Adobe Creative Suite is a collection of robust software that aids creative professionals in building graphical assets, website design, and video. Learning Adobe improves skills in video editing, graphics creation and manipulation, and layout design. Once you’ve decided to learn InDesign, the next important question is deciding how it is you plan to learn these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training, and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their Adobe training. Once you’ve decided to learn Adobe, the next important question is deciding how you plan to learn these skills. Read on to learn more about the different Adobe training options and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them.

What is Adobe?

Adobe Creative Cloud is a computer software application that allows users access to all the different Adobe programs. Creative design and marketing professionals typically use it to create content for print, video, or online distribution. You can find professionals in nearly every industry that uses Adobe Creative Cloud, including advertising, website design, and video editing.

At the center of the creative community, Adobe Creative Cloud connects creativity with collaboration, as the cloud-based systems allow you to share work with fellow creatives and work from anywhere. Adobe’s spectrum of programs allows you to edit photos, create stunning digital designs, build websites, and edit videos. Adobe Creative Cloud stores all your programs under the same roof, allowing you to switch easily between programs as needed. Using Creative Cloud can also introduce you to new programs you have not used before to help upgrade your career. 

Read more about what Adobe is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Adobe Skills?

Adobe Creative Cloud is a one-stop shop for all creative projects, and several applications are industry leaders for creative software. Adobe has over 20 applications, though typically when referring to Adobe Creative Cloud, people think of the top five most popular; After Effects, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro. However, Adobe Creative Cloud has much more to explore. 

Adobe offers applications to fit every project, from allowing users to view and edit PDF files to designing and publishing web pages. The top five applications allow users to edit photos and videos, create visual effects and motion graphics, and create page layouts, typography, and illustrations. With other programs like Adobe Spark, users can create social media or web content directly from their computer or phone. Dreamweaver allows users to publish web pages with a simplified code engine. Adobe Aero focuses on the world of augmented reality. There are endless possibilities for creating with Adobe Creative Cloud.

Why Training Format Matters

There is no singular method for learning Adobe. In fact, there are different training formats for learning any new topic or skill. No one training format is inherently better than the other, and students need to consider each one. An individual’s schedule, learning style, and training goals will greatly influence the right format. 

Types of Training Formats

The three types of training formats include live online, in-person, and on-demand. Each training format comes with its own perks and drawbacks. Overall, live online and on-demand classes are the most accessible training options. However, in-person classes are generally considered to be the most personable and interactive.

Live In-Person Classes

There are a number of perks to in-person training. Physical classrooms can eliminate the distractions a student might find when learning online from home. A physical classroom also offers more direct engagement with the instructor. Some students may feel more inclined to ask for help, or it may be easier for a teacher to identify when a student is struggling. This type of environment also allows students to engage with and learn from each other more directly.

There are a number of in-person Adobe training options. These classes are short, often lasting only a day, and teach both beginner and advanced techniques. Noble Desktop’s Intro to Adobe Captivate course covers all of the techniques a beginner to the program needs to know to use it confidently. This course can be taken in person in NYC or live online.

Live Online Classes

The main perk of live online training is its availability. Students can learn from anywhere they find convenient, provided they have a reliable internet connection. This removes the commute time from a student's schedule and allows them to learn in an environment they find comfortable. Online courses also often offer more flexible programs than in-person classrooms, which work well for parents and workers with busy schedules. In terms of engagement, live online classes replicate physical classrooms with hands-on projects and live instructors and students interacting together in real time.

There are a number of live online Adobe training options. Available classes teach both beginner and advanced techniques. Noble Desktop’s Adobe courses can be taken in person in NYC or live online from anywhere. The Intro to Adobe Captivate course covers all the essentials of the program for beginners.

On-Demand Classes

On-demand classes are best for students who prefer to learn at their own pace or have work or family obligations that prevent them from attending the regularly scheduled classes featured in live online or in-person training. Students have more freedom to learn as they wish but lack an instructor for guidance or peers to interact with. Self-motivation is required to progress through the material. However, when compared to self-learning, on-demand classes present students with training materials to work through so they don’t have to hunt for the proper training tools on their own. 

Free Courses

It’s possible to learn Adobe through free courses online. Free classes are ideal for beginner learners to gain an overview of a topic and gauge their interest. Free courses are found through skill-sharing websites such as Youtube, Coursera, or Udemy. In these courses, you’ll find overviews of Adobe programs as well as task-specific videos, such as how to add interactive elements, add effects to video clips, and integrate programs.

However, free courses often teach older versions of Adobe programs. While most of these programs’ features are consistent through subsequent iterations, newer versions may possess previously unseen features or place features in different menu locations. It can also be impossible to verify whether the information presented in these courses is correct. While free online classes can be valuable starting points and cost-effective for beginners, they aren’t ideal for professionals looking to learn comprehensive Adobe skills to advance their careers. 

Noble Desktop offers an Adobe Learn hub, which provides free resources for individuals wanting to learn Adobe programs. Learn hubs also exist for various individual Adobe programs, such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Premiere Pro. If you’re interested in video learning, you can check out Noble Desktop’s Adobe Creative Cloud video playlist to get started on Adobe basics.

Depth of Training Formats

Which type of training you decide to pursue depends largely on your interests and training goals. Should you pursue instructor-led training, there are a few different types of classes to be found. These include certificate programs, bootcamps, and introductory courses. In general, certificate programs are designed to prepare you for a career, bootcamps feature comprehensive training in one specific skill, and introductory courses are meant to teach beginners the basics.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs generally last a few weeks to a month or two. Courses are open to pure beginners and are designed to give students the skills and knowledge needed to pursue an entry-level position in their chosen field. Courses feature instruction on industry concepts and tools. They also offer career preparation through one-on-one mentorship and portfolio workshops. The cost of certificate programs varies between institutions and the depth of curriculum provided. However one can generally expect courses to cost a few thousand dollars.

Noble Desktop offers a number of certificate programs related to careers that necessitate training in Adobe programs. Courses such as the Graphic Design Certificate and the Digital Design Certificate teach the most significant number of Adobe programs. Students learn Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and foundational design concepts to set them on a path toward a new career. Students interested in applying graphic and digital design concepts to a career as a User Interface Designer can learn Adobe programs and industry concepts in the UI Design Certificate.

Students interested in film should consider the Video Editing Certificate that teaches Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effect, and Audition for video and audio editing. Students interested in animation and adding interactive effects to video will be interested in the Motion Graphics Certificate that teaches how to use Adobe programs and industry concepts to launch a career as a Motion Graphics Designer. Students interested in both areas of film and animation can undergo the Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate.

Training Bootcamps

Training bootcamps are shorter than certificate programs and generally last a few days to a few weeks, depending on the topic’s complexity. Courses are open to beginners and designed to guide students from beginner concepts to advanced skills. The cost of bootcamps varies between institutions and the depth of curriculum provided. In general, bootcamps are cheaper than certificate programs, and training in singular topics usually costs hundreds of dollars or around $1,000.

Noble Desktop’s most comprehensive bootcamp on Adobe programs is the Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp. Students learn Adobe InDesign, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, and Adobe XD. This is the longest and most costly bootcamp out of Noble Desktop’s Adobe courses, as it combines all other Adobe bootcamps into one class at a discounted price. Noble Desktop’s other Adobe bootcamps include:

• Adobe InDesign Bootcamp
• Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp
• Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp
• Premiere Pro Bootcamp
• After Effects Bootcamp
• Adobe XD Bootcamp

Introductory Courses

Introductory courses are the shortest of the training class types. Depending on a topic's complexity, they generally last only a day or a few more. Courses are open to pure beginners and are intended to teach students the basic concepts of a topic or application. These courses are ideal for students who want to introduce themselves to a topic before pursuing additional training or otherwise only need to learn the essentials. The cost of introductory courses varies between institutions and the depth of curriculum provided, but in general, it can be expected to cost around a few hundred dollars.

Noble Desktop offers introductory courses for the following Adobe products:

• InDesign in a Day
• Illustrator in a Day
• After Effects in a Day
• Premiere Pro in a Day 
• Photoshop in a Day
• Adobe XD in a Day

Learn Adobe Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides several Adobe Creative Cloud Classes that meet any schedule or learning style. Participants can attend in-person courses at Noble's campus in Manhattan, or they can take courses virtually from anywhere in the world. Each option has students working closely with expert instructors in small groups. Noble also provides a free retake option within one year, allowing students additional time and opportunities to hone their skills without paying for another course. 

Learning Adobe Creative Cloud can be daunting; however, the Intro to Adobe CC Bootcamp is available for students who want to learn only a few applications quickly. This course covers several Adobe applications, introducing students to Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Students use each application to work through real-world exercises and projects. For those with a little more time on their hands who want in-depth training on more programs, the longer Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp devotes more time to work with each application. 

Additional options are available for those looking for more career-oriented learning. The Graphic Design Certificate dives into Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign while covering concepts surrounding the graphic design career. For more training on using Adobe programs to design web or mobile interfaces, there is the UI Design Certificate. As part of this course, you will work closely with Photoshop and Illustrator. In addition to learning the programs for your field of interest, you will develop a portfolio to send to potential employers.

Key Insights

• There are various training methods and types for learning Adobe programs.
• In-person training is interactive but also includes costly commutes and fixed schedules.
• Live online training offers similar interactivity as in-person training without the commute. Scheduling is also usually more flexible.
• On-demand training is best for busy students who can commit to fixed schedules. Students learn on their own time but lack instructors or peers for guidance. 
• Free courses can be outdated but are still great resources for beginner learners. 
• Certificate programs are designed for students looking to start new careers. They are the longest and most costly training types and often include career assistance.
• Bootcamps are designed to comprehensively teach one topic from basic to advanced skills.
• Introductory courses are the shortest and least expensive training type. They are ideal for students only looking to learn fundamental concepts.
• You can receive comprehensive Adobe training through Noble Desktop in person or online.