Affinity has been acquired by Canva, and the future looks bright for them, but what about us? Subscribe to my creative business newsletter thehungry.art/newsletter
I spent thousands of dollars on Adobe suites without issue. I just like paying for what I want and it's mine, if the price is acceptable when I want it then all is good. I only dropped them when they started leasing me the software. That is when I switched to Affinity. If Affinity does the same thing I guess it will be no hard feelings but more than likely, I imagine I'll be looking for the next option. Something about a world where you own nothing isn't my thing.
"Something about a world where you own nothing isn't my thing"... Well said and I agree - the point is, that in a world like that everything you think you "have" and use without much thinking about (app subscriptions, music and video streaming etc.) can actually be taken away from you anytime for whatever reasons. Doesn't matter if the companies go down completely or if maybe just certain features which were valuable for you get scrapped due to some change of the bussiness model or if you possibly can't afford the rates anymore...
Today's 4 Part Pledge is very encouraging. Time will tell, but I think Canva was (finally) able to read the room. Perpetual licenses are ~promised to continue.
I saw that. I'm sure this is where they are now, but Canva didn't make the purchase because they wanted things to stay the same. I'm sure they see the opportunity and the pricing will likely either go up or the model will change.
@@DaveConrey I imagine the price going up, but that wouldn't be too much of a problem (assuming it's still very reasonable) IF they add and fix some of the blatantly-glaring omissions and issues. As long as they maintain the perpetual license at, again, reasonable pricing, this could be very positive. Let's hope.
if it just ends up as another subscription service.... F . one time purchase is affinity main selling point for me second two its superior accessibility in user interface
Being able to hideout in Affinity - to avoid selling my soul to Adobe on a monthly basis - had it's merits as a Graphic Designer the last several years. Now I feel like the design industry has just sold out to Canva and the world is way worse now. All this reminds me of Aldus... Freehand was great and better than illustrator in several ways (way back) and where did it go? And Pagemaker? and Fontographer? All these got swallowed up on dead-ends or maybe sliced up and used for other app creations. This idea that Canva will "add" value to Affinity and prop it up seems ridiculous to me based on the past. Canva will most likely USE Affinity to make Canva vs Adobe the real deal. And with both of these companies shooting towards the lowest possible consumer level customer (not even pro-sumer), then the Design industry takes another massive hit. DIYw/AI will take over completely now, no need to call a Graphic Designer for anything. And as a Graphic Designer/Artist, the hits just keep on coming.
ooof Ive seen this with 3D designer software as well. Every time it ended up worse for the users. More expensive and development of the apps becomes pretty much stagnant. They dont get aquired by Canva, Adobe etc so that Canva can inject money, they get aquired so that Canva gets more money. I really hope that Affinity doesnt start with subscriptions but the past doesnt lie. But who knows, there is a slim chance this wont go down like the other apps.
Since the news were released, most users had a negative reaction (at least those commenting), thinking Affinity's actual licence mode was going to be over. Thanks Dave for an optimistic approach and bringing possible outcomes.
I have V1 and V2. I really don't mind that Affinity will change in the future. Right now, I have access to both suites and that will always be the case. (I hope) V3 is at least months away, maybe years away. Even with the added might of Canva.
I'm going to stick my neck out and choose to believe the release they put out to the effect that Affinity will stay as is.. (if I'm going to try hope I may as well try it with something relatively minor..)
@@DaveConrey It would have to be less since Affinity unfortunately have less at their disposal [for now, canva will help with that] but in comparison to compete as a subscription model they will need to offer a lot more as people have been asking for a few must have features that would have been great included or attempted from V1 such as image trace and other features
Personally, I pay for Adobe and teach Adobe because it’s industry standard. I have purchased the Affinity software since the beginning. I currently have the universal license. I mostly use Affinity for personal work, I sneak it into my lessons when I can, I promote it to students. Adobe need competition. I prefer no subscription but it’s not a dealbreaker for me. I think the Affinity price point has always been extremely affordable for what you get. Tremendous value in my eyes. Hopefully with more money behind it, the software will be able to improve much more quickly.
They are gonna make Affinity free for schools. We have Affinity at our college and students love it. The industry will change when artists change. It blows my mind that software/tools have become a standard yet in most other industry there is no "standard/brand" tool that "must be used" to get a job done. Is there a standard brand of tool you must use to build a house? Avid is the Hollywood "standard" yet many movies get cut in other tools. Hell, Parasite was cut in Final Cut Pro 7!
@@seanlizama for my own business, if the client requests native Illustrator files, then that’s what I have to give them. I have yet to have any client specify request that work is to be done using Affinity. It’s always Adobe. Hopefully that changes. Presently, our grads are expected to know the Adobe apps by prospective employers. I’d love to teach them Affinity only but that won’t help them get hired and it’s hard enough out there as it is. I do try to sneak some affinity into my lessons. I recommend that they buy it and try it for themselves. At this point, that’s all I can do.
@@billbowman8747 I have never had clients ask for original files it’s also something I don’t offer at all as an option as they can alter designs and say it was me, etc. Just different workflows I guess. I switched since Affinity came out and no client has ever asked what tools I have used to get them their results. My students have no trouble getting hired. Their employers have actually been grateful that the tools they use costed them so little to implement. In the cases where they used Adobe products they have adapted easily less than two weeks learning curve. All the basic concepts and tools work the same. I personally think talent trumps tools any day.
nicely done on calling it but for me if they go in the direction like adobe I'll be looking another program one time buy not monthly. that's how my search began before buying affinity photo. have a great and safe trip, don't forget to take your notebook in case some deep realization hits you.
They made an announcement after their first announcement saying they have no plans on making a subscription service. However, they may have subscriptions for added aspects, like tools, digital assets, etc.
Contrary to the epic meltdown on the Affinity forums, I think this is the best thing that could happen to Affinity. They were way over extended and development had mostly stopped. For everyone that's complaining, a dead product was not the better option. I'm looking forward for some bigger feature and innovations once again. And hopefully they will do something about the decade backlog of bugs.
The unappealing thought about this is that in the long run we might not own the software anymore like we do now. I dont use Affinity as much but just knowing i own that software feels real good. I guess we'll wait and see!!
whatever you have now you will own for as long as you want. The only thing about it is that they may not support it after a certain time, and then the hardware will surpass it, but that's a long ways off.
You kind of answered your own question. Injecting more money, result price increases for the software. They will keep the perpetual license but it will become the over priced second best option to the subscription. We will simply end up with another Adobe, another overpriced subscription.
Don't be so judgy about motives. Excellence is what they did and are doing. If a gold star motivates someone, so be it. We got great software we can use as long as it's useful, right? No subscriptions draining our life-blood. Kudos to them. I will be using Affinity for years to come. I paid $25 each for mine.
good thing or bad thing? it doesn't matter because users don't have even the slightest control. I'm still on v1 of the Affinity tools because v2 removed the ability to have tools on a separate monitor on my Mac. if that ever changes back, I'll pay whatever Canva wants to charge because (a) I love Affinity and (b) I really don't like Adobe.
@@DaveConrey But the menu bar is still attached to the main document window, right? In the old Mac Separated Mode, ALL the tools could float, and ALL the documents could float, all independently.
I spent thousands of dollars on Adobe suites without issue. I just like paying for what I want and it's mine, if the price is acceptable when I want it then all is good. I only dropped them when they started leasing me the software. That is when I switched to Affinity. If Affinity does the same thing I guess it will be no hard feelings but more than likely, I imagine I'll be looking for the next option. Something about a world where you own nothing isn't my thing.
They say they are keeping the pricing as is for now, but we'll see.
"Something about a world where you own nothing isn't my thing"... Well said and I agree - the point is, that in a world like that everything you think you "have" and use without much thinking about (app subscriptions, music and video streaming etc.) can actually be taken away from you anytime for whatever reasons. Doesn't matter if the companies go down completely or if maybe just certain features which were valuable for you get scrapped due to some change of the bussiness model or if you possibly can't afford the rates anymore...
Today's 4 Part Pledge is very encouraging. Time will tell, but I think Canva was (finally) able to read the room. Perpetual licenses are ~promised to continue.
I saw that. I'm sure this is where they are now, but Canva didn't make the purchase because they wanted things to stay the same. I'm sure they see the opportunity and the pricing will likely either go up or the model will change.
@@DaveConrey I imagine the price going up, but that wouldn't be too much of a problem (assuming it's still very reasonable) IF they add and fix some of the blatantly-glaring omissions and issues. As long as they maintain the perpetual license at, again, reasonable pricing, this could be very positive. Let's hope.
if it just ends up as another subscription service.... F . one time purchase is affinity main selling point for me second two its superior accessibility in user interface
So far, they are maintaining that their pricing won't change for now.
Being able to hideout in Affinity - to avoid selling my soul to Adobe on a monthly basis - had it's merits as a Graphic Designer the last several years. Now I feel like the design industry has just sold out to Canva and the world is way worse now. All this reminds me of Aldus... Freehand was great and better than illustrator in several ways (way back) and where did it go? And Pagemaker? and Fontographer? All these got swallowed up on dead-ends or maybe sliced up and used for other app creations. This idea that Canva will "add" value to Affinity and prop it up seems ridiculous to me based on the past. Canva will most likely USE Affinity to make Canva vs Adobe the real deal. And with both of these companies shooting towards the lowest possible consumer level customer (not even pro-sumer), then the Design industry takes another massive hit. DIYw/AI will take over completely now, no need to call a Graphic Designer for anything. And as a Graphic Designer/Artist, the hits just keep on coming.
ooof Ive seen this with 3D designer software as well. Every time it ended up worse for the users. More expensive and development of the apps becomes pretty much stagnant. They dont get aquired by Canva, Adobe etc so that Canva can inject money, they get aquired so that Canva gets more money. I really hope that Affinity doesnt start with subscriptions but the past doesnt lie. But who knows, there is a slim chance this wont go down like the other apps.
Macromedia freehand was one of my favorites. Still have the box sitting in front of me as I type this.
Things could continue as they are for a long time, honestly, but I can't imagine they stay status quo forever.
Since the news were released, most users had a negative reaction (at least those commenting), thinking Affinity's actual licence mode was going to be over.
Thanks Dave for an optimistic approach and bringing possible outcomes.
Thanks for watching. We'll see how this plays out.
I have V1 and V2. I really don't mind that Affinity will change in the future.
Right now, I have access to both suites and that will always be the case. (I hope)
V3 is at least months away, maybe years away. Even with the added might of Canva.
Likely years.
I'm going to stick my neck out and choose to believe the release they put out to the effect that Affinity will stay as is.. (if I'm going to try hope I may as well try it with something relatively minor..)
I think it will stay the same at least until V3 is eventually released, which could be a long time.
One thing's for sure, it will cost us!
time will tell.
If the only reason not to go Adobe was the subscription model and that was possibly is going, what will Affinity have that would sway users?
I guarantee the pricing wouldn't be the same. The cost would be significantly less, I'm sure.
@@DaveConrey It would have to be less since Affinity unfortunately have less at their disposal [for now, canva will help with that] but in comparison to compete as a subscription model they will need to offer a lot more as people have been asking for a few must have features that would have been great included or attempted from V1 such as image trace and other features
Personally, I pay for Adobe and teach Adobe because it’s industry standard. I have purchased the Affinity software since the beginning. I currently have the universal license. I mostly use Affinity for personal work, I sneak it into my lessons when I can, I promote it to students. Adobe need competition.
I prefer no subscription but it’s not a dealbreaker for me. I think the Affinity price point has always been extremely affordable for what you get. Tremendous value in my eyes. Hopefully with more money behind it, the software will be able to improve much more quickly.
They are gonna make Affinity free for schools. We have Affinity at our college and students love it. The industry will change when artists change. It blows my mind that software/tools have become a standard yet in most other industry there is no "standard/brand" tool that "must be used" to get a job done. Is there a standard brand of tool you must use to build a house? Avid is the Hollywood "standard" yet many movies get cut in other tools. Hell, Parasite was cut in Final Cut Pro 7!
@@seanlizama for my own business, if the client requests native Illustrator files, then that’s what I have to give them. I have yet to have any client specify request that work is to be done using Affinity. It’s always Adobe. Hopefully that changes. Presently, our grads are expected to know the Adobe apps by prospective employers. I’d love to teach them Affinity only but that won’t help them get hired and it’s hard enough out there as it is. I do try to sneak some affinity into my lessons. I recommend that they buy it and try it for themselves. At this point, that’s all I can do.
@@billbowman8747 I have never had clients ask for original files it’s also something I don’t offer at all as an option as they can alter designs and say it was me, etc. Just different workflows I guess. I switched since Affinity came out and no client has ever asked what tools I have used to get them their results. My students have no trouble getting hired. Their employers have actually been grateful that the tools they use costed them so little to implement. In the cases where they used Adobe products they have adapted easily less than two weeks learning curve. All the basic concepts and tools work the same. I personally think talent trumps tools any day.
yeah, we'll see what happens, but I'm with you.
WOW! That's shocking! Hope it works out for them.
we'll see.
I'm in total shock! I need to get the Affinity universal license now!!!!!
they had a good deal going. You might be able to get in on it.
nicely done on calling it but for me if they go in the direction like adobe I'll be looking another program one time buy not monthly. that's how my search began before buying affinity photo.
have a great and safe trip, don't forget to take your notebook in case some deep realization hits you.
They made an announcement after their first announcement saying they have no plans on making a subscription service. However, they may have subscriptions for added aspects, like tools, digital assets, etc.
@@DaveConrey I'm hoping they keep it this way too
Great info! ❤Have a great vacation!! :)
thank you. So far, it's been awesome.
Contrary to the epic meltdown on the Affinity forums, I think this is the best thing that could happen to Affinity. They were way over extended and development had mostly stopped. For everyone that's complaining, a dead product was not the better option. I'm looking forward for some bigger feature and innovations once again. And hopefully they will do something about the decade backlog of bugs.
Yeah, they needed money to take the creative suite to the next level.
The unappealing thought about this is that in the long run we might not own the software anymore like we do now. I dont use Affinity as much but just knowing i own that software feels real good. I guess we'll wait and see!!
whatever you have now you will own for as long as you want. The only thing about it is that they may not support it after a certain time, and then the hardware will surpass it, but that's a long ways off.
I like the background
thanks
You kind of answered your own question. Injecting more money, result price increases for the software. They will keep the perpetual license but it will become the over priced second best option to the subscription. We will simply end up with another Adobe, another overpriced subscription.
It's all speculation. Canva could suprise everyone.
Open source + AI programmers is going to put an end to all of that cloud and subscription garbage.
This is likely, and Canva is the proof of concept.
Don't be so judgy about motives. Excellence is what they did and are doing. If a gold star motivates someone, so be it. We got great software we can use as long as it's useful, right? No subscriptions draining our life-blood. Kudos to them. I will be using Affinity for years to come. I paid $25 each for mine.
The reason I judge the motives is because it reflects their in their decision making, which is seen by the lack of innovation.
good thing or bad thing? it doesn't matter because users don't have even the slightest control.
I'm still on v1 of the Affinity tools because v2 removed the ability to have tools on a separate monitor on my Mac. if that ever changes back, I'll pay whatever Canva wants to charge because (a) I love Affinity and (b) I really don't like Adobe.
I just tested this and I can have my palettes exist on my 2nd monitor. The trick is to make it a Studio Preset (window>studio>add preset)
@@DaveConrey But the menu bar is still attached to the main document window, right? In the old Mac Separated Mode, ALL the tools could float, and ALL the documents could float, all independently.
A sad 😔 yep....
I think it will all work out in the end.