Best Part-Time InDesign Bootcamps

Part-time InDesign bootcamps cover all the same content as full-time bootcamps but on a more flexible schedule. Rather than providing InDesign training at the fastest pace possible, these programs spread classes out over a longer duration to allow more time for life’s other happenings. In contrast to full-time courses that typically take place in daylight hours throughout the week, part-time classes offer more flexible scheduling options, including weekend and night classes. Even though they take longer, part-time InDesign programs are just as effective as full-time training programs and are a great option for anyone who needs greater flexibility. 

Why Learn InDesign Part-Time?

While full-time design bootcamps are touted for providing an immersive, accelerated path to career success, part-time InDesign classes come with just as many benefits. For students juggling busy schedules, childcare, work, and disabilities, the flexibility that part-time classes offer is second to none. Learning at a slower pace makes it much easier to manage life’s other responsibilities while still absorbing new skills at your full potential. 

Since part-time design courses provide the same education as full-time programs, you won’t sacrifice career development benefits by signing up for a part-time course. From portfolio workshops and resume critiques to interview training, job support, and one-on-one mentorship, you’ll have plenty of resources at your disposal. What’s more, the slower pace of part-time InDesign courses means that you’ll have more time to take advantage of career benefits outside of class time. You can enjoy these career perks regardless of whether you sign up for classes to launch a new design career or to get help with a pre-existing work project. 

You don’t even need to be an aspiring professional designer to benefit from part-time InDesign training. Without getting stressed out by fast-paced training, you can use part-time classes to create high-quality layouts for your side hustle, existing job portfolio, or other professional endeavors. Even though they were created as vocational training programs, InDesign bootcamps can be just as valuable when it comes time to level up as a hobbyist. In contrast to full-time training programs, part-time classes will enable you to learn InDesign gradually in a lower-pressure environment. 

Drawbacks to Learning InDesign Part-Time

Although part-time InDesign training comes with a wealth of benefits, it may not be the right fit for you if you have needs that might be better served by another program. In particular, part-time classes may provide training at too gradual a pace if you’re working under a tight deadline, whether you have an InDesign project coming up at work or simply want to join the workforce as quickly as possible. Part-time bootcamps take longer to complete, resulting in a later career start. 

Even though part-time classes cover the same material as full-time classes, they can also be less immersive because classes are more spread out. You may find it harder to sustain momentum when returning to class after a break, making it challenging to balance classes with other responsibilities. If you’re someone who maintains motivation better in a fast-paced environment marked by high-pressure deadlines, you may prefer learning InDesign in a full-time class. 

Is a Part-Time InDesign Bootcamp Right for You?

Joining a bootcamp or certificate that offers InDesign training can amplify your confidence and skills no matter whether you’re a hobbyist or an aspiring professional. However, whether you thrive in a part-time or a full-time class can vary depending on your schedule availability, learning style, accessibility needs, and reasons for learning InDesign. If you currently work 40-hour weeks, flexible part-time training can enable you to gain an education without breeding burnout. Part-time InDesign classes may also fit you well if your schedule is irregular due to factors like freelance work, child-rearing, or chronic illness. 

These flexible classes may also be for you if you learn best with fewer deadlines and limitations. Another great reason to choose part-time is wanting to learn at a slower pace. The extended timeline granted by part-time classes ultimately allows more time for you to dwell on information before moving on to something new, a feature that works well for hobby development. 

Ways to Make Learning InDesign Part-Time Easier

Despite being a relatively straightforward software, InDesign can be challenging to learn. By relying on time-tested habits and mindsets, you can adapt to part-time learning and ease into learning InDesign. After first identifying your learning goals, develop the habit of regularly checking in on your progress. Look at your goals when comparing InDesign classes and you’re more likely to choose a bootcamp that will help you reach them. If you’re a beginner, be sure to choose a class that starts with beginner basics so that you’ll have a strong foundation on which to build. Starting with advanced skills first will likely yield more frustration than benefit. 

Once you’ve selected a class that aligns with your intentions, skill level, and schedule, take time to develop a routine that will help you maintain study habits. This can be as simple as spending one hour per day on learning InDesign outside of class. Alternatively, you may prefer to do your studying in one longer session at the beginning or end of the week. Regardless of how you plan yours, the best routines will incorporate some hands-on practice, a review of material you’ve already learned, and preparation for upcoming class meetings. 

Taking advantage of support resources will also make it easier to learn InDesign part-time. As an InDesign expert, your instructor is one of the most valuable resources at your disposal. It’s almost always worth asking questions in class. Even if you’re afraid to be the only student in class with questions, you’d be surprised how often other students are wondering the same things. You can even write down questions while you’re studying so that you don’t forget to bring them up in class. When offered to you, don’t skip out on one-on-one meetings with your instructor, as these provide opportunities to ask additional questions, improve your portfolio, and even map out your career. 

When studying at home, seeking out free InDesign resources is a fabulous way to supplement your instructor-led training. Reputable design companies like Noble Desktop offer free design seminars and InDesign workbooks that can help answer questions and solidify knowledge. Additionally, there’s a wealth of information available through YouTube, design blogs, and online forums. 

Choosing the Best Part-time InDesign Class or Bootcamp

If you’re taking extra time to choose an InDesign class, that’s okay. Considering classes more thoughtfully means you’re more likely to end up in a class that matches your budget, learning style, skill level, and goals. Finding the right program requires a bit of research, planning, and soul-searching. You can easily find and compare InDesign classes in your vicinity by browsing Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. 

When weighing the pros and cons of different InDesign classes, there are several important factors to consider. Among them are: 

• Your learning style. You likely already know whether you’re a visual, audio, or tactile learner, but you should also think about how you like to receive feedback. Additionally, identifying how social your learning style is can help you determine whether you want to learn in-person or online. You’ll also want to consider how easily distracted you are and what tends to distract you. 
• Your accessibility needs. If you have a disability or chronic illness, determining what accessibility features you need to thrive before choosing an InDesign class will make learning easier and more enjoyable. Similarly, if you’re a parent who needs childcare, this can influence how often you’re able to attend classes.
• Your availability. You’ve determined you don’t have enough time to learn InDesign full-time, but you can also narrow your class search to only those offered at specific times. Popular options include classes on weekdays, weekends, and nights.
• Your budget. How much are you willing to spend on an InDesign class? In some cases, you may need to save up for training first. If you choose an in-person class, you should also factor the cost of commuting into your budget. 
• Whether you want to commute. Establishing whether you’re willing and able to travel to a physical location for classes (and if so, how far) can help you identify classes that are accessible for you. 
• The skills you hope to learn. Not every InDesign class covers the same skills, and this is true even for classes that share a name. Consequently, you’ll want to look closely at the class curriculum to make sure it covers all the topics you need to reach your goals.
• Your preferred career benefits. No two bootcamp classes are the same when it comes to professional benefits, and some may not include what you need. Making a list of benefits that are “must-haves” and a list of “nice-to-haves” can help you find a good compromise. 

Live InDesign Classes and Bootcamps at Noble Desktop

Regardless of your InDesign learning goals, Noble Desktop can help you reach them with high-caliber classes for all levels and learning styles. In addition to being available both part-time and full-time, their immersive InDesign training is offered in-person via their NYC campus and live online. 

Mastering InDesign as part of the Adobe InDesign Bootcamp is an interactive experience filled with hands-on activities, class discussions, and opportunities to get questions answered. The course curriculum was built to provide both beginners and professional designers with comprehensive InDesign training. Build your foundation from the ground up as you create flyers, posters, magazines, and more. By the end of the course, you’ll be proficient in all of InDesign’s functions, giving you the practical know-how to create any layout you can envision. 

If you hope to chart a successful design career, learning InDesign in combination with other industry-specific skills is the ideal way to prepare, and Noble Desktop offers plenty of certificates that can help you do that. The Graphic Design Certificate mixes InDesign training with Photoshop, Illustrator, and applied design theory to give you a well-rounded skill set suitable for multimedia graphic design work. Like other Noble Desktop certificates, this course offers professional experience in the form of hands-on projects and group activities. As you amass professional-grade designs for your portfolio, you’ll also work with classmates, giving you time to develop communication and teamwork skills. To set you on the road to success, this certificate also provides one-on-one mentorship, job support, and the chance to retake the class for free. 

You may simply want to learn InDesign for personal enjoyment, and if so, you may find Noble Desktop’s shorter InDesign courses more fitting. Learn InDesign in a Day in an expert-led class that offers low-stakes training for beginners. In a matter of hours, you’ll know enough InDesign basics to create basic layouts, format PDFs, and print your designs. Through task-oriented training, you’ll gain familiarity with InDesign features for color, stylized text, and graphics.