How I Taught Myself — Adobe XD, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign in 4months.

It all happened in year 2020, during the covid-19 lockdown that I taught myself some Adobe programs like XD, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign and also Corel Draw, all in just 4months.

Covid-19 pandemic was effective everywhere on the globe and world leaders suggest lockdown to contain the virus. My country Nigeria was also affected and our lockdown started March 2020.

While at home, I believe I could make a better use of the time I have and be creative, this was an opportunity for me to learn a new skill.

I my research to what I could learn, I watched a video on YouTube about logo and graphics design and the opportunity that lies in.

Also, I signed up for a UIUX launchpad program and undergone the training with Kitan David, who introduced the complex topic to us in a very easy way.

The UIUX program opened my eyes to world of possibilities and I was amazed at what I’ve been missing this while. And as a UI designer, I realized that Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skill will be handy and complementary. So, I set to teach myself these programs.

Using an Hp Compaq 6720s laptop, I installed the softwares and set myself on a time machine — to learn as fast as I could. I learn majorly through books — thanks to the creator and contributors of pdfdrive.com, I was able to get materials needed for my journey. YouTube videos helped as well.

I started with Adobe Illustrator CC 2018, and in 6days I can use every tools in the tool box and can perform complex operations as well. I usually spend 8–10 hours a day learning — reading through the books and watching videos.

I found Dan Scott (he was an Adobe certified tutor) videos super handy and watched both his basic and professional courses.

Then I learnt how to use the Corel Draw software. This didn’t take much time as it is very easy to use.

Illustrator and Corel Draw are both vector creator software are strong competitor, so it was fun for me knowing how to use both softwares.

In my UIUX class, we worked with Figma, however in my curiosity I explored Adobe XD and since I can use Illustrator and Figma, learning XD was very easy and fast.

While learning all these, I faced some challenges that almost stopped me from learning. There was no electricity where I lived, so I have to source for where to charge my laptop which can only last for two hours. Therefore, I usually go to gas stations, barber shops, and anywhere I saw light to charge.

Learning Photoshop posses challenge at first but it was easy to learn as well. With knowledge in one Adobe software, you can learn others very fast depending on you.

Not so much like those who have committed several years into Photoshop, but I can do basic and some complex tasks on the software which are super handy for my skill.

Also, I learnt Adobe InDesign and master the tool box.

All of these learning and processes was just in 4months. At first it was just a mere dream but since there was will to know, then everything became possible.

I believe that you can learn anything you want in this life that will add more to your skill and helps you earn more income.

This is just my process to show it is possible to learn these skills in a little time if you really want to