Luminous Works —Who We Are
More than just a Training Class
We are digital imaging educators providing hands-on training classes to creative firms and individuals, specializing in desktop publishing, digital photography, web design & the Adobe Creative Suite products. We are imaging professionals and professional educators — an ideal combination to meet your training needs.
We can, we do, and we teach.
The Details
Expand All Close All- Adobe Authorized Training Center
- Luminous Works is an Adobe Authorized Training Center. Classes focusing on Adobe software (InDesign, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash or Illustrator) are taught by Adobe Certified Instructors—that is, Adobe Certified Experts with teaching credentials. Creative workshops that go beyond software tools feature nationally recognized artists and teachers like our dear friend David Julian.
We've all heard of knowledgeable experts who haven't the ability to impart their knowledge. You won't encounter that here. - Mac OS or Windows
- All of our computers can run your operating system of choice. Try the other flavor for half a day, if you wish!
- Small class sizes — by design
- We pride ourselves on our ability to tailor training examples and emphases on the fly. Since we strictly limit class size, you will not be just another head to count, but rather a learner with whom we're communicating.
- Carefully crafted curricula, made by us
- Constantly updated and refined, and never canned. Here, you'll never be subjected to a mass-produced workbook that is geared for the lowest common denominator. Instead, each class exercise is evaluated and tweaked to be effective and often fun.
We teach the bulk of the Adobe Creative Suite, but that's not the whole story. We also teach valuable classes in photographic workflows, color management, and several classes on "the basics" to get you started in web or desktop publishing. And since we have intentionally small class sizes, we can adapt a course's curriculum on the fly to accommodate that day's attendees. We teach people, not workstations. - Bring home your work
- Bring home your class files so you can practice what you learn with us. These training files often contain valuable tips and procedures, as well as what you may have created during class. Whether you want to show off the chapter you built in your InDesign training class, or you want to explore those features we covered in your Illustrator training class, or perhaps you want to post the site you built in your Dreamweaver training class, you'll have the resources to review and cherish your hard work..
- Free class refresher within a year
- Take it again! Within 12 months of any class that is still offered in that time, just let us know that you're ready to commit to a date for your audit. If there's a seat available, it's yours. Audits cannot be rescheduled ("use it or lose it") unless the class fills, in which case we'll provide 24 hours notice and let you choose another date. There are no audits for workshops with special guest instructors.
- Convenient & comfortable location
- From the lighting to the full kitchen for lunch and breaks; from the widescreen monitors to the expansive deck for catching your breath, you'll feel right at home while you learn. Students even ask us where they can buy our chairs! We're easily accessible from anywhere in the Seattle region.
- Some Terms & Conditions
- The deadline for cancellation is 5 business days before the start of your class. Students cancelling between 5 and 1 full business days before the start of class will receive a 70% refund. There will be no refund for cancellations made less than one full business day before the start of class. Business days are Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm Pacific Time and exclude federal holidays. Payment by check must be made 5 or more business days before class. There is a $35 fee for checks returned for insufficient funds. Please contact us for electronic transfer of funds and any other questions regarding payment. In the very rare event of a cancellation by Luminous Works, students will have the choice of rescheduling to a later class or receiving a full refund.
The full legalese is on the registration page, viewable, of course, before you hit the "Register Me" button.
Our Refined Curriculum
View and/or download our interactive Curriculum Map [84K PDF].
The quality of your education is paramount. We solicit your feedback and value every word. We'd be honored to be your hosts for any of our training classes or workshops.
Great classroom! Loved the environment!
- Photoshop Essentials student
The class environment was comfortable, clean, and warm. It provided the perfect atmosphere for learning.
- InDesign Essentials student
Great proximity to Metro transit and lunch spots. The room was comfortable. The outside deck was terrific for breaks. The entire experience was terrific!
- InDesign curriculum student
Great classroom! Loved the environment!
- Photoshop Essentials student
Very comfortable environment. The classroom layout is ideal.
- InDesign 3: Production Strategies student
Great classroom. Loved your kitchen, deck, and chairs.
- InDesign Essentials student
Our Classroom
During your class, we hope you'll appreciate the bright, sharp 20-inch LCD monitors; your choice of Windows or Mac OS at every seat; comfortable chairs; clear lines of sight to the projection screen; and the custom-made tables by craftsman Charles Hetrick. You deserve a comfortable learning environment.
click on the image below to see a larger view of your classroom.
We'd like to serve you
A fabulous teacher! A wealth of knowledge, explained so well, that it gives even the most inexperienced of us the feeling of some expertise by the end of the class! He spoke to us and worked with us, as opposed to speaking at us and directing us!
- InDesign Essentials Student
[The instructor] was outstanding! He was open, laid back, and very helpful with every aspect of the program. Instructors everywhere would do well to emulate his teaching style.
- InDesign Essentials Student
[The instructor] is very patient with questions and is mindful of the progress made by all of the students.
- InDesign 2: Layout Strategies Student
Steve is awesome. I've taken classes from him in the past, and I have always benefited from his technical knowledge and his great sense of humor. He's just outstanding—can't say enough good things.
- InDesign Essentials Student
Best instructor of a software application that I have ever worked with.
- Illustrator Essentials student
Steve is a fantastic teacher. He presents information in a way that is very accessible and easy to understand. He paces the class based on the students' level of experience but still fits in all the curriculum.
- InDesign Essentials student
Very much Enjoyed Steve and Carla- excellent hosts, excellent instruction. Thank you!
- Photoshop Essentials student,
Just a quick note to thank you again for a wonderful two days. Steve, the classes were the BEST. Thank you so much.
- a Photoshop Essentials student
Steve was very easy to learn from and very patient with questions.
- Photoshop Essentials student
We've helped major corporations like Boeing, Adobe Systems, Microsoft, The Seattle Times, REI, Macy's and Nordstrom; hundreds of professional and amateur photographers, major graphic design firms and studios of one; all-around creative companies; educational institutions like the University of Washington, community colleges and school districts throughout Washington and Oregon; and individual billionaires, millionaires, and starving artists.