Free Seminars

Free Classes in Design, Coding, Business, and More

Design Smarter: Building Custom AI Automations for Creative Workflows with Dan Rodney

Mon, May 11, 7–8:30pm ET Live Online

Learn how to use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to streamline and automate your work in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. AI goes beyond generating images, videos, or text. One of its powerful uses for creatives is writing code that runs behind the scenes. You do not need to be a programmer or understand how code works. AI handles that for you. By having AI create automations for repetitive tasks unique to your workflow, you can save time. Instead of doing manual work, let an automated script do it for you. That way you can spend more time on creative thinking, client work, and growing your business. This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Dan Rodney. What You'll Learn How to use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to write scripts/automations for your specific design workflows How to use scripts in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign How to handle errors that arise during testing Best practices for testing Who It's For Anyone who uses Adobe apps (such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) and wants to speed up repetitive tasks Professionals wanting to get better at using AI to support their design work People looking to save time How to Join The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate. To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited. A unique Zoom join link will be sent to registered subscribers prior to the class date. About the Instructor Dan Rodney has been a designer and web developer for over 20 years, creating coursework and leading innovative training initiatives at Noble Desktop. He teaches courses covering Figma, HTML & CSS, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Power BI. Dan has also been at the forefront of integrating AI into design and business workflows, spearheading Noble Desktop’s latest AI course offerings. In addition to teaching and curriculum development, he writes custom scripts for InDesign (Make Book Jacket, Proper Fraction Pro, and more) and works with automation and AI-driven tools in his free time. You can find Dan on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and at danrodney.com.

Beauty & Glamour Lighting: Create Bold, Flattering, High-End Beauty Portraits with James Patrick

Wed, May 13, 7–9:30pm ET Live Online

Beauty and glamour portraits require more than good lighting. They require intention.The difference between an average portrait and a striking beauty image is understanding how to shape light, guide expression, and create a visual experience that feels polished and editorial.In this hands-on workshop, commercial photographer James Patrick will break down his complete approach to creating sexy, glamorous, high-end beauty portraits. Students will learn how to build simple lighting setups that sculpt the face and body while maintaining the softness and elegance that beauty photography demands.Throughout the workshop, James will demonstrate how to pose and direct female subjects in ways that feel confident, flattering, and professional. You’ll see how small adjustments in lighting, direction, and composition can dramatically elevate the final image.This workshop focuses on clarity and control behind the camera. Rather than relying on complicated gear or gimmicks, James will show how thoughtful lighting and confident direction can transform a portrait into a polished editorial image. This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with James Patrick. What You'll Learn Light women confidently using simple, repeatable beauty lighting setups. Sculpt the face and body while maintaining flattering softness. Pose and direct female subjects with clarity and professionalism. Compose beauty and glamour portraits that feel editorial and polished. Create cohesive portrait looks that feel intentional and magazine-ready. Who It's For Photographers who want to create stronger beauty and glamour portraits. Portrait photographers looking to improve their lighting for female subjects. Creatives interested in editorial-style beauty imagery. Intermediate photographers ready to refine their direction and lighting control. How to Join The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate. To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited. A unique Zoom join link will be sent to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time. About Your Instructor James Patrick is a commercial photographer and media strategist based in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the course of his career, he has photographed more than 800 magazine covers across the health, fitness, and wellness industries. His work has appeared in major publications including Muscle & Fitness, Men's Fitness, Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine, and Women's Running. James specializes in creating bold editorial imagery and helping photographers develop both their creative voice and their professional brand.

Modern Brush Lettering Calligraphy with Jade Scarlett

Thu, May 14, 7–9:30pm ET Live Online

The Modern Brush Lettering Essentials seminar introduces beginners to the foundational techniques behind contemporary brush lettering. Modern lettering blends traditional calligraphy principles with a relaxed, expressive style often used in branding, social media, stationery, and creative projects. In this session, participants learn how brush pressure creates contrast and how mastering basic strokes leads to clean, confident letterforms. Through guided demonstrations and structured practice exercises, this seminar covers pen control, stroke consistency, letter formation, spacing, and composition. Participants will learn how to create thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes, combine strokes into lowercase letterforms, and build simple words with rhythm and balance. By the end of the session, attendees will understand the mechanics behind brush lettering and feel confident practicing independently.This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Jade Scarlett. What You'll Learn Understand what modern brush lettering is and how it is built on pressure contrast. Practice pen control and the core strokes that form every letter. Create thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes with consistent pressure and rhythm. Build lowercase letters by grouping them by structure rather than alphabet order. Connect letters into words with smoother transitions and better spacing. Explore style and flourishing after fundamentals are mastered, while maintaining legibility. Who It's For Beginners with little or no calligraphy experience Creatives interested in hand lettering for personal projects or branding Designers who want to incorporate custom typography into their work Stationery and craft enthusiasts Anyone looking for a relaxing, skill-based creative practice Required Materials Brush pens (small and medium tip recommended, such as water-based brush markers) Smooth practice paper (marker paper or laser printer paper recommended) Pencil and eraser Ruler Printed practice sheets (basic strokes and alphabet guides) Optional: Tombow Fudenosuke or similar firm-tip brush pen for beginners Optional: tracing paper or lightbox How to Join The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate. To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited. A unique Zoom join link will be sent to registered subscribers prior to the class date. About the Instructor Jade Scarlett is a watercolor artist, modern calligrapher, educator, and confessed craftaholic. It is her deepest belief that people can be happier and more fulfilled when expressing themselves creatively, and she's intensely passionate about teaching and making art accessible to all. Her desire is to uplift and encourage everyone to live their best creative lives. Her motto in life is “Make art, feel happy!"

Getting Creative with Rear Curtain Sync with Mark Wallace

Fri, May 15, 7–9:30pm ET Live Online

Getting Creative with Rear Curtain Sync is a practical class taught by professional photographer Mark Wallace that shows you how to combine motion blur with frozen action using flash and a slow shutter speed. You’ll learn how rear curtain sync creates a double-exposure effect that captures both movement and sharp detail in a single frame. Mark demonstrates how this technique can be used to create more engaging event and wedding photos, especially in dark environments where ambient light and flash work together. He also expands on the technique in the studio, showing how small adjustments to shutter speed, flash, and exposure can produce striking creative effects. This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Mark Wallace. What You'll Learn Combine motion blur with frozen action in a single image. Control motion blur using your camera’s shutter speed. Balance ambient light exposure and flash exposure in the same frame. Use rear curtain sync to create more dynamic event and environmental photos. Create interesting photographic effects in dark locations and studio setups. Who It's For Photographers who have some experience with flash photography. Event and wedding photographers who work with flash and ambient light. Studio photographers who want to add a new dimension to their work. Anyone working with an on-camera flash in dark locations. How to Join The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate. To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited. A unique Zoom join link will be sent to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time. About the Instructor Mark Wallace is a photographer based in the United States. Best known for his web-based video series Digital Photography One on One and Exploring Photography sponsored by Adorama. Millions of people have watched Mark’s videos on YouTube, and the numbers continue to grow. Mark has a strong social media following on Facebook and Twitter, where he spends time interacting with viewers and workshop attendees. In 2014, Mark left the United States to embark on a 2 year world wide adventure. He visited 28 countries and captured thousands of unique photographs across the globe. In 2016, Mark decided to give up planes, trains, and automobiles and is now exploring the world on his motorcycle.

Meaning, Not Megapixels: The Why of Photography with Chris Weston

Tue, May 19, 4–5:30pm ET Live Online

Meaning, Not Megapixels: The Why of Photography with Chris Weston is a reflective class that explores the deeper reasons behind photography, using the Hand, Eye, Heart framework as a way of working. In this session, you’ll consider what separates a photograph that stays with you from one that doesn’t, and how paying closer attention to your subject, your instincts, and your intentions can change the images you make. The class moves through the three elements of the framework: Hand (craft, repetition, physical skill), Eye (perception, composition, timing), and Heart (intent, emotion, meaning). Rather than treating these as stages to pass through, the session explores how they exist in constant conversation and what happens when one dominates at the expense of the others. By the end of the class, you’ll have a clearer sense of what it means to photograph with intention and how to bring more care and connection to your practice. This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Chris Weston. What You'll Learn Why photography is about attention and intention, not equipment. How to understand and apply the Hand, Eye, Heart framework to your own work. How imbalances between the three elements show up and what to do about them. Why intention changes a photograph, and how viewers feel it without being told. How to slow down, listen visually, and photograph with care rather than habit. Who It's For Photographers at any level who feel their images are technically fine but somehow empty. Anyone who has been shooting for likes and wants to reconnect with why they started. Creatives curious about the philosophy and ethics behind the practice. Lightroom and Adobe users who want to think more deeply about what they’re making, not just how. Anyone ready to treat photography as a practice of attention rather than a pursuit of gear. How to Join The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate. To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited. A unique Zoom join link will be sent to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time. About the Instructor Chris Weston became a professional wildlife photographer in 2001, changing his career to follow instead his passion for what he describes as “the extraordinary behaviour of animals.” He has written over 20 books on photography, and his commercial credits include the BBC, ITV, The Times, The Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Independent, and Guardian newspapers; and Outdoor Photography, Practical Photography, Amateur Photographer, N-Photo, and Digital Photography magazines. He is an ambassador for Fujifilm and is a renowned speaker and teacher, leading multiple safaris, workshops, and seminars around the world. He is currently represented by The Marylebone Gallery in London, and his fine art prints are collected by international private clients. In 2018, he won the ArtHaus Gallery and Manhattan Arts International awards. His contemporary approach to photography led Amateur Photographer to describe him as “one of the most dynamic wildlife photographers working today.” A committed advocate for the environment, Chris was listed in Outdoor Photography as “One of the world’s 40 most-influential wildlife photographers.”

Evoto AI: Beyond the Basics with Mark Wallace

Tue, May 19, 7–8:30pm ET Live Online

This is the second class in Mark's series on Evoto AI — and now we're going deeper. In this class, we're diving into some of Evoto's most exciting tools: AI Color Match and AI Lab. AI Color Match lets you pull a look from any reference image and apply it across your entire session instantly, including consistent color grading across hundreds of photos without touching a single slider. We'll also get hands-on with AI Lab, where things get really fun. Remove unwanted people from a shot, drop your subjects into virtual sets, and clean up distracting background objects, all without ever leaving Evoto. Come ready to play, experiment, and leave with tools that will seriously change how you edit. This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Mark Wallace. What You'll Learn How to use AI Color Match to apply consistent color grades across an entire session. How to pull a look from a reference image and apply it quickly across multiple photos. How to remove people, eliminate distractions, and build virtual sets using AI Lab. How Evoto’s AI tools can speed up retouching and editing workflows. Practical techniques you can bring directly into your next editing session. Who It's For Anyone who has spent time in Evoto, whether through Mark’s first class, personal exploration, or early experimentation. Editors who want to speed up their color grading and retouching workflow. Anyone curious about what AI can actually do inside a professional editing tool. Photographers and retouchers who want more efficient ways to create polished final images. How to Join The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate. To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited. A unique Zoom join link will be sent to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time. About the Instructor Mark Wallace is a photographer based in the United States. Best known for his web-based video series Digital Photography One on One and Exploring Photography sponsored by Adorama. Millions of people have watched Mark’s videos on YouTube, and the numbers continue to grow. Mark has a strong social media following on Facebook and Twitter, where he spends time interacting with viewers and workshop attendees. In 2014, Mark left the United States to embark on a 2 year world wide adventure. He visited 28 countries and captured thousands of unique photographs across the globe. In 2016, Mark decided to give up planes, trains, and automobiles and is now exploring the world on his motorcycle.

Watercolor Lettering and Loose Florals with Jade Scarlett

Thu, May 21, 7–9:30pm ET Live Online

The Watercolor Lettering and Loose Florals seminar blends expressive brush lettering with soft, organic floral painting. This session focuses on creating fluid, imperfect compositions where painted letterforms and loose botanical elements work together harmoniously. Rather than aiming for rigid precision, participants learn to embrace movement, transparency, and layering to create modern, airy designs suitable for cards, prints, and decorative artwork. Through guided demonstrations, this seminar covers watercolor lettering techniques, simple floral brushstrokes, and composition strategies for combining text and illustration. Participants will practice controlling water and pigment for clean letterforms, painting intuitive floral shapes, and building balanced layouts with contrast and negative space. By the end of the session, attendees will complete a cohesive piece that integrates lettering and loose florals with confidence. This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Jade Scarlett. What You'll Learn Balance structure with looseness by combining lettering and florals. Create thick and thin watercolor letterforms using controlled water and pigment. Build simple floral shapes using brush pressure and wet-on-wet blending. Layer once dry to add depth without overworking the piece. Use a limited palette (2–4 colors) to create cohesion. Balance florals around lettering using contrast and negative space. Add finishing details and deepen shadows through glazing. Recognize when to stop to preserve softness and movement. Who It's For Students with basic watercolor or lettering experience Creatives interested in handmade cards, prints, or decorative artwork Brush lettering artists looking to incorporate painted elements Watercolor hobbyists wanting to add text to their compositions Anyone drawn to soft, modern botanical design styles Required MaterialsWatercolor paints (basic primary set or floral-friendly palette with pinks, greens, blues)Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, and 8 recommended)140 lb cold press watercolor paperWaterproof black fineliner (optional for outlining)Pencil and kneaded eraserTwo water containersPaper towels or cotton clothPalette for mixingOptional: white gel pen for highlights How to Join The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate. To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited. A unique Zoom join link will be sent to registered subscribers prior to the class date. About the Instructor Jade Scarlett is a watercolor artist, modern calligrapher, educator, and confessed craftaholic. It is her deepest belief that people can be happier and more fulfilled when expressing themselves creatively, and she's intensely passionate about teaching and making art accessible to all. Her desire is to uplift and encourage everyone to live their best creative lives. Her motto in life is “Make art, feel happy!"

In-Camera Creative Artistry - Gels, Smoke and Shutter Drag with Alain Martinez

Thu, Jul 9, 1–2:30pm ET Live Online

This creative portrait class shows how to transform ordinary shoots into bold, memorable images using practical in-camera techniques. In this session, Alain Martinez demonstrates how to use colored gels, smoke, shutter drag, rear-curtain flash, and other tools to create portraits with more drama, movement, and visual impact. Through multiple live scenarios, you’ll see how these effects come together in real time, from initial concept to final execution. The class focuses on achievable techniques that can be used on a wide range of shoots, helping photographers create images that feel more stylized, dynamic, and client-ready without relying on heavy post-production. This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A with Alain Martinez. What You'll Learn How to combine video light and flash in the same image. How to freeze motion with flash for sharper, more intentional results. How to create more drama and atmosphere in a portrait. How to use simple tools to produce striking in-camera effects. How gels, smoke, shutter drag, and rear-curtain flash can add creativity and energy to your images. Who It's For Intermediate photographers who want to add more creativity and stylized effects to their portraits. Advanced photographers interested in combining flash, continuous light, and motion techniques. Portrait photographers who want to create bolder, more memorable client work. Creatives looking for practical in-camera effects that can be applied on real shoots. How to Join The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate. To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited. A unique Zoom join link will be sent to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time.

Past Recordings of Free Seminars

Intro to a Career in Digital Marketing

Broadcast on May 21, 2020

Learn about digital marketing, the different types of digital marketing, various strategies, and more in this free webinar. Drive traffic through search with SEO and Google Ads Increase engagement and conversion with social media marketing Measure the success of your marketing and understand site traffic with Google Analytics Drive repeat business and engage prospects with email marketing Improve your site to optimize for conversion This webinar will not be recorded, so you must attend live! This is the perfect way to get started with digital marketing before you dive into one of our hands-on Digital Marketing classes (in-person in NYC or live online) or our Digital Marketing Certificate. What is Digital Marketing? Plain and simple, digital marketing is advertising using digital channels including social media, search engines, email, apps, and other digital channels. The goal of digital marketing can vary from driving traffic to generating sales leads, driving traffic, or any other desired action from users. With a basic understanding of what digital marketing is as a concept, let's dive into the various types of digital marketing. The Types of Digital Marketing Search Marketing: Search marketing includes both organic (SEO) and paid search (Google Ads). The goal of search marketing is to show up in search results for specific, relevant keywords. In the search results, there are paid results followed by organic results. To show up in the organic results requires a good SEO strategy involving keyword research, content marketing, technical optimization of your site, backlinks, and more. In order to show up in the paid results, you'll need to set up a Google Ads account and bid on specific keywords and pay for each click that you get from that ad. Search marketing is like a world of its own and requires a lot of knowledge and creativity to do it well, but if you execute properly it can result in a lot of growth for your business. Social Media Marketing: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, and all social media platforms can be lumped into social media marketing. Within social media marketing, you can take both organic and paid strategies for your desired outcomes. Building an organic following on one of these platforms will require you to produce content that engages your target audience and creative strategies to grow your following. Within each of these social media tools, there are also paid options that allow you to pay to show your ads to users on the platform. Paid social media marketing can be a great way to find new customers (prospecting) but you'll need to make sure you are targeting the right audiences with the right messaging to do it efficiently and effectively. Email Marketing: Although it is one of the older forms of marketing, it remains one of the most effective ways to market. Email marketing requires you to put in the effort and get creative in finding ways to build an email list. Once you have a strong email list in place and a good strategy to continue growing that list, you can leverage that list to sell your products or services, offer promotions, or engage with your customers. Other Digital Marketing: While the above cover some of the most popular forms of digital marketing, there are lots of other ways to go about digital marketing and growing your business digitally like site optimization and marketing analytics.

Dominate Local Search with Google My Business

Broadcast on April 14, 2020

When it comes to finding a local business that you can trust, more and more of us use the information and reviews we find in the local search listings of Google. In order for your business to be listed, you must have a Google My Business account for each of your locations. In this Webinar, presented by SEO Expert Steve Scott, you’ll discover all the tips and techniques you'll need to know to create a top-ranking Google My Business listing and what strategies you’ll need to do, on a regular basis, to keep your business listing at the top of Google Search. Instructor Bio Steve Scott has been studying the art and science of Search Engine Optimization and Digital Marketing since 1997. He is the founder and owner of both the Tampa and New York SEO Training Academy which provides SEO Training, Consulting and Digital Marketing Services to company's around the globe. Steve also serves as Vice President of the Search Engine Academy, a global network of SEO educators that teach live in-person workshops around the world.  As chairman of the Academy's Education Committee, Steve helps determine what will be taught and creates the material used by the Academy's network of trainers.  He is currently celebrating his 14th year teaching Search Engine Optimization Workshops and truly loves helping students make sense of SEO. In addition to training, Steve's Digital Marketing company continues to help business owners worldwide create a powerful online presence for their brands by offering them Search Engine Optimization, Website Design & Development, Pay-Per-Click, Local Search and Social Media services and more.

Where to Focus Your SEO Efforts in 2020

Broadcast on April 8, 2020

Let's face it ...SEO is a lot of work! There are just so many things to know and do.  Doing things the wrong way gets you nowhere fast and wastes tons of money. But, if you do the things Google wants you to do, success will follow! Come join Certified SEO Instructor Steve Scott for this informative Seminar where he'll go through the 14 areas you should be thinking about to succeed online in 2020. Instructor Bio Steve Scott has been studying the art and science of Search Engine Optimization and Digital Marketing since 1997. He is the founder and owner of both the Tampa and New York SEO Training Academy which provides SEO Training, Consulting and Digital Marketing Services to company's around the globe. Steve also serves as Vice President of the Search Engine Academy, a global network of SEO educators that teach live in-person workshops around the world.  As chairman of the Academy's Education Committee, Steve helps determine what will be taught and creates the material used by the Academy's network of trainers.  He is currently celebrating his 14th year teaching Search Engine Optimization Workshops and truly loves helping students make sense of SEO. In addition to training, Steve's Digital Marketing company continues to help business owners worldwide create a powerful online presence for their brands by offering them Search Engine Optimization, Website Design & Development, Pay-Per-Click, Local Search and Social Media services and more.

Designing for Mobile

Broadcast on May 5, 2017

It’s no secret that mobile devices have changed the computing landscape. An increasing number of people are browsing websites on smartphones and tablets, so they need to be mobile-optimized. People are also using native apps specifically designed for smartphones and tablets. With these new devices come new design challenges that we’ll discuss in this seminar. Join us for a free 2-hour seminar so you can become a better designer. Here are some topics we’ll talk about: How Mobile is Affecting Logo Design Navigation Small screens can be challenging. We’ll talk about and show examples of various styles of mobile navigation. Pros and cons of different types of mobile navigation. User experience and content flow. Considering what your users need, so they have a great experience. Responsive Web Design A responsive website adapts itself across different size screens (mobile, tablet, desktop, etc.). Unlike separate mobile and desktop sites, a responsive website uses a single codebase that adapts to any size screen. Mobile First: Improve your designs by focusing on mobile devices first, instead of treating them as an afterthought once you’ve designed the desktop site. Designing flexible content that can work across devices. Emails Emails can be responsive too! How much can you do? What do you need to keep in mind? How Do I Create My Graphics/Designs? What resolution & size should you work at? How to design for hi-res displays (Retina or HiDPI). Minimum button sizes that are ideal for tappable items. Previewing your designs live on devices while you work! Font considerations. How mobile fonts affect overall identity and print designs! Guidelines for App Icons Common icon sizes for iOS & Android Templates for automating icon creation

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