For Peppe Ragusa, the idea behind Aqua by Adobe began with a simple question: What if Adobe's powerful creative tools were intuitive enough for even a six-year-old to use?
Becoming a parent transformed the way Peppe thought about creativity. He saw firsthand how naturally children explore, imagine, and make things—but also how quickly complicated tools can get in their way. Even many adults find today’s most powerful creative software difficult to navigate.
That realization sparked an idea: take the magic of Adobe’s creative tools and make it accessible, playful, and empowering for children. Over time, that idea became Aqua.
Creativity belongs to everyone
One of the biggest surprises for Peppe while building Aqua has been seeing just how universal creativity is. Kids, parents, teachers, and grandparents may all use Aqua differently, but they share the same delight in making something that feels uniquely theirs.
For Peppe, it has been a welcome reminder that creativity isn’t reserved for professional artists or designers. It’s a human instinct, one that emerges when people are given the right tools, freedom, and encouragement.
Asked to describe Aqua in three words, Peppe’s answer captures that spirit perfectly: “Creative. Playful. Empowering.”
Helping children see themselves as creators
What excites Peppe most about Aqua’s future is the opportunity to help millions of children see themselves as creators, not only consumers.
“We’re at an incredible moment where technology can either distract us or help us express ourselves,” he explains.
Peppe and the Aqua team want to build experiences that stimulate children’s imaginations, strengthen their confidence, and make creativity accessible to every child, everywhere.
A small team with a deeply human mission
The team behind Aqua cares deeply about creativity, learning, and building safe digital experiences that families can trust.
Most importantly, every decision starts with kids. The team spends considerable time thinking about how technology can feel more human, joyful, and empowering for the next generation.
That focus extends beyond making Aqua easy to use. It means designing an environment where children feel encouraged to experiment, express themselves, and bring their ideas to life.
Start before you’re ready
For children—and grown-ups—who dream of creating a product of their own, Peppe has a simple piece of advice: start before you’re ready.
Most great products don’t begin with a flawless idea or a perfect plan. They begin with curiosity and a problem someone genuinely cares about solving.
“Listen closely to the people you’re building for, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” Peppe adds. “Every great creation starts with a first draft.”