Adobe Certificates Chicago, IL

Founded over 40 years ago, Adobe has multiple products and technologies that help you imagine, create, and bring your digital ideas to life. Their website lists over 90 available products, but their most renowned products are Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, and Dreamweaver. Adobe also offers a suite of products that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI): Sensei, Firefly, and Sensei GenAI, embracing the next frontier of technology and design.

Adobe products are used and loved by students and creative professionals, small businesses, and the world’s largest enterprises, highlighting just how versatile, helpful, and user-friendly these products are. Adobe is designed to help you unleash your creativity, accelerate document productivity, and power digital businesses.

Why Become Certified in Adobe?

If you work in a creative field (or want to), Adobe certification is the industry standard. Just like some fields require specific licenses or degrees, creative fields—like marketing, advertising, design, or publishing—often require various Adobe certifications for employment or promotion.

There are separate certifications for each of the Experience Cloud solutions. These individual certifications keep costs and time commitments to a minimum and allow you to seek credentials in only the tools you need. And, if you have previous experience within the Adobe Experience Cloud, it’s possible to pass the test without much preparation.

Additionally, Adobe certifications are valid for two years, so you won’t have to worry about constantly updating your credentials. Eventually, as new software is released, you will need to recertify to show employers that you’re up-to-date. This process should be relatively easy, though, since you’ll already have experience with Adobe and are familiar with it as a whole.

Plus, job opportunities are abundant (and increasing) for those with Adobe certification. Take traditional print publishing, for instance. Currently, this industry is seeing a decline; digital publishing, on the other hand, is on the rise, with a projected industry growth of 13% over the current decade. Roles in web development and digital design, which also often use Adobe products, are projected to grow by 23% over the current decade.

What You’ll Learn While Becoming Adobe Certified

What you study will depend entirely on which Adobe certification you seek. There are three levels of certification for each Adobe product: Professional (0–12 months of experience), Expert (1–3 years of experience), and Master (3–5 years of experience). There’s a separate exam for each level, which you can take at third-party testing centers (available globally) or online with a remote proctor. As you grow your skills and use Adobe products, you can earn higher levels of certification.

Below is a list of general skills you will learn while acquiring your Adobe certification, regardless of the product or level associated with your credentials.

Digital Literacy

Simply put, digital literacy is being knowledgeable about computers and their related technology. Knowing how to efficiently use and navigate computers, tablets, and mobile devices is essential in any professional role, but especially for those utilizing various Adobe products like Photoshop, Acrobat, Illustrator, and more. Mastering these foundational technologies will also help you understand how your work (photos, emails, videos, flyers, etc.) can be compatible with various formats (e.g., ensuring emails are mobile-friendly).

Analytical and Research Skills

Regardless of your industry, learning about different methods for collecting data, writing reports and presentations, and making sense of information is extremely valuable. It’s important that you know how to find the best sources, formulate a research question, gather data, and analyze information. An analytical mind and strong research habits can help you produce better work with more successful results.

Software and Applications

Below is a list of basic software and applications that you will commonly utilize in any professional field. Whether it's for creating mock-ups, taking notes and feedback, presenting your work, or tracking results, having a basic understanding of the tools below will come in handy while you develop your projects in various Adobe programs.

• Word processing: Microsoft Word is the standard word-processing software, but your company might use Google Docs or something similar. Word is ideal for designing mock-ups and working out the kinks in your layouts. It’s also a useful tool for note-taking and cataloging your brainstorming ideas or feedback from team members.
• Presentations: A good presentation holds your viewers’ attention and shows off what you have to say visually. You may make presentations at the start of a project, showcasing your ideas. Or, you may create a presentation after completing a project that summarizes your work and reports on the success of your launch. Knowing how to present your work effectively through PowerPoint or Keynote will allow others to see what you have to say better than sharing a text document on screen.
• Spreadsheets: Turn cluttered data into clear insights. Basic knowledge of Excel or Google Sheets will give you a leg up in the workplace, even if you don’t use them to crunch numbers.
• Communication: You should be able to effectively communicate your ideas, thoughts, and opinions verbally or in writing with tools such as Slack, Skype, and Zoom when collaborating with others on a project or piece of work.

Teamwork

Creative work often necessitates collaboration. You could work with other designers, program managers, sales, or more technical roles in web and software development. Any team will include various personalities, work styles, backgrounds, and opinions. If you’re able to take constructive criticism and feedback, understand what everyone brings to the project, and know how everyone’s roles relate, you can avoid frustration and contribute to everyone’s success.

Attention to Detail

Adobe products are designed to help you bring your unique visions to life. While the tools and software help to streamline this process, a keen attention to detail is your responsibility as a creator. Taking the time to think critically and work systematically will help ensure your work is free from errors, communicates a clear message, and accomplishes its original goal.

Adobe Industries in Chicago

The Windy City is the food innovation and manufacturing capital of the United States. Proximity to productive farmland and a robust transportation network have helped to build out Chicago’s thriving food innovation and manufacturing industry. The industry grossed $9.6 billion in 2022 and saw 8% growth in the fourth quarter of 2019. With over 1,500 businesses and 67,000 employees, food product development and distribution is a major contributor to the local economy.

Generating a whopping $132.3 billion, finance and FinTech are thriving in the metropolitan area. Chicago has the most diverse economy among U.S. metros and the third-highest employment in the finance and insurance sector, making the city an ideal location for anyone interested in working in finance or FinTech.

Life sciences is an industry on the rise, employing over 90,000 people and generating $28.5 billion in 2022. Additionally, Chicago’s research and development services are the ninth largest in the nation, adding 560 jobs since 2022 and 2,300 jobs since 2019. With seven medical schools in the Chicago metro area, including two top-20 ranked programs and one of the nation's largest programs, there are plenty of opportunities for work in science, medicine, and research and development.

Each of these industries, in addition to many others, will need Adobe-certified professionals across a wide range of departments. Marketing, advertising, art, design, publishing, and computer systems design all utilize Adobe programs for a variety of goals. From developing video content, designing email layouts, optimizing workflows, editing images, and creating presentations, Adobe has a certification that will give you an upper hand in your career and improve your projects.

Adobe Careers in Chicago

There are many different careers you could pursue that require Adobe certification. You could become a Graphic Designer and use graphics, text, colors, and animations to develop branding, advertising, and messaging. Graphic Designers often use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator in their daily work, so it’s a good idea to become certified in these two tools. The average salary for a Graphic Designer in Chicago falls somewhere between $60,000 and $70,000 for those relatively new to the field.

If you want to be a Web Designer, credentials with Dreamweaver, After Effects, and Bridge are worth pursuing. As a Web Designer, you’ll work on a team with Web Developers, Software Engineers, UX Designers, and Project Managers to create websites that are appealing and easy to use. Web Designers in Chicago typically earn an average salary between $68,000 and $82,000.

As a Drafter at an architecture firm, you could use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Fresco to sketch out designs and develop detailed diagrams, maps, and schematics. Drafters create technical plans by gathering drawings, determining specifications, outlining material and equipment needs, and creating diagrams using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Drafter salaries typically range between $56,734 and $73,396.

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification

Both certificate and certification programs can provide a quality education, but there are some important distinctions between them. A certificate is given to signify your successful completion of a course or training. Often categorized as continuing education, mid-career professionals pursue certificates to enhance or develop high-demand skills in their industry, while novices use them to carve out new career paths. These courses are noncredit programs sponsored by educational institutions, meaning you will not earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree by completing them. A certificate can certainly add value to your resume, but it’s important to note that it won't carry the same weight as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, which are commonly required for many jobs.

In contrast, a certification is a professional credential that you earn through a professional training program or assessment. These certifications typically culminate in a final exam or test, and many jobs require specific certifications for promotions and career advancement. These can lead to increased pay, potential promotions, and enhanced professional expertise. A lot of professions require certifications to be renewed at regular intervals. Some companies may even cover the cost of certification, as these credentials can bring value to the workplace.

If you’re looking to change career fields entirely and need to learn as much about your new industry as possible, then a certificate could be the right choice. If you are established in your career and looking to level up—perhaps to gain a new title or increase your pay—then a certification course is probably the right route.

The amount of time and money you can commit to your training will be a factor in this decision as well. If your company requires a certification for you to advance in your career, they will most likely either pay in full or offer assistance for your certification course. Both certificates and certifications can vary in length, so it’s important to be mindful of how long the program will take you to complete.

Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a certificate or a certification, both can give you an upper hand in your professional development and expand your skill set, making you a strong candidate in your current field or a new one.

Top Adobe Certificate Programs in Chicago

Chicago is a vibrant metropolitan area with a variety of successful industries, making it an ideal place to learn about and work as an Adobe Certified Professional. Below are some of the top certificates, bootcamps, and courses available in the Chicago region and online that can help you kickstart your career. Whether you choose in-person or virtual, each program below offers an in-depth curriculum developed by industry experts. Keep reading to learn more!

Graphic Design Certificate

While not offered in-person in Chicago, this in-depth Noble Desktop course still offers live, instructor-led interaction through its online format. This three-month part-time (or one-month full-time) training provides hands-on experience in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator—three essential programs for Graphic Designers. You’ll learn to edit and retouch photos in Photoshop, create vector graphics in Illustrator, and design page layouts in InDesign. Throughout the course, you’ll create a stunning portfolio to showcase your talent to potential employers or clients.

Tuition for this course includes one-on-one mentoring, setup assistance, and a free retake. Payment plans and other forms of financial assistance are available for those who need it.

Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp

Also held live online through Noble Desktop, this bootcamp course focuses solely on developing your skills within Adobe Photoshop. You’ll master removing unwanted elements from photos, making selections, and saving files for print or web. You’ll also get familiar with more advanced features, like adjusting color and contrast, isolating parts of an image, and compositing elements from different photos. Through project-based training from experts, you’ll walk away from this course confident in your skills and with a portfolio of work in hand.

This course includes a free retake, a proprietary workbook, and a verified digital certificate upon completion. Payment plans and financial assistance are available upon request.

Adobe Dreamweaver Core Skills: Level 1

Offered by ONLC Training Centers, this in-person course is designed for beginners. This program uses official Adobe courseware to help prepare you for certification exams. You’ll learn Dreamweaver fundamentals, how to create websites and web pages, insert tables, import content, create reusable site assets, link web pages, and publish websites to a server. Lessons also include basic HTML, CSS syntax, and how to create, edit, and troubleshoot style sheets.

For students seeking certification, Certification Bundles are available. These include training, practice exams, certification study guides, and test vouchers—everything needed to successfully obtain Adobe certification.

Adobe InDesign Core Skills: Level 1

Also offered in-person by ONLC Training Centers, this class teaches all the fundamental skills needed for InDesign. You’ll learn to use tools and panels, customize and save workspaces, and create professional layouts. The course also covers advanced features like master pages, guides, grids, and placeholders, as well as how to add, rearrange, and delete pages using the Pages panel.

Basic computer and file management skills are required. ONLC also offers this course on-demand, providing a flexible learning environment for those unable to attend in-person.

Photoshop Part 1

Computer Training Source offers this in-person course to help you get started with Photoshop. You’ll learn all the essential skills such as working with color, retouching images with filters, creating layered images, and using masks. Held in Schaumburg, this class is ideal for those with little to no Photoshop experience and can be completed in a single day.

Computer Training Source, Inc. (CTS) offers an Exam Pass Guarantee on any certification exam included in a government-funded training program or for any class on their website that specifies the guarantee is included.

Premiere Pro Training Course

If you aspire to create media for marketing or sales campaigns—or become a filmmaker—this course may be the right choice for you. Offered in-person through Chicago Filmmakers, this five-week course covers trimming, transitions, titling, sound, color correction, and an introduction to visual effects. No prior film or video editing experience is required.

Desktop computers with the Adobe Premiere Pro software installed are available for student use, though you’re also welcome to bring your own laptop as long as the software is installed.