Top Cities for InDesign Classes & Training

Students interested in learning InDesign at a dedicated training facility will find that almost all of their options are located in major metropolitan areas. Since this is also where many of the highest paying jobs are located, it makes sense that students looking for a career change may want to consider looking at the kinds of cities that offer the most robust training options for aspiring Marketers, Publishers, UI Designers, and Graphic Designers.

What is InDesign?

Released in 1999, Adobe InDesign is the industry standard in page layout design software, and it is one of the software programs that comprise the Adobe Creative Cloud. Together with Photoshop and Illustrator, InDesign is one of the most commonly used creative design tools across a number of industries, ranging from publishing to graphic design. Built to streamline the process of designing page layouts for books and magazines, InDesign has a plethora of uses that make it a versatile tool for many creative endeavors. As part of a heavily integrated array of creative tools, Adobe InDesign gives creatives the chance to create compelling and vibrant page layouts.

Unlike its sister programs, Illustrator and Photoshop, InDesign serves a specific but vital function, building page layouts. Creatives will use InDesign to build prototype layouts for everything from brochures to web pages, and the program has tools for populating those prototypes with graphics, texts, and even interactive elements. While it is primarily used in traditional print media, InDesign is seeing increasing use in the digital sphere, such as the world of ePublishing and website design.

Read more about what InDesign is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with InDesign Skills?

Adobe InDesign allows users to create vibrant and memorable design layouts that can be used for anything from print advertisements to promotional brochures to newsletters and magazines. Almost any print layout can be built with InDesign, and the tool is often used to help Web Designers produce mock-ups of web pages. Users can add text, color, and images to their layouts to ensure they communicate what they are trying to communicate. InDesign also lets users easily create templates or replicate pages to streamline the multi-page design process.

InDesign also has numerous non-professional uses for users who are hoping to create eye-catching posters, infographics, or flyers for their own organizations or communities. Visual design skills can help users share information in memorable and effective ways, and learning InDesign will help anyone hoping to communicate with the masses. Additionally, many small businesses or private commercial organizations like Etsy shops or local bands can greatly benefit from having individuals on staff with InDesign training, as the program helps non-professionals make professional-grade graphic page layouts.

Additionally, because InDesign is so closely integrated with the rest of the Adobe Creative Cloud, users who are familiar with other programs can seamlessly integrate their work in other programs into their layout designs. Photos and illustrations can be edited or created in Photoshop and Illustrator and then easily brought over in InDesign to populate a layout. Users can also transfer work between InDesign and XD to help build prototype web layouts. These connections help expand the functionality of all Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

New York City, NY

Over 1 million businesses in New York City offer job seekers the choice of several different industries to work in. The top industries of New York City include finance, trade, healthcare, real estate, media, publishing, manufacturing, and information technology. Many of these industries need the skills of InDesign professionals for marketing and advertising, web development, and UI design. The city also features an Adobe corporate office.

Working in NYC has many perks and drawbacks. While job growth in NYC remains steady with the national average, job competition in the city is high. While the city boasts high salaries, it’s also important to weigh them with the city’s high cost of living. Prospective job seekers will find the city hosts robust cultural diversity, exciting nightlife, and a strong food and entertainment scene. It’s also home to a number of design and creativity communities. This is excellent for networking, both professionally and personally. However, the non-stop atmosphere of the city may be too much for some people. 

New York City is home to over 200 colleges, including the top-ranked New York Institute of Technology. Students wishing to learn and work within the city can find comprehensive InDesign courses in NYC through these schools and other local training institutions. Noble Desktop’s training facility that hosts InDesign courses is also headquartered in the city.

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles’ job growth and unemployment rates are very similar to NYC. While you will find that Los Angeles salaries are lower than in NYC, so is the cost of living. The main differences between the two cities are that Los Angeles boasts more enjoyable year-round weather, and New York City has far more robust public transportation. In LA, any commuter should expect lots of traffic.

The top industries of Los Angeles include entertainment, aerospace, bioscience, transportation, and fashion. The city is also becoming a thriving tech and startup hub. Like NYC, Los Angeles is home to one of several Adobe corporate offices across the country. As with NYC, job competition in Los Angeles is high, but the big city offers various networking opportunities. The city hosts a number of Adobe and InDesign groups and events, including LAdobe, LAIDUG, and Adobe MAX.

There are over 60 colleges within the city limits of Los Angeles, providing ample opportunity for anyone wanting to study InDesign and work within the city. The city hosts top-ranked schools such as UCLA and many others. Prospective students can find InDesign courses in Los Angeles through these schools and other local training institutions.

Chicago, IL

Chicago is the third most populated city in the nation. It should be no surprise that job opportunities within Chicago are competitive yet abundant. The city’s top five industries are manufacturing, finance, technology, healthcare, and retail. The cost of living in Chicago is lower than in other major cities and is specifically cheaper than in Los Angeles. 

Chicago can be one of the most pleasing cities to live, work, or learn in. The city consists of over 8% of green space, with most Chicagoans living or working within a 10-minute walk to a park or trail. Like most major cities, Chicago is culturally diverse and hosts a popular food scene. It is home to more than 100 colleges offering where students can find InDesign courses in Chicago and a number of InDesign meetups and events, including the Chicago Creative Coalition.

Dallas, TX

The population of the city, as well as Dallas’ job growth, has increased faster than the national average over the past year, making it one of the top cities for job seekers and recent college graduates. The city’s top industries include information technology, financial services, healthcare, and defense. Dallas’ cost of living is lower than most other major cities and is specifically cheaper than in Chicago. 

The city is home to around 40 colleges, most notably the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University. Prospective students can find InDesign courses in Dallas through these schools and other local training institutions. Dallas ranks the top third city in the US by the number of Fortune 500 companies and hosts a few InDesign meetups and events. Other major draws to the city include robust public transportation options, exciting nightlife, and diverse culture, as well as large food, arts, and sports scenes. 

Houston, TX

Houston’s job growth sits slightly above the national average. The cost of living in Houston is lower than in Dallas and slightly below the national average. Conversely, summers are hotter in Houston, and traffic is a headache for commuters. Houston’s top industries include energy (particularly oil), healthcare, biomedical research, and aerospace. The Port of Houston is a major career hub for the state of Texas and the city. 

The city has over 40 colleges and universities – most notably, Rice University, the University of Houston, and the University of St. Thomas. These schools and other training facilities offer various InDesign courses in Houston. Students who study in Houston are more likely to build a network and start a career in the city. They’ll also find InDesign meetups and events. Like Dallas, Houston boasts large food, arts, and sports scenes. It’s also second in the US for the number of Fortune 500 companies. 

Philadelphia, PA

Though the city’s economy fell hard during the pandemic, Philadelphia's job market has come back in recent years and sits just above the national average. Though Philadelphia’s cost of living sits above the national average, it is still far more affordable than other major cities and boasts affordable housing. Philadelphia’s top industries include education, manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, health care and biotechnology, telecommunications, tourism, and financial services.

Philadelphia is considered one of the best cities for the arts, which can work in tandem with Adobe careers. Over 50 colleges and universities call the city home, most notably The University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University. Prospective students can find InDesign courses in Philadelphia through these schools and other local training facilities. The city also provides rich national history, green spaces, and public transportation.

Atlanta, GA 

Like most metropolitan areas, Atlanta possesses strong job growth along with a competitive market. The top industries of Atlanta include finance, healthcare, biomedical, manufacturing, and media and communications. Like Philadelphia, Atlanta is one of the most affordable cities of its size, with its cost of living sitting just above the national average.

Atlanta hosts over 50 colleges and universities – not notably Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology. Students can find InDesign courses in Atlanta as well as InDesign meetups and events, such as those found through SMPS Atlanta. The city is also home to one of several Adobe corporate offices across the country and ranks fourth in the US for the number of Fortune 500 companies.

Boston, MA

Job growth in Boston sits higher than the national average and is projected to increase. Top industries include higher education, health care, and financial services. Boston has recently become the second most expensive city in the US, behind only New York City. Boston salaries are high to match, but prospective movers to the city should take the time to calculate their budget. 

There are ample InDesign courses in Boston for prospective students. Boston hosts over 40 colleges and universities, most notably the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, and Harvard University. The city hosts a number of InDesign events, meetups, and other networking opportunities for tech and nonprofit industries. 

San Francisco, CA 

Job growth in San Francisco is higher than in other similarly sized metropolitan areas. The city’s unemployment is below the national average. The Bay Area, in particular, is a major career tech and startup hub. The city’s top industries include technical services, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. San Francisco and Boston historically compete for second place as the most expensive city in the US. While salaries in the area are high to match, choosing to work within city limits may require careful budgeting.

San Francisco is home to more than 20 colleges – most notably the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford. Students can find InDesign courses in San Francisco through these schools and other local training institutions. The city hosts InDesign meetups and events and is home to one of several Adobe corporate offices across the country. Should you choose to work or study in San Francisco, the city is consistently named year after year as one of the happiest cities to live in. The city boasts excellent nightlife, food, and culture, as well as readily accessible public transportation.

Seattle, WA

Job growth in Seattle is higher than in other similarly sized metropolitan areas, and the city’s unemployment is below the national average. The cost of living in the city is high, and salaries are high to match. Seattle’s top industries include technology, aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, and maritime. Like San Francisco, Seattle is a major tech hub. The top industries available for careers have resulted in the city being named by college graduates as one of the most desired cities to move to. 

There are nearly 30 colleges and universities in the Seattle area – most notably the University of Washington and Seattle University. Prospective students can find abundant InDesign courses in Seattle as well as Adobe meetups and events. The city is home to one of several Adobe corporate offices across the country. The city boasts mild summers, a low crime rate, and a fantastic food scene.

Denver, CO

Job growth in Denver is steady, and opportunities are abundant, though competitive like most major cities. Denver's cost of living is higher than the state and national average. However, it’s still lower than many of the other cities on this list. Top industries in Denver include aerospace, telecommunications, healthcare, financial services, bioscience, energy, and information technology. The city has been ranked one of the best places to start a business with its strong startup scene and new business incentives.

Denver is home to nearly 30 higher learning institutions, most notably the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Denver, and Colorado State University. Prospective students can find abundant InDesign courses in Denver along with Adobe meetups and events. The city is also home to one of several Adobe corporate offices across the country. Denver can be a great city to learn in due to its cultural diversity and entrepreneurial support. 

Austin, TX

The economy of Austin is growing more rapidly than the national average. Job growth is also above the national average. Job opportunities are abundant but competitive, as if found in most major cities. The cost of living, while higher than the national average, is one of the cheaper cities on this list. Austin has high wages to help offset the cost of living. Austin’s top industries include manufacturing, technology, financial services, life sciences, and aerospace. 

Austin is home to around 15 colleges and universities, most notably the University of Texas at Austin, Southwestern University, and St. Edward's University. Prospective students can find abundant InDesign courses in Austin as well as Adobe meetups and events. The city is also home to one of several Adobe corporate offices across the country. The city is a great choice to start a career due to its diverse job opportunities, including a rising tech scene and growing hub for startups and entrepreneurship.

San Jose, CA

The economy of San Jose is above the national average, with unemployment resting significantly lower. If you crave the California scene but cringe at the San Francisco cost of living, San Jose is a more affordable option (on par with Los Angeles). The city’s top industries include manufacturing, professional, scientific, technical services, and healthcare. The city features a thriving tech scene.

There are nearly 20 colleges and universities within city limits, most notably San Jose State University and Evergreen Valley College. Prospective students can find abundant InDesign courses in San Jose as well as Adobe meetups and events. The city is also home to one of several Adobe corporate offices across the country. San Jose has been consistently named year after year as one of the happiest cities to live in, with unemployment and income growth rates being key considerations. 

Learn InDesign Skills Online

If you don’t live in one of these major metropolitan areas and aren’t looking to move to one of them to start a new career, there are ample online InDesign learning opportunities. Noble Desktop’s live online learning courses replicate the interactivity of in-person classrooms. Instructors are live and answer your questions in real time. They can also, with your permission, view or take control of your screen to assist with complex tasks. Courses can be taken from anywhere so long as you have an internet connection.

To learn more about live online InDesign courses, consider exploring your options with Noble’s Classes Near Me Tool.

Learn InDesign Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers a wide range of training options for students seeking to learn Adobe InDesign. Ranging from introductory courses such as InDesign in a Day to immersive career training programs like the Graphic Design Certificate program, Noble has a training program built to fit your needs. These courses are all taught by professional instructors with years of training as both teachers and graphic designers. Each course comes with the option to retake the course for free within a year of the initial enrollment, meaning that students have the option to take the courses again in order to receive more hands-on experience with InDesign or to gain more training in skills that they found difficult the first time through.

The Adobe InDesign Bootcamp gives students hands-on experience working with InDesign through exercises that mirror the kinds of projects that professional Graphic Designers would work on. Students will learn how to create layouts with InDesign’s text, color, and graphic tools, they will learn how to import formats and styles to easily build layouts, and they will learn how to work with parent pages to easily create complex, multi-page designs for projects like brochures and magazines. This course is ideal for students who want to learn the advanced features of InDesign within a professional context. At the end of this bootcamp, students will be prepared to use InDesign as part of their professional lives, and they will be able to demonstrate to their employers that they have received in-depth InDesign training.

Noble’s Graphic Design Certificate program takes this InDesign training and pairs it with career-focused training in Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will learn the background of graphic design, receiving training in philosophies of composition, color theory, and typography. Then, they will learn how to use Illustrator and Photoshop to create digital illustrations and assets that can be imported to InDesign to populate finished page layouts. Bringing these programs together, the Graphic Design Certificate program is built to take students from novice users to trained designers, aiming to help them find a new career once they’ve completed the course. This certificate program also provides students with one-on-one career mentoring so that when the course is complete, graduates will be ready to enter the workforce as Graphic Designers.