[Ps] Asset guidelines

Asset guide

In this guide

1 Overview

2 Tutorial image guidelines

3 Files specs

4 Using stock imagery

1. Overview

Overview

Tutorial assets appear in the app workspace for use in hands-on instructional walkthroughs. ey demonstrate the how, why, and when to use app tools and workflows. rough guided exploration, users take a “starter” image or layered le through a series of simple updates. e end-state needs to be clearly different from the start and provide a sense of payoff. Our goals with tutorial assets are twofold: they first need support instructional intent and clarify how to use the app, and secondly, they should help users feel successful and inspired to apply what they’ve learned.

Placement

2. Tutorial image guidelines

Express diversity, inclusivity and equality

Adobe cares deeply about celebrating all voices and perspectives. Our tutorial content needs to reflect who we are as a brand and the vibrancy we see in the world.* Feature people from a wide range of cultural and racial backgrounds, age groups, body types, and genders. Consider people that feel more natural and authentic—everyday “real” people. Aim for images of people that feel relatable to our broad set of users. Avoid images of women who are 20-35, wearing obvious makeup, attractive by western beauty standards, with studio-like lighting. It becomes a noticeable pattern.

*Corporate brand guidelines, Dec 2020

Represent people in an empowering manner

If you choose imagery that features people, do so in a way that doesn’t objectify them. Avoid nudity, suggestive poses and revealing clothing.

Avoid touching up real human features

Don’t “fix” normal human features or suggest an ideal. As an example, don’t show turning brown eyes blue. If a tutorial requires portrait manipulation, explore a costume, or dress-up approach, like turning hair an unnatural color

Use uncomplicated images

Images with little visual clutter and a single point of focus work best. They help a user quickly identify the concept being demonstrated, make it easier to follow steps, and more visually apparent when a tool is applied.

Keep it approachable for your audience

Imagery should inspire without being overwhelming or out of reach. It should not skew too slick and high-production, or have the look of requiring deep skill or domain knowledge. It should not run the risk of alienating new users.

Aim to appeal to a broad set of users

Users should be able to relate to the content and make associations with their own intent and workflows. Don’t distract users from that payoff with overly niche, alienating examples.

Be sure to consider cultural relevancy and what that could mean for user preferences in visual style, tone, and messaging. As an example—imagery that’s too dark in value or emotional tone can be off-putting for whole groups of people.

The obvious stuff…

Content we offer should meet expectations of a pro-tool experience and demonstrate the qualities of good design.

Assets should look current and fresh.

If your tutorial features text, make sure you only use fonts from the Adobe Fonts library.

Imagery portraying any type of weapon, violence, or violent tone are unacceptable.

Do not use images that feature recognizable products or third-party logos.

3. File specs

Starter file

The starter file is the original PSD or PSDT that users see when they begin the tutorial.

Upload via Tutorial Builder Set up tab.

• Format: PSD or PSDT (no JPGs)
• Color profile: RGB (not CMYK); sRGB is recommended
• File size: 20mb max, 72ppi, 6 layers max
• Dimensions:
  • Assets with 1-2 layers:
    • Landscape: 1800 x 1200px
    • Portrait: 1200 x 1800 px
    • Square: 1400 x 1400 px
  • Assets with 3-6 layers:
    • Landscape: 1200 x 800 px
    • Portrait: 800 x 1200 px
    • Square: 1000 x 1000 px
• File name: [tutorial-file-name].psd
  • No special characters or spaces.
    

Hero images

The hero image is a crop of the tutorial asset that captures the core concept of the tutorial and serves as a preview in several places within the app.

Choosing before or after images:

If you’re removing a detail, show the before. If you’re adding to, or enhancing an image, show the after.

Upload via Tutorial Builder Finish tab

• Format: JPG
• Color profile: RGB (not CMYK); sRGB is recommended
• File size: 600kb max, 72ppi
• Dimensions: 1200x600px
• File name: [tutorial-file-name]_Hero.jpg
  • No special characters or spaces.
    

Hero image cont.

Thumbnail images

The thumbnail image is a crop of the Hero image that serves as a preview in the Discover Panel.

Upload via Tutorial Builder Finish tab

• Format: JPG
• Color profile: RGB (not CMYK); sRGB is recommended
• File size: 200kb max, 72ppi
• Dimensions: 740x740px
• File name: [tutorial-le-name]_umb.jpg
  • No special characters or spaces.
    

4. Using stock imagery

Image licensing

You must use images you created, or have rights to use the image(s) in your starter file. All images with recognizable people must be model released.

If you are not using your own images, use “standard” tier Adobe Stock imagery.

There are two different Adobe Stock licensing processes for Community Authors and Adobe Authors. See the following for guidance.

Do not use any other stock services. Photoshop users will have access to use, edit and download the image via the starter file, and this use case may not be covered by other stock services’ terms of use.

Community Authors: Licensing Adobe Stock

• Only use Standard Adobe Stock images (not Premium).
• You are responsible for purchasing licenses. Choose the extended/enhanced license type.
• In the “Image Credits” field of the Tutorial Builder, list the stock contributors as follows: “Adobe Stock: contributor 1, contributor 2, contributor 3.”
  

Adobe Authors: Licensing Adobe Stock

• Only use Standard Adobe Stock images (not Premium).
• List the Stock images to license in the Author Paper doc (if one has been shared with you) and tag Alexandra Hunt or the designer assigned to your tutorial & Josie de Janvry in a comment, so that we can purchase an extended license on your behalf and track the asset. If you do not have an Author Paper doc, please email us to request the licensed image.
• In the "Image Credits" field of the Tutorial Builder, list the stock contributors as follows: “Adobe Stock: contributor 1, contributor 2, contributor 3.”