AI is moving into the timeline
Adobe has expanded AI-assisted creation inside Premiere and After Effects, including tools for motion design, b-roll, sound, and timeline-based work.
Creative toolingGenerative texture gets a proper design-system home
Figma has introduced more creative control for generative plugins and shaders, with options to share work through the Figma Community.
Visual systemsThe design system is becoming agent context
Coinbase reports that connecting production components to Figma helped coding agents follow its design system and reduced token costs by an average of 22.5%.
Design systems
Small system controls, large downstream effects
Figma now allows opacity to be managed at scale through variables, including linked colors and disabled, overlay, and scrim states.
Visual systems
Higher-ed marketing hands over the camera
UTS College’s new campaign uses students’ own footage, photographs, and words instead of recreating campus life through polished commercial production.
Higher educationA university brand can make uncertainty its subject
RMIT’s “What the future?!” campaign won Marketing Campaign of the Year at the 2026 PIEoneer Awards by treating an uncertain future as an honest creative premise.
Brand strategy
The everyday object becomes the exhibition
Target is presenting “Target by Design,” an immersive New York experience that treats familiar retail objects and collaborations as part of a broader design story.
Creative directionWellness interfaces are learning to recommend less
Apple’s new Readiness feature combines activity, vitals, and sleep data into a daily 0–10 score with recommendations such as Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It.
Creativity & wellnessCreator business is becoming more programmatic
YouTube has announced changes to its Partner Program, positioning active creator participation and expanded earning opportunities as priorities for 2027.
Creator business
Product launches still teach the language of anticipation
Apple’s September 9 event introduced iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 through a tightly controlled product narrative.
Web & product