“Abode” A Creative Uprising Against the Adobe Empire
British artist Stuart Semple has declared open season on the world of "corporate overlords". The target on the radar? The reigning champ of the creative software universe, Adobe. Semple's answer to Adobe's dominance is the beautifully named 'Abode', a Kickstarter project poised to dethrone the Creative Cloud emperor, one app at a time.
What on Earth is 'Abode', you ask?
Semple sells 'Abode' as "a cosy new digital residence for your creativity". Taking inspiration from Adobe - an uncanny doppelganger sort of inspiration - Abode plans to roll out its "world-class design and photography tools" meticulously crafted by Semple's band of geeks. The suite of apps are still in the conception stage, yet ambitious blueprints for ONdesign, illustrateIT, photoPOP, and Impress have been laid out. For those who aren't up to speed on Adobe's branding, these names represent eerily similar counterparts to Adobe's InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Express.
Breaking the Chains of Subscriptions
Adobe's infamous 2013 switch to a subscription model upset a few – well, let's be honest, more than a few – clients, while also churning out enormous profits for the company. Abode plans to ditch the strings attached, introducing a one-time payment system for its products. Once you've paid your dues, you're in the club for life, with software updates served up fresh and free. Compatibility across macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android promises a seamless creative experience for the huddled masses yearning to break free of subscriptions.
Tongue-in-cheek Joke or Serious Business?
While Abode's heavy-handed Adobe mimicry might seem like a delightful satire, its commercial aspirations are anything but a joke. However, the line between parody and product can be a murky one. As defined by the Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute, a parody often serves as a criticism or commentary on the original work and should ideally serve a social cause, rather than just chase commercial gains. Does Abode cross this line? Quite possibly, but its satirical stance and implied social critique might save it from copyright battles.
Money Matters and Legal Pitfalls
With a clear-eyed realism that's refreshing, Semple acknowledges in his Kickstarter campaign that "to make amazing world-class software costs money." We're not creating stick figures in MS Paint, after all. The money, he says, will go to his team of generously donating their time and talents.
As for potential legal obstacles, such as Adobe waving a threatening lawsuit, Semple seems unperturbed. He points out that he hasn't been sued yet, and leans heavily on his reputation as a contemporary artist who employs satire for social critique.
The Crusade Against Subscriptions
This isn't the first time a software company has bucked the trend of subscription models. Abode, however, isn't just offering an Adobe alternative; it’s planning a full-on assault against Adobe's subscription business model. Semple eloquently explains, “It’s time that we made and owned our own tools. To be free we need to own our means of production.”
Pricing and Availability
Semple's visionary project has captured the imaginations (and wallets) of many. Early bird backers can secure the Abode suite for around £40, a bargain that includes a virtual high-five and the "fuzzy warm feeling" of having aided the art and design community. If you missed the early bird train, there's still a chance to hop aboard for a slightly steeper ticket price of around £60.
For those itching to stick it to the software man, a £130 investment gets you the software, a chic Abode-branded hoodie, and your name immortalised in the software credits. How's that for shaking up the system?
As for when we can expect this rebellious suite of apps, Semple and his geek squad are aiming for beta versions by February 2024, with a public release in early 2025.
At the time of penning this article, with a whopping 44 days still left in the campaign, Abode has already hurdled its funding goal by over £10,000 and boasts more than 1,200 eager backers.
Adobe may want to watch its throne – Abode is coming!
*This is not an endorsement. Do you own research. Many Kickstarters don’t work out!
