Adobe is widely used by creative professionals across industries to help with web design, advertising, video editing, marketing, video creation, and photo editing. There are over 20 Adobe apps, several of which are considered leaders in the industry for creative software. Premiere Pro, Illustrator, After Effects, InDesign, and Photoshop are the most widely used. A great way to explore one or more Adobe apps is to enroll in a certificate program or prepare to take a certification exam. Tuition is $3,600.
Noble Desktop: Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp
Key Information: Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp is a project-based course thatprepares students to pursue various career options in web design, video editing, graphic design, or motion graphics. It takes 102 hours to complete this program. Tuition is $4,195. Payment plans and financing options are available. This program is taught in the live online format. A free course retake for up to a full year is offered to all students; some or all of this bootcamp can be retaken during this time. There are no course prerequisites.
In Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp, students work with Adobe’s most popular applications. This intensive program comprises several bootcamp, each covering a specific Adobe skill. Instruction is provided on working with vector graphics to create icons and logos in the Photoshop Bootcamp. Students explore working with page layouts for web and print publications during the Illustrator Bootcamp. The After Effects and Premiere Pro Bootcamps cover skills like using moving graphics in animation and video editing. The final bootcamp, the Figma Bootcamp, teaches participants how to work with user interface and user experience design, as well as how to design clickable prototypes.
Tuition to this hands-on bootcamp includes more than live training. Students also have access to supplemental materials both during and after the course to help reinforce design concepts and ensure learning continues after class ends. All participants receive a verified digital certificate of completion upon graduation.Â
Noble Desktop: Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp
Key Information: Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp is a three-day program that teaches students how to use Photoshop to edit photos and create graphics. This bootcamp is taught in the live online learning environment. Tuition is $975. It takes 18 hours to complete this course. Tuition includes the option of a free course retake for up to one year. No prerequisites are listed.
Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp is a hands-on course in which participants explore a range of Photoshop skills and techniques. Coursework includes eliminating unwanted elements from photographs and saving files for web use or printing. During this course, students complete a range of projects designed to impart core Photoshop skills. They become familiar with selecting specific parts of an image to edit, adjusting contrast and color, and placing a part of one photo into another image. Instruction is provided on working with masks, layers, type, and filters.
In addition to live instruction, this course includes setup assistance for those who need it. All participants have access to supplemental learning material both during and after class. A one-on-one mentoring session is also included in tuition. Students can use this time to revisit class concepts they want more assistance with or to apply their newly acquired skills to another project. A certificate of completion is awarded to all graduates of this program.
Lumenbrite: InDesign Training: Bootcamp
Key Information: InDesign Training: Bootcamp is intended for those who want to advance from basic InDesign skills to intermediate-level proficiency. It takes four full days to complete this intensive bootcamp. This course is available in the live online format. It costs $1,595 to enroll. The only prerequisite required is basic computer skills.
In Lumenbrite’s InDesign Training: Bootcamp, students begin by learning about the InDesign workspaces and interface. During this course, participants become familiar with the process of creating professional layouts with applications in a range of creative projects such as books and business cards. Instruction is provided on working with graphics, text, colors, and typography. Students explore character styles, master pages, paragraphs, and quick keys. Course content includes importing and exporting files, incorporating Photoshop and Illustrator files into InDesign, and using graphics within tables.Â
This course also prepares learners to create various frame types and object styles. They also learn how to incorporate Word and Excel documents, as well as images, into InDesign. Instruction is provided on the different color panels available within this app and how to use the Links panel to manipulate images. By the end of this program, students will have the skills necessary to create their own creative layouts that satisfy current design standards. They also will know how to create interactive projects with animations, buttons, and multimedia. Those who graduate from this program receive a nationally recognized Adobe certificate, which can be included on their resume.
Ledet Training: Adobe Captivate 501—Adobe Captivate Bootcamp
Key Information: Adobe Captivate Bootcamp is an introductory-level class designed to give participants an overview of Adobe Captivate. This class is taught in Houston. The cost of study is $2,199. This bootcamp is a discounted combination of three training classes: Captivate, Captivate Advanced, and Captivate Quiz. It takes five days to complete this bootcamp. As a prerequisite, students should know how they wish to use Captivate to facilitate e-learning. It is recommended that all participants have Adobe Captivate installed prior to the first class.
Adobe Captivate is an application used to create e-learning content like quizzes, software simulations, and demonstrations. This bootcamp is an immersive program that covers a range of Adobe Captivate skills. Participants become familiar with how to use this suite of tools to create animations, work with quiz functions, and incorporate video and audio elements to design interactive, high-quality e-learning content and coursework. Learners also become familiar with using PowerPoint for e-learning.
During this hands-on program, participants become familiar with Captivate’s range of tools needed to create effective e-learning workthroughs. Students acquire beginner through advanced techniques that prepare them to create entire e-learning courses. They work with hotspots, objects, audio, voice narrations, and interactive elements. Instruction is provided on using Captivate to create quizzes, assessments, and demo recordings. This bootcamp incorporates a step-by-step pedagogy taught by top instructional designers. By the end of this program, those enrolled will be able to create entire online classes tailored to various audience needs. This class is intended for training professionals, e-learning Consultants, Instructional Designers, and L&D professionals at the beginner to intermediate level of creating e-learning content and instructional design.
FAQ for Adobe CertificatesÂ
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
If you’re committed to learning to work with Adobe CC, numerous training options are available such as certificate study and certifications. Adobe certificates are generally rigorous programs providing hands-on training in one or more Creative Cloud applications. When studying through certificate programs, you can choose between in-person and live online coursework. Some certificates are narrower in focus and cover only one Adobe application such as Photoshop or Premiere Pro. Others offer training in various related creative skills such as designing documents using Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Depending on the provider and the type of instruction being provided, some certificates take six months or longer to complete, whereas others are shorter and require just a week of commitment. Cost also varies significantly; tuition for certificates ranges from under $3,000 to over $15,000. Certificate study is a popular option for Adobe enthusiasts because it sometimes offers more than classroom instruction. Some educators provide learners with career counseling, one-on-one mentoring, or professional support like resume critiques and portfolio reviews. Upon successfully completing the program, participants are given a certificate.
Unlike certificate study, certifications are Adobe exams. You sign up for the test, pay the fee, and prepare to sit for the exam. Certifications aren’t affiliated with any one school, which means that passing a certification exam is an objective measure of your ability to use this application. Those who pass the test earn an industry-recognized designation that shows they are skilled with that app and can use it in a professional setting.
A range of Adobe certifications are available. The Adobe Certified Professional exam prepares you to use work with either Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, InDesign, After Effects, Dreamweaver, or another Creative Cloud application. One of the main differences between Adobe certificates and certifications is that there are no formal studying requirements to sit for a certification exam. Whereas certificates require a certain number of classroom hours, it’s up to the test-taker how they wish to prepare for the certification test. Some students may prefer to enroll in a former class to prepare, especially if they don’t currently work with Adobe or lack an educational background in using it. Others prefer to study on their own. It’s suggested that those who want to sit for the test have 150 hours of hands-on training with the app they are being tested on. The exam is 50 minutes long. Those who pass it earn a certification that can be included on their resume.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
Choosing between Adobe certificate study or certification is important for those who want to take their Adobe skills to the next level. To decide which learning option is best for you, it’s essential to weigh several factors. If you’re interested in learning Adobe to use for a current work project or to pursue a new professional path, certificate programs offer hands-on training that can prepare you to use Adobe for your career. If you don’t have a formal background studying Adobe in college, certificates provide a condensed, intensive study regimen in which you can acquire useful training in a relatively short time frame. Instead of spending four years on university study, acquiring a broad range of skills, and devoting more than $36,000 per year to coursework, a certificate focuses exclusively on one or more Adobe apps. It also requires just weeks or months to complete and often costs less than one year of college tuition. Certificates also sometimes include professional development or mentoring along with tuition.
If you have already studied Adobe CC in the college setting or through other coursework, or if you are a professional who already works with Adobe apps on a regular basis, you may not need to enroll in a formal course. Instead, certification may be a better match. Certification is a great option if you want to demonstrate your Adobe skills but may not wish to sit for weeks or months of class. Even though not all employers require certification, the time spent preparing for the exam has inherent value because it provides you with skills you can use for years in various professional settings. Not only does test preparation make you a more competitive job candidate, but it also arms you with a repertoire of transferable skills in apps like Premiere Pro, After Effects, or InDesign. Because certifications aren’t affiliated with a specific school, they are industry-recognized measures of skill that are likely to gain an employer’s attention.
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
No two employers are the same, and each has their own unique requirements for potential employees. This is why it’s a good idea to research the job you wish to apply for to see what they’re specifically seeking in candidates. If Photoshop certification is listed as a requirement for applicants, then it’s essential you pass this exam. Even though most design-related jobs don’t require Adobe certification, employers often expect that job applicants can demonstrate their Adobe skills. This may involve submitting a professional portfolio, writing about your training in a cover letter, or discussing your background during interviews.
If you didn’t have the opportunity to work with Adobe in college or haven’t had the chance to receive formal training with the Adobe CC tools, then studying Adobe through certificates or certification prep can be a great way to make yourself a competitive candidate. Because certificates provide intensive training, those who graduate from these programs have demonstrated that they have the commitment to acquire a skill set they can use in a professional setting. Likewise, preparing for dozens of hours to take an Adobe certification exam requires motivation and follow-through. Employers will likely notice the effort involved in studying and gaining a skill set that can be used in the workplace. If you’re competing against applicants for a position and you have similar skills, but they lack Adobe certification, this credential can set you apart and make you a more well-rounded, desirable candidate.
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
If you’re committed to earning an Adobe certificate, the next step is deciding which program best matches your learning needs. Because so many training resources are available for Adobe instruction, you must consider several factors to help you decide such as your scheduling availability, learning style, and long-term goals.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes?
Two formats for Adobe instruction are available: in-person and online. If you consider yourself an extroverted learner and enjoy studying in the traditional classroom environment, in-person training options are a great option. An expert instructor with industry experience using Adobe apps leads the discussion and facilitates coursework. You and your classmates can ask questions in the moment and receive individualized support and feedback. This interactive setup also allows you to connect with other students in your cohort, which can offer a sense of community. Often, in-person Adobe classes are taught in or near major cities like Houston. If you don’t live near a big city or lack reliable transportation, it might be challenging to access live Adobe training. Additionally, in-person coursework can cost more than online study due to the costs associated with parking, gas, and tolls.
If you don’t live near a training facility or prefer remote study options, live online Adobe classes are an excellent alternative. Live online Adobe study can provide you with many of the same benefits and learning outcomes as in-person coursework. You have access to a live instructor and can ask questions as necessary. If you give the instructor permission, you can even share your screen for additional help. Since class takes place using a teleconferencing platform, you’ll never have to waste time sitting in Houston traffic or searching for nearby parking. The time saved commuting can be devoted to learning Adobe. It’s important to remember that live online training still requires that you attend regularly scheduled classes. This may require taking time off of work or tailoring your schedule around class meetings. This study format may, therefore, be prohibitive for those who do not have job hour flexibility or have full schedules.
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
There are two forms of online training: synchronous and asynchronous. Live online coursework is taught in real-time through a teleconferencing platform like Teams. Like in-person study, students can ask questions as they arise and benefit from immediate feedback. All coursework can be completed remotely from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Although live online Adobe training generally costs more than asynchronous material, it is worth it for most learners since it provides real-time access to an instructor and cohort of students learning alongside you.Â
If you need more flexibility than live coursework allows, asynchronous Adobe training is a good alternative. This training format involves an instructor recording one or more lessons and placing them online at an earlier time. Unlike live training, where the teacher sets the lesson speed, you manage your learning pace with asynchronous Adobe material. You can opt to devote an entire weekend to learning how to retouch photographs in Photoshop or space out your studies during lunch breaks at work for fifteen minutes each afternoon. Content can be paused, rewound, or rewatched from the start as often as you feel necessary to master its content. Since it’s pre-recorded, self-paced material can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection.Â
A substantial amount of Adobe training material is currently available online. You can choose from short YouTube video clips spanning minutes and cover a single skill such as wrapping text in InDesign, or can opt for more comprehensive coursework such as classes that take a dozen or more hours to complete and teach you how to edit short films using Premiere Pro. Because so much online content is available, self-paced material can become dated. This is why if you wish to study in this format, it’s a good idea to make sure the material you select reflects the most current version of the Adobe app you are working with and the current best practices. It’s also a good practice to read student reviews and research the provider to ensure they offer current training material.
With asynchronous Adobe classes, you don’t have access to an instructor and must find answers to questions independently. Some students who perform better learning alongside a cohort of classmates may find self-paced study isolating. This is why it’s important to be a self-motivated learner if you wish to get the most out of asynchronous Adobe coursework. You not only may need to look up answers to questions on your own but will also need to ensure that you’ve fully mastered a given topic and can apply it before you move on to the next design skill. Some students prefer to begin their Adobe training with on-demand content but then progress into live coursework when they tackle more advanced design skills they need for work.