Adobe users can produce infographics, flyers, business cards, books, brochures, websites, logos, and videos using these apps. Companies around the globe use Adobe CC apps in sectors like retail, higher education, healthcare, media production, computer software, advertising, and construction. Some of Adobe’s most popular applications are InDesign, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Audition. Those who have the training to use this industry-standard family of software have many career options across industries and can pursue high-paying jobs that allow them to use their creative skills every day at work. Learning to work with Adobe CC through a certificate program or certification is a great way to acquire hands-on training to prepare you for a creative career.
Ledet Training: Adobe InDesign Bootcamp Training
Key Information: Adobe InDesign Bootcamp Training is available for those in the Wahington, D.C. area who are interested in exploring how InDesign can be effectively applied to a range of creative projects. Tuition is $1,999. This beginner-level class requires no prerequisites except basic computer navigation skills. All students should install InDesign on their devices before the first class meeting.Â
Those enrolled in Adobe InDesign Bootcamp Training receive hands-on training in introductory through advanced-level design techniques. This class provides participants with the opportunity to explore how to publish content in the form of ebooks and tablets. Instruction on graphics file management, type controls, document setup, and layers is provided. Students learn how to work with color, graphics, master pages, formatting, and styles.
This bootcamp is open to pre-press professionals, Designers, and those who are just getting started working with InDesign. By the end of the class, those enrolled with know how to export their work in PDFs, design and edit tables, work with advanced style sheets, and use XML.
Noble Desktop: Digital Design Certificate
Key Information: Digital Design Certificate is available from Noble Desktop for those interested in becoming Digital Designers. Tuition is $4,495. This fee includes the option of a free course repeat for one full year. Financing options are available. It takes students 138 hours to complete this class. This certificate can be completed during seven weeks of full-time study or five months of part-time coursework. This class is available in the live online format. No prerequisites are required for study.
Digital Design Certificate is an intensive program in which students study a range of Adobe applications. Coursework covers how Figma can be used for UI design to create apps and websites, as well as essential design theory and concepts. Instruction is also provided on how Illustrator and Photoshop can be used alongside Figma for UI design. Participants also gain a robust understanding of various design workflows and processes.
During this certificate, students also work with Adobe apps like InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop to create various types of print content such as books, brochures, business cards, and flyers. This program comprises six bootcamps: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Graphic Design Portfolio, Figma, and UI Design. Each bootcamp is between 12 and 42 hours.
In addition to intensive, hands-on Adobe training, all participants in this program receive eight one-on-one mentoring sessions. These can be used to revisit difficult class concepts or ensure students progress toward their learning goals. Sessions can also be devoted to professional development. Some students elect to use this time to have an expert review their portfolio or for assistance with their LinkedIn profile. This time can also be spent receiving guidance on the job application process. By the end of this program, participants will have several portfolio projects that they can use when applying for jobs to show their modern digital design skills to potential employers.
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, Figman 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
Lumenbrite: Photoshop Training: Bootcamp
Key Information: Photoshop Training: Bootcamp is designed to teach participants various in-demand photo editing skills. It takes four full days of study to complete coursework. This program is available for $1,595.
Photoshop Training: Bootcamp is a hands-on class that commences with beginner-friendly content and progresses to intermediate-level training. Students start by exploring the Photoshop interface and creating a workflow to edit images. Once basic Photoshop skills are covered, this program progresses into more advanced content such as manipulating photos, repairing, and retouching images. Instruction is provided on how to work with masks, typography, layers, image effects, and advanced compositing. Those enrolled explore time-saving techniques like outputting files for various media types, color management, and advanced image manipulation.Â
During the four days of live instruction, bootcamp participants also learn how to retouch photos. They become familiar with Photoshop’s video and animation features such as how to use camera raw, create custom brushes, and apply Smart Objects into non-destructive workflows. By the end of this program, participants will know how to avoid common Photoshop pitfalls and apply best practices when creating images. All participants earn an Adobe nationally recognized course certificate upon graduation.
FAQ for Adobe Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
Once you’ve decided to study Adobe CC, your next decision is which sort of training format to pursue. You can choose Adobe certification or enroll in a certificate program. They each offer their own benefits, and it’s important to understand their differences before selecting which is best for you.
Adobe certification is available in many of its most popular apps such as Illustrator, Dreamweaver, After Effects, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and InDesign. To earn certification, you must sign up to take an exam, which is offered by a third party and is not affiliated with any one school. The test requires paying a fee and sitting for the 50-minute exam. The Adobe Certified Professional Exam covers a specific Adobe CC application and tests you on your ability to use it in a timed environment. Certification requires preparing for the test as you see fit. Some students opt to enroll in a formal course to help them gain the skills that will be tested, whereas others rely on their prior educational training and workplace experience instead. It’s recommended that students taking this test have 150 hours of experience using the app they are being tested on. If you pass the test, you are given an industry-recognized certification that shows that you not only know how to use the app but can apply these skills in the workplace.
Unlike certifications, Adobe certificates are intensive programs that teach you how to work with one or more Adobe CC apps. The length of certificate study varies from just a week to six months or longer. You can choose from in-person study options at a designated training facility or opt to learn Adobe CC entirely through live online coursework. Depending on your learning needs, you can select a certificate program that teaches only Photoshop or After Effects or enroll in one that provides training in several in-demand Adobe apps. The cost of certificate study also can vary significantly; some providers have certificate coursework available for less than $3,000, and others who offer longer, more involved programs may require more than $15,000 for a class. Adobe certificates sometimes include more than in-class instruction. Some programs provide additional support such as help with your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile. Others offer one-on-one mentoring or provide you with access to a networking community of graduates. If you successfully complete the program, you earn a certificate, which can be included on your resume to show you have an educational background working with Adobe.
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
If you’re committed to pursuing Adobe CC training, you may still be unsure whether to enroll in a certificate program or seek certification. Determining which educational path is most suited to you will likely depend on several factors. If you want to acquire Adobe training to help you in a current job or to pursue new career options, a certificate program is an excellent option. This is especially true if you didn’t attend college or had a major that didn’t involve Adobe CC. Unlike university study, which can cost over $36,000 yearly, certificates provide a much shorter and more affordable learning alternative. You not only can devote your time and effort to learning one or more Adobe apps, but you may also receive professional support and development along with tuition.
If you are already familiar with Adobe CC because you studied it in college or use it at your current job, you may not require additional classroom instruction. Instead, you may benefit more from pursuing a certification. The time you spend studying for the test and acquiring Adobe CC training is inherently valuable beyond any one job or professional role. It gives you a transferable skill set that can be used for years in various design-related careers. Since certification isn’t affiliated with any one school or educator, earning one or multiple Adobe certifications is a universally recognized achievement that is likely to gain the attention of employers.
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
Before pursuing certificate study or an Adobe CC certification, it’s important to consider whether these credentials will make you more likely to get a job. Because all employers have different requirements, you’ll need to research to see the expectations for a job before applying. If the employer specifies that they are seeking candidates who have InDesign certification, it’s essential that you pass this test and earn this credential to apply for the job. Even though most design-related careers don’t require that candidates have this designation, earning certification can help distinguish you from other candidates who are applying. It can also demonstrate to the employer that you have the dedication and perseverance to study and pass a difficult exam. If you’re up against a candidate who has similar credentials but isn’t certified in InDesign, you will likely be a more appealing candidate for earning yours.Â
If you didn’t attend college, or if your major when you studied was in a non-design-related field, pursuing certificate study is a great way to acquire hands-on Adobe CC training. Completing a certificate demonstrates that you’ve devoted weeks or months to learning one or more Adobe apps and that you are ready to use them at work.Â
It is common for employers to ask that you demonstrate your Adobe skills in some way, whether it’s through a professional portfolio, the interview process, or the cover letter. While some may have more specific qualifications in mind, like certificates and certifications, showing that you know Adobe and can use your skills professionally is a must for most design-related careers. 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?
Another important consideration is selecting an Adobe certificate program that aligns with your learning needs. Since various Adobe training resources are available, it’s essential to weigh several factors when making this decision such as your availability to attend in-person or synchronous classes, what type of learner you are, and your goals for acquiring Adobe training.
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes?
If you are an extroverted learner who gravitates toward studying in the traditional classroom setup, then in-person Adobe classes are a good option. You have the benefit of learning from an instructor with industry experience and real-world Adobe knowledge. You work alongside a cohort of learners who are on a similar educational journey, which can provide a sense of community and camaraderie. You are able to ask questions in the moment and receive instantaneous clarification and feedback. Typically, in-person Adobe classes take place at training facilities, which are often in or near major cities like Washington, D.C. If you live in a more remote location or don’t have access to reliable transportation options, it may be difficult to enroll in-person Adobe coursework. Another important consideration with in-person study is that it can cost more than online study due to transportation-related expenses such as tolls, gas, and parking.
Live online coursework is available if you still want the benefits of connecting with an instructor in real time but don’t live near a training facility. This training format provides those interested in learning Adobe with many of the same learning outcomes as in-person study. You are able to ask questions in the moment and receive individualized support. You can even share your screen with the instructor (with permission) for additional guidance. All coursework is taught using Zoom or a similar teleconferencing platform, so you never have to leave your house to learn Adobe or sit in rush-hour traffic to attend class. Because live online classes meet regularly, you will still need to ensure your schedule permits you to attend meetings. This may mean taking time off work or rearranging other commitments to complete Adobe training.Â
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Within the online learning environment, two types of Adobe training are available: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous Adobe training takes place in the live format and is taught via Zoom, Teams, or a similar teleconferencing platform. You can complete all lessons remotely from any location with the internet. This interactive format allows you to ask questions in real time and receive instantaneous support and guidance. Although live content often costs more than asynchronous Adobe material, the additional investment affords many benefits, like having the support of an expert instructor and a cohort of learners who are studying in real time with you.Â
If you can’t commit to attending regularly scheduled classes, asynchronous Adobe coursework may be a better match. This type of training is the most flexible way to acquire Adobe skills. Content like online tutorials, videos, training modules, and quizzes is recorded at an earlier time and placed online. You can decide when to study and where you wish to complete lessons. Unlike synchronous content, where an instructor determines lesson speed, you control your study pace. This means you can choose to devote a full day each week to learning photo editing or spend half an hour each night for a month working with InDesign to learn page layout for magazines. You also can pause, rewind, or rewatch lesson content as often as necessary to facilitate note-taking and commit concepts to memory.Â
Since so much on-demand content is available online, selecting which is the most up-to-date on Adobe best practices and teaching the current version of the app you wish to learn is essential. This may require doing a bit of research and reading student reviews before enrolling in a course. You can choose from relatively short training material such as a five-minute YouTube clip that explains how to wrap text around images in InDesign or opt for longer, more involved coursework, like twelve-hour courses devoted entirely to creating motion graphics in After Effects. You can also combine on-demand training material to customize your studies to your professional or creative needs. Another important consideration is that no instructor is available for asynchronous Adobe study. This means that you may need to find answers on your own when presented with a challenging concept. This is why self-paced material is generally best suited for self-motivated learners who are able to complete their studies independently without a teacher or cohort of learners. Some students begin their Adobe training journey with self-paced material but ultimately opt for more structured live content to truly master Adobe for professional use.