Step 1: Setting up a project

Go to Adobe Creative Express Home. If you already have an adobe account sign in, if not, hit the start now button and create a new account.

Once you have an account and are signed in select the Create a project button. Note: Your UCSC email gives you access to a free Adobe account. Find more info here!

From the pop-up menu, select Video

Now begin by setting up the title of your project.

Next, select a template to start or your project or start from scratch.

Once your project has been set up, you will land on the workspace page for your project.

Step 2: Sharing your Project with your team:

At this point, you are able to invite your team members to your project.

To invite team members, left-click the invite button at the top of the project window.

Alternatively, you can select the Share button and then select Invite.

After selecting Invite, a menu will pop up that allows you to add people to your project through email.

Add as many team members as your project requires.

Step 3: Working with the Layout

Adobe Spark features a number of themes to help you design the basic layout of your project.

To view and select a theme, left-click the Theme menu in the upper right of your project window.

The Theme menu should now show you a variety of different designs for your project.

Each design comes with a few different color choices and the ability to shuffle the color pallet.

Once you have selected a design for your project you can start working on individual slides.

Note: Spark allows you to resize your video for different platforms. Widescreen is the typical video output for video streaming services like Youtube and Vimeo. Square is perfect for social media applications like Instagram.

Step 4: Creating your Slide

Spark gives you a few options for creating your slide.

First, create a new slide by clicking the blank plus slide box in the bottom right.

The Layout menu allows you to select some basic slide designs.

Once you are satisfied with your slide layout you can begin to add text and media to the presentation.

Note: Each slide is limited to a 30-second duration. You can access the slide duration control by selecting the clock at the bottom right of your slide. You can extend slide by duplicating them

You can extend slides by duplicating them in the timeline. Right-click the slide you wish to extend and select duplicate.

Step 5: Adding Media

On the slide work page, you can add content by clicking the circle with a plus to see the options for different media uploads.

A submenu will appear that allows you to select the type of media you want to add to your slide.

Spark allows users to upload videos and images directly from their computer or to add images from other cloud-based services like Dropbox and Google drive. See the image to the right for the different options available.

After uploading your image, Spark will auto place your image/video based on your layout design. 

Step 6: Adding Text

You can easily add text to your slide by left-clicking the circle plus symbol on the slide work area.

From here you will have the option to add text or an icon.

Note: See section Additional Tools below for information on icons.

After selecting text, a text editor will appear on your slide.

Note: Users can move their text around the slide area.

Step 7: Adding Audio or Record Directly

Spark offers the opportunity for users to upload their own prerecorded audio in .mp3 format or to record directly to the presentation.

To upload your own .mp3, select the Music menu in the top left. Within the new music menu, select Add my Music.

Note: Adding music will play that single sound file over the duration of your presentation.

Recording narration is a simple as pressing and holding the mic icon at the bottom of your slide.

Note: Each slide is limited to a 30-second duration. To record for longer than 30 seconds, duplicate the slide and continue your recording on the next slide.

Step 8: Exporting

To export your video simply select the download option at the top of your work area.

Spark will automatically create a .mp4 video of your presentation just select a destination to save your video file.

Alternatively, you can get a sharable link by selecting the Share menu. This will allow users to share and embed their video files around the web.

Preview:

You can preview your video at any time by selecting either the Preview button at the top or clicking the Play button at the bottom left

Icons

Spark has the option available for users to use images and icons from its asset library.

Different icons can be searched for and added to a slide.

Images can also be searched for and added to a slide.

Video Editing Tools:

Spark has a few video editing tools. First, when uploading a video you will see a video trim editor. This allows you to trim or extend the duration of your video for a slide.

Click Save when you are finished.

Once your video is uploaded you will now have additional options available. These can be found by clicking the pencil icon at the top right of your slide.

The options here include:

Zoom: Zoom in or out on your video.

Trim: Trim duration.

Continuous Clip: This allows users to extend their clip into the next slide.

Clip Volume: Separate volume control for your clip.

Note: The Continuous Clip option is only available if your clip has the additional length to be added to your next slide.

Credits:

You will notice a credits slide is automatically created for you when beginning a new project.

Users should add their own credits and acknowledgments but Spark Video automatically adds credits for the icons and photos you select from its archive.