Today’s high school students use their phones to chat with friends, do research, and take photos of themselves and their favorite people. If you find yourself enjoying taking pictures, maybe you’d like to take this hobby to the next level by learning Adobe Photoshop! This software program is the professional standard when it comes to enhancing digital images. As a creative person, you can let your creativity shine with this software. It’s also a great skill to have as you enter the workforce since many young people don’t take the time to learn the complex functions that the program offers.
Let’s learn more about some of the benefits of learning Photoshop and the classes you can take over the summer to help you on your way!
Types of Photoshop Summer Programs for High School Students
There are many different kinds of Photoshop programs that can meet a variety of needs for high school students. One of the biggest differences is the in-person vs. virtual learning option. Virtual learning is especially nice for students who live in a more rural setting where in-person options aren’t available, or perhaps they just prefer to work alone. These courses can also vary in length with some being more intensive. For instance, some programs meet for ten weeks but only have sessions for one hour per week. Classes like these make it easier for students who have other commitments while still being able to study.
Some programs also cater to beginners while others are geared towards students who have worked with Photoshop before. Students who already have some foundational knowledge should be sure to enroll in a course that makes them feel challenged rather than just reviewing what they probably already know. A final difference between these programs is that they are provided by different agencies. Some are offered through private companies and others are available through colleges and universities. Programs like this might be of particular interest to students who want an opportunity to get a feel for what college life is like.
#1: NextGen Bootcamp - Graphic Design Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp has a Graphic Design Summer Camp available for high school students that is taught both in-person and virtually. In this class, students will learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop, as well as other Adobe programs like InDesign and Illustrator. The course also focuses on current graphic design trends and theories so students will learn the most up-to-date information. Students will end this program with a portfolio of their work which includes page layouts, unique logos, and retouched photos.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is suitable for beginners who don’t have any prior experience with Photoshop. Students should have basic computer skills in order to be successful.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
The in-person program is taught at NextGen’s campus in Manhattan, located near the Financial District. Students who participate remotely will use Zoom to connect with their instructor and fellow students.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program lasts for two weeks. Virtual students will have 30 hours of instruction while the in-person program lasts for 50 hours.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
NextGen Bootcamps’ programs are designed for high school students.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The price of the course depends on whether you participate in person or remotely. The in-person program costs $2,495 and the live online class is $1,299. Upon completion of the class, students will receive a certificate. Students are also able to take the course again for free within one year to ensure the material is truly solidified.
Financial aid or payment plans are not available with NextGen. However, students who are interested in combining graphic design with another skill may want to look into their Graphic Design and Video Editing Certificate. This class combines both programs at a significantly reduced rate.
#2: iD Tech - Design with YouTube and Adobe
What is Taught in This Program?
iD Tech has a Design with YouTube and Adobe course as part of its Creative Track. This class is ideal for students who are interested in combining their love of social media with an interest in graphic design. The curriculum includes storyboarding for YouTube so students can create more engaging and eye-catching videos while using Photoshop and other Adobe software to enhance their videos.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
iD Tech welcomes students of all abilities. The instructors are comfortable with having students of multiple backgrounds in class and can accommodate more advanced students with additional assignments if needed.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
iD Tech’s course is taught exclusively online. In order to participate, students need to have a computer with the Adobe Master Collection already installed.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class is ten weeks long with courses taking place one hour per week. Classes usually have an average of five students.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
iD Tech accepts students between the ages of 13 and 17. A student who is 12 can also apply as long as they turn 13 by the first day of class.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This class costs $649 per 10-week session. In addition to the standard course material, students are encouraged to take advantage of weekly office hours on Thursdays. They also receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
#3: Tufts University Pre-College - SMFA Graphic Design Bootcamp
What is Taught in This Program?
There is a Graphic Design Bootcamp offered by Tufts University through their School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA). This class focuses on graphic design using Photoshop and other programs found in the Adobe Creative Cloud. In this course, students will participate in lectures from industry professionals. The course ends with a final showcase where students can show off their work to instructors, classmates, and their friends and family.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
While this program does have an option to submit previous designs with your application, the bootcamp is designed for beginners and previous experience is not required.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course is online only. To participate in this program, students will use Zoom and Canvas to interact with their instructors and peers.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This course lasts for a week. Sessions are held Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
To be eligible to attend Tuft’s summer program, students should either be entering grades 10-12 or have just graduated from high school in the spring of 2022.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The price of this course is $2,000 per student. There is limited financial aid available to students. If you anticipate needing financial assistance, you are encouraged to apply early since it is distributed on a rolling basis until funding is no longer available.
#4: UCLA Pre-College Summer Institutes - Design Media Arts
What is Taught in This Program?
As part of its summer programming, UCLA offers a Design Media Arts Summer Institute course. Here, students will be exposed to a variety of media projects like print, video, and even 3D games. All of this knowledge is combined to create a multimedia project at the end of the course. This program is careful to limit class sizes to a maximum of 20.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is designed for beginner learners.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
One exciting feature of this program is that it takes place on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. Students will live in the dormitories and learn more about what university life is like.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program is two weeks long.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students are eligible to attend as long as they are 15 or older and enrolling into grades 9 through 12 in Spring of 2022.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The total cost for this program is $4,142, which includes a registration fee, a programming fee, and a housing fee. Housing includes two meals a day, supervision by older students, and group activities both at night and on the weekends. There are both needs-based and merit-based scholarships available for this program if finances are a concern.
#5: Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes - Product Design
What is Taught in This Program?
Stanford offers a Product Design program as part of their pre-college summer lessons. This course teaches skills in design engineering and product design. Lessons combine elements of lecture, group discussions, and individual projects that students can add to their design portfolio throughout the program. Students will also receive a certificate of completion and a written evaluation from their teacher at the end of the program.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
The information provided for this program does not provide a level of difficulty. However, there is no mention of any required prerequisites or necessary previous experience. Be aware that this application is rigorous and requires that applicants demonstrate a passion for the topic of the course they apply for.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This program is online only.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The class is two weeks long with sessions taking place for two hours each day, Monday through Friday. In addition to scheduled classes, students will be assigned readings, group projects, and pre-recorded lectures to review.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students must be in 8th - 11th grade at the time of their application to be considered for enrollment.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
Stanford’s summer program is $2,700. Financial aid is available for students with demonstrated needs.
Why Learn Photoshop During the Summer?
There are plenty of benefits to enrolling in a summer program to help you learn Photoshop. By learning Photoshop, getting the hang of the other programs will take less time since you’ll be more familiar with the interface. The ability to enhance photos can also make for a unique part-time job once the school year begins. Many high school students are able to work with local businesses to offer their skills, then build a portfolio of their work to use in job interviews or university applications.
Additionally, there are plenty of exciting careers that require skills in Photoshop and other Adobe programs. One obvious choice is a photographer, which is exciting because you can work in a variety of industries as either a freelance artist or an employee for one specific company. Graphic Designers and Web Designers require additional skills aside from Photoshop, but they both use this program to bring their images to life. There are also several positions available in the marketing industry that require Photoshop skills since visual imagery is a crucial part of any successful marketing campaign.
Which Photoshop Summer Program is Right for Me?
After reviewing the available options, it makes sense if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. There are a few factors that should be considered when narrowing your search. By getting a clear understanding of your priorities, you’ll be able to eliminate some options if they don’t meet your needs.
When it comes to investing in a summer program like the ones listed above, finances are a worry for many families. While becoming proficient in Photoshop and other Adobe programs can lead to a lucrative career later in life, spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a course might not be feasible. If this is the case for you, you can limit your search to programs that have scholarships and other financial aid available.
When looking at the prices of each program, it’s important to figure out the cost of each program per hour as opposed to the overall price. For instance, the iD Tech virtual program is $649 for ten hours and the NextGen virtual program is $1,299 for 30 hours. When you break it down to the cost per hour, NextGen provides much more bang for your buck, so to speak.
It’s also important that you check in with yourself about your current comfort level with Photoshop. Most of the classes listed above are suitable for beginners. However, if you’ve already worked with this program, a beginner course won’t be the best use of your time and money. You’d likely be more at home in a program like iD Tech since they are comfortable working with more advanced students.
Thinking about your ideal learning environment is one more crucial factor to consider. Some students do their best work when they are in a traditional classroom environment while others thrive if they can work out of their own home. There is no right or wrong answer of course. If in-person learning is a priority for you, take a closer look at either NextGen or UCLA when narrowing your list.
There are clearly plenty of options for summer programs that teach Photoshop to high school students. Enrolling in a course like this is a big decision and it warrants a lot of time and consideration. Spending some time making sure you enroll in a program that best meets your academic and financial needs will go a long way towards ensuring you have a meaningful learning experience wherever you wind up.