In this comprehensive skillshare review, we will discuss everything corresponding to this online learning platform.
Skillshare has come a long way since Michael Karnjanaprakorn and Malcolm Ong created the platform in New York City in 2010.
Now, it is a thriving marketplace for learners and teachers, offering elective online learning options.
We recently took Skillshare’s Premium access trial for a spin to get an up-close look at what makes this cutting-edge learning platform tick.
Read on for our comprehensive review of Skillshare, including honest feedback about what we found. If you’ve been looking for ways to leverage your capacity for enjoying the learning process, then this is one platform worth exploring.
What is Skillshare?
Skillshare is a platform that helps students gain access to high-quality online courses taught by professionals and experts.
From creative skills such as watercolor painting to entrepreneurial skills like WordPress website security, Skillshare offers the opportunity to learn a wide range of topics from real-world experts.
With available filters for category type, users can quickly find what they need from the vast selection of course offerings. Step out of your comfort zone or discover new passions with Skillshare – anything’s possible!
- Create, you can explore Animation, Creative Writing, Film & Video, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Music, Photography, and UI/ UX Design or Web Development.
- Build, you can focus on Business Analytics, Freelance & Entrepreneurship courses as well as Management Development and Leadership Training.
- Last but not least is our Thrive course which covers Lifestyle and Productivity issues.
With thousands of options on Skillshare, learners can find just the right course to fill in their knowledge gaps.
Although there are no official certificates through Skillshare since it is neither a school nor a college, those seeking accredited online courses may wish to explore the offerings at other platforms such as Udacity, Coursera, or edX.
Skillshare Most Popular Courses
The most popular courses on the platform at the time of writing include:
- Digital Illustration for All: Discover, Cultivate, and Share Your Unique Personal Style with Laci Jordan
- Writing The Truth: How to Start Writing Your Memoir with Mary Karr
- Character Animation Basics: Create a Dance Loop with After Effects and Photoshop with Bee Grandinetti
- Instagram-Worthy Photography: Shoot, Edit & Share with Brandon Woelfel
- Discovering Success: 7 Exercises to Uncover Your Purpose, Passion & Path with Emma Gannon
- Fun With Faces: Create a Stylised Digital Portrait with Charly Clements
- Style Your Space: Creative Tips and Techniques for Interior Design with Emily Henderson
- Mastering Color: Simple Steps to Create Vivid Art with Victo Ngai
- Productivity Masterclass: Create a Custom System that Works with Thomas Frank
Some of the most notable experts sharing content on the platform include:
- Marc Ecko—entrepreneurship and brand creation
- Seth Godin—entrepreneurship
- Young Guru—audio mixing and recording
- Jessica Hische—lettering
- Guy Kawasaki—entrepreneurship
- Paula Scher—graphic design
- Yuko Shimizu—inking and drawing techniques
How does Skillshare Work?
Self-Paced Courses
Skillshare members are instantly connected to a wealth of knowledge with our course catalog. Your access level (free vs. paid) will determine what classes you have available to you. Interested in painting classes? All you need to do is enter “painting” into the search bar and check out over 5000 courses related to your interest!
For added convenience, Skillshare has implemented filters for easy refinement of search results. Filters include course difficulty and reviews, as well as other qualifiers such as time commitment and skill level. We look forward to helping you reach your goals with Skillshare!
- View “Free,” “Premium,” or “All” courses
- Course length (How in-depth do you want your training to be? Do you prefer courses that are less than 15 minutes in length or more than 60 minutes long?)
- How old is the course? Was it recently published? Are the tips still relevant today?
With Skillshare, it is simple and straightforward to assess the quality of courses you are interested in.
Begin by reading both its “About” page and reviews from previous students, then make use of the “Discussions” or “Project & Resources” tabs for a better understanding of its contents and expectations.
A key benefit of choosing this platform is that you can learn at your own pace with pre-recorded videos – no more interruptions from other participants.
Plus, depending on which device you access courses from – laptop or phone – they are always close at hand.
Lastly, take advantage of the mobile app’s ‘Discover’ feature for tailored recommendations based on course participation and search history if you’re unsure what to learn next.
Pro tip: Get Ideas in the Project Gallery
Project Gallery in Skillshare is a great tool for visual learners, as it gives them a quick glimpse of the types of projects they can look forward to completing.
With categories like Trending, Most Recent, and Top Voted, you can easily browse through other members’ completed work and be inspired by your favorite images.
And when you find something you like, clicking on the picture allows you to learn more about the creator and course that produced the results. So if you’re having trouble deciding which class to take – Project Gallery will help set the scene!
Workshops
If you’re looking for a way to learn in a more organized and structured manner while having greater accountability, Skillshare’s workshops may be the right path to take.
These workshops involve taking 2-3 different classes in succession according to a schedule set by an instructor.
They can last up to four weeks and will allow students to gain not only knowledge from the teacher but also insight from their peers.
If this kind of involvement appeals to you and you prefer having assistance from a Community Manager who helps you stay on track with deadlines, then workshops could be ideal for your virtual learning needs.
Review of Skillshare Pricing & Costs
In this Skillshare review, we should take a closer look at the financial aspects.
Skillshare has replaced its free membership and courses with a one-month free trial of its paid subscription. If you opt for the monthly plan, you’ll pay $32.
If you choose to be billed yearly, the total cost drops to $14 a month – that’s a saving of over 50%. With our exclusive link, you’ll get 30 days premium membership for absolutely free.
You’ll gain access to all Skillshare’s classes, as well as being able to download and watch your lessons offline – perfect for when you’re on the go!
The Pros (Advantages) of Skillshare
- New and varied content
- Communities of like-minded learners
- Easy to use all around
- Free trials available
- Skillshare mobile app available
The Cons (Disadvantages) of Skillshare
- Not fully accessible
- Not every teacher ROCKS
- The ads are annoying, so you’ll want to pay
is Skillshare Worth it? (Skillshare Review)
Skillshare is an investment worth making for those who value self-development. For just $14 a month, members gain access to hands-on projects and the ability to connect with experts from different industries.
With the range of courses available on Skillshare, users can choose whichever ones they want in order to build competitive skills or become better hobbyists.
In addition to learning new skills, members also benefit from gaining knowledge and meeting motivated and skilled peers that will inspire them.
Moreover, it can help users fall in love with learning again – something that’s not easily achievable elsewhere. So if you’re looking for ways to further your development, then Skillshare could be worth considering!
