients and feel like their influence is growing.
Social media inspiration
The respondents cite social media, Websites, and online advertising as the most influential sources of inspiration over more traditional influences such as fashion and architecture, with twice as many respondents using such material.
They also give a thumbs up to analytics. Despite that 80 percent of respondents report “going with their gut” to make decisions, some 70 percent say that analytics gives them more control and a feeling of empowerment.
The survey results will be presented at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity on Monday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m. local time in the Grand Auditorium. Adobe vice president Scott Belsky will host the discussion on how technology is changing the way we think about advertising and creativity.
The results of this study were released in advance of a June 18 worldwide Adobe Creative Cloud event in New York.
The study was commissioned by Adobe and produced by research firm Edelman Berland, with data collected May 12-21, 2014. It’s fair to say that the results fit with the direction of Adobe’s products these days, but we’d be interested in your experiences – does mobile tech aid your creativity?
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