What is the Fastest Way to Learn Photoshop?

In some cases, it makes sense to learn a skill as quickly as you can rather than dragging it out over time. For instance, you may be part of an ongoing project at work that requires you to use Photoshop but you have very little experience. In this case, you’d want to find a course where you can learn the most essential Photoshop features and tools within as little time as possible. In another scenario, you may already work in a creative design field and want to expand your capabilities. If you know how to use Adobe Premiere Pro, InDesign, or Illustrator, it may be in your best interest to learn Photoshop as well to give you a well-developed arsenal of design tools. Maybe you just want to start a new career that requires you to use Photoshop. Regardless, there are ways to learn the ins and outs of Photoshop in a short time. This article highlights some of the classes and resources at your disposal.

Basic Free and Low-Cost Resources

For those who only need the very basic Photoshop skills, or who simply need a refresher, consider looking at free and low-cost resources first. With a quick Google search or a quick trip to a local library, you can find a plethora of tools, explanations, and resources to help you along your learning journey. There are YouTube pages with various video playlists that help learners with basic Photoshop mishaps and troubleshooting techniques. Similarly, Noble Desktop’s free seminar page offers students dozens and dozens of pre-recorded video lectures in a variety of subjects, tools, and technologies, including an Introduction to Photoshop. There are also websites, blogs, chatrooms, and digital or physical books that can help students learn a little more about photography, photo editing, or specifically Photoshop. There is something out there for everyone, regardless of your learning preferences.

Resources like these have their time and place. Students naturally gravitate to them because they are free, but they aren’t the best option for someone who wants to become a master at Photoshop. Students and professionals alike can certainly benefit from these resources as they offer additional information and can be used as a supplement to classroom activities. They provide easy, quick answers to simple questions and can even help students fix errors, navigate the interface, or understand how to use a certain tool. But ultimately, they work more as supplemental material to help a student study or quickly move on from a confusing concept.

Introductory Classes

For a more hands-on experience, you can find introductory courses. In this type of class, you will learn foundational Photoshop skills with the help of an experienced instructor and alongside other students, either in-person or virtually. The instructor will give lectures, show examples, and assist with projects that are rooted in a real-world scenario. Noble Desktop offers various Photoshop classes, including introductory, intermediate, and advanced classes so students can choose to advance through the levels or just stick with the basics. They also offer courses in related subjects and software so students can jump around from one introductory class to another. Overall, this style of class is ideal for anyone who needs to learn foundational skills in a quick, easy manner.

Plus, introductory classes provide as much information in as short of a time as possible. They generally last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, which is preferable to those with a tight schedule or a strict project deadline. Because these courses mainly focus on the practical application of skills, students will leave introductory classes feeling more familiar with the software and more capable of completing their required tasks. All in all, introductory classes are a great way to get started in your learning journey or just simply learn the basics for a specific purpose.

Certificate Classes

If you are looking for an even more immersive experience, certificate courses may be the best option. They focus on career building and ways to advance in your preferred field and offer students an opportunity to build their professional portfolio. The instructors are skilled in Photoshop techniques, tools, and features so students will be supported throughout each of the various hands-on projects they complete. In fact, many students complete projects in their certificate course that mirror the projects they will create in their professional lives, so it gives them fantastic exposure to the more pragmatic uses of Photoshop. If you are looking for a realistic, thorough overview of Photoshop and the ways you can use this design software in your professional life, then certificate classes are going to be the most effective option.

Noble Desktop also offers certificate courses in various fields that use Photoshop, including graphic design and digital design. Out of all these options, certificate courses are the longest. For instance, Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate course lasts one month for full-time students and three months for part-time students. This may not be suitable for someone who needs to learn Photoshop within a short time, but are far quicker option than applying to a college course or trying to learn Photoshop completely on your own. However, they go into the most depth and provide as much information as possible, so it will be time well spent. By gaining more experience with a subject, you will feel more equipped to enter the job search or apply your newly acquired skills to your current job.

On-Demand Classes

Students can also find on-demand classes if they are on a time crunch. This style of course is often suitable for experts who want to refresh their skills or those with minimal time to spare. On-demand classes are asynchronous, meaning they don’t require students to attend lectures or complete many projects. Instead, they will receive learning tools like video tutorials, pre-recorded lectures, and reading material. These are typically appealing due to the ease of access and simplistic structure. In addition, they are relatively easy to afford and can take as little or as much time as the student needs. You can find many on-demand classes from providers such as Udemy, Skillshare, or Masterclass, just to name a few. On-demand classes are essentially self-paced and allow students to study and learn the material at their own pace. Most on-demand classes will give students a set period to complete the material, but some on-demand classes allow students to learn the material on their own time without deadlines.

On-demand classes typically vary in length. Some on-demand classes span over weeks or months, whereas others simply take a few hours or days. The course length mostly depends on the provider, the subject, and the level of advancement. While these courses seem appealing, they have major downsides for those who want to become Photoshop masters or those who have little experience. This is mainly because on-demand classes are hands-off, lack an instructor, and require students to learn entirely on their own. While many course providers offer technical support and additional learning resources, this can only help so much. However, even expert Photoshop users can benefit from refreshing their skills, so it is worthwhile in that regard. Still, if you need to learn Photoshop quickly, this could potentially be a good option.