From tools to transformation: building digital fluency at scale with Adobe
When Leeds Trinity University wanted to boost digital creativity and career readiness across campus, it sought industry-standard tools – and a way to maximise their impact.
The ambition
Already pioneers in embedding professional work placement in every degree, Leeds Trinity set out in 2023 to embed digital creativity across all disciplines. The aim was to reduce the digital divide and further enhance student employability. It needed user-friendly tools which would support authentic assessment and meet student demand for formats like video – tools that were intuitive for beginners and backed by a clear rationale to drive adoption.
The solution
Some arts subjects at Leeds Trinity were already using Adobe Express, so the university was familiar with its potential for digital creativity. However, budgetary constraints meant access was limited to creative disciplines. That changed with the introduction of the Adobe Express full-student coverage option available via the Jisc Adobe enterprise term licence agreement (ETLA). Nigel Hayes, digital media support technician at Leeds Trinity explains:
“The introduction of the full student coverage option for Adobe Express as part of the Jisc Adobe ETLA was a game changer: Jisc simplified procurement, reduced admin and negotiated an affordable university-wide offer.”
Driving impact
But to meet their digital transformation goals, the investment had to show impact. Nigel says:
“To close the digital skills gap, we had to showcase what Adobe Express could do. We started with staff, offering badge-earning learning pathways to build their confidence and capability with Express.”
With training and engagement support, these learning pathways quickly gained traction – and the digital media pathways were soon extended to all students.
Making it work
While there were pockets of uptake, Leeds Trinity aimed for university-wide impact:
“At first, we, pushed ahead with our initial rollout plan - but we knew we could do better and decided to address challenges early on. Then came the second game changer: ‘transforming together’, a programme based on collaboration designed to improve take up.”
Collaborating for change
Leeds Trinity joined the Jisc Adobe co-designed ‘transforming together’ programme, offered exclusively to institutions taking up the new Adobe Express option. Through expert-led workshops and collaboration with other universities, the initiative shaped the Adobe roll out at Leeds Trinity. Nigel explains:
“Seeing how others approached Adobe Express was a lightbulb moment—it made us rethink our approach. With expert guidance and workshop insights, we developed a stronger strategy. Even the session format inspired a new way to engage academics, giving them ownership of how to use the tool.”
Lessons learned
Although the roll out initially involved the head of digital learning and the director of IT and information services, wider consultation with teaching and learning colleagues proved invaluable. Nigel reflects:
“In hindsight, involving more stakeholders earlier would’ve brought in better ideas and stronger ownership. Transforming together has helped us think more broadly. We’ve since engaged the careers team to help drive student uptake and are exploring a careers-focused learning pathway with Adobe.”
Another key takeaway from transforming together was recognising both the visible and invisible skills developed through Adobe Express - offering fresh ways to entice academics. Nigel explains:
“It’s not just about visible outcomes like graphic design. It’s also about the process — planning, structuring ideas and using AI tools. That’s what students really gain from it.”
While it’s still early days, Leeds Trinity is seeing strong results. The learning pathways pilot, despite being non-compulsory, saw excellent take-up among staff and students. The response was so positive that Leeds Trinity is building the pathway programme into the curriculum (for students) in four schools. Nigel says:
“We’ve received our first student feedback which has been really useful. Staff also appreciated that the digital pathways training was tailored to Leeds Trinity, not just generic.”
Reflections and next steps
Leeds Trinity is focused on maintaining momentum. Nigel says:
“We’re continuing to expand pathways and will bring back student ambassadors this year. We’re also developing short, 30-minute workshops with live classroom activities. Academics take on the role of the student to experience the tool first hand and explore how it can fit into their own teaching - quick, practical teaching hacks for busy staff. Based on what we’ve learned so far, it’s not about selling the tool, it’s about showing how it can work, by design.”
Reflecting on the Leeds Trinity Adobe Express experience so far, Nigel adds:
“It’s a great start to something that will become a key part of our teaching and assessment.”
About Leeds Trinity University
Leeds Trinity is a leading, career-led and applied university, committed to ensuring its graduates contribute as active citizens of the city and wider region. The university aims to prepare learners for careers of the future - particularly within the local area – through meaningful work experience and the development of skills that will help them thrive in a changing world.
Renowned for its commitment to teaching excellence and employability, Leeds Trinity University has built a strong reputation for workplace preparation, pioneering the integration of professional work placements into every degree.