The program for the 16th Creative Developers Summit is taking shape.
The Creative Developers Summit is embedded into, yet independent of, the CreativeProWeek conference. To understand why you need to attend the Creative Developers Summit, go here:
https://thoughtbridg.es/why-you-need-to-attend-creative-developers-summit/
If you already have a day pass for CreativeProWeek, and you want to attend (part of) the Summit, email me (kris at rorohiko.com) so I know you’re coming.
To register for CreativeProWeek day passes for the Summit, you need to have a special discount code. Email me (kris (at) rorohiko.com) for the discount code. Armed with that code, you then go register for a one- or two-day pass to CreativeProWeek.
https://creativeproweek.com/phoenix-2025/register/
Breakfast, coffee breaks and lunch are included in your day passes. Breakfast is served 08:00am-09:00am in the Komatke Ballroom.
Please take note that the Developer Summit kicks off each day at 8:30am, so make sure to go grab breakfast early!
Agenda:
Wednesday, June 4
Sessions
| 08:30am | 08:45am | James Lockman & Adobe Team | Welcome and introductions |
| 08:45am | 09:45am | James Lockman & Adobe Team | Deep dive into Adobe Firefly APIs. |
| 10:00am | 11:00am | James Lockman & Adobe Team | (cont.) |
| 11:15am | 12:15pm | Kris Coppieters | Unlock Adobe Automation Magic |
| 01:30pm | 02:30pm | (cont.) | |
| 02:45pm | 03:45pm | (cont.) | |
| 04:00pm | 05:00pm | (cont.) |
Session Info
Deep dive into Adobe Firefly APIs
08:45am-11:00am
Instructor: James Lockman & Adobe Team
(will be streamed: please contact kris at rorohiko.com to get the details)
Workshop: Unlock Adobe Automation Magic
11:15am – 05:00pm
Instructor: Kris Coppieters
(in-person attendance only; won’t be streamed or recorded)
Is Adobe automation giving you headaches?
Stuck with messy legacy scripts in InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop?
Tired of AI-generated code that falls short or breaks in real-world use?
Join our hands-on workshop to:
- Learn how Adobe automation really works
- Fix bugs faster
- Build software and scripts that last
- Master proven debugging techniques
Stop wasting weeks on trial and error. Leave with skills you can use right away.
More info here: Workshop: Become An Adobe Automation Ninja
Thursday, June 5
Sessions
By Developers For Developers
(will be streamed, except for the “Canva to Express’ and ‘Roundtable’ sessions: please contact kris at rorohiko.com to get the details)
| 08:30am | 08:45am | Kris Coppieters | Welcome and introductions |
| 08:45am | 09:15am | Kris Coppieters | Creative Developer Tools For ES and UXP, Part Of The Tightener Project: An Overview And A Status Update |
| 09:15am | 09:45am | Keith Gilbert | The Future Of InDesign/Illustrator Scripting In An AI world |
| 10:00am | 10:30am | Arie Stavchansky | Talk to the Layer: ExtendScript Meets AI in After Effects with Claude or ChatGPT |
| 10:30am | 11:00am | James Lockman | Firefly Services Roadmap |
| 11:15am | 11:45am | Caleb Clauset | Caleb’s Corner |
| 11:45am | 12:15pm | Marcus Radich | Connecting PageProof – how we enable partners and build integrations |
| 01:30pm | 2:00pm | Adobe InDesign Team | A Peek Under The Hood |
| 02:00pm | 2:30pm | Max Dunn | Canva, InDesign, and Express (NDA session, won’t be recorded nor streamed). |
| 02:45pm | 03:45pm | tutti | Roundtable |
| 04:00pm | 05:00pm | tutti | Roundtable |
Session Info
Talk to the Layer: ExtendScript Meets AI in After Effects with Claude or ChatGPT.
Explore a new approach to enhancing After Effects templates by using effect-based text inputs and ExtendScript to fetch AI-generated placeholder content from Claude or ChatGPT.
It’s a lightweight, flexible method for integrating realistic, dynamic data directly into your creative workflow — one text layer at a time.
Roundtable
(in-person attendance only; won’t be streamed or recorded).
This 2-hour roundtable is a confidential, off-the-record session focused on the challenges faced by small developer teams and solo operators.
This private roundtable will offer a unique opportunity to discuss the business challenges we all face, the ones you won’t find in any technical
manual.
Everyone is welcome, even if you work for a larger company. The session is focused on the indy perspective, but as long as you’re here in good faith and willing to share or learn, you’re encouraged to join. Just like the rest of the Summit, this is a developer-friendly space, not a corporate pitch floor.
We will run this under the Chatham House Rule and this session won’t be streamed nor recorded. To attend you must be physically present.
Chatham House Rule: “When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed“
https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule
Points for discussion:
- Client Management: Strategies for handling large clients that pay on 30, 60, or 90-day terms — often late.
- Marketing Your Skills: Best practices for promoting yourself or your products through word of mouth, websites, LinkedIn, and beyond.
- Setting Your Rates: Hourly rates vs. retainers. What works, what doesn’t?
- Streamlining Paperwork: How to manage contracts, invoices, and administrative tasks efficiently.
- Invoicing And Other Admin: How to handle invoicing and getting paid.
- Handling Tech Support: Tips on scaling support while staying focused on development.
- Productizing Your Knowledge: Turning your expertise into marketable products.
- Selling Scripts and Plugins: Navigating Adobe Exchange and exploring alternative sales channels.