Best Photoshop Classes Chicago, IL: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About Chicago Photoshop Courses

As the saying goes, an image is worth a thousand words. What words can do in a paragraph, an image can do in a matter of seconds. To that point, images have the unique ability to convey powerful messages, sway audiences into action, and invite people into worlds they might not otherwise get the chance to see.

Visual storytelling has existed since the beginning of time in the form of cave drawings and hieroglyphics. As a species, humans have relied on images to help inform, connect, and survive. When the first-ever camera was invented in 1816, photography took this sentiment to a whole new level by allowing individuals to capture and document a moment in time. As a technology, cameras have evolved and become increasingly more high-tech and accessible, now found in nearly every smartphone.

When brothers Thomas and John Knoll invented Photoshop in 1987, they inevitably changed the visual storytelling game for the foreseeable future. While the current version of the application, version 25.4, leverages many advanced features including artificial intelligence (AI), the software was originally created to show grayscale images on monochrome displays. Since its early days, the platform has been sold to Adobe and now exists among the other leading creative applications included in the Adobe Creative Cloud. Today, Photoshop is used by over 90% of creative professionals and is globally celebrated for being the world’s leading image-editing tool.

Although used by many, mastering Photoshop takes practice. The application offers a wide variety of features, tools, and techniques, which, when leveraged to their full potential, allow users to complete one-of-a-kind projects. As the software evolves over time and begins to integrate modern technologies such as AI, it is imperative for users to remain up-to-date on the latest updates, tools, and best practices. For those considering entering a creative field that will likely require the use of Photoshop, the best way to become familiar with the platform is by taking a dedicated Photoshop course taught by experts.

Home to Millennium Park, the Willis Tower, endless art museums, and, of course, deep-dish pizza—Chicago is bustling with activity and inspiration around every corner. Given the abundance of things to do and the thriving art scene, many aspiring creative professionals decide to call this city home. To hone their creative skills, Chicago hosts many in-person and online Photoshop courses to help seasoned and beginner designers learn how to navigate Photoshop and get the most out of the innovative platform.

What Can You Do with Photoshop Training?

With a Photoshop skill set, common projects include editing and enhancing photographs to be used on websites and social media and creating logo and packaging designs for companies. Although there are many uses for Photoshop in professional settings, there are also many practical uses for the application outside of professional settings, which include things like freelance work and social media influencing. No matter the use, each of these ultimately serves to help users gain experience and build upon a portfolio of work.

Photo Retouching

As the leading photo-editing application, Photoshop allows users to enhance images through its wide variety of tools and effects. Many freelance and professional photographers are hired to take and edit photos for various events including weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, travel, and product photography, to name a few. Through Photoshop, users can enhance, retouch, add filters, and even remove unwanted background elements to ensure the photos truly capture the feeling of a particular moment.

Logo Creation

A brand’s logo paints a condensed picture of that brand’s overall identity. It appears on packaging, websites, social media, emails, and storefronts. Some of the most iconic logos, including Apple’s bitten apple, Nike’s swoosh, and McDonald’s golden “M,” are not only globally recognizable, but through intentional design work are also associated with a particular feeling. In this way, logos act as a sort of signature or stamp of approval and therefore carry much weight. In leveraging Photoshop’s various graphic design tools, users have a hand in creating and contributing to a brand’s identity and aesthetic.

Freelance Work

Gig work, or freelance work, has become an increasingly popular way for creative professionals to make money and maintain a healthy work-life balance. As a form of work that allows individuals to pick up a variety of projects, work on their own schedules (and from anywhere in the world), freelance work is a great option for those looking to make some extra side money or diversify an existing portfolio of work. In taking on freelance work, one has the opportunity to define their own schedule, work remotely, and collaborate with a variety of clients and brands. By learning fundamental Photoshop skills and gaining experience in navigating the application, one can hone this skill over time and have the option to freelance full-time or use this additional skill set as a supplement to their existing income.

Influencing

Social media influencing became popularized with platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. In establishing a decent followership on any of these given social outlets, users can work with various brands to promote products. This sort of relationship between a brand and an influential individual is mutually beneficial—the brand gets an influencer’s stamp of approval and the influencer receives a portion of the proceeds associated with the amount of sales they manage to bring in. The online world is expansive, which means it’s becoming increasingly more challenging to get noticed. By leveraging Photoshop to enhance imagery and create striking, high-quality visuals, one can establish an edge and ensure they are standing out among an abundance of other content creators.

Create Mockups

Mockups allow people to see how a particular design will look on a product or on a website before it is actually put into production or published. Many designers use Photoshop to create mockups of designs which will later be used for things like packaging or labels. Taking the time to first create a digital mockup saves individuals and companies valuable time and money. So, whether one is looking to create mockups in a professional setting, or one is hoping to create a mockup of their own product, learning how to do so in Photoshop will be immensely valuable.

Enhance Job Prospects

No matter what, developing a skill set in Photoshop will enhance one’s job prospects. While this mainly applies to creative occupations, obtaining this skill can prove to be valuable in settings outside of the creative world. For example, say a team urgently needs to create a professional-looking presentation but has a small window of time to deliver. Someone who can quickly access a set of Photoshop skills can step up to the plate and fill in this potential gap, therefore establishing themselves as an asset on the team. Beyond this, including relevant Photoshop certifications and skills on a resume will help to increase one’s odds of getting noticed by hiring managers and recruiters who are looking for a particular job requirement.

What Will I Learn in a Photoshop Class?

In a given Photoshop course, students can expect to learn a variety of techniques related to visual storytelling. While some of the knowledge is more skills-based, i.e., photo manipulation, retouching, generative AI, and layering, some of the supplementary soft skills include things like composition and the ability to problem-solve. Below is a breakdown of some of the relevant skills students who partake in a Photoshop course can expect to learn.

Photo Manipulation

Photo manipulation refers to the process of editing or manipulating a given image to make alterations, retouch, enhance, remove unwanted elements, add filters, and color-correct. Through Photoshop and its array of tools, students will learn how to isolate specific aspects of an image to make necessary adjustments and combine different images into one cohesive image.

Layering

One of the major perks of Photoshop is its ability to layer imagery. In this context, image layers act as transparent sheets that can be individually edited and, when stacked on top of one another, form one merged image. This is an essential, fundamental skill for those learning Photoshop as it enables users to isolate various parts of an image, change the background, add text to an image, and create overall depth.

Generative AI

One of the newer features included in Adobe’s Photoshop consists of generative AI. In short, this feature consists of something called text-to-image fill, which allows users to input text and then the application will translate that text into a graphic image or element. In learning how to use generative AI, creators will be able to leverage the technology to streamline workflows and complete projects more efficiently.

Composition

In the world of design, composition is an essential ingredient to a successful final product. By definition, composition means to put something together. When designing, there are often many different elements at play including color schemes, icons, text, motion graphics, imagery, and more. Many factors go into a cohesive composition. Designers must be aware of things like balance, white space, text weight, and complementary colors. All of these attributes contribute to the final product. Learning fundamental composition principles is applicable to all areas of design work from photography and graphic design to video production and web design.

Problem-Solving

When dedicating time to learning a new skill, problems will inevitably arise. The good news is that partaking in a course allows individuals to face these challenges in an environment that is meant to introduce pitfalls and guide students through them successfully, that way, when they are met with hiccups in the real world, they know how to work their way out of them. There are many basic and complex features included in Photoshop, so while it does allow users to make one-of-a-kind creations, it also presents ample opportunity for roadblocks and missteps. That said, practice always makes perfect. So, while it may be a challenge to get the hang of the application, having the ability to problem-solve will be immensely valuable in any context.

How Hard is It to Learn Photoshop?

Photoshop is considered one of the easier Adobe applications to learn. When first introduced to the Photoshop interface, it can feel overwhelming simply because of the number of available features and tools. But, as is the case with most skills, the degree of difficulty is directly correlated to the desired level of mastery. If the goal is to simply learn the basics of Photoshop for hobbyist uses, then this won’t be too difficult. If the goal is to become an Expert Designer, where one would likely be using Photoshop on a daily basis to deliver on various project needs, the degree of difficulty will be higher.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Photoshop?

Learning a new trade will always present a few challenges. When learning the ropes of Photoshop, there are a few things users note as an initial challenge. For one, navigating the interface is the first hurdle most users face as there is a wide variety of features and tools. While this can be a lot to take in at once, it inevitably becomes easier to navigate and discover how to use the distinct tools.

Beyond the interface, some of the application’s most appreciated features, such as the Layers function, often take a bit of getting used to. While it makes conceptual sense to edit an image as is all at once, Photoshop allows users to work in layers, which means they can isolate certain aspects of an image and stack edits. This ensures the original work is not destroyed and progress is gradual. Although there is a learning curve, the system’s layering function is what sets it apart from other editing software and, once mastered, empowers users to edit with ease.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Photoshop?

Similar to the level of difficulty, the length of time it takes to learn Photoshop depends on its use case. Users who simply want to grasp the basics can gain an understanding of the application in a single day. To explore and practice with more advanced features, one can partake in a more intensive program which can span a few months. That said, Adobe is constantly adding new features to its Creative Cloud of applications, and so even after one feels they have a firm grasp on the software, there could be something new to learn.

One of the most efficient ways to learn is by doing. In terms of Photoshop, much of the learning comes in the form of practicing on small projects to get a sense of how the tools work and how to leverage certain features. So, while initial learning will primarily consist of navigating the application and getting comfortable with the interface, that will transition into putting the software to use. Given this, experimenting with the program will inevitably take most of the learning time as individuals become familiar with and define their workflows.

Should I Learn Photoshop in Person or Online?

When deciding whether to take an in-person or online course, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each. Virtual learning environments are a great option for people with full-time jobs who are looking to upskill or for those with home responsibilities that make attending in-person courses difficult. On the other hand, in-person classes offer a uniquely hands-on experience and allow people to interact face-to-face with the instructor and other students. Given this, an individual should consider a few key factors when determining the best learning environment for them.

In-person courses are a great option for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the world of Photoshop. While there are many technical skills to be learned when entering a Photoshop course, there are also many soft skills to be explored such as problem-solving and collaboration. While attaining these soft skills is possible in a remote setting, it is inherently easier to achieve when everyone is physically in the same room. Additionally, partaking in an in-person class gives individuals a chance to network one-on-one with the instructor and other local creatives to establish a sense of community.

Can I Learn Photoshop Free Online?

In this digital age, one can learn just about anything for free online. Platforms like YouTube, which consists of more long-form content, and TikTok, which consists of more condensed, short-form content, are two popular outlets many turn to for learning new skills or picking up quick tips.

For those who don’t want to commit the time and money just yet to learning Photoshop in a live class setting, free online tutorials, such as those on Noble Desktop’s YouTube channel, are a great option to get an initial sense of the software. In these free courses, individuals can listen to experts and learn basic techniques and tools, follow along with tutorials, and receive general Photoshop advice.

Although these free online options are more convenient and accessible, they do present some limitations. Because they are not happening in real-time, viewers cannot stop and ask the expert any specific questions. As previously discussed, there is a learning curve to understanding how to best use Photoshop, and part of the process is learning how to overcome hurdles and roadblocks efficiently. Having a dedicated instructor helps to smooth out this process to ensure a more efficient future workflow. So, although these free online courses are a great way to get an initial grasp, participating in a course is the best way to receive more intentional training.

What Should I Learn Alongside Photoshop?

When it comes to getting noticed in an increasingly competitive job market, it helps to establish an edge. To expand one’s skill set, there are a variety of complementary trades to learn alongside Photoshop. Understanding even the basics of other products included in the Adobe Creative Cloud like Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro can present a more well-rounded résumé and set an individual apart from other job seekers.

Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is widely used to create vector-based designs like logos, icons, patterns, and infographics. Vector graphics are made up of points, lines, and shapes based on mathematical formulas as opposed to pixels, which ensures the image quality is maintained when scaled to different sizes. Photoshop and Illustrator work extremely well together because designs within Photoshop often include elements created in Illustrator, such as icons, and graphic design work may incorporate real-life imagery.

InDesign

Adobe InDesign is commonly used to create cohesive layouts for books, ads, websites, brochures, menus, and infographics. InDesign allows users to create layouts that incorporate designs made in Illustrator and edited images from Photoshop. Given its seamless integration with Photoshop and Illustrator, learning how to navigate InDesign is a practical next step.

Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro allows users to edit and produce professional-grade videos. Through this application, editors can cut footage, make adjustments, add soundtracks, incorporate special effects, and include voiceovers—all in one place. While Photoshop allows users to edit and enhance still images, those images can be imported into Premiere Pro and animated using its video and motion features.

Industries That Use Photoshop

These days, there is a greater emphasis placed on a brand’s digital presence and identity, which is often achieved through strategic marketing efforts brought to life by tools like Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop is used across a spectrum of industries, helping companies connect with audiences, communicate, and inform. In Chicago, Illinois, the manufacturing, retail, finance, transportation, and healthcare industries are just a few of the thriving sectors that rely on design services. Below is a breakdown of these industries and how professionals use Photoshop to support their efforts.

Manufacturing

Chicago boasts an impressive portfolio of major manufacturing companies like PepsiCo, GE, Ford Motor Company, and Procter & Gamble. As an industry, manufacturing encompasses the overall production process of a particular good. To support these efforts related to product sales, designers are responsible for creating branding and aesthetically appealing product packaging. Many factors are considered, including the color scheme, typography, size, and shape. While creative work plays a big part in manufacturing, design services are also vital for creating manuals, which require user-friendly copy and deliberate iconography to inform the user effectively.

Retail

Top retailers with headquarters in the city of Chicago include well-known companies like Home Chef, Ace Hardware, Crate and Barrel, and Lululemon. When it comes to retail, product photography is instrumental in boosting engagement and generating revenue. To support these promotional marketing efforts, designers use applications like Photoshop to edit professional-grade imagery, create branded logos, and design content for social and website use, ultimately contributing to increased brand awareness.

Education

Chicago is home to Northwestern University, The University of Chicago, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In general, universities regularly rely on creative services to connect with students, deliver important messages, define a key aesthetic, and promote various activities and courses. In this context, professional designers are hired in educational settings to establish and maintain a school’s identity through various digital and print assets. From campus photography to university-branded gear, a Designer can be found behind the scenes. Beyond this, professional designers can, of course, decide to teach what they know at the collegiate level, which means they get to help aspiring designers.

Healthcare

Photography in healthcare settings serves as a way to educate the masses and give insight into the medical world. Having high-quality, professional photography that sends a clear message is a powerful way for healthcare companies to appeal to stakeholders. Additionally, because Photoshop allows users to manipulate and add to imagery, it is specifically used in the medical world to show possible results of reconstructive surgeries. So, while some applications of Photoshop exist more commonly in creative fields, designers can also find work in the medical world if they so choose.

Photoshop Job Titles and Salaries

There are a variety of roles in the creative world and outside of the traditionally creative world that require individuals to be proficient in Photoshop. Although the degree to which a person will use Photoshop on a daily basis will vary, attaining the skill will prove to be valuable when entering any sort of design role. Job titles that often require this experience include roles like professional Photographers, Graphic Designers, Web Designers, and Social Media Marketers. Here is a breakdown of these roles and their associated salaries in Chicago.

Professional Photographer

Professional photography spans a variety of subjects including, but not limited to, photojournalism, event photography, portraits, travel photography, and more. These professionals are responsible for using their extensive knowledge of cameras, lenses, lighting, composition theory, and editing skills to capture moments and enhance professional-grade imagery. As the leading image-editing tool, Photographers often use Photoshop to adjust color, resize, and retouch images. The average salary of a Professional Photographer in Chicago is around $65,000 a year.

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers are responsible for bringing out a brand’s identity within various design assets. Often using Photoshop to combine imagery and text, these professionals create thought-provoking and informative designs for things like brochures, web content, social media, and infographics. As a profession, Graphic Designers play an instrumental role in not only defining a brand aesthetic but also maintaining it. While Graphic Designers can and often do pick up freelance work, they can also often be found on marketing teams, as much of their work helps to market a particular product or service. The average salary of a Graphic Designer in Chicago is around $80,000.

Web Designer

A website’s design and layout can make or break the success of a business. The art of web design is specific in that it exists solely in an online platform, and takes into account the way a typical user interacts with a website. To support these efforts, Web Designers combine their design knowledge with their user experience knowledge to develop and maintain aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly websites, which often showcase graphic design elements, videos, motion graphics, and text. The average salary of a Web Designer in Chicago is around $62,000.

Social Media Marketer

Social Media Marketers are the social-savvy experts on marketing teams that assist in the promotion of various products and services via different social outlets like Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter). These individuals often define goals based on competitor research and the desired target audience to maximize reach and boost a brand’s online presence. Social Media Marketers are instrumental in getting a company’s name out there and are often responsible for monitoring the success of their efforts via data analytics. The average salary of a Social Media Marketer in Chicago is around $73,000.

Photoshop Classes Near Me

Creative professionals at any level will benefit from taking a dedicated Photoshop course to hone their skills. For those looking to partake in either an in-person or online course, Chicago hosts many classes that are ideal for all situations and experience levels. Below is a list of a few of the courses located in the Chicago area and online. To explore more classes in the Chicago area, visit Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool.

Adobe Photoshop 101—In this two-day course hosted by Ledet Training, an Adobe-authorized training facility, students will learn how to use Photoshop in a hands-on learning environment. This course is a good option for those who are looking for a more accelerated, all-encompassing curriculum. Throughout the course, students will discover how to navigate the interface, work with the layering tool, photo retouching, and repair. The objective of this course is to instill healthy Photoshop habits so participants can apply their knowledge in the real world.

Photoshop Part 1—Hosted by Computer Training Source, this introductory course covers a variety of topics ranging from initial interface navigation and design principles to modifying images and using the application’s layering function. With small class sizes of about six to ten students, participants have the option to take the course in the Chicago location or online. In either case, students will receive Photoshop guidance in real time and have the opportunity to ask the instructor any questions.

Adobe Photoshop Course—A great option for both beginners and seasoned designers, in this accelerated course hosted by Certstaffix Training, students will learn the fundamentals of Photoshop through project-centered learning. With help from expert instructors, participants will explore the inner workings of the application as they practice editing images, working with the tool’s layering function, adding filters, incorporating text into their work, removing undesired elements from photos, and even exploring generative AI—a modern addition to the Adobe Creative Cloud. Upon completion of this course, students will receive a certificate and digital badge.

Adobe Photoshop Core Skill: Level 1—Suited for beginners and those with an existing skill set, in this comprehensive course hosted by ONLC Training Centers, students will learn the core skills required to successfully navigate Photoshop. Participants will learn how to retouch images, color correct, experiment with the tool’s layering and mask functions, make selections, and incorporate text. Throughout this course, students will use official training workbooks from Adobe to ensure they are prepared for the Adobe Certified Associate (ADA) exams. ONLC also offers students the option to purchase a certificate bundle, which includes practice exams among other helpful resources in preparation for exams.

Photoshop 3—Hosted by the Chicago Botanic Garden, this course is a great option for those looking for a more hands-on, project-based approach to learning Photoshop. As a more advanced course, topics covered throughout range from abstract art and HDR to displacement mapping and focus stacking. In order to participate in this course, students will need to successfully complete Photoshop 1 and 2 and bring with them a digital camera and laptop computer.

Photoshop in a Day—The main goal of this Noble Desktop course is to help students understand the basics of Photoshop in just one day. If you are seeking an accelerated, online, entry-level class taught by experts in the field, this might be the perfect option for you. In only six hours, you will learn how to efficiently navigate the Photoshop interface to edit images, retouch photos, get rid of unwanted background elements, and save files in the correct format for web and print purposes. Upon completion of this course, you will earn an official digital certification as a testament to your newly acquired skill.

Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp—In this all-encompassing bootcamp-style Photoshop course hosted by Noble Desktop, students will not only learn the fundamentals of Photoshop, but also experiment with more intermediate topics related to image retouching, layering, color adjusting, and properly saving images. If you are looking for a bootcamp-style course with the flexibility offered through a virtual learning environment, this is a great option for you. When you complete the course, you will receive an official certificate to showcase your proficiency.

Photoshop Corporate Training

For large teams that will all be using Photoshop, it helps to align on the same standards and practices. To support your entire team, Noble Desktop offers corporate Photoshop training which can be brought to your office or taught online. Our Photoshop experts have extensive knowledge of industry trends, techniques, and tools, and understand what teams need to succeed in the modern world.

So, whether you are seeking a more flexible online learning environment or would like Noble Desktop to come to you, there are many program options available to ensure your corporation gets the training they need in the way that works best for everyone. Our course structures can be customized to fit your exact needs, and there is the option to purchase discounted bulk vouchers for attendance in regular enrollment courses.

To receive a free consultation, or to learn more about Noble Desktop’s corporate Photoshop training, contact corporate@nobledesktop.com.

Elizabeth Gleesing

Elizabeth Gleesing is a university instructor and content writer at Noble Desktop. She earned her PhD in English from Syracuse University in 2023 with research focusing on how documentaries incorporate digital and new media technologies. Her research into artificial intelligence, data analysis, and emerging technologies informs her content writing as she frequently works on articles related to careers in data science, data analytics, AI, and related software.Elizabeth also has over ten years of experience teaching undergraduates in universities and colleges in New York and Washington state and won the Syracuse University English department’s Elson Teaching Award in 2019. Her experience in instruction allows her to coherently explain difficult topics to a variety of audiences.

Top Certificate Programs

Top Courses

Top Certificate Programs

Top Certificate Programs

Top Courses

Top Certificate Programs

Top Courses

Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp Learn The Skills Guarantee™

Key Insights

Learn More About Chicago Photoshop Courses

What Can You Do with Photoshop Training?

Photo Retouching

Logo Creation

Freelance Work

Influencing

Create Mockups

Enhance Job Prospects

What Will I Learn in a Photoshop Class?

Photo Manipulation

Layering

Generative AI

Composition

Problem-Solving

How Hard is It to Learn Photoshop?

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Photoshop?

How Long Does It Take to Learn Photoshop?

Should I Learn Photoshop in Person or Online?

Can I Learn Photoshop Free Online?

What Should I Learn Alongside Photoshop?

Illustrator

InDesign

Premiere Pro

Industries That Use Photoshop

Manufacturing

Retail

Education

Healthcare

Photoshop Job Titles and Salaries

Professional Photographer

Graphic Designer

Web Designer

Social Media Marketer

Photoshop Classes Near Me

Photoshop Corporate Training

Chicago Photoshop Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Photoshop Training Locations in or Near Chicago

Chicago Careers & Salaries Related to Photoshop

Related Classes

Chicago Photoshop
Corporate & Onsite Training