Item: Adobe PhotoShop
Rating: 10
Author: Jamie Drahos

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Select individuals in our department use Adobe Photoshop as a tool with their eLearning design and video production. Photoshop is primarily used to manipulate graphics that are a part of those projects. However, Photoshop is also used to create some original graphics for our learning management system, video projects, and eLearning modules. We use it as a part of the other tools in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of software. The use of the software allows us to circumvent outsourcing for our graphic work.

Pros and Cons

AI editing with object removal and increasing image resolution.
Multiple file format support for flexibility to work with any image.
Layer based image manipulation and editing.

Ease of use/high learning curve for new users.
Better mobile support for tablets.
System resource management for smooth operation.

Most Important Features

Advanced image creation tools.
Support for multiple image formats.
Advanced image manipulation tools.

Return on Investment

Reduced cost by not having to outsource image creation/editing.
Reduced use of stock image libraries.
Quicker turn-around of projects by allowing the designer to work with their own images.

Alternatives Considered

GIMP and Affinity

GIMP is a nice free/open-source alternative to Photoshop, but it isn't as powerful and the UI is not as nice to work with. Affinity Photo is the closest competitor in my mind, but I find the time to make an edit vs Photoshop is longer. Photoshop remains the best tool for the type of work that we do. They continue to make meaningful updates that keep it in front of the competition.

Key Insights

Do you think Adobe PhotoShop delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Adobe PhotoShop's feature set?

Yes

Did Adobe PhotoShop live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Adobe PhotoShop go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Adobe PhotoShop again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise

Likelihood to Recommend

In my opinion, Photoshop is the industry standard for professional pixel-based image editing and creation if you want to go beyond the basic consumer editing programs. I have tried several competitors and they just don't add up to Photoshop's feature set and ease of use. Photoshop is very good for using layers to create images for any type of project. However, it isn't great if you need to edit a large batch of images. Adobe Lightroom would be better suited for that scenario.

Business Processes Supported

Development of images for Marketing materials and branding.
Development of images for video production.
Development of images for eLearning design.

Likelihood to Renew

At this point, there is no valid option or competitor to switch to. Photoshop continues to deliver what we need and add innovation with regular updates. We have tried other programs, but nothing works as well as Photoshop for us. It remains an industry-standard program and a necessary tool for us.

Products Replaced

Key Differentiators

Product Features
Product Usability
Product Reputation
Prior Experience with the Product

There are two primary reasons for the selection of Photoshop. First, it was part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, which we needed for other tools. Second, it is the most powerful and regularly updated product in this category. For the type of image editing/creation that we do, there is nothing it cant handle. This makes it an easy choice for us.

Usability

There is a learning curve to Photoshop if you have never used it. With that said, once a user is familiar with the product, you find the menus and icons to be well organized and efficient. The support of keyboard shortcuts adds to the usability. You especially feel this when you then switch to a competing product and compare its usability.

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Well integrated Consistent Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions

Yes - The mobile app for Photoshop is relatively new at the time of writing this. It doesn't stack up to the desktop app at this point. However, I like to see Adobe moving in that direction and I believe they will get there. Lightroom is a very capable mobile app, so history shows that Photoshop should be that at some point.

The industry standard for professional image editing and creation.

Overall Satisfaction with Adobe PhotoShop