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Guest Blog: Choosing Classes at PSW

Posted August 12, 2009 by Web Editor | Comments (6)

As Photoshop World draws ever closer, I am beginning to introduce some guest bloggers to the site who will be helping me cover the event. Today’s post comes courtesy of Terry Reinert, (aka: @TKRphoto) NAPP member, photographer, assistant to @Vanelli, and all-around good guy.

Take it away Terry!

Choosing Classes at Photoshop World

The sounds of typing and clicking drift softly through the office convincing your manager that you are hard at work. Yeah, right. The loud “WOO HOO!” gave you away… you weren’t working; you were registering for Photoshop World! After getting that “get back to work” look from your boss, you settle back down at your computer but work is the furthest thing from your mind. Why is that, you ask? Because you are way too excited and want to pick the classes you are going to attend at the conference. The list of classes is massive… how the heck do you weed through it and pick the ones that will be the best for you? That is where this blog post comes in… I am going to give you some tips to think about as you go through the class list to help you streamline your class attending activities.

One of the nice things about Photoshop World is that you do not have to sign up for classes prior to or at the event. You just show up at the room the course is being given in and grab a seat. So what is the big deal about picking classes now? Well, to have a plan so you know where to go for each time block instead of standing in the hallway trying to figure it out and then showing up late to the class you finally decide on. Not only that, but with a little pre-planning you can maximize your learning. You’ll see what I mean shortly…

Terry's "boss" doin' his thang @ PSW

Terry's "boss" doin' his thang @ PSW

Your Photoshop World registration includes the conference workbook that has all of the detailed notes supplied by the instructors with screen captures and graphics that follow along with EVERY class that is taught at Photoshop World. The workbook is amazing… I still reference the workbook I got from the Orlando 2008 Photoshop World as well as a few prior conference workbooks I jacked from Vanelli when he wasn’t looking. Terry 1, Vanelli 0. WOO HOO! Anyway, the workbook allows you to get the knowledge from every class even though you can only take a fraction of the classes; you’re not a quantum particle, sorry. Everyone got your assigned pocket protectors on? Great, let’s continue…

terry

All the classes at Photoshop World are grouped into tracks based on the content of the course. The tracks offered at the upcoming Photoshop World are General Photoshop, Photoshop 101, Design, Photoshop Fixes, Productivity, Lightroom, Techniques, Creative Suites, Creativity, Photography, General Photoshop, Motion Graphics, Digital Photography, and Print/Prepress. It is important to note that you do not have to pick a track and stick with it; you can take classes in any track without fear of Photoshop World Security showing up. You don’t want that to happen… you’ll have to get a new cell phone number shortly thereafter.

Ok, I think its time to layout those tips for picking classes that I mentioned…

  • Pick one primary class and at least one secondary class for each time slot.  You will probably run into a few cases where you want to attend multiple classes offered at the same time.  So have a backup plan in case you want to change your mind at the last minute.
  • If you are attending Photoshop World with a friend then coordinate your class picks with them. My wife is a killer artist and also attends Photoshop World. I tend to take the classes offered under the Photography, Digital Photography, and Photoshop tracks. She goes with the Creativity and Design track courses. After the conference we go through the lesson plans in the workbook and explain to each other what we learned.
  • If you are attending Photoshop World alone then network, make some friends, and then refer to #2 on the list explained above! Need help networking? Read my post about how to network effectively at Photoshop World conferences here.
  • Keep an eye on the Photoshop World website in case any changes are made to the schedule so you are prepared instead of looking like a space cadet trying to find a class that no longer exists at the conference.
  • Same as the above… when you get to the conference on the first day, look over the schedule boards or talk to one of the NAPP support guru’s to get the latest information. Wait… maybe I shouldn’t recommend that… after a few hundred people ask them about the schedule based on my recommendation they are probably going to sick Photoshop World security on me… and he already has my cell phone number!!! DOH! (Editor’s Note: Any last-minute changes to the schedule will be announced by the PSW moderators before each class. Other than that, please assume all info on the schedule boards is correct…. We will sic security on Terry if our staff is mobbed based on this post. ;D)

doodle

Use the PDF class picker utility that NAPP usually puts out before the conference. I believe Dave Cross is the one that puts it together. I didn’t see a link to it on the site as of the writing of this article so keep an eye out for it in the future if they do release another one. It is a good way to stay organized instead of having to create your own spreadsheet (for you engineering types) or scribbling on napkins (for you Joe McNally types). (Editor’s Note: Yes. Dave Cross creates a PDF to help you pick your classes. It should be available soon. Keep checking the PSW blog for links.)

Don’t forget the free classes on the Expo floor! They are given during the breaks in conference classes so that it is easy for everyone to attend. Just because they are on the Expo floor and free doesn’t mean they don’t contain great info! Get there early so you get a seat near the front.

Monitor the official conference hash tag (#PSW) search page on Twitter. If you see a tweet from someone saying they attended a class that you wanted to go to then contact them. Meet them at the conference or set up a time to call, email, or IM so you can trade notes. (Ed. Note: GREAT IDEA!!!)

And now for some reference material…

Class Schedule on PSW Website.
Class Schedule on PSW Brochure.
My blog on networking at PSW.
NAPP Forums for Pre-Conference Networking.

Vanelli photo courtesy of Dave Loebig. Used with permission.

Posted in Classes, Guest Post, Pre-PSW Planning

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