Questions
- What is Adobe Creative Cloud?
- Which apps are included in Adobe Creative Cloud at Bowdoin?
- Who can access Adobe Creative Cloud at Bowdoin College?
- How do I get Adobe apps on my Bowdoin computer?
- Can students use Adobe Creative Cloud?
- Is Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign available to me as a Bowdoin employee or student?
- Where do I find the Adobe Creative Cloud app on my Bowdoin Mac or Windows computer?
- What do I do if I get a licensing error when installing Adobe Creative Cloud?
Environment
This article applies to Bowdoin College students, faculty, and staff who need to understand or use Adobe Creative Cloud on Bowdoin-owned or personal devices. It covers the included applications and provides guidance on access and installation.
Resolution
What is Adobe Creative Cloud?
Adobe Creative Cloud is a suite of software and services for creating and editing graphics, photos, videos, and audio. It is widely used in design, photography, video editing, and web development.
Key apps included in Adobe Creative Cloud:
- Photoshop — image editing and creation
- Illustrator — vector graphics and illustration
- InDesign — page design and layout
- Premiere Pro — video editing
- After Effects — motion graphics and visual effects
- Acrobat Pro — PDF creation and editing
- Lightroom — photo editing and management
- Dreamweaver — web design and development
- XD — user experience design
For the complete, up-to-date list of included apps, see the Adobe Creative Cloud Apps Overview.
How to install Adobe Creative Cloud on a Bowdoin-owned computer
Bowdoin College provides access to Adobe Creative Cloud for eligible students, faculty, and staff. To install on a Bowdoin-owned computer:
- Open Self Service (macOS) or Company Portal (Windows) on your Bowdoin computer.
- Search for Adobe Creative Cloud and select it.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
- Once installed, open the Adobe Creative Cloud app and sign in with your Bowdoin email address.
- Browse the available apps and click Install next to any app you want to add.
Note: If a specific app requires elevated permissions to install, use the Privileges app on macOS or Make Me Admin on Windows to grant yourself temporary administrator access.
Getting a licensing error? Bowdoin has a limited number of Adobe licenses. If you see a licensing error or a message asking you to request access, use the link in the message to submit a request. The Service Desk will assign access as licenses become available.
For detailed installation steps including sign-in screenshots, see Install Adobe Creative Cloud on Your Bowdoin Computer or Personal Device in the Related Articles section.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources