North Carolina's Adobe Academy pathway prepares students for careers using Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Students develop expertise in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other Adobe tools for design, publishing, and marketing applications. Strong demand from design studios, marketing agencies, and corporate communications departments creates diverse career opportunities.
Curriculum covers each major Adobe application with practical projects demonstrating print and digital design competency. Students create portfolios including logos, layouts, advertisements, and digital assets. Learning incorporates current design trends and real-world project requirements from local industry.
Graduates work as graphic designers, publication designers, digital designers, and marketing specialists for agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and freelance clients. Many establish independent design practices or advance to creative director roles.
Adobe Academy at a Glance
2
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
North Carolina's Adobe Academy curriculum aligns with Adobe and digital design standards. Students complete 4-6 pathway units covering Adobe applications, design principles, and professional practice as defined by NC DPI.
Programs emphasize Adobe Certified Associate credentials and professional portfolio development. Students learn design practices aligned with industry standards.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Adobe Visual Design | II31 |
| Adobe Digital Design | II32 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Premiere Pro
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - After Effects
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Visual Design Specialist
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Video Design Specialist
- ✓Unity Certified User - Programmer
- ✓Unity Certified User - Artist
- ✓Unity Certified User - VR Developer
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Photoshop
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Junior Graphic Designer
Entry LevelSalary range: $43,680 - $71,700
Adjusted for cost of living: $46,399
Graphic Designer
Entry LevelSalary range: $43,680 - $71,700
Adjusted for cost of living: $46,399
Senior Designer
ExperiencedSalary range: $44,180 - $73,220
Adjusted for cost of living: $53,027
Creative Director
ExperiencedSalary range: $64,400 - $128,350
Adjusted for cost of living: $95,146
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern at advertising agencies, design studios, marketing departments, and print production companies throughout North Carolina.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps North Carolina CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
North Carolina Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with North Carolina's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as North Carolina standards and industry needs evolve
Ready to Build Adobe Academy Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Adobe Academy in North Carolina.