Adobe Prerequisites

Adobe applications are industry standards, so you may often encounter positions requiring applicants to know more than one. With over 20 applications available, knowing where to begin may be challenging, and you may be concerned that Adobe will be too hard to learn. This guide will help you understand the best methods for learning Adobe and how to make the learning process easier, setting you on a path to success however you choose to apply your new skills. 

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?

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. 

Is Adobe Easy to Learn?

With so many applications in Adobe Creative Cloud, knowing where to begin can be confusing. An excellent place to start is simply familiarizing yourself with the programs you want to use—how they look, the available tools, etc. You’ll notice that all Adobe applications have a similar look. So, once you’ve learned one, the next one shouldn’t be as intimidating. Each application also has free resources for learning the basics, easing users into further learning. 

However, the difficulty of learning Adobe is subjective to each user’s experience, depending on a few factors: 

• Previous knowledge: Learning the current applications will be easier if you have previously worked with Adobe. For instance, someone who has previously worked with Photoshop knows many of its tools and functions. So the learning process entails simply becoming familiar with new functions and layouts introduced in the interim. Existing knowledge may include experience in design industries and similar applications rather than explicit Adobe expertise. If you have worked with Figma or Sketch, the transition to Adobe XD is easier because you already know UX and UI design principles. 
• Time: The more time someone can devote to learning Adobe applications, the easier it will seem. Continually learning for several consecutive hours enables you to understand complex concepts and avoids too much time spent trying to recap what you previously learned. 
• Classes: Enrolling in in-person or online Adobe courses provides a structured environment for learning individual or multiple applications, from fundamentals to more advanced concepts. Noble Desktop’s Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp offers in-depth coverage of Adobe’s top six most popular applications. 

Learning Adobe can be challenging if you don’t know where to start. However, there are ways to make it easier to learn the applications. 

What to Know Before Learning Adobe

It’s helpful to have computer skills before jumping headfirst into Adobe applications. Adobe applications can be complex enough without having to become computer literate as well. Beginners should have prerequisite skills to help them be successful with their training:

Basic Computer Skills

Having a working knowledge of basic computer skills makes it easier to operate Adobe programs, aiding in your learning success. You'll need to create, save, access, and upload files frequently, so knowing common keyboard shortcuts is worthwhile and will help reduce the frustration of trying to learn those and the programs simultaneously. 

Another critical aspect is ensuring your computer can handle the Adobe Creative Cloud software and apps. These programs use a lot of memory and processing speed. Without sufficient space or processing power, your computer may crash while working on a project. Before installing any Adobe program, ensure your computer has plenty of space to run all the programs you want to use to avoid losing any work. 

Current Design Trends

If you’re considering entering the design field, you should familiarize yourself with your industry’s current trends, as they change regularly. Aligning your portfolio with the current standards makes you a more appealing job candidate to potential employers. 

Adobe Creative Cloud’s discover page lets you look at other artists' creations in various industries. It’s also helpful to join relevant groups on social media platforms to stay up-to-date on design trends, receive feedback on your creations, and network with the creative community.

Ideation

It is common for a business’s decision-makers to take a hands-off approach with their creative employees to avoid obstructing the creative process. They may outline a concept and then let the creative team take over. So, if you are looking for a creative job, you will often have to 

develop your ideas for different projects without explicit directions. Before you begin your training in Adobe Creative Cloud, consider spending some time brainstorming different projects you want to create. 

Inspiration can be tricky as it doesn't always come immediately. However, it is an important skill to have. The more you work with your creative side, the easier it will be to develop your ideas.

Key Insights

Taking on the challenge of learning new skills is always daunting at the outset. It is even more difficult if you are trying to learn multiple programs at once. However, it is possible to make learning easier for yourself. 

Building fundamental computer skills, exploring design trends, and developing creativity beforehand means you can spend more time immersed in learning the Adobe applications. Being comfortable in these areas before you begin makes the learning process less overwhelming.

The base software for Adobe Creative Cloud is not too complicated, and familiarizing yourself with it can mitigate some of the stress of learning the programs. And you don't have to go it alone. With several bootcamps and classes available, you can become a pro in no time. 

Learn Adobe with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides several Adobe Creative Cloud Classes that meet any schedule or learning style. Participants have the option to attend in-person courses at Noble's campus in Manhattan, or they can opt to 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.