Updates on the Desktop Apps

We are super excited to share some cool new features from Adobe Max 2021 online conference!  For this post, We will focus on the updates for the desktop version of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign, which will be very useful for graphic designers and illustrators!

Photoshop 2021 New Features

Photoshop CC probably has one most updates out of all Adobe Applications. Watch our tutorial, as we will take a deep dive at Neural Filters, Sky Replacement, Pattern Preview, Live Shapes, Brushes, Cloud Documents, and so much more.

Our top 3 features:

1. Neural Filters 

Great filter for Retouchers and Photographers working with portraits, Thanks to Adobe Sensai, You can now easily enhance and manipulate your photographs that contain a recognisable face with the Neural Filters! 

Lets take a look at a few cool examples!

Change facial age from Young to Old

Add Make-up

Turn Black and White photographs to Colour

Pretty cool right? Just try to be careful with your editing as you want to make the edits it feel as natural as possible!

2. Pattern Preview

If you love creating patterns in Adobe illustrator, then you will love the new Pattern Preview in Photoshop which now gives you better preview and editing options!

3. Sky Replacement 

This an impressive feature, where you can easily change the actual sky of a photograph, there are many build-in realistic Sky photos to choose from, you can also add your own!


Illustrator 2021 New Features

Get up-to-date quickly on the new features of Illustrator 2021!

Although there have been some great features added, one of my favourite updates has to be improved Recolor Artwork!

Our top 3 features from the Recolour Artwork

Draw around the area to select colours from one illustration to another

Colour Theme Picker Allows you to sample colours from another illustration


Colour Domanice slider allows you to drag the slider and adjust which colour you want to dominate your illustrations.


InDesign 2021 New Features

If you use InDesign often, then you will find some of the new updates very useful!

Our top 3 features:

1.Content-Aware Wrap

InDesign has introduced the Select subject features just like Photoshop, where you can now quickly wrap text around your object! and it does a pretty good job!

2. Share for review

You can now easily share your InDesign layout online, allowing others to review and add text annotations which you can see in InDesign. A handy feature for remote working teams and importantly, you can avoid communication errors.

3. Recovery as Service

Ever lost an InDesign file? Course you have! Thankfully InDesign now has a better recovery service that can find most lost documents.

Be sure to watch our full tutorials to get an insight into all the new features! Learning these new features will help you enhance your skills as a designer and illustrator!

UP NEXT

Discover Adobe mobile Apps such as Fresco, Photoshop and the new and exciting Illustrator on the iPad!

Click here.

Do you want to become a Graphic Designer?

Sign up to our newsletter, and you’ll get instant access to our resource library, including this guide to becoming a Graphic Designer!

About the author 

Shumi Perhiniak

Shumi is a self-taught graphic designer and Photoshop expert, currently the Marketing Director at Yes I'm a Designer, where she writes and designs marketing materials with a focus on design, creativity, and visual communication.
She brings over 10 years of industry experience, having worked in-house as a designer for brands including Toni&Guy, Renaissance Learning, and JWT Hotels.
She also ran a stationery shop in the UK for three years, selling her own art prints and paper goods, blending her passion for design, business, and creativity.

Related topics you might be interested in

We’re launching the Yes I’m a Designer Logo Contest! Help us create a bold new logo for our annual Design Sprint 2026 event and showcase your creativity to the global design community

Continue reading

We’ve put together practical, real-world tips to help you become a successful designer, whether you’re just getting started or want to fast-track your skills, This is the ultimate guide to becoming a Graphic Designer in 2025 and beyond!

Continue reading

We debunk 7 of the most common myths about working in design. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to pivot your career, here are some fresh insights, pro tips, and practical advice to help you thrive in today’s creative world.

Continue reading

Discover how Lena passed the Adobe Photoshop certification exam with 95%. Learn from her journey, tips, and experience with the Photoshop Exam Guide.

Continue reading

Discover how Recraft’s new Style Mixing and Infinite Style Library empower you to create stunning, consistent visuals across completely different illustration styles—all from a single subject.

Continue reading

Amazon Aid charity is calling on creatives like you to design a set of three impactful posters to raise awareness about critical issues affecting the Amazon

Continue reading

We’re thrilled to announce the Food Packaging Design Contest for Quito offering a $1,500 cash prize to the winner. The contest is open to everyone!

Continue reading

Kickstart your creative journey with our first design contest of 2025 on Packaging Label design. The contest is open to everyone!

Continue reading