In a study focused on creativity, we surveyed 2,587 members of the U.S. general population to better understand how often people create, how they are creating content, the limiting factors impacting their creativity and what mobile app features would encourage them to create.

1. Adobe Creative
Confidence &
Expression Report
September 2019

2. Survey
Methodology
Adobe fielded a 5-minute online omnibus
survey to a representative sample of
the general population (n=2,587).
Adobe Creative Confidence & Expression Report 01
Audience
General Population
Sample Size
n=2,587
Margin of Error
±1.9%
Method
5-minute online omnibus survey
Timing
Survey fielded from August 22-26, 2019

3. Adobe Creative Confidence & Expression Report 02
In a study focused on creativity, Adobe surveyed 2,587 members of the U.S. general population to better understand how
often people create, how they are creating content, the limiting factors impacting their creativity and what mobile app
features would encourage them to create.
The majority (68%) of U.S. adults wish they were more creative, and they cite lack of time and inspiration as the top
limiting factors impacting their ability to be creative. Despite frequently drawing and painting as children, a majority of
U.S. adults say they rarely or never have time to paint or draw.
However, there is a strong opportunity to re-inspire creative experiences through the power of today’s mobile devices –
especially when it comes to digital artwork. Many of those who use a mobile device to create content prefer using
mobile over the desktop to create. U.S. adults believe simpler mobile app design and more powerful, advanced
features would make them more likely to create on mobile.

4. Adobe Creative Confidence & Expression Report 03
Frequency of Painting
or Drawing as a Child
(Shown: Percent selected response; n=2,587)
Nearly half
of U.S. adults
say they painted or drew
at least once a week as children.
Women (42%) are more likely than men (30%) to say
they painted or drew frequently as a child.
painted or drew at
least once a week
Every day Frequently
(i.e., at least
once a week)
Occasionally
(i.e., at least
once a month)
Rarely
(i.e., a few
times a year)
Never
11%
36%
23%
18%
12%
47%
Total

5. Adobe Creative Confidence & Expression Report 04
Frequency of Painting
or Drawing as an Adult
(Shown: Percent selected response; n=2,587)
rarely or never
paint or draw
Every day Frequently
(i.e., at least
once a week)
Occasionally
(i.e., at least
once a month)
Rarely
(i.e., a few
times a year)
Never
4% 8%
17%
38%
71%
33%
say they rarely or never paint or draw.
creative frequency
drops in adulthood –
However,
71% of U.S. adults
• Adults who say they frequently painted or drew as
children are more likely to say they frequently (15%)
or occasionally (24%) paint or draw as adults.
• Women (20%) are more likely than men (13%) to say
they occasionally paint or draw as adults.
• 25% of Gen Z’ers, 21% of Millennials, 16% of Gen
X’ers and 13% of Boomers say they draw at least
once a month as adults.
Total

6. Adobe Creative Confidence & Expression Report 05
The majority
of U.S. adults
wish they were more creative.
confident expressing their
creativity through drawing.
33%
& only
feel
Statement Agreement
(Shown: Total agree (somewhat/strongly agree); n=2,587)
I wish I was
more creative
I am confident in
my creative ability
I feel confident
expressing my
ideas and creativity
through drawing
It's easier for me
to express myself
through drawing
or painting than
through writing
68%
52%
33%
22%
Adults who frequently painted or drew as
children are more confident in both their
creative ability (65%) and expressing ideas
through painting and drawing (47%) compared
to those who occasionally or never did as
children [41%; 20%]. Total agree

7. Adobe Creative Confidence & Expression Report 06
• Gen Z’ers are the most likely to feel they lack
inspiration (44%) and time (43%) compared to
Millennials (35%; 39%), Gen X’ers (31%; 36%)
and Boomers (26%; 21%).
• Adults who painted or drew frequently as children
cite lack of time (39%) as their greatest limiting factor.
Limiting Factors of Creativity
(Shown: Percent selected response; n=2,587)cite lack of inspiration
& time as the top limiting
factors impacting their
ability to be creative.
1in3U.S.
adults
Lack of
inspiration
Lack of
time
Lack of
understanding
how to use tools
and technology
Other factors
include:
• Lack of talent/ability
• Lack of interest
• Lack of funds
Lack of
artistic tools
and technology
Other
31%
31%
25%
23%
5%
Total

8. Millennials (45%) and Gen X’ers (44%) who
use a mobile device to create content are the
most likely to agree they prefer using a mobile
device over a desktop or laptop, compared to
Gen Z’ers (27%) and Boomers (28%).
Adobe Creative Confidence & Expression Report 07
of U.S. adults
40%
who use a mobile device
to create content prefer to
create on their mobile device
over a desktop or laptop.
prefer to create
content on their
mobile device over
a desktop/laptop
Of those with a mobile
device used to create content
Content Creation on Mobile
Devices vs. Desktop/Laptop
(Shown: Total agree (somewhat/strongly agree);
Total disagree (somewhat/strongly disagree); Among U.S.
adults with a mobile device used to create content n=1,354)
Agree
Don’t know
Disagree
40%

9. U.S. adults
who are likely
to create
Adobe Creative Confidence & Expression Report 08
Likelihood to
Create Content
(Shown: Percent selected
response; Among U.S. adults
with a mobile device n=2,448)
of U.S. adults
43%
say something would make them
more likely to create content
believe a simpler app UX and
more powerful app features
would make them more likely
to create on mobile devices.
Features that Increase
Likelihood to Create Content
(Shown: Percent selected response; Among U.S. adults with
a mobile device used to create content that say something
would make them more likely to create content n=1,057)
Other factors
include:
• Larger screen size
• Intuitive controls
• More time
Simpler app user
experience
More powerful
and advanced
app features
More integration
with the apps
I already use on
the desktop
Faster apps Other
49%
41%
32%
28%
6%
Among U.S. adults with a mobile device used to create content
that say a factor would make them more likely to create content