Skillshare Reviews – Time to Learn a New Skill Online

Carson

Published: October 18, 2023

Are you a creative individual with a knack for aesthetically pleasing arts, singing, or even knitting? Do you want to learn these arts from the comfort of your home? Then read on! Because we have the answer to all of your questions.

And the answer is in the form of Skillshare reviews! Skillshare is an online platform for learning that offers thousands of courses in various creative fields, such as design, photography, and music, as well as business and technology.

In addition, the platform is designed to be accessible and affordable, with a subscription model allowing users to access all courses for a monthly fee.

Skillshare was founded by Michael Karnjanaprakorn and Malcolm Ong in 2010. Karnjanaprakorn, a former venture capitalist, and Ong, a product developer, saw a need for an online learning platform that focused on creative skills and was accessible to everyone.

Since its founding, Skillshare has grown significantly and attracted millions of students and teachers. In 2022, the company reported having over 12 million registered users and over 35,000 courses on its platform, which makes it one of the largest online learning communities in the world.

But given that there are other learning platforms out there as well, what makes Skillshare stand out? Read on to find out!

Skillshare- One of A Kind

One of the best things about Skillshare, and you can call its USP, is the wide variety of creative and artsy courses on the platform. So, whether you want to learn a new creative skill or improve your business acumen, you will likely find a course that fits your interests and needs.

Another significant aspect of Skillshare is the affordability of the platform. With a monthly subscription fee, users can access unlimited courses and learn at their own pace without worrying about the cost of individual courses.

In addition, Skillshare has a vital community aspect, with the ability to connect with other students and instructors through the platform, which can be a great way to get feedback on your work, collaborate with others, and make new connections in your field.

Why Skillshare? Honest Skillshare Reviews 

Skillshare has an extensive selection of courses in a variety of creative fields, business, and technology. However, what sets Skillshare apart from other e-learning platforms? Well, it is the inner workings of how the course platform works.

Skillshare operates on a subscription model, meaning users pay a monthly fee to access all of the courses on the platform. This approach to online learning provides an affordable and accessible way for users to learn new skills and expand their knowledge.

One of the best things about Skillshare is the massive selection of courses available. With over 35,000 classes, users can find courses in almost any creative field imaginable. In addition, the courses are designed to be project-based, which means that users get hands-on experience and practical skills that they can apply in real-life situations. 

Additionally, the courses are taught by industry professionals who are passionate about their craft and who want to share their knowledge with others.

Another aspect that sets Skillshare apart is course discovery. Skillshare makes it easy for users to find courses tailored to their interests and skill levels. The search function is intuitive and easy to use, allowing users to filter results by topic, skill level, and duration.

Skillshare also recommends courses based on the user’s previous course history and interests, making it easier for users to find the perfect course.

Skillshare offers a range of features that make the learning experience even more enjoyable and engaging. For instance, users can collaborate with other students and instructors through the platform’s community features. This allows users to work and connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for learning. 

Skillshare also offers workshops and events, both online and in-person, which provide even more opportunities for users to learn and connect with others.

Pros and Cons of Skillshare

Now that we know what makes Skillshare different and how it may be your platform of choice for online learning, we understand that every e-learning portal has advantages and disadvantages. Let us now explore the pros and cons of Skillshare. These pros and cons are subjective and may vary based on individual experiences and preferences

How Are Skillshare Classes Structured?

Given that Skillshare banks itself majorly on courses focusing on creativity and arts, you must be wondering how they manage to provide hands-on learning via the internet in their classes. We will now explore this very concept.

Skillshare classes are typically structured as video lessons broken down into bite-sized segments. In addition, each class is designed to be project-based, which means that users can apply the skills they learn to a real-life project.

Classes are taught by industry professionals who are passionate about their craft and who want to share their knowledge with others. They typically include a mix of instructional videos, readings, and assignments. Some classes may also include quizzes or assessments to help users gauge their understanding of the material.

Users can learn independently and interact with the instructor and other students through the platform’s community features. They can ask questions, share their work, and provide feedback to others. This collaborative approach to learning helps users to stay motivated and engaged.

Most Reviewed Courses on Skillshare (with Costing)

Given that this platform enjoys a good reputation amongst creative aspirants and technology and business enthusiasts alike, we have analyzed and shortlisted the most Skillshare reviewed courses and their pricing to help you navigate this online learning platform and course offerings in an easy and less time-consuming matter.

Users of Skillshare have given these courses excellent ratings and reviews. They are taught by experienced educators who are passionate about their art and cover a wide range of topics.

Additionally, Skillshare offers a free trial for new users, which allows them to explore the platform and try out different courses before committing to a subscription.

1. “Hand Lettering for Beginners” by Mary Kate McDevitt – This course teaches the basics of hand lettering, including lettering styles, layouts, and embellishments. The course costs $19/month or $99/year for Skillshare Premium.
2. “ Digital Illustration: Learn to Use Procreate “ by Jarom Vogel – This comprehensive illustration course covers using Procreate software to teach a whole new approach to illustration. The course costs $19/month or $99/year for Skillshare Premium.

We have also shortlisted the best drawing courses for your ease in case you want to explore this.

3. “Modern and Abstract Watercolor Techniques” by Amarilys Henderson – This watercolor painting course explores modern watercolor techniques and encourages students to experiment with abstract compositions. The course costs $19/month or $99/year for Skillshare Premium.
4. “Adobe Photoshop CC – Essentials Training Course” by Daniel Walter Scott provides an in-depth introduction to Adobe Photoshop CC, covering topics like layers, masks, and retouching. The course costs $19/month or $99/year for Skillshare Premium.
5. “Illustration for Designers: Create Your Own Geometric Animal” by Julia Henze – This course teaches the basics of illustration and encourages students to create their geometric animal using Adobe Illustrator. The course costs $19/month or $99/year for Skillshare Premium.

Skillshare Teachers/Instructors – Short Profiles

As we have discussed earlier, Skillshare’s teaching faculty are industry professionals who are passionate about their subject and carry a knack for teaching as well.

 This is why we are presenting to you the top Skillshare teachers along with their profiles to help you choose not only the best online creative courses but the most promising teachers as well.

1. Mary Kate McDevitt – Mary Kate is a lettering artist and illustrator who has taught on Skillshare for several years. Her courses are highly rated, and she is passionate about teaching lettering and design to beginners. Her courses include “Hand Lettering for Beginners” and “Illustrating Personalized Lettering Styles.”
2. Jake Bartlett – Jake is an animation expert with years of experience in the industry. His courses on Skillshare cover a range of topics, from After Effects to motion graphics. He is known for his engaging teaching style and clear explanations. His courses include “Animated GIFs: Create Short Animations for Instagram and Giphy” and “Animated Icons in Adobe After Effects.” Do check out the best animation courses to enhance your interest in this subject further.
3. Peggy Dean – Peggy is an artist and author specializing in botanical illustration and watercolor painting. Her courses on Skillshare focus on teaching beginners the basics of watercolor and illustration. She has a warm teaching style and encourages her students to experiment and have fun. Her courses include “Watercolor for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Flowers,” and “Botanical Illustration: Paint a Colorful Bouquet.”
4. Daniel Walter Scott – Daniel is a graphic designer and Adobe Certified Instructor with over 20 years of experience. He teaches various design and software courses on Skillshare, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. He is known for his comprehensive approach to teaching and his clear explanations. His courses include “Adobe Photoshop CC – Essentials Training Course” and “Illustrator CC – Essentials Training Course.”
5. Cat Coquillette – Cat is an artist and designer specializing in travel-inspired art and design. Her courses on Skillshare focus on teaching beginners the basics of digital illustration and design. She has a fun and engaging teaching style and encourages her students to explore their creativity. Her courses include “Illustration & Inspiration: Keeping a Sketchbook” and “Creating Digital Artwork: Designing with Shapes.”
6. Rich Armstrong – Rich is a design educator and author who teaches on Skillshare and other platforms. His courses cover a wide range of topics, including design thinking, user experience design, and design research. He is known for his practical approach to teaching and his clear explanations. His courses include “Design Thinking: The Beginner’s Guide” and “Introduction to UX: Designing a Chatbot.” If this topic interests you, look at the best UI/UX design courses.
7. Phil Ebiner – Phil is a filmmaker and entrepreneur who has taught on Skillshare for several years. His courses cover various topics, including video production courses, photography, and entrepreneurship. He is known for his engaging teaching style and his ability to break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand steps. His courses include “Video Editing courses, Adobe Premiere Pro for Beginners” and “How to Start a Successful YouTube Channel for Your Business.”
8. Emily Henderson – Emily is an interior designer and television host who has taught on Skillshare for several years. Her courses focus on teaching beginners the basics of interior design and decorating. She is known for her warm and approachable teaching style and ability to make interior design concepts easily understood. Her courses include “Interior Design Basics: Simple Steps to Your Perfect Space” and “Home Styling 101: The Ultimate Guide to Decorating Your Home.”

Skillshare Refund Policy

If you’re considering signing up for Skillshare, it is essential to understand their refund policy. Skillshare’s refund policy is relatively straightforward and offers a risk-free way to try out the platform for a week. 

Skillshare offers a 7-day free trial to new members, which allows you to access any course on the platform for free during that period. If you choose to use a paid service or subscription after the trial, Skillshare offers a no-questions-asked refund policy within the first 7 days of payment.

You must contact us within these 7 days to ask for a refund from Skillshare’s customer support team. To accomplish this, visit the Help Center on their website and click on the “Contact Us” button. From there, you can send an email explaining that you would like a refund and the reason why. The customer support team usually responds within 24-48 hours and will issue the refund promptly.

It’s worth noting that Skillshare only offers refunds within the 7-day period. So, if you cancel your subscription after the first week, you won’t be eligible for a refund. Additionally, if you sign up for Skillshare through a third-party platform, such as Apple’s App Store, you’ll need to request a refund through that platform instead of Skillshare directly.

How To Sign Up on Skillshare?

Now that we have analyzed the different characteristics of Skillshare as an online learning platform let us explore and understand how we can sign up for this eLearning experience.

With these simple steps, you’ll have access to Skillshare’s vast library of courses and will be able to start improving your skills in no time.

1. Go to the Skillshare website: Open your web browser and go to www.skillshare.com.
2. Click on the “Get Started” button to take you to the sign-up page.
3. Choose a subscription plan: Skillshare offers monthly and annual subscription plans. Choose the option that best fits your requirements.
4. Create an account: Fill in your email address, choose a password, or sign up with your Google or Facebook account.
5. Add payment information: If you’ve selected the Monthly plan, you’ll need to add your payment information. If you’ve chosen the Annual plan, you can skip this step.
6. Start learning: Once you’ve completed the sign-up process, you’ll be redirected to the Skillshare homepage. You can start exploring the courses and start learning right away.

It’s that simple! 

How To Choose the Right Skillshare Class – 7 Tips

With many options available on Skillshare for different skills and learning experiences, it is normal to experience confusion in ensuring that you select a course that is a near-perfect match, if not perfect, with your needs. This is where we at Internet of Learning step in with our suggestions.

To help you find the perfect Skillshare class, here are some tips to get you started. By following these tips, you can find the perfect Skillshare class that meets your needs and helps you achieve your learning goals.

1. Start with your interests: Identify the topics or skills that interest you the most. This could be anything from photography to graphic design to cooking.
2. Read the class description: Before enrolling in a class, read the description to see if it aligns with your interests and goals. The class description should give you an idea of what the class is about, what you’ll learn, and what you’ll create.
3. Check the teacher’s profile: Look at the teacher’s profile to see their background and experience. You can also read reviews of their other classes to get an idea of their teaching style and the quality of their courses.
4. Look at the class format: Skillshare offers classes in a variety of formats, including video, written, and project-based. Make sure the format of the class suits your learning style.
5. Check the duration: Some Skillshare classes are just a few minutes long, while others can be several hours. Consider your availability and how much time you want to invest in the class.
6. Look at the class level: Skillshare offers classes for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced learners. Make sure you choose a class that is appropriate for your skill level.
7. Read reviews: Finally, read reviews from other students who have taken the class. This can give you a better idea of what to expect and whether the class is worth your time and money.

Conclusion

We hope that the Skillshare reviews helped you analyze your current understanding of this online learning platform and factor in new information about it in the process of making choices. 

We hope you enjoy Skillshare’s numerous courses on a wide range of topics and the positive comments from users, with many praising the platform for its pricing, flexibility, and course selection. However, some customers have criticized it for the inconsistent quality of its classes and the lack of certifications, which we must also admit. 

As a result, if you are a professional seeking to expand your existing portfolio and learn something new and creative, we suggest Skillshare, but only after you have matched its characteristics with your requirements and determined that this is the suitable medium for your learning needs.

We wish you success on your online learning adventure! And we hope the blogs at IOL help you discover the appropriate medium and course to help you get started with your online education! So check out our write-up on tips to maximize your online learning endeavors.