Where to Find Photoshop Classes

Once you have decided to enroll in a Photoshop class, you will likely have a few questions. One of the most important questions may be: where can I find a Photoshop class? If you don’t know where to start, this article will highlight some of the many options available. There are training centers, colleges, universities, schools, and apprenticeship options that allow you to learn everything you need about using Photoshop. Your decision will depend on numerous factors, such as price, schedule, course length, and your purpose for learning Photoshop. In addition, you may want to earn a certificate as a way to prove your newly found skills. Because Photoshop is such a popular and highly sought-after skill in a variety of industries, there are numerous options to choose from and it’s essential that you choose a course that feels right for you.

Noble Desktop and Other Professional Training Centers

If you are looking for a thorough learning experience, there are ample training centers around the country that offer in-person and live online classes in Photoshop. These professional training centers, such as Noble Desktop, value career development, technical skills, and practical application. Many offer introductory classes, bootcamps, and certificate courses that vary in length, subject matter, and price. Specifically, Noble Desktop offers an Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp that teaches students basic and intermediate-level concepts, such as layering, retouching, adding filters, and sharing files. In addition, Noble Desktop offers a Classes Near Me page where students can search for specific classes nearby or find courses offered by other training centers, such as Certstaffix, General Assembly, or New Horizons. The ability to compare and contrast different classes makes finding a class much less stressful. At Noble Desktop and other similar training centers, students can choose from payment plans and other benefits that help with the learning process, such as setup assistance or additional mentoring sessions focused on interview preparedness and portfolio development. Some training centers also allow students to retake the course within an allotted period of time; Noble Desktop, for instance, allows students to retake the course at no additional cost within a year of their original enrollment date whereas Certstaffix allows it within six months. Courses at locations like these are incredibly advantageous for both the novice, the hopeful professional, and the hobbyist since there is much variety, flexibility, and interaction.

Universities and Community Colleges

Although universities and community colleges do not offer degrees in Photoshop specifically, many offer degree programs that will require students to learn Photoshop, such as graphic design, and marketing. Some community colleges even offer certificate courses in related fields or Photoshop specifically. If you are seeking a degree in a particular field, you may consider applying to a university or community college. This option is time-consuming, expensive, and strenuous, especially in comparison to the other options listed, so this route is not recommended for everyone. Many schools have two-year and four-year undergraduate programs and six-year or more graduate degree programs. However, being a part-time or full-time student can change this length. This could also change how the courses are taught, as some full-time courses may feel more fast-paced than their part-time counterparts. In contrast, students may miss some vital material in a part-time class that has to parse through course material strategically. On the subject of cost, most agree that universities and even community colleges are expensive. While there are scholarships, financial aid, loans, and other payment options, they are not guaranteed and may change from year to year, or even semester to semester. This is a great option for students who have ample time, money, and resources to attend, but for those who want to kick start their career as quickly as possible or simply expand their Photoshop knowledge, this will not be the best option for you.

Coursera, Udemy, and other On-Demand Platforms

On-demand classes are offered on platforms such as Udemy, Skillshare, Masterclass, and Coursera. These are a self-paced asynchronous option, meaning students will not be asked to attend classes or meet with an instructor. Students can complete the assignments and go through the material at their leisure, as long as everything is completed within the allotted time frame. The program comes with pre-recorded lectures, video tutorials, and various reading materials to help them through their discussions, assignments, and possibly projects, depending on the length of the course. Some on-demand courses last a few hours to a few days, with some even spanning multiple weeks or months. These courses are an easily accessible way to learn Photoshop quickly, but may not be best for students who want to become masters of Photoshop. Plus, students aren’t able to ask questions, get clarification, or receive feedback from an instructor. While many on-demand course providers offer support for their students, they may find themselves researching questions and troubleshooting skills on their own time, which can add to the process. In addition, some on-demand classes come in bundles or require a subscription to a service, which can be wasteful if you only need to learn basic Photoshop skills and tools. Lastly, some on-demand classes may be outdated, depending on when they were released from the provider. While still useful in learning foundational skills, industry standards update frequently so depending on what field you work in, you may need a more recent class.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship allows you to learn a new skill, gain hands-on experience, and potentially get paid while doing so. For example, some graduate school students are offered apprenticeships as Teaching Assistants. Of course, they are already paying for their education, but the apprenticeship allows them to gain even more real-life experience in the field. Those with an apprenticeship will work alongside an experienced professor in the subject matter and generally find themselves assisting with giving lectures, grading assignments, and helping students with in-class discussions and activities. Similarly, other fields offer apprenticeships where you will gain experience as you go. However, these vary from school to school and from company to company. Apprenticeships may be harder to find specifically for Photoshop; instead, you will have to find an apprenticeship in a particular field, such as graphic design or digital design. In addition, while apprenticeships often allow successful applicants to add their work to their professional portfolio, those who lack a portfolio altogether may have a harder time finding an apprenticeship. Plus, some of these fields can be relatively competitive, so it is best to apply to as many as possible if this is the route you choose to take. While apprenticeships provide an incredibly hands-on experience for the applicant, they can be a little harder to find, so students may be better off applying for an introductory or bootcamp class as a way to advance their skills and develop a professional portfolio.

Free Resources

You can search for free resources that provide supplemental education in Photoshop tasks and projects. Many free resources can be found on platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, or even TikTok. Users will add video collections or post blogs that share their experience using Photoshop while employed in a particular field. Additionally, some websites dedicate pages or blogs to certain topics, including Photoshop. There are pre-recorded lectures on Noble Desktop’s free seminar page that highlight some of the key uses for Photoshop and give students an introduction to using the photo editing software. However, it is important to remember that free resources don’t provide a thorough education in Photoshop. Instead, they will likely provide additional tips and tricks for troubleshooting, editing, and using tools. Most choose free resources as a way to study outside of class or to clarify a confusing concept. There is a time and a place for free resources, so if you want to gain professional-level skills in Photoshop, this option won’t be suitable.