Ascend Training

Super practical… the instructors are showing you how to do this in Photoshop, do that in InDesign, and splitting them into beginner/​advanced courses makes it helpful for a beginner Adobe user like me. But I could tell during an advanced session even the experienced students were taking notes and following along. It’s really awesome to see how receptive students can be when instructors are so knowledgeable and «into it.»
I attended Adobe Days 2015 in Chicago where you eventually pick and choose smaller sections to go to. These were just as practical as the speakers were whipping out their laptops and showing you on the big screen what to do. FAQs at the end in case you have questions, and they’re more than willing stay after the session to answer questions and help people out — you can tell they genuinely enjoy doing it too.
The facility/​computer rooms are also gorgeous/​comfortable. 5 stars all the way.

Amazing conference! I learned so much that will change the way that I work. Thank you! @AscendTraining #AdobeDaysRocks

Ascend is hands down the best training for Adobe programs in Chicago. They are so friendly, helpful and incredibly knowledgeable. The class sizes are very small to accommodate questions and this helps create a more intimate learning environment. The facility is great, very nice and clean and accommodating. I took the introduction to InDesign and was creating professional fliers, proposal covers and wedding invitations the next day. I will be taking as many classes as I can over the next few months! Worth every penny.

I’ve attended several classes at Ascend but I’ve always taken advantage of going back to retake the classes. This is an absolutely fabulous perk that you can’t find anywhere. And it really helps to reiterate all the info you learn. Also, have reached out to them for specific help and they are always there to help you find ways to solve your Adobe issues. They are all that and a bag of chips!

Attended a few free sessions that they offer and always find myself learning a ton. Great teachers who take the time to not just tell you the right way to do something, they show you how to do something the right way. Would recommend to anyone.

I got a jump-​start on HTML5 by attending the Ascend Training Class: HTML5 & CSS3
Thank you guys.

Best place on earth. :-)

Took a free seminar here the other day, and was really impressed. The lady that ushered me into the seminar (a bit late, ooops!) utterly friendly and helpful. Their list of classes looks excellent, and I got a line on an InDesign user group that got me excited about what I do for a living again, which is great.
I’ll be back, for classes, networking and FUN. Gorgeous space in the Fine Arts building, and a really great vibe here.

I’ve been to a few of the free Adobe update seminars that Ascend offers, and I recently took the introductory Flash class at the Chicago location. The location of the classes can’t be beat, and the building itself makes it a treat just to visit.
The class sizes are always really small, the teachers are very professional, the equipment is as up-​to-​date as can be, and I got a great in-​depth introduction to Flash CS4. I’m excited to take the class again for free, as you can re-​take within 6 months of your original class date. I’m sure a re-​take could be a little boring if the material is exactly the same, but I’m someone who needs a refresher so it’s great to know that they let you do this.
It was definitely a lot of money to spend on a class, so it would be hard to have taken it had my employer not paid for it, but I think the training that you get is worth the price either way.

Ascend offers Adobe classes at this location and in Deerfield. They do a lot of nice introductory courses for free to give you a taste of their capabilities. Their meatier training classes are several hundred dollars, but they’re very extensive, you can retake them for free, and they give you coupons for $ 150 off other classes.
They also organize fun networking/​learning events for the design community, i.e. for freelancers, RIA inclined folk, and bloggers. I get their newsletter, so when Colin Moock (Flash expert) came to town a few years ago, I was able to go to his training course. (This is probably only really exciting to a Flash geek like me).
This Ascend Training facility is conveniently located in the historic Fine Arts Building, just north of Congress on Michigan. I love the location. It’s on the fourth floor and the office opens to the gorgeous center courtyard. The space is nice and comfortable. The elevators are old with elevator attendants.
I think this is an excellent resource for designers, especially if your company is willing to pay for some of the extensive courses!

Took a Dreamweaver class here.
The pros:
Can re-​take the class within 6 months for free.
Has good training facility with up-​to-​date computers.
Give a discount to nonprofits.
Cool, old building.
The con:
When I re-​took the class, I had the same trainer who did the class almost exactly the same. Wouldn’t have minded some variety in trainers/​training.