Which Adobe Training Format Is Right for Me?

Adobe applications are a must-have for anyone invested in art, design, and other creative skills. Learning these applications can take y skills like photography, drawing, or web design to a professional level. Taking courses is a great way to learn the software in a reasonable amount of time. When comparing types of Adobe training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to learn more about the different formats of Adobe training, how they compare, and how to determine which is best for you.

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.

Training Formats for Adobe

When you’re seeking to learn a tool or skill, you’ll find there’s more than one path out there. Adobe applications are no different. You can take short courses whenever you have time or pause and resume video tutorials whenever you need them. Those who seek more in-depth training and have more flexibility in their schedule can look into longer classes, with both in-person and live online training as good options.

In-Person Adobe Training

Course and bootcamps are essential options for becoming proficient in new skills for a current or new career path. Adobe applications are no exception, even considering the many free resources available. To learn Adobe, you can take in-person or online courses. Traditional classroom courses allow students to meet like-minded individuals and receive direct guidance, support, and feedback from their instructor. Some may feel that traditional in-person courses hold them more accountable as they learn, forcing them to arrive on time and participate to get the most out of their education. However, students who take in-person courses have to factor in the additional commute into their day. This commute can be challenging for those who live in rural areas and need to travel long distances to a nearby city to attend classes. In-person options also negate the ability to take courses from a more comfortable place. 

However, if in-person training is the best method for you, check out Noble Desktop’s in-person Adobe classes. These courses cover various applications and range from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the depth of training you seek. Noble Desktop’s campus in New York City enables students from surrounding areas like New Jersey or Philadelphia to easily commute to their courses. Those outside the New York area can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to find in-person Adobe classes in their area. The tool allows you to filter by course length and cost to find the course that fits your needs. 

Live Online Adobe Training

Virtual online training continues to grow in popularity as the internet provides more online learning opportunities. Virtual learning is a convenient solution for students with busy schedules or living in remote areas too far from in-person courses to commute. Live online training enables them to learn the necessary skills without worrying about making it to class on time. Attending online classes also allows students to work in the most comfortable environment, like at home or a local coffee shop. Live online learning offers multiple freedoms for learning new skills. However, some people may find online courses distracting or less engaging without a clear separation between work and home. Online learning may also be more challenging for those seeking in-person classroom engagement. 

Noble Desktop has several live online Adobe classes for those intrigued by online learning. Unlike the self-paced structure of on-demand courses, Noble’s courses are all taught live through teleconferencing. Students can learn from expert instructors, interact with their classmates in real-time, get instant feedback on assignments, and have their questions answered promptly. Noble’s Classes Near Me tool can also find other live online Adobe course providers. Other providers include General Assembly, ONLC Training Centers, Lumenbrite, and Ledet Training. These providers have courses covering multiple Adobe applications with skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced. 

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Free introductory Adobe courses are a great start if you want to learn a new skill but are too busy to take an entire course. Noble Desktop offers several free seminars covering various topics. To get started with Adobe, check out the Intro to Adobe Creative Cloud seminar, where students receive an overview of the software and its applications. 

Noble Desktop is not the only provider offering free Adobe courses. Udemy offers several courses that cover a variety of design skills as well as a few Adobe applications. Coursera offers beginner courses in several Adobe applications. Through Coursera, students can audit longer courses for free, including a course on graphic design fundamentals. However, if those options do not work for you, there are hundreds of tutorials on YouTube for each Adobe application. When going through these video tutorials, focus on the most recent uploads to ensure you learn the most up-to-date software and trends, as Adobe updates regularly.

Read about more free Adobe videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Classes

If you have a busy, jam-packed schedule, a full class may not work. On-demand Adobe classes might be better. Several of these introductory courses are free, as they are brief overviews introducing students to key functions of the applications. You can learn at your own pace, even if you want to learn individual Adobe applications simultaneously. Some courses require a subscription to the hosting platform, while others have a base fee for access. Providers for on-demand options include LinkedIn Learning, Shaw Academy, and Udemy. 

Comparison of Adobe Training Formats

What’s the best way to learn Adobe software? Well, that varies from person to person. There are lots of different ways to learn, and it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each.

Beginners starting out with Adobe may want to consider free online resources, such as free seminars, on-demand courses, and video tutorials. You can learn your way around each application at your own pace without investing any money into it through these resources. This route can be beneficial if you have a busy schedule and cannot fit a course into it. However, you will want to take an instructor-led course to learn Adobe and the more complex features of each application. 

Another reason to consider enrolling in an instructor-led course is that while online resources may provide a free option to learn, you may find outdated information. Having an expert instructor in a live class will help you have the most up-to-date information about the Adobe application you are learning, including the latest updates to the program. 

Courses that cover individual applications like Noble Desktop's Photoshop Bootcamp or Illustrator Bootcamp will provide in-depth training on the application that is project-based, allowing you to work hands-on with the application in real-time with your instructor. You can also learn multiple Adobe applications in courses like the Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp or Graphic Design Certificate. If the appeal of the free resources was that you could learn from anywhere, or if in-person courses are difficult to work into your schedule, live online training is a perfect compromise. You still receive the guidance and feedback of instructor-led courses, allowing you to take the course anywhere. 

As you decide which format will work best for you, you need to remember a few key components that might make your decision easier. These components include cost, goals, learning environment, and additional help outside the classroom. 

Using free resources may be the best option if you are looking for a cheap way to introduce yourself to any of the Adobe applications. However, if you want to learn Adobe as a professional, you may prefer courses that allow you to learn more complex features in a shorter amount of time. While formal classes cost money and some may seem expensive, they generally give you the most training for the money you spend. 

If you anticipate needing extra help in a course or help with your portfolio or resume, you may look for courses that offer 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. These sessions can be highly beneficial if you want to join the job market upon completing a course. If you are learning through free resources, you miss out on that extra benefit provided by several courses. 

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself Adobe?

Since every Adobe application has countless free or cheap resources, you may wonder if you can eliminate the need for training courses and teach yourself. While it’s not impossible to teach yourself each application you wish to use, doing so is time-consuming.

Many of the free resources available are there to teach you the fundamentals of the application. If your goal is to use the applications recreationally or for personal use, the free resources may teach all you need to know about each program. However, these recourses do not cover more complex concepts for professional use. The majority of the time, you would need to figure them out on your own or seek out someone who can teach you.

Most in-person or live online courses utilize expert instructors who will teach you the correct and most up-to-date information. When going through videos or other free tutorials, you may have to search for hours to find the one you need, which may not even be the correct information. Taking courses eliminates that stress and allows you to become proficient in multiple applications in a fraction of the time. 

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn Adobe

You’ve decided to learn Adobe but don’t know where to start. Skill level, cost, additional help, and learning style are several factors that come into play when deciding on training. However, no matter what you need, an option is available. The most important consideration when deciding where to start is knowing your end goal for learning this new skill. 

Learning Adobe applications in-depth can be overwhelming for beginners. However, there are ways to ease into learning. If cost is a significant concern and you don’t want to pay for classes you might not like, you will want to attend free seminars, on-demand courses, or watch video tutorials. If you aren’t sure if Adobe is a good fit for what you want to accomplish, start with a short introductory course like Noble Desktop’s free Intro to Adobe Creative Cloud Seminar. This course provides an overview of what Adobe Creative Cloud does and the Adobe applications. Going this route provides a no-risk option if you decide that Adobe is not the way to go for your creative endeavors. 

For those who have used Adobe in the past and want to develop their working knowledge further to help them grow in their current career, bootcamps may be a better way to go. Noble Desktop's Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp familiarizes students with the six most commonly used Adobe applications in just a few short weeks. These programs can be an excellent investment for professionals who need the additional skills to further their careers but do not have the time to commit to a more extended certificate program. 

If you’re entering a new industry or starting a new career, check out some of Noble Desktop’s certificate programs. These programs offer one-on-one career mentorships that help prepare students to enter the job market upon course completion. Certificate programs can be costly and take several months to complete. Still, they provide the skills necessary to quickly turn a beginner into an advanced user, allowing students to enter the job market in a shorter time. For beginners wanting to become Graphic Designers, the Graphic Design Certificate dives into Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign all in one course. If web design interests you, the UI Design Certificate covers Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator to get you started in this field. 

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.