Adobe Illustrator CC vs. Axure RP

It is the only tool that I use to create logos. It gives me the flexibility to create sharp text and marks and they can then be resized at will, color changes in a second and perfect way to export. I know that some people use Illustrator for document layout, it is not ideal. While I can easily create documents here, it really is InDesign that is the perfect tool.

Still the best IMHO for dynamic prototyping. Sometimes you need to wireframe novel on-page widgets, such as draggable search areas (in the context of map-based search), or interactive annotations on diagrams. And sometimes real data values are necessary for test participants to give good feedback. However, this is something of a niche scenario. The majority of uxers prefer xd or Figma and find that static prototypes (screen1->click->screen2) is sufficient.

• Vector graphics for scaling to large sizes
• Filling an object with a texture
• Easily adjusting and expanding an artboard to fit the size of the content (especially for infographics)
• Compatibility with other Adobe CC programs, but also exporting for PPT graphics

Incentivized

• Adaptive views enable us to create truly responsive designs, even when they are very complex.
• The platform’s many available templates and ability to create a library of reusable designs enables us to prototype faster and more efficiently than creating every single design from the ground up.
• The company provides a lot of support options, from training videos to online forums. This is a pretty complex tool, so knowing that we can always look up or ask a question and get a quick answer has helped us immensely.
• Axure’s comprehensive suite of tools to portray interactivity in prototypes has truly helped us show stakeholders and clients what an end product will look like, which has really helped us gain necessary internal and external buy-in.

Incentivized

• It's tough to master. If you haven't used Adobe products like Photoshop or Illustrator before, there is a lot to take in.
• It would be great to have some better options to preview the final product if you're creating a multiple page document.
• Better integration and pricing points with Adobe Stock for the useful stock images to complete your projects.

Incentivized

• The user interface is somewhat old and not always the most intuitive.
• I've been using Axure RP for 5 years and often forget that it has a steep learning curve, which makes it harder to onboard new employees.
• The "teams" functionality, as far as working and sharing the same files, has some room for performance improvements.
• Results of the Preview function varies per browser (although it works best on Chrome).

Incentivized

While Adobe Illustrator CC is one of the only true design software out there, it really stands heads above the other products. It's clean UI and menu structure is easy to navigate.

Incentivized

There's a bit of a learning curve to this software vs other similar tools that can take some time to learn and get familiar with but the amount of functionality that Adobe Illustrator CC offers is quite large compared to simpler tools.

Incentivized

Axure feels like a tool that started with a simple interface that wasn't redesigned over time. Simple tasks sometimes require clicking through multiple layers. Crucial pieces of functionality are hidden under text links, or just flatly aren't discoverable. Much of the quirks of the interface only come from having screwed up numerous times, and knowing that certain things are just difficult to accomplish.

Incentivized

I normally already know how to do whatever I'm trying out, but the documentation (as well as a simple Google search) makes any question quick to resolve. The Adobe boards themselves are a fantastic resource, especially for resolving questions between new programs and iterative releases.

Incentivized

I've never used the support for Axure but they do have an online community that can be helpful when you're unsure how to accomplish a specific bit of interactivity. Overall the community for Axure is a great benefit for the software. There are also a lot of shared library assets which can help reduce the time you spend on projects.

Incentivized

I think that the online training videos cover all product features and are a great resource to point people to. The newsletter is also frequent and passes on a range of tips and techniques for users that are eager to learn more, or just want to keep themselves up to date

It was very easy to purchase and download.

Incentivized

I chose Rhinoceros 3D because it is accurate to make drawings in it and it is better to make drawings in Rhinoceros 3D and then put them in Adobe Illustrator. But while printing or scaling it is much easier to put it in Adobe Illustrator. This makes the whole printing aspect of it much easier.

Since Axure RP is a desktop software that can work without a cloud connection, it is easy to have approved within a highly restricted corporate environment for a low cost with a small team. iRise is a solution that requires greater amounts of management, best service a group of designers in a corporate environment. InVision is cloud-based and, although not impossible, would require a long-term agreement to be made between the corporate and InVision. These could take years. Origami is free and desktop based and has great control of the transitions and data - but is so granular that additional time commitments may have to be made to make a prototype of this fidelity

Incentivized

• Helps us quickly and easily create and manage numerous logos
• Cloud libraries allow us to access commonly used colors, fonts, logos and other design elements quickly
• We are able to provide high-quality, scalable college logos for print and digital which give us a more professional, credible look.

Incentivized

• Axure allows for us to quickly get the entire sales team trained on a specific narrative and gives them a fool proof click path for them to use in the demo.
• Axure is relatively inexpensive and allows for purchasing the software without having to pay a monthly subscription (although they do have that option).
• The Sketch integration has allowed for a 10 fold increase in productivity by taking designs already created in another program and quickly adding them to Axure.

Incentivized