For the past couple weeks, I have been on furlough from my job at Imagine Crafts. Since I am under a stay-at-home order here in Washington, this time is not a vacation or a break for me really. I felt it was the perfect time to learn a new skill or two. I have tried different design lessons on LinkedIn and on YouTube and for this time I decided to try Skill Share and I love it. One of the worst believe it or not is YouTube. I find that the organization of YouTube is too chaotic for learning design topics. When you do find a great lesson on YouTube, then YouTube algorithm brings up adjacent Ted Talks or other design lectures that aren’t really “classes” or instructional. I find that jumping around to be very distracting when I am in learning mode.

I found Skill Share to be one of the best learning platforms for designers.

One of the top reasons I enjoy the Skill Share platform is how the lessons are broken up into a sequential playlist. If a part of the lesson is redundant or too advanced you can narrow in on that portion of the lesson by skipping it or watching it again. You can also see what you are about to learn in the sidebar so it keeps you engaged. Also when the lesson is over it stops. The silence is a great way to allow your mind to absorb what you just learned.

Plus there are great designers on Skill Share like Aaron Draplin! One of my personal favs!

I have been taking a number of courses on Skill Share so far and for the price it is a great deal! This class on Design Trends in 2020 by Lindsay Marsh was very helpful. Lindsay reviews the trends and then goes into depth on how to create the stylistic choices using Adobe products. Watching how designers work is so valuable. It can affirm your own techniques or enlighten you to tools you may not use on a regular basis.

While YouTube is a great resource for learning.. just about anything (like how to do a Pad Thai), I found that with design specifically it is better to listen to channels such as The Futur or interviews and podcast-like long form discussions on YouTube rather than search for a class. If you need focused and attentive learning spend the $20 a month for Skill Share or at least take advantage of their 14-day free trial.