The best designers never stop learning. Some decide to go back to college, while others opt for online resources and master new skills via well-written Photoshop tutorials. When you have a strict deadline to meet or you feel uninspired, step-by-step guides equip you with the knowledge you need to move forward purposefully. The following nine sites each contain an array of excellent video and written tutorials, many of which are absolutely free to view or to read.
Lynda
Graphic arts students, career-minded digital artists and big shot creative pros turn to Lynda when the going gets tough. Packed with up-to-date courses, downloadable course materials and useful tips, Lynda offers a really comprehensive learning experience online. If you’re an absolute novice or need to scrape a little rust off your creative gearbox, you can get a handle on the learning curve with Photoshop CC 2017 Essential Training: The Basics. Seasoned professionals, on the other hand, often enjoy courses like Photoshop CC 2017 One-on-One: Mastery. Look out for Lynda trials and sign up for free if you want to give the site a go before subscribing.
KelbyOne
Founded by Photoshop User Magazine founder Scott Kelby, KelbyOne presents a plethora of courses designed for Adobe-loving photography enthusiasts. World-class instructors and seasoned industry mavens like Jeremy Cowart, Moose Peterson and Terry White guide mentor online students through a range of creative subjects. Helpful webcasts, a one-on-one helpdesk and downloadable practice files make it easier to advance, no matter your current skill level. If you want to get even more involved, KelbyOne regularly has live one-day seminar events in the US, Canada and the UK.
Envato Tuts+
Well designed and easy to use, the Envato Tuts+ website effortlessly guides its visitors through the signup process and on to the good stuff. Each course overview tells you how long it takes to complete, which is great when you only have a small amount of time to devote to skill enhancement. Envato Elements offers access to a quarter million photos, design-ready assets and templates. Many Photoshop-oriented designers secretly yearn to learn about Illustrator but don’t feel comfortable with vector-format graphics. If that sounds like you, look no further, because Envato Tuts+ has a selection of courses geared toward Illustrator novices, too.
Adobe TV
If you prefer learning via video, check out Adobe TV. Brought to you by the same skilled folk who design Adobe apps, this well-stocked tutorial website has an array of step-by-step guides, from absolute beginner to expert level. Learn useful tips and tricks in basic video tutorials or discover 3D painting, complex filters and more in advanced sessions. If you’re ready to soak up knowledge like a sponge, select the site’s Learn Photoshop CC show to figure out layering, effective cropping and more. Best of all, Adobe TV is free.
Udemy
To get a grip on difficult Photoshop tasks, opt for Udemy’s Mastering Adobe Photoshop CC course. Stocked with practical, real-world lessons and complete working files, this tutorial included 13.5 hours of in-depth video to help you become a Photoshop whizz. Well over 1,000 reviewers give this particular course 4.5 stars out of 5, making it a worthwhile option if you have limited time for learning. Other great Photoshop courses on the site include Photoshop for Beginners: Master Photoshop CC in 2017!, Adobe Photoshop CC for Photographers and A Complete Guide to Adobe Photoshop Tools.
Skillshare
A dedicated Photoshop section on Skillshare offers almost 500 courses for free, so this site is ideal for creatives on a budget. If you do choose to sign up, you get access to about 4,000 tutorials, so if you can’t afford that option now, you might want to put it on your holiday list. Total newbies find Basics of Photoshop: Fundamentals for Beginners very useful, while experienced professionals enjoy more in-depth tutorials about specific Photoshop techniques.
HowNow
Effective and refreshing, HowNow offers the option to have one-on-one sessions with your own instructor, rather than learning from a video or from written text. This method works particularly well for creatives who need to complete tasks hands-on to learn efficiently. Simply join the site and activate your 14-day free trial to begin talking to your instructor via video chat. After your free trial ends, group sessions are more economical than private lessons, but all of HowNow’s options offer real value for money.
Pluralsight
Choose Pluralsight if you prefer self-guided learning, or opt for Pluralsight Mentors if you need one-on-one assistance or want to learn new Photoshop methods very quickly. Mentors on the site are accomplished industry professionals with ongoing creative careers; if your subscribe, you can get connected to a mentor in minutes at any time of the day, which is very useful if you’re on a tight deadline. If you like your Photoshop mentor, you can give them a great rating and schedule follow-up sessions with the same individual.
Phlearn
A large selection of free tutorials and an easy-to-use website makes Phlearn a great choice for students as well as well-seasoned pros. Rather than a monthly plan, users pay for courses individually as they need them. This might seem like an expensive option if you plan to keep learning ad infinitum, but the tutorials on Phlearn are advanced and very well written, so they quickly pay for themselves as you use your new expertise.
Technological and hardware upgrades, new design programs and ever-changing trends bless creatives with a treasure trove of learning opportunities. Embracing knowledge and mastering the latest techniques generates positive change and can drive your career forward. In-classroom schooling is great, but if you can’t get to college, high-quality online Photoshop tutorials and a passion for learning can expand your skillset and open up a world of opportunity.