A Photoshop apprenticeship lets you work as you learn and earn. Not only will you pick up the essential skills to master this popular graphics editor, but you will get to do so in a real office environment and under the guidance of experienced professionals. If you’re hoping to kickstart your career in graphic design as an apprentice, check out our comprehensive guide to get started.
What Is a Photoshop Apprenticeship?
A Photoshop apprenticeship is a type of program that allows you to get paid as you gain skills and experience through on-the-job training. These programs give employers the opportunity to prepare and develop professionals to join their staff and give apprentices the chance to gain valuable experience, receive mentorship, and become familiar with the day-to-day responsibilities of Photoshop professionals.
During a typical Photoshop apprenticeship, you will learn about Adobe’s open source playbook, how to create infographics and logos, and how to design banners, illustrations, and graphics for social media. You will take a closer look at the production process of a graphic design agency by interacting directly with the design team. You’ll also have a chance to interact and communicate with clients directly.
What Does a Photoshop Apprentice Do?
A Photoshop apprentice’s typical responsibilities include assisting in the creation of visual materials for different purposes, such as communication, education, or marketing. You’ll work under the supervision of a senior designer or creative director and learn how to handle client relationships. During the apprenticeship, you’ll also be exposed to other types of software, like Adobe Illustrator, which are commonly used in the industry.
Photoshop Apprenticeship Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a graphic design apprentice is about $54,569 per year. Assuming you work 40 hours per week, this is equivalent to about $26 per hour. However, your salary as an apprentice will vary according to your location, company, and contract.
Photoshop Apprenticeship Requirements
To apply to a Photoshop apprenticeship, you’ll need to have artistic skills, basic computer skills, and some knowledge of graphic design or commercial art. To demonstrate your skills, make sure to put together a portfolio of graphic design projects that recruiters can review, and which can include spec pieces or your own designs. Knowledge of graphic design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and CorelDRAW can also help you secure an apprenticeship.
Types of Photoshop Apprenticeships
To help you pick the right Photoshop apprenticeship, we’ve compiled a list of the most common roles you’ll be able to take on through these programs. Any of these will give you a chance to hone your graphic design skills while getting apprenticeship training from professionals. Make sure to pick an option that aligns with your interests and career goals.
Web and User Interface Design
Web and user interface design focuses on the design principles that allow for the creation of websites and apps that are user-friendly and effective. Coding skills and a web development background aren’t indispensable for this role, but they can help set you apart from other candidates and help you create a better user experience for your clients.
If you take on an apprenticeship in this role, you’ll get to work on landing pages, marketing websites, game interfaces, app designs, and WordPress sites.
Graphic Design
A graphic design apprenticeship is focused on the design and creation of logos, flyers, ads, and other promotional materials. You’ll be asked to help out in setting up and styling web pages and social media content across different platforms. You’ll have a chance to master Photoshop while learning how to adapt imagery to a specific brand and a specific audience.
As an apprentice, you’ll have a chance to work with developers and business analysts. You’ll also gain graphic design experience working directly with clients and translating their requests into pieces they can use to promote their products and services. Graphic designers are highly valued across a variety of industries.
Brand Identity Design
This role focuses on creating the entire look and feel of an organization’s visual presence. As a brand identity designer, you’ll work with clients to determine color palettes, imagery, and logos that highlight their main selling points and align with their brand voice and target audience. You’ll have to look at every aspect of your client’s identity, including font styles, colors, and all other aspects of their visual vocabulary.
Packaging Design
For packaging design, your main focus is to create and execute a prototype for attention-grabbing packaging materials using design elements like color graphics, shape, color, and typography. Your goal is to create packaging that’s functional and appealing to customers. You’ll be brainstorming with the team and communicating with clients to work out their needs, as well as analyzing market trends.
Photoshop Apprenticeship Jobs
Many Photoshop apprenticeships will not only test and strengthen your digital photography skills, but will also help you learn about web design, user interfaces, and user experience. Below are some of the best apprenticeships you can apply to in the US to help you get started in this field.
Methods+Mastery Apprenticeship Program
This apprenticeship program offers you the chance to be part of a company that will push you to work hard while still having fun, and offers opportunities for growth.
The company is looking for someone who already has experience with print and web design, including infographics, social media posts, and animations, as well as proficiency in the use of Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and other editing tools. You are expected to have a passionate spirit, to step outside of your comfort zone, and do something beyond what’s expected.
WarnerMedia Apprenticeship Program
This two-year apprenticeship program will allow you to enhance your Photoshop skills while diving deeper into other graphics elements like logos and source materials.
You’ll be learning about graphics operation, media standards, and transfer protocols, and assisting graphics operators in organizing information and documenting standard operating procedures. You can also expect to learn other current graphics systems including After Effects, Illustrator, Visual Studio, Word, Excel, and Access.
REQ Apprenticeship Program
This apprenticeship program gives you the chance to work directly with art directors and designers to finish client deliverables. These include social media assets, campaign pieces, print collaterals, and website or app mockups. You’ll also be collaborating with copywriters in order to deliver designs that catch attention and motivate audiences to make a purchase.
Sidebench Apprenticeship Program
You’ll be working with the design team, and your main task is to assist in brainstorming and planning. You’ll also be giving ideas for branding and assisting in designing social media posts and other materials needed for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Dribble. You’ll be participating in designing client deliverables like mock-ups, illustrations, spec work, style, and branding guides.
This apprenticeship offers successful candidates the opportunity to transition to a full-time position. As for the requirements, you need to be passionate about technology, have initiative, and be attentive to detail. You also should have strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Snap Custom Clothing Apprenticeship Program
In this apprenticeship, you’ll be designing and creating graphics for promotional needs, including designs, concepts, and sample layouts for product illustrations, websites, and company logos.
You’ll be working with the advertising and marketing teams to integrate copy and graphics effectively. You’ll also be studying illustrations and photographs to plan for copy and graphics effectively, preparing specifications for work to be performed by others, and reviewing production work to suggest improvements.
How to Get a Photoshop Apprenticeship
There are many ways to prepare for an apprenticeship. We’ve listed some of the most common options below to help you land an apprenticeship.
Bootcamps
Bootcamps are an excellent way to learn lots of skills quickly and solve problems you might encounter in the actual workplace. Bootcamps usually offer career services that help successful graduates in finding apprenticeships or entry-level jobs, as well as financing options to help you get an education without money becoming a roadblock.
Through one of the best Photoshop bootcamps, you’ll be able to learn the basics of layers, cropping, interface setup, masks, shapes, text, smart objects, transforming, actions, filters, and workflows.
Internships
Doing an internship can also be a great way to get all the industry-standard skills you need. Internships are sometimes required for undergraduate students to finish their degrees. They give students a chance to explore what it’s like to be part of a company and get some hands-on training.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
Trade Schools
A trade school is a postsecondary educational institution that offers training for a specific job. Typically, they take between one and two years. Here, you’ll also study and have hands-on training for the career path you want to focus on. They are an extensive preparation for an apprenticeship or for joining the workforce.
Vocational Training
Vocational training is usually aimed towards people who have skipped traditional education and are looking for specific training to begin on a career path. They include hands-on projects to help you solidify theoretical knowledge. This is also a great way to prepare for your apprenticeship because it helps you develop valuable practical skills.
Is a Photoshop Apprenticeship Worth It?
Yes, a Photoshop apprenticeship is worth it if you want to pursue digital design, web design, graphic design, or digital marketing as a career path. Apprenticeships set people up for successful careers by providing hands-on training and the chance to receive mentorship from industry experts.
Photoshop Apprenticeship FAQ
A traditional apprenticeship typically lasts from one to six years. Modern apprenticeship programs in tech and related fields tend to be shorter, usually around six months to a year. The length of your apprenticeship will depend on the company you work for and the type of program you join.
If you want to stand out as a candidate, make sure you have experience working with Photoshop and other parts of the Adobe suite. Put together a portfolio with pieces you’ve designed that showcase your existing skills. Make sure you research the company you want to join and be clear on your motivation and long-term career goals.
Yes, it is a great option for people pursuing careers in user experience design, digital design, or graphics design. It can work for recent college graduates and career switchers alike. A Photoshop apprenticeship will allow you to solidify your skills and advance toward full-time jobs in one of these fields.
Yes. When you join an apprenticeship program, you will receive a salary as compensation for your work, in addition to hands-on training and mentorship.
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