My thoughts about online courses, continuing education, personal growth and fun

Published: 03/12/2013

Here is a mini riff from me as I received lots of emails this last week asking me about online courses. Everyone knows that I take them and enjoy them. I am actually pretty careful about which ones I take. In this video, I give you my thoughts and some criteria that I use in my decision making process. Sometimes I need to learn a new skill, sometimes I need to challenge myself personally and sometimes I just need some inspirational fun breaking it down like that helps.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Online education in the form of e-courses are relatively new and each download, class and course ends up being SO different, it can be difficult making decisions! Be nice in the comments…I am not here to judge any courses but I do think an open dialogue about whether or not they work for you is a good one to have. I do know I have signed up for continuing ed at Rhode Island School of Design (fabulous to live so close) and then not been able to drag my behind to late night courses in the middle the winter. Ugh. Working from home has become a great thing but I also like to meet people face to face. What do you do?

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http://artfullycarin.com/ Carin Cullen

I only got back into art a couple of years ago, after more than a decade away, and found myself in a completely different field (art journaling and mixed media), so I took a lot of online courses to learn techniques and to get to know other artists in those fields. Some were good, some were atrocious. The bad ones didn’t matter so much because I was doing it for fun. This year I am much more selective. I do believe in investing in myself, but my focus has changed as I’ve realised I want to turn art into a career (but not necessarily through mixed media). So I need ones that fit with both my short term and long term goals.
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Carin, first of all I am impressed that you can spell atrocious and I do completely think if you ave been away from something it is good to get up to date. I am loving reading everyone’s answers!
  - cathi mingus
    
    Hi Monica,
    
    I’ve taken Mati McDonough and Lisa Congdon’s class “Get your paint on”. I really loved it! It was pretty inexpensive and they did great video presentations. It felt so good to paint instead of sitting at a computer working in photoshop. I also took Racheal Taylor’s surface design course (just one module). I had a harder time getting into that one. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t too expensive either. I signed up for Lilla’s class and I’m excited to take that one. I feel like I’ve gotten something out of every class I’ve ever taken. I could probably get addicted to them (if I had more time to commit).
    
    I love seeing what other artist’s produce from an assignment (feels kinda like art school again) ha. Mainly, as an illustrator/ artist who spends the day in a studio alone…I feel the need to connect to other artists. I think online classes help greatly!
    
    Keep up the good work Monica!
    - http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
      
      Thanks Cathi! Maybe you are just an illustrator (and such a good one!) at heart and surface patterns aren’t your thing? I love that you are keeping yourself challenged!
http://www.facebook.com/HeatherBoissonneau Heather Boissonneau

I’ve taken about half of the classes over at Nicole’s Classes and I will be taking more. I think they are tremendous value, the instructors are excellent and they pack them full of great information! I have also established a connection with one of my instructors, which is possible because the class sizes are very small. I’ve taken Holly Becker’s course Blogging Your Way three times, three slightly different versions, and (obviously) I like it. She is very good and the forums are wonderful.

Since I’m trying to renovate my home on a limited budget, I think of things in terms of home projects, so when I hear $1,800.00 for a course I think “That’s a new roof.” So at this point in time $150.00 is about the upper limit for a class, that’s an average trip to Home Depot When I’m finished renovating, I’ll be able to spend more on classes.

Class size also matters, BYW where has about 600 students. It has great information but you don’t have a whole lot of access to Holly. However, I recognize that the size of the class enables Holly to price it at $129.00. She would have to charge much more to make a small class worth her time.

I don’t know who a lot of the other people you mentioned are? Suddenly I feel very out of the loop
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Heather, I think the same way…that lump sum of money could buy new carpeting etc!! Maybe New England and the yankee spirit is rubbing off on me! And you are not out of the loop! You are over at Smart Creative Women staying in the loop! )
  - http://www.facebook.com/HeatherBoissonneau Heather Boissonneau
    
    You are the loop, Monica!
- Kathy Weller
  
  Heather, I hear you! We are renovating a house too and I had the exact same reaction when I read about the last course I was interested in – all I could think of was, that’s my stove vent! LOL!
- Kathy Weller
  
  Oh and I took BYW and loved it! So much great material in that class!
  
  I have personally found that I buy e-books way more than take classes. It’s not that I don’t want to take classes or even the cost most of the time. It’s the time investment- usually the ones I am attracted to taking start when I am just so busy I can’t devote the time… and I’m a real studier and “ya get out of it what ya put into it” type of girl
- Sandra Harris
  
  I’ve taken a few of the Nicolesclasses.com classes and found them excellent as well. The lessons are well designed, the homework is relevant and the feedback from instructors is useful. They are super responsive to questions as well.
Bee

I have taken only one course so far and it was Create Your Mark given by Isa Marie from Noisette Academy across the pond. If was fabulous and it was challenging, I committed to do the assignments and received one-on-one time with Isa. I was able to achieve my goal of finding what my next Creative Goal was in terms of a new business. Well worth it and I loved meeting the women and we keep in contact and I have even hired ones to do work for me. My next course was going to be Marie’s but with a new business about to launch I just could not afford it. I do believe in these online courses for my business to improve on areas that I feel I am lacking the expertise and those to further my skills. I’m considering one on blogging now and I’ve been searching for one on calligraphy because I have a passion for it. As far as money goes, it depends on the course.
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Bee, It is SO hard to decide where to put start up money. I wrestled with it myself! Now you have me thinking…I just saw a calligraphy course offered somewhere…If I remember, I will pass it on.
  - drawingsarah
    
    Just thought I’d share, but this is an online calligraphy course that I would LOVE to take: http://istilllovecalligraphy.com/meta/sign-up
Kasey hope

Love this Monica! I am currently working on the course /package that you recommended I do! I have lots of questions and a lot of work ahead but I am going forth! I am also currently taking b school! Whoop whoop! I personally spend a good amount of money online. I Love alisa burke’s price range of $40-$50 . I have spent $250 for more in depth and longer material from flora Bowley and now Marie’s course is by far the most expensive I have ever taken. I think it’s gonna be worth it though!
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Woot! Kasey good fro you. Remember you get out what you put in and maires is a fair amount fo homework! Go forth!
Kathleen alexander

Monica,
First, I have taken your course and loved loved it. I do love you. I would probably take any course you might offer and pay a little more because I do follow you and 1) like your style 2) always learn something with you. I was waiting for Lilla’s course and once $$ was revealed felt the type of course she had would not net me the info I needed. I am into marketing and felt her work was more aimed toward the surface design group. I was also surprised at the Flying Lessons & BYW course (and now in second class) at the connections. I appreciate them and the facebook groups they have. It’s all moving so quickly these days. Usually a class has been recommended by someone I follow or trust their information. A couple quick inexpensive e courses have been a little bit of mush and maybe just good for a beginner. It would help if there were ABC grades as to your experience or depth of course like 100,101 college courses,etc. Take a before b, etc. etc.
Thanks for touching on this subject…
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Oh kathleen, you are so sweet! thank you for the kind, kind words. I agree it would help if some business had things set up as 101, 102. i know Beth Nicolls is trying to do that and break it up for people. I loved the interface behind Holly’s although as it has gotten bigger, I wonder if it as easy to navigate.
Janet Broxon

Thanks Monica for bringing up this topic, I’ve been thinking a lot about e-courses these days and I do love having them as options. I’ve taken a few so far, Kelly Rae’s first course and some Adobe illustrator courses (currently) with Laura Coyle (which I recommend). A real extra bonus is the community with other artists they allow you to build. On the ones that are bigger investments, I would just proceed very cautiously and make sure they are everything you’re looking for and really need and are at the right time for you. Class size is something to consider also as the larger ones won’t give you much access to the instructor and all the messages coming from the many hundreds of other students (as much as you want to get to know them all) can get overwhelming to read. I recently signed up for Lilla’s course. I just couldn’t turn that one down. As I’ve admired her and her artists for many years. She covers all areas I’m interested in and I’m in the process of really trying to add newer looks to my portfolio. So, I’m excited to take the course, but it’s true that you really need to make sure you have the time to put into it to really get the most worth out of it.
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Janet, I do think there are some you just can’t pass up and you just make it work. Sometimes there can be a sense of urgency…will this class ever run gain?! I should have asked if people like a start and finish date or ones they can download on their own! Thanks for your input!
  - http://www.facebook.com/fayegreenwood Faye Brown
    
    Start and finish dates help push you and you might also get feedback. But at least with a downloadable course you can take it at your own pace if you are very busy. Pros and cons for both I’d say x
- http://twitter.com/collageartist Claudine Hellmuth
  
  hi Janet, which illustrator classes are you taking. I have been looking for some. I’m a photoshop girl with limited illustrator use and I need to learn more.
  - http://twitter.com/Moobaacluck Gabriella Buckingham
    
    Hi Claudine – there’s one at Nicole’s Classes starting in April – Illustrator 101 , I’m taking that for the same reason
    - http://twitter.com/collageartist Claudine Hellmuth
      
      thanks!! I’ll check it out! I know basics in illustrator but I much prefer photoshop because it’s so much more intuitive for me
      - http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
        
        HI, Did you see Alma Loveland teaches Illustrator 101 at Nicole’s Classes? I need the interaction. I like Lynda.com but they cover EVERYTHING which is good but it can be overwhelming.
      - http://twitter.com/collageartist Claudine Hellmuth
        
        i did see that. i think I am somewhere between 101 and 102 because i know most of the stuff covered in 101 but not sure if i know what shes talking about in 102! I’ll also check out Lynda.com, i;d really rather take an in person class because i find illustrator so confusing.
      - Ursula
        
        Hi Claudine, It just occured to me as I was about to go into this program that you might want to check it out, if you haven’t heard of it already- Inkscape. It is free, and I find it is more intuitive than Illustrator. I can whiz through PhotoShop, but not Illustrator! I do plan on learning Illustrator, but in the meantime, I find that I use Inkscape more often. Anyway- just a thought .
  - http://www.facebook.com/lisa.rivas Lisa Rivas
    
    I find that the Adobe Illustrator courses from https://www.lynda.com extremely good. They are at your own pace and can get more and more complex as you go up the levels. A great deal for the money, all these courses for one flat monthly fee!
  - Janet
    
    Hi Claudine,
    
    I’m taking Beginning and intermediate over at renepearson.com with Laura Coyle. I’m liking them alot very clear presentation and they are self-paced. I found Lynda.com a little overwhelming with info if you are primarily an illustrator/artist not graphic designer. I’ve heard Nicoles’s classes are very good too.
Gabrielle

I’ve taken a few ecourses and read lots of ebooks, I think I’m a little bit addicted! The most expensive ecourse I’ve taken is Rachael Taylor’s Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design and that was just Module 3. It was incredibly useful, I learnt loads and I’m really glad I did it. I think I prefer ebooks because I like to take on information but I don’t necessarily want to be tied into a timetable of doing homework and I may not have a particular goal in mind. I read a lot of business books, the kind where people tell their story rather than the serious textbook kind, and the ecourses that are delivered in one go, rather than over a number of weeks, suit me in the same way. I absolutely loved Jessica Swift’s ebook Jump Trust Repeat and I’ve bought several of the courses from A Beautiful Mess. Overall I think I find them inspiring and motivating, they’re a bit aspirational too, I’m buying into the person/artist/brand they come from. One day I’d love to write my own ebook!
Carmen

This is really interesting topic and I’m going to try and be nice
I’ve taken KKRs flying lessons and the first HSHB. I personally got
A lot out of both courses, but the pricing that’s going on out there in the virtual world concerns me a bit, and can be a little off putting. I love your videos and
have gotten soooo much out of them, probably as much as courses I’ve paid for!
Sometimes I wonder, how come Monica doesn’t charge a monthly fee to be a part of
This creative conversation?! Anyway, I agree you just have to be selective, and don’t
feel like you have to take them all…..having said that I would have love to be taking Lilla’s class, but I’m too busy…( I’m executing murals for the Cheesescake factory and writing and illustrating my first children’s book!!!)
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Go Carmen! How fabulous to hear you are busy with fun projects!! Tell us when your children’s book comes out!
- http://www.facebook.com/miki.berman Miki Berman
  
  Hi Carmen, I hope it’s appropriate to mention and connect with other artists’ here in the Wonderful Monica Lee’s forum, that I paint murals/do faux finishes in Los Angeles, and if you ever need any help with any project Let me know. i.e.: Cheesecake Factory. miki@mikibermandesign.com..
  
  BTW Love Monica Lee’s interviews. ANd this topic is very interesting. I Love online courses and have taken A few of the Michelle Fifis classes. She is an excellent teacher. I SOooo agree, you ( I ) have to put in the time and effort into these courses, or you’re ( I’m ) wasting my investment.
http://twitter.com/gabsbuckingham Gabriella Buckingham

Hi Monica

I’ve just signed up for Lilla’s course, I first heard about it from you and just knew then it was what I’d been looking for. So for me when the cost was revealed my heart sank a bit but I flexed the plastic as I know the clarity it will bring will be so useful. Managing my time is going to be the toughest aspect. I used to have a good career as an illustrator but having children 10 years ago and moving to the country meant I allowed things to dwindle – I did set up Moobaacluck eventually but I miss illustration . I think if the course is a good fit for your goal/s business wise then you’ll pay a lot more than one for fun. I took a good branding course with Flourish here in the UK, really helpful but also raised more questions which I am still pondering! That was about 250 dollars. Fun has to be cheaper – if you see what I mean!! I also took Rachael Taylor’s course which was priced similarly per segment, I learned a lot but found it really tough to juggle work demands with the homework and a family! So I didn’t make enough of it but it’s definitely worth the money for the knowledge and contacts – if you throw yourself into it. I’d really recommend that people print out as much as poss though. I find hunting for files in my system means I haven’t been back through much of it. Self improvement and skills learning are the main motivators to take courses for me. B school would be wonderful but I think for that course you’d have to be really clear about your business path to justify the cost – it’s definitely geared towards achieving a big scaleable business and for me I relate more to the solo artist/ designer route.Maybe that’s a confidence thing though. If I had lots of spare money I’d have taken it purely out of interest in learning and pushing myself. Loved your Creative Dreaming course and think it was priced perfectly for something fun but motivating – still to do my road map though..not sure what it is that stops me from getting on with it. Think it’s to do with that be careful what you wish for scenario! I think you’re right about commitment and things materialising. I’m on a discovery voyage and I’ve been side tracked before becoming an executive trader for a greeting card co. over here when the children were small! Also just signed up for 101 Illustrator with Nicole’s classes – it’s specific and I NEED to learn how to do Vector work for Moobaacluck and just to find out what it can do. So I am not averse to spending on learning. I spend far more on these courses than I do on clothes or going out and rarely go on holiday for financial reasons. They are investments in my future. If a course is targetted, well explained and clear what it involves then i think the right people would sign up and few would be disappointed. Coaching for me would be fantastic but it’s more nebulous and I feel I ought to have the answers myself.. again that type of thing I would love to do if I had ‘spare’ money. I think it would be really helpful but I’d also be wary of being lead in the wrong direction or just coming out non the wiser! So for me practical skills at this point are for me. In the future when I am swimming in money ( ha!) then coaching is something I’d love.
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  I am totally enjoying teaching at Nicoles’s classes! I think you will get a lot out of that. Cheers to swimming in money!
http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee

Thanks so much and what a terrific idea!!
http://www.facebook.com/brenda.pinnick.9 Brenda Pinnick

Hi Monica!

Great topic, thanks for starting the conversation!

I think we are so lucky now to have access to professionals like Lilla who are willing to share their hard earned knowledge. For the cost of Lilla’s course, one can get the same education on their own, but for a whole lot more money and time investment. Putting together a portfolio of work, showing it at Surtex for example, will cost anywhere between $7K to $10K! And even then, you may not have a clue about how licensing art works. $500.00 or so dollars is a great bargain in my opinion.
I wish I had that opportunity when I first started licensing my work, it would have saved me a lot of time and money.
I think the key is looking at the qualifications of the teacher. In Lilla’s case, she has proven SALES and a long term business built on years of experience, and, she’s pulling in industry professionals to share their unique perspectives – much like the courses I paid a ton of money for, going to a design/portfolio school!

I do think its absolutely necessary to keep on learning and doing so at your leisure is such an advantage.
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  You know, it did cross my mind that if I was fresh out of art school I would beALL over the online course…of course…I would most likely be in debt from art school….
http://www.LindaTieu.com/ Linda Tieu

great point about fully utilizing a course – because a huge part is how much effort one puts into the course – what you put in will affect what you get out of it. just enrolling in classes won’t give you results! i know it’s horrible, but a lot of folks spend a lot of money on books, courses, ebooks, etc – signing up for things but not actually putting in the effort to make use of them all. that won’t get you anywhere…

I’m signed up for lilla’s course and totally excited and I think sometimes, making a big investment actually forces you to be more committed. at least hopefully, it forces you to take things a bit more seriously and I love what you said about considering what you want out of a course before taking it. We all respond and learn differently – so a class is not necessarily right for every single person’s situation.

When it comes to price, I realize it’s a lot of money in many cases… but if you think about traditional education… you would be paying hundreds of dollars per credit for a class in a university – so it’s all relative. We spend money on so many different things, if you actually take a look and compare, the price might not seem so much at all. Of course, the point is if it’s worth it for you specifically. It’s important to consider if the class is right for you, what you are looking for and if it’ll make you hustle!

I definitely would invest in myself (I mean, consider how much we’ve spent in university!) but often it has to be the right time as well. Even when the class seems great, but if it doesn’t fit with my life schedule at the moment, I’m not going to take it… because I wouldn’t be able to dive in as I would like…

So it’s definitely a matter of timing more than pricing… because whenever we really want something, we save up for it!

Thanks for bringing up a great topic!
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  When I took Marie’s I thought of as college type of course that you could never find in a college..I agree with you!
http://www.facebook.com/fayegreenwood Faye Brown

What a great topic! I took Rachael Taylor’s surface pattern course and found it so useful as I had little knowledge of this side of the business – having come from an animation and motion graphics background. I was tempted to take Lilla’s course but still feel like I haven’t put everything I learnt from Rachael’s course into practise. And was also concerned about spending the money but not having the time to make the most of it. I have a young son and only work part time so I find it difficult to fit in courses around paid work.

It’s even crossed my mind to run an e-course in motion graphics. There’s so many online tutorials teaching people the programmes, I’d love to focus on how to approach a project, set briefs, find your niche and introduce people to it from a creative angle rather than technical. But I think I need to go on an e-course to show me how to go about it, marketing, pricing, content etc!

I think e-courses are fantastic if you have the time to really embrace it (like you said) but my advice would probably be – set a percentage of your earnings aside for courses. If you have the money to invest, great.., if you don’t, wait until you’ve made some money from what you’ve previously learnt and then reinvest when you can afford it.
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Oh! I wanted reply…and ask you motion graphics…yes! I am in…I need some for the front of my videos, don’t you think? Then again maybe I should just hire you….
  - http://www.facebook.com/fayegreenwood Faye Brown
    
    yes please hire me!! haha… I’d would love love love to do you some opening titles!
Connie

Love your site!!
http://www.facebook.com/miki.berman Miki Berman

Do I sign in here? Miki Berman. miki@mikibermandesign.com
http://www.facebook.com/suzanneurbandesigns Suzanne Urban

Hi Monica;

For online courses, the only one I’ve signed up for is Will Terry’s I actually purchased a few of his as he’s a phenomenal children’s book illustrator. I learned a lot from him. For artists viewing this comment here Will Terry has some introductory videos on YouTube. But where I found his course is here; http://folioacademy.com/
Also, if you’re also including face-to-face courses i.e. physically attending-I took a course under Fiber artist Deborah Pope at the Niada Conference in Connecticut last Fall and learned a lot on her needle felting technique. (www.niada.org). I took Will’s as an investment course and Deborah’s as fun, to improve my sculpting in wool.
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  Awesome Suzanne thanks for adding those!
Sandra Harris

I wrote a comment and then my computer froze and all was lost. Here’s version 2.0!

Before I talk about which classes I’ve taken, I just wanted to say that I think there are two things to consider re: online classes. First, do you have the time to put in? Can you do all the homework and participate in online discussions? Second, make sure it’s something that meets your needs.

I’ve taken online courses in branding, blogging and skill development.

The branding classes through BraidCreative.com were topknotch. Tara and Kathleen doing a series of three week long classes. You only have access for one week but you do get the downloadable PDF exercises that are so useful and relevant that I refer to them again and again. This is the perfect branding training for someone who blogs or has a creative business. They run $75 each but you often get a discount to $50 if you have done one already.

I did BYW with Holly Becker of Decor8. The content is good but I prefer a smaller class. You can have 700 in the class and it’s difficult to connect with others. I find that the Alt Summit classes more intimate (usually around 40 people). They only cost $15 each and are focused on a particular topic. I’ve met and made some great contacts/friends through them.

I’ve done a few classes at NicolesClasses.com – intros to photography, photoshop, tabletop photography and illustrator. Excellent format. Homework is relevant and you get useful feedback. Instructors are accessible if you have questions. They are 2 or 4 weeks long. Big fan of their classes.

I just finished my first SkillShare class in Map Design taught by Anne Dittmeyer of Pret-a-voyager.com. She provided amazing resources and the project and feedback were excellent. Only $20. Three weeks long and permanent access to the class lessons.

I would suspect that the quality of the SkillShare classes depend hugely on the instructor but at $20 you don’t have much to lose.

I cannot speak to the more expensive classes – they’re out of my price range.
- http://www.smartcreativewomen.com/ Monica Lee
  
  First of all!! I hate having to do the whole 2.0 thing…my mouse jumpy. I am taking a skill share class, the interface is a tad odd and confusing but that may just be me. Thanks for sharing what you taken!
amber kane

I love learning anything and everything, but try to be pretty picky about what courses I take. I did a private jam session with Tara Gentile, where she helped me lay out a plan for my business, which was my first coaching experience and was a great help. Sometimes it’s nice to bounce ideas off of someone that you don’t know. I”m finished my Media map with Brigitte Lyons right now, and really loved the course. I chose this as it’s one of my main goals this year, and felt that I didn’t know much about. Finally I just started B -school. I choose this course I liked that is a whole package and that it you can go back through it and learn more time after time. I choose courses from people that when I watch videos with them or read their blog they really make me think. I also try to choose courses that I”ll have time to do, and want to make the time to do, so I don’t do many. As when I decide to spend the money, I like to fully dive in, work my butt off, and get everything out of it possible.
Indigene Gaskin

I’ve taken Kellie Rae’s Flying Lesson and have met some amazing people, that I stay in contact with and I’m now taking Alyson B. Stanfield’s Bootcamp Class, which is helping me in so many ways. The most I’ve paid for a class is $300 and that’s with a installment plan! I’ve taken some others, but I can’t remember them off hand. I like courses that have a lot of action steps, so that I can see what can work and what doesn’t work for me.

I think it’s a great idea, if there was a level rating system, so that you can really figure out, if a class is right for you; just because you love the class and what they may be teaching, it might not be where you are career/business wise, so you can’t utilize the lessons fully.

One of my pet peeves, is when a class is over, the instructor no longer gives you access to the class videos/audios. Personally, I think that sucks! How many times have you watched something to gain even more value than the first time?! My thinking is, if I paid for it, I deserve to watch the videos/audios as long as I need to. I understand why they can’t be downloaded, but there should be a way for people who have paid for it to review it as much as they’d like. Just my little 2 cents on that matter. LOL!

Monica, you have the best guest interviews and I enjoy them sooo much! Keep up the GReat work!