There’s so much awesome stuff to see at Adobe MAX 2021, we wouldn’t blame you for running through the program like a headless chook. The free virtual conference for art and design-minded folk, held this year from Oct 27-28, has virtual sessions on everything from geeking out on design software to finding your purpose. But a few events in particular have really got our creative noggins buzzing.

Whether you’re a professional doodler, tech newbie or casual maker, there’s something for everyone at Adobe MAX. We break down our top picks for creatives of all stripes.

IF YOU’RE INTO ILLUSTRATION
Kitschy, 80s-inspired Australiana is totally our jam (if you couldn’t tell), so we’re super-stoked to see Sydney pop art fashion queen Frida Las Vegas (a.k.a. Stavroula Adameitis) leading a panel on ‘Illustration and Digital Painting’ with South Korean illustrator Pie and artist duo Craig & Karl. Frida will be chinwagging about her design process, techniques and journey from the self-described “pop culture-obsessed Greek-Australian nerd-burger of the Adelaide burbs” to creative powerhouse.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by FRIDA LAS VEGAS (@fridalasvegas)

IF YOU WANT TO DIY YOUR WAY TO BETTER CONTENT
Crafty lass Kitiya Palaskas is no stranger ‘round these here parts; she’s given us heaps of amazing DIY inspo over the years, and we’re big-time fans of her bold, playful aesthetic. She’s also a whizz at whipping up eye-catching content for social media. Her session, ‘Do-it Yourself Marketing and Branding on Social’, will show you how to make awesome promotional assets (like YouTube thumbnails, Instagram posts and Pinterest tiles) for your brand.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kit | Craft-based design + DIY (@kitiyapalaskas)

IF YOU LOVE LETTERS
Type nerds, rejoice! You can learn to make your spiffy letters do a little jig. Aussie typographer and graphic designer Sophie Elinor is hosting ‘Typography, Play and Animation’, a how-to for folks who want to use Adobe After Effects to animate their lettering. We see some seriously schmick GIFs in your future.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sophie Elinor (@sophie_elinor)

IF YOU NEED TO UP YOUR TIKTOK GAME
Are you on a soul-crushing quest to make your creative brand’s TikToks good enough for the For You page? Are you intimidated by your 10-year-old niece’s higher follower count? Consider popping by Valentina Vee’s session on ‘Creating TikToks That Will Get Seen’. The LA-based director and cinematopher will share tips on shooting and editing TikToks that folks will actually get to see.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Valentina Vee (@valentina.vee)

IF YOU’RE A MOVIE BUFF
Calling all filmmakers: learn a bit more about the video biz with director Chloé Zhao, who swept awards season last year with her flippin’ beautiful Oscar-winning movie, Nomadland. Her ‘Video Is in the Spotlight’ session will discuss her love of the moving image, and how personal experience informs her work behind the lens. Other cinema stars at the conference include Crazy Rich Asians hunk Henry Golding and arthouse fave Tilda Swinton.

IF YOUR DESIGN BIZ (OR YOUR LIFE) NEEDS DIRECTION
Brooklyn-based artist and illustrator Adam J Kurtz has a reputation as a therapist-of-sorts for creative types with big feelings. His honest, emotional and funny work always makes us think deep thoughts, so we’re keen to hear his take on confidence as an artist during his session, ‘You are Here, for Now: Passion, Purpose and Finding Your Way’.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Adam J. Kurtz (@adamjk)

IF YOU WANT TO FIND YOUR ARTISTIC VOICE
Being an artist is a lifelong gig, one that requires vulnerability, practice and a lot of self-reflection. Hannah Brontë is a Wakka Wakka and Yaegl woman whose work spans a broad range of visual media, such as traditional weaving, photography and large-scale installation, to explore themes of matriarchy, power, nature and the role of Indigenous women. Her session, ‘Creative Inspiration’, will discuss self-love, the joy of saying ‘no’ and life as an artist.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by hannahbronte (@hannahbronte)

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE FREELANCING WORK FOR YOU
If you’re living with a chronic or invisible illness, and keen to hear from a creative in the same boat, grab a cuppa and sit down for a heart-to-heart with designer Josie Young. The co-creator of Unsolicited Advice, a project for chronically ill and disabled folks, will share practical tips and insight at her session, ‘Notes on Invisible Illness and Making Work Work For You’.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Josie Young (@josieyoung)

IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HECK YOU’RE DOING
Don’t stress; you’re not alone! Even the most successful creatives are always learning, especially when it comes to keeping up with fancy-shmancy design tech. Do you need to get your head around Premiere Pro? Do you want to dip those artistic tootsies into animation? Have a flick through Adobe MAX’s beginner sessions and labs for friendly tips, tricks and guides to software that interests you most.

This handy guide was brought to you in partnership with our mates from Adobe MAX 2021, a free virtual event taking place Oct 27-28. If you need a burst of creative inspiration, or want to hone your tech skills, head to the Adobe MAX website to choose from over 400 sessions, including the rad panels mentioned above. Happy creating!