Adobe Certificates Houston, TX

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

Adobe products are used and loved by students and creative professionals, small businesses, and the world’s largest companies, highlighting just how versatile, helpful, and user-friendly these tools are. Adobe was created to help you unleash your creativity, accelerate 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 and a must-have credential. Just like some fields require specific licenses or degrees, creative fields – such as marketing, advertising, design, or publishing – often require various Adobe certifications for employment or promotion.

There are individual certifications for each of the Experience Cloud solutions. These specific certifications keep costs and time commitments to a minimum and allow you to seek credentials in only the tools you need. If you have previous experience with the Adobe Experience Cloud, you might be able 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. As new software is released, you will need to recertify to show employers that you are 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.

Additionally, job opportunities are abundant (and increasing) for those with Adobe certification. Traditional print publishing, for example, 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 often use Adobe products, are projected to grow by 23% over the current decade.

What You’ll Learn While Becoming Adobe Certified

Your chosen course of study will depend entirely on which Adobe certification you seek. There are three levels of certification for each Adobe product: Professional (0–12 months 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 your skills and use of Adobe products improve, you can earn higher levels of certification.

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

Digital Literacy

Simply put, digital literacy means having knowledge of computers and related technology. Knowing how to efficiently use and navigate computers, tablets, and mobile devices is essential in any professional role, but especially for those using various Adobe products like Photoshop, Acrobat, Illustrator, and more. Mastering basic technologies like these will also help you understand how your work (photos, emails, videos, flyers, etc.) can be compatible with various formats (like making sure emails are mobile-friendly).

Analytical and Research Skills

No matter your industry, learning about different methods for collecting data, writing reports and presentations, and making sense of information is extremely valuable. You must find the best sources, formulate a research question, gather data, and analyze the 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 essential software and applications you will commonly use in any professional field. Whether you're creating mock-ups, taking notes and feedback, presenting your work, or tracking results, having a basic understanding of the tools below will help when developing 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 ideas or feedback from team members.
• Presentations: A good presentation captivates your viewers and showcases 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 information. Basic knowledge of Excel or Google Sheets will give you an advantage in the workplace, even if you don’t use them for number crunching.
• Communication: You should effectively communicate your ideas, thoughts, and opinions verbally or in writing using tools such as Slack, Skype, and Zoom when collaborating with others on a project or piece of work.

Teamwork

Creative work often requires 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 bring your unique vision to life. While the tools and software help 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 intention.

Adobe Industries in Houston

Known as The City With No Limits, Houston is a multicultural metropolis with several robust industries. Digital technology and innovation boast over 230,000 workers and 9,100 tech-related firms, adding $1.6 billion to the local economy in 2021. With industry giants like Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft, there are plenty of job opportunities in the technology field.

Houston’s aviation and aerospace industry is recognized on an international scale, consisting of 500 companies and institutions involved in aircraft or space vehicle manufacturing, research, and technology, or other air transportation support activities. Additionally, 10 of the 50 largest aerospace manufacturing companies in the U.S. have a presence in the Houston region. Houston’s total trade in aircraft, spacecraft, and parts totaled $2.9 billion in 2019, making it the city’s 11th largest internationally traded commodity.

Home to 26 Fortune 500 Companies, Houston boasts low costs, low regulations, and no corporate or personal income tax at the state level, making it the ideal location for a thriving business industry. Notable employers include Halliburton, ConocoPhillips, Shell, and Sysco. With so many companies headquartered in the city, career opportunities abound.

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 Houston

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 Houston falls between $52,000 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 Houston typically make an average salary between $72,000 and $85,000.

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 fall between $59,000 and $71,000.

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification?

Both certificate and certification programs can provide quality learning, but there are some important distinctions between the two. 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 beginners use them to carve out new career paths. These are noncredit programs sponsored by educational institutions, so you will not earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree by completing them. A certificate can add value to your resume, but 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 you earn through a professional training program or assessment. These certifications usually 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. Sometimes, companies cover the cost of certification, as these credentials can bring value to the workplace.

If you want to change career fields entirely and need to learn as much about a 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 a good option.

The amount of time and money you can commit to your training will need to be considered, too. If your company requires a certification for you to advance in your career, they will most likely pay in full or offer assistance for your certification course. Both certificates and certifications can vary in length, so you’ll want to be mindful of how long the program will take 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 highly desirable within your current field or a new one.

Top Adobe Certificate Programs in Houston

Houston 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, boot camps, and courses available in the Houston 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!

Adobe Creative Cloud Crash Course

Offered by General Assembly, this two-day workshop is held in-person and provides step-by-step instruction on three of the most-used Adobe applications: InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. You’ll learn the basic tools, concepts, and techniques of all three programs through hands-on learning, allowing you to level up your skills or enter a new, exciting field.

This is an introductory course for beginner Adobe users, so no prior experience with Adobe applications is required. All students must bring a laptop each day, preferably a Mac. You will need to have Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop (version CS6 and above) installed for the start of the course.

Graphic Design Certificate

While not offered in-person in Houston, this in-depth Noble Desktop course still offers face-to-face interaction through its live online format. This three-month part-time (or one-month full-time) training offers 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 the more minute details of the software, like adjusting color and contrast, removing unwanted elements from photos, making selections to work with specific parts of an image, and taking part of one photo and putting it into another. 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.

Adobe Photoshop 501 – Photoshop Bootcamp Training

Offered in-person, this 5-day course from Ledet Training offers in-depth training on the industry-standard tools for photographers, graphic artists, web designers, and video post-production professionals. A combination of Photoshop 101, Photoshop 201, and Photoshop 250 classes, you’ll learn to create top-notch imagery for video, print, and the web. You’ll also master how to print the right way for consistent colors, use Smart Objects to optimize non-destructive workflows and integrate Photoshop into video production workflows.

This class is designed for beginner users of Photoshop. You need to have the Adobe Photoshop software before starting the class, whether you purchase the full software or obtain a trial version of it from the Adobe website.

Adobe InDesign 101

Held over two days, this Ledet Training course will teach you to use the tools in Adobe InDesign to create professional page layouts, including both single-page and multi-page documents. Held in-person, this course covers type controls, graphics file management, layers, style sheets, proper document setup, productivity shortcuts, and best practices. Using real-world tasks presented in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format using Adobe-authorized hands-on exercises, you’ll master all the fundamental skills needed to leverage InDesign for your business or career.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to create proposals that sizzle, catalogs that sell, and top-notch magazines, newsletters, or documents for professional print or online use. It is recommended that you have the Adobe software prior to class and are familiar with iOS or Windows operating systems.

After Effects Training: Bootcamp

Lumenbrite offers this five-day intensive training either in-person or online. Suitable for all levels, this course covers a wide range of topics for creating motion graphics and Hollywood-style effects for cinema, television, and web formats. You’ll learn to create rich compositions using video, Photoshop, Illustrator, and other files, and how to create advanced text effects, video blending, keying effects, and track mattes. You will also master basic to advanced animation techniques that make After Effects a powerful motion graphics tool. Other topics include nesting, creating pre-comps, and other methods for streamlining video production, as well as best practices to ensure that your motion graphics and video effects are viewed properly by your audience.

Some of the class projects will include creating motion graphics, kinetic typography, cinematography, motion tracking, and planar tracking for mobile phone image replacement. Basic computer skills and an understanding of Mac or Microsoft computer systems are recommended.