Today’s journalism students are expected to do more than report the news—they must promote their work, explain complex topics visually, and create content across formats. But not every student has time (or training) to learn professional design tools like Photoshop or Premiere Pro.
That’s where Adobe Express comes in. This free and beginner-friendly tool (with optional premium upgrades) helps journalism students quickly design graphics, edit short videos, build web pages, and collaborate with peers. Whether you’re promoting your latest piece, designing an infographic, or pulling together a digital portfolio, Adobe Express offers the essentials in one place—without a steep learning curve.
Here are five ways journalism students can use Adobe Express to enhance their work:
1. Create Social Media Graphics to Promote Your Stories
Publishing an article is only part of the job—getting people to read it is the next challenge. Adobe Express helps you design standout social graphics to drive engagement, whether you’re promoting a feature on Instagram or sharing an editorial on X (formerly Twitter).
With pre-sized templates for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more, students can:
Customize headlines and quotes from their article.
Add high-quality images and school branding.
Export designs in formats optimized for each platform.
No design background is required—just drag, drop, and adjust using a clean, web-based interface.
Tip: Stick to your publication’s color scheme or create your own “brand kit” (a Premium feature) to keep a consistent look.
2. Design Infographics That Make Complex Info Clear
Explaining complex stories is a big part of journalism. Whether you’re reporting on student debt, voter turnout, or environmental issues, infographics can help make your data more digestible.
Adobe Express includes:
Templates for timelines, comparison charts, and statistical visuals.
Access to Adobe Stock’s free icons and photos.
Drag-and-drop tools to organize visuals and text.
While it doesn’t offer live data integration or full charting (like Excel or Illustrator), it’s perfect for static explainer graphics that support your story.
Tip: Try pairing your infographic with a short written post when sharing on social media.
3. Edit Short Videos for Interviews, Reels, and Recaps
Whether you’re filming interviews, producing explainers, or covering campus events, Adobe Express helps you create short videos quickly—even from your phone or browser.
You can:
Trim and reorder video clips.
Add text overlays, transitions, music, or logos.
Resize videos for social platforms like TikTok or YouTube Shorts.
This makes it ideal for short-form video reporting or social-first news. Just note: Adobe Express doesn’t support multi-track timelines or advanced editing like Adobe Premiere Pro. It’s designed for quick video storytelling, not full-length productions.
Tip: Need to record a voiceover? Do it separately, then upload your audio to layer it in Express.
4. Build Visual Web Pages to Showcase Your Work
Don’t have a website? No problem. Adobe Express lets you build scrollable, responsive web pages—perfect for digital portfolios, project spotlights, or immersive stories.
With this feature, you can:
Combine text, video, and photos into a smooth, scrollable story.
Use templates that emphasize readability and visual flow.
Share your work via a unique link hosted by Adobe.
These pages are ideal for showcasing a capstone project, embedding a multimedia package, or sending a clean portfolio to a potential editor or internship supervisor.
Tip: Think of it like a one-page visual article, not a full blog or multi-page site.
5. Collaborate With Teams and Stay On-Brand
Adobe Express includes built-in collaboration tools that are perfect for student newsrooms or class projects.
With a Premium account or via Adobe Express for Teams, you can:
Invite teammates to edit and comment on shared projects.
Use shared templates and assets to streamline workflows.
Create and maintain brand kits with your publication’s fonts, colors, and logos.
This is especially useful if you’re working as part of a student publication or producing shared content with other departments or clubs.
Tip: Even on the free plan, you can share projects and allow others to make copies or suggest edits.
Journalism today is a multimedia, multi-platform craft—and tools like Adobe Express help students get started without needing expensive software or formal design training. From social graphics to videos, infographics to digital portfolios, Adobe Express offers the flexibility student journalists need to tell better stories and share them widely.
Most of the features are available free, and student discounts are often available through Adobe Creative Cloud for those looking to access premium collaboration and branding options.
If you’re a journalism student looking to level up your visual storytelling, Adobe Express is a smart, accessible place to begin.