Which Photoshop Bootcamp is Best?

Choosing the best Photoshop bootcamp is a process, particularly one that requires careful consideration of a few key aspects. Many types of bootcamps cater to different schedules, career goals, specializations, and budgets. Because there are so many bootcamps available, choosing the right one might be overwhelming. First, you can choose between full-time and part-time instruction. One option may be better depending on your current skills and schedule. Full-time options take less time to complete, but part-time options allow you to pace yourself. In addition, you can choose in-person or live online options. If you live in a rural area, lack transportation, or are otherwise unable to attend classes, the live online option is the best as it preserves the interaction and hands-on nature of in-person classes as much as possible. Lastly, you will want a bootcamp that aligns with your needs. If you just want to gain a few skills, you won’t need a Photoshop bootcamp that emphasizes career development and professional portfolio enhancement. After considering these concepts, you can typically find a bootcamp that suits your needs and helps you reach your goals.

What are the Most Important Criteria to Evaluate in Photoshop Bootcamps?

Hands-On Experience

You will want a bootcamp that provides hands-on experience. Through practicing the direct application of skills, you will achieve learning goals, complete realistic projects, and develop your skills quickly and easily. This can also enhance your problem-solving capabilities and allow you to learn troubleshooting techniques in an environment where you will have assistance from an expert instructor. Plus, the hands-on nature of the class leads to collaboration, discussion, networking, and peer review. You can receive feedback from other students or your instructor, which can make your projects in the future much more professional-looking. Overall, hands-on projects make learning Photoshop easier by providing a realistic experience and preparing students for the real-world uses of Photoshop.

Bootcamp Delivery Method

The delivery method of any class or bootcamp is important to consider. Full-time bootcamps offer immersive, intense sessions and projects that help students learn quickly, easily, and in less time. However, part-time bootcamps accommodate student’s needs and provide more flexibility while still maintaining an immersive experience. In addition, consider whether an in-person or live online option would work best for you depending on your location, previous experience, budget, and reason for learning. You can opt for an on-demand class, which is self-paced and does not occur at the same time every week with an instructor. Instead, you teach yourself through tutorials, reading materials, and other resources. This can be beneficial for some, but if you are a beginner or someone who wants to become a professional, a live training option would be the best option.

Financing Options

Unfortunately, it is not possible to gain professional-grade skills for free. If you want to become a master of Photoshop, you will have to allot time, money, and energy to learn. You will want a bootcamp that is affordable for your budget. Consider what you are willing to spend and perhaps search for bootcamps that offer payment plans, financing options, scholarships, or employee sponsorships. With proper budget planning and bootcamp offerings, you can make the financial burden much less heavy. In addition, some bootcamps allow students to pay the full cost upfront or in certain increments. Many will also provide discounts, depending on the specific course bundle. In addition, you will want to consider what you gain in return for your learning endeavor. If you plan to find a job after your training, it is well worth the price to ensure you have all the necessary skills to succeed in your field.

Bootcamp Material

You also need to consider the material covered in a Photoshop bootcamp and choose one that aligns with your goals, needs, and desires. Some bootcamps value practical skills that are used in a specific field, such as photography or graphic design. If you want to become a professional in that particular field, it would be worthwhile to pursue a specialization bootcamp. On the other hand, some bootcamps may provide an overview of the most foundational Photoshop skills. Others may cover only advanced-level skills and skip the beginner-level material. This could be detrimental if you are a beginner or require a strong overview of the basics. Your chosen bootcamp will typically depend on what you want to do with your Photoshop training, so it is important to review the curriculum before enrolling.

Career Assistance

Finding a bootcamp that offers mock interviews, portfolio projects, 1-on-1 bonus mentoring, and other career assistance resources is of utmost importance if you want to use Photoshop in a professional setting. Many bootcamps value career advancement, job acquisition, and portfolio development. The instructors are often skilled in a particular field, but most certainly masters of Photoshop. They will teach practical skills and assign projects rooted in realistic workplace environments. Some training centers offer resume reviews and give students insight into particular fields, companies, and industries. Others may offer job assistance long after the bootcamp has ended. Ultimately, if you want to become a professional, a bootcamp is one of the best ways to get started.

Additional Benefits

You should also consider what additional benefits the training center provides while enrolled in their bootcamp. One of the most important resources is to ensure you have a limited license to the software. This is especially useful if you don’t have access to Photoshop as it is. In addition, many training centers offer setup assistance, computer labs, and tech support. Some will allow students to retake the bootcamp or parts of it at no additional cost. For example, Noble Desktop allows students to retake the bootcamp within a year of their original enrollment and Certstaffix Training allows a retake within six months. Many also allow students access to workbooks, class recordings, and other learning materials that they can keep after the class has ended. In addition, you may want a bootcamp that offers certificates. This can help in the job search and potentially help you prepare to pass a certification exam.

What are the Top Photoshop Bootcamps?

Noble Desktop’s 18-hour Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp is a beginner-level overview that provides foundational skills in Adobe’s photo editing software. In this class, students will work with adjustment layers, learn to retouch photos, adjust a photo’s brightness and saturation, and complete projects like nature photography, portraits, action shots, and marketing materials. In this class, students can access free setup assistance, class recordings, a bonus training session, and a free retake of the course within one year of enrollment. They will also earn a verified digital certificate to show for their hard work and dedication.

The Adobe Photoshop 501: Photoshop Bootcamp from Ledet Training covers everything from the fundamentals to more advanced techniques. In particular, students will learn how to use Smart Objects, enhance photos and video, and follow the best industry practices. This course is appropriate for novices but it is recommended that students have the Photoshop software before enrollment either through a trial or from a personal subscription.

Likewise, the Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp from General Assembly is offered in-person in New York City or live online. Students will work with layers, make selections, create digital art, and retouch different kinds of photos. In addition, they will learn to use all the basic tools, manipulate images, and format text. Students in this course should have a laptop and the Photoshop software downloaded before class.

Enrolling in a Photoshop Bootcamp Part-Time or Full-Time

Each bootcamp comes with unique pros and cons. Enrolling in a part-time or full-time Photoshop bootcamp can change the outcome of your learning journey. Both part-time and full-time bootcamps offer a thorough educational experience with ample opportunity for a hands-on application of skills. Part-time bootcamps work to mimic the full-time experience but the sessions occur in less time and are farther apart. Full-time bootcamps can be fast-paced, which may benefit some more than others. Overall, both options offer professional skills and encourage a collaborative, open, and intellectually stimulating environment. It is up to you to determine which option will best suit your needs.

Part-Time: Advantages

Depending on personal needs, a part-time bootcamp may be the best option for you. Specifically, part-time bootcamps are ideal for someone with a busy schedule. If you have a tightly packed schedule filled with work, family, and other responsibilities, it may feel impossible to set aside time to learn a new skill. However, many part-time bootcamps occur on weekends or in the evening, which means those who work full-time or have strict schedules can still learn new skills. In addition, part-time bootcamps are easily accessible since they occur both in-person and online, but also because the classes are farther apart. This means you won’t burn out too heavily or quickly. In addition, the pace of a part-time bootcamp is more relaxed. If you feel overwhelmed in educational situations, a part-time learning experience may suited for your learning style.

Part-Time: Disadvantages

However, the extended duration of a part-time bootcamp can cause you to lose momentum or motivation more quickly if you don’t have the right level of dedication or proper encouragement. Additionally, some may find part-time bootcamps to be slightly less immersive than their full-time counterparts, only because the lessons are farther apart. Although part-time bootcamps are flexible for many schedules, it may be a challenge to balance everything already. Adding a course on top of an already hectic schedule can add to already existing stress. The format could also lead to fewer networking opportunities since there may be less time in class to chat with one another. However, typically, part-time classes are a great option depending on your needs and preferences.

Full-Time: Advantages

Full-time bootcamps, on the other hand, have distinct advantages. Namely, full-time learning provides the most immersive and intense learning experience. Students have to dedicate themselves fully to the learning process and typically focus on very little other than their coursework. In addition, the curriculum is delivered in less time so students will gain their skills more quickly than in a part-time bootcamp. Because students have more consistent exposure with one another and the instructor, there may be ample networking opportunities available. Students can work together, discuss their goals, and learn about their previous experience, which can potentially lead to job leads, tips on joining certain companies, and insight into certain fields. All in all, full-time bootcamps are suited for career advancement, so students can feel confident in their ability to quickly find a job after their training.

Full-Time: Disadvantages

Still, many find full-time bootcamps too time-consuming, rigid, and intense. Full-time bootcamps are relatively fast-paced, which may not be the best option for someone who is already stressed in their day-to-day life or who just prefers a relaxed learning environment. In addition, the workload may be heavy for a beginner or someone with specific learning needs. Regarding the time spent in class, full-time study can be overwhelming. Your current schedule must come into play before deciding on the delivery method since you will spend a lot of time in class with the full-time option. Sometimes, the tuition and fees associated with full-time learning are higher than part-time offerings. This is not always the case but can be true depending on the training center. Full-time learning may not be for everyone, but it is still an overall worthwhile way to learn a new skill. 

Enrolling in a Photoshop Bootcamp In-Person or Online

In-person and online bootcamps are beneficial in different ways. However, both offer thorough, hands-on instruction to the best of their abilities. In either option, students can interact with one another and their instructor. Plus, the instructor can view projects and provide feedback in real-time, which can be incredibly useful in the long run. Comparable to on-demand classes, in-person and live online options are the most effective learning methods for anyone who wants to become an astute Photoshop user.

Live online classes bridge the gap between on-demand classes and in-person classes. They require student participation and attendance but the bootcamp can be conducted from the comfort of home. They are slightly less interactive because of this, but the instructor facilitates classroom discussion, guides students through projects, and provides as much advice and feedback as possible. You can chat with the instructor and peers through the video or chatbox, depending on your comfort level. If you feel that you need more hands-on instruction, you may opt for an in-person class, but live online classes are ideal for students who live in remote areas, don’t have transportation, or who can otherwise not physically make it to class.

In-person classes are highly immersive, experiential, and intensive. They offer the most effective learning method since the student feels completely enveloped in the material and is taught in a neutral educational setting. This leads to fewer distractions, which may be an issue in a live online class, particularly for those with pets, families, and other potential disruptions during class. While in-person classes do require students to have ample time for a commute and reliable transportation, they are considered a strong, successful method of learning visual, hands-on software such as Photoshop.

Do You Want to Start a New Career Using Your Photoshop Training?

Different training centers offer bootcamps that vary in their career preparation and resources. Some prioritize job placement and offer lessons and projects to reflect that. This often includes creating projects that can be added to a professional portfolio. Other training centers will give students access to out-of-class career support such as 1-on-1 mentoring, mock interviews, and portfolio reviews. Noble Desktop, for example, offers 1-on-1 mentoring and portfolio development for many of their bootcamps. Some training centers may also offer resume workshops that help you display your skills to prospective employers with ease and confidence.

Students should carefully consider factors such as alumni networking opportunities as well. Some training centers will connect participants with previous students who can provide insight into the field, tips on getting hired, and advice regarding your Photoshop skills. In addition, some training centers will provide you with their track record for employment after students graduate. Many training centers want their students to succeed and achieve their goals, so if you want to start a new career using your Photoshop training, it is in your best interest to find a training center that supports your learning needs.

Which Photoshop Bootcamp is Best For Me?

To reiterate, there are many things to consider before enrolling in a Photoshop bootcamp. First are the personal considerations. This may include your learning style, career goals, the broader implications of the bootcamp’s curriculum, your budget, and your weekly schedule. If you can find a bootcamp that aligns with all your preferences and needs, you can take the next step in your Photoshop learning journey.

Moreover, you need to weigh the pros and cons of full-time or part-time learning as well as in-person or live online delivery methods. Depending on your schedule, location, current skills, and learning preferences, you may thrive in one setting more than the other. While both options provide as much information and assistance as possible, it is important to consider what your specific needs are.

The extra incentives, such as resources, benefits, and additional support, could be a deciding factor between one bootcamp and another. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, so to say, you will want to find a bootcamp that offers enough instruction, benefits, resources, and support to make up for the cost. Consider searching for bootcamps that provide everything from setup assistance to 1-on-1 mentoring so you can gain as much from your educational experience as possible.

In addition to the benefits, you may want a bootcamp that focuses on career acquisition. If your goal is to find a job after the bootcamp, choosing a training provider who values career readiness is vital. Many training centers provide interview preparation, resume enhancement, and portfolio development. Others assist you by providing networking opportunities, limited subscriptions to job search and industry-related services, and additional mentoring sessions.

Lastly, you need to consider whether a bootcamp is right for you. Photoshop bootcamps are suited for students with a propensity for technology, strong creative skills, and a keen sense of design principles. In addition, if you have strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a career-driven mindset, you will be well suited for a bootcamp as opposed to other learning methods. In addition, as a beginner student, a bootcamp may help you get a head start in gaining the skills you desire.

Bootcamps at Noble Desktop

The Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp from Noble Desktop provides students with essential skills in using Photoshop. Students will begin navigating the interface and move on to using tools to retouch photos, create simple graphics, work with layers, and practice professional Photoshop techniques. The projects completed in class allow students to learn how to change colors with the Blending Mode, clip masks, use adjustment layers, and sharpen photos. Specifically, you may edit a nature image, an action shot, or a portrait. This bootcamp includes 18 total hours of instruction, additional training sessions, a free retake of the course, and a verified digital certificate of completion.

Likewise, Noble’s Intro to Adobe CC Bootcamp is an overview of multiple Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Photoshop. Students will learn how to retouch photos in Photoshop, design vector graphics in Illustrator, create animations in After Effects, and edit video with Premiere Pro. With 30 hours of instruction, you will feel capable of using Adobe Creative Cloud software and feel supported through Noble Desktop’s various benefits, including a free retake, setup assistance, and a verified digital certificate of completion.