Karl Taylor on how Visual Education is transforming online learning for creatives

In today's rapidly evolving creative landscape, the lines between different visual arts disciplines are increasingly blurred. Photographers are directing commercials. Graphic designers are incorporating 3D elements. Illustrators are diving into digital realms. I could go on, but you get the point. For aspiring and established creatives alike, staying ahead of the curve has never been more challenging… or potentially more exciting.

That's why lately, we've been hearing a lot about Visual Education, an award-winning online platform that's revolutionising how visual artists learn, grow and adapt.

Founded by renowned photographer Karl Taylor in 2006, Visual Education has evolved from its roots in photography instruction to become a comprehensive resource for creatives across multiple disciplines.

We've even heard reports of it being used by university professors as a classroom resource. While that seems a bit cheeky, given the cost of a formal degree education, it's a sure sign that this platform is respected for its high-quality instruction.

So, I was keen to sit down with Karl and learn more about his journey, philosophy, and vision for the future of creative learning.

From photography to the visual arts

Visual Education's story began in the mid-2000s when digital photography became increasingly accessible to the masses. Karl, already an established commercial photographer with decades of experience, found himself inundated with requests for photography instruction.

"Around 2006-2007, digital cameras were becoming commercially viable for the general public," Karl recalls. "Everyone started getting into photography because it was more accessible. You could see the images on the screen. You didn't have to wait three days for the film to be developed and then realise you messed it all up."

Recognising the growing demand for high-quality instruction, Karl partnered with a multimedia company to create a series of instructional DVDs. These proved hugely popular, selling in stores worldwide and establishing Karl as a leading voice in photography education.

As technology evolved, so did Visual Education. The platform transitioned from DVDs to downloads and eventually to its current subscription-based model. However, perhaps more significant than these technological shifts was the expansion of Visual Education's scope.

"We realised that there's interest in many other areas of the visual arts such as CGI, post-production, art, graphic design, even makeup," Karl explains. "So we've now built a platform that started as Karl Taylor Education and morphed into Visual Education because I'm not the only tutor any more. There are other genres with better experts."

This evolution reflects a broader trend in the creative industries. As Karl notes, "The professionals coming out of universities today are not doing just photography or studio work. They're doing multi-level types of visual media skills, from After Effects to Premiere Pro to photography to post-production."

Commitment to quality

Of course, this is a very competitive space these days. In a sea of so-so online learning platforms, Visual Education sets itself apart through its unwavering commitment to quality instruction from proven industry professionals.

"We're very much concentrated on being a more boutique education platform for the visual arts only," Karl emphasises. "The only people that can teach a Visual Education class is someone with a proven track record, who's got the skills, and delivers high-level work."

This focus on expertise is evident in the calibre of instructors Visual Education brings on board. Karl rattles off an impressive list: "Viktor Fejes from Gild Studios in Los Angeles for post-production, professional artist and Blender expert Ethan Davis for CGI, renowned videographer Barry Makariou for TV commercials on the filmmaking section… we've got proper working professionals teaching for us."

This approach starkly contrasts some competitors who allow almost anyone to create and publish courses. While this approach can lead to a vast library of content, it often comes at the expense of quality and reliability.

In contrast, Visual Education's curated approach ensures that students learn from the best in the business, gaining insights and techniques directly applicable to real-world professional scenarios.

Learning that adapts to you

Visual Education's platform is designed to accommodate a wide range of learning styles and schedules. At its core are over 900 on-demand classes covering everything from lighting and equipment basics to advanced CGI techniques. These classes form the backbone of the platform, allowing students to learn at their own pace and revisit concepts as needed.

Alongside the video tutorials, the platform offers a variety of interactive elements designed to deepen learning and foster community. Karl highlights the live workshops as a particular point of pride. "Once or twice a month, we do live broadcasts, where we do a live shoot, or a live CGI project, or a live post-production project," he explains. "The audience can watch live while we do it. You'll know whether mistakes are made or not, and you'll see how they get fixed and how you solve problems. It's basically like being an assistant on a project. And the audience that are watching can ask questions live as well."

These live sessions offer students a unique opportunity to see professionals work in real-time, ask questions, and gain insights into the creative process that simply can't be captured in a pre-recorded tutorial.

For those who can't attend live, these sessions are recorded and made available shortly after, complete with all the questions and interactions from the live audience. This ensures that even those in different time zones can benefit from the live experience.

Visual Education also offers practical challenges and briefs, simulating real-world client work. "We set our students projects, and we give them a brief as if it was from an ad agency or from a client," Karl explains. Those sorts of challenges really help students learn in a different way than just watching a video because they're forced to do stuff."

This hands-on approach helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving students valuable experience translating client needs into creative solutions, a skill essential in any professional creative field today.

Staying current in a fast-paced industry

One of the biggest challenges in creative education is keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology and industry trends. Visual Education tackles this head-on, committing to regular updates and new content creation.

"Our pledge to our members is that you'll get at least two new classes per month and at least one live show per month, potentially two," Karl states. This ongoing production not only adds value for subscribers but also keeps the Visual Education team themselves on their toes, constantly researching and adapting to new developments in the field.

Similarly, Visual Education takes a nuanced approach to updating existing content. While they don't typically delete old classes unless they become completely obsolete, they do create updated versions when necessary.

"We say in that class, there is a newer version of this class in this section, which has updated techniques. However, the basic principles are similar. So if you want to watch this class to sort of see the evolution, you can," Karl explains.

This approach allows students to see how techniques and technologies have evolved over time, providing valuable context for current best practices.

Breaking down barriers to learning

Perhaps one of Visual Education's most compelling features is its accessibility, both in terms of cost and language support.

The platform offers flexible subscription options, including a monthly plan for $19 with no minimum commitment, an annual plan at $14 per month (billed annually), and a six-month option for a one-time payment of $99. For those hesitant to commit, there's even a $4.99 trial for the first month. Compare that to £10K a year university fees and… well, in truth, there's no comparison at all.

To cater to its global audience, Visual Education provides subtitles for its classes in multiple languages. While this is a time-consuming and expensive process, it's one that Karl sees as crucial to the platform's mission of making high-quality creative education accessible to as many people as possible.

The future of creative education

As our conversation drew to a close, Karl shared his vision for the future of Visual Education and creative education as a whole.

"Tomorrow's creative professionals need to know a bit of everything," he says. "And I think that our platform is really good at delivering that. You're getting a bit of everything from top-level professionals. So, if you want to get into one thing, you can. But we also have the other stuff you're likely to need in future."

This holistic approach to creative education is perhaps Visual Education's greatest strength. In a world where the boundaries between creative disciplines are increasingly blurred, having a resource that can provide high-quality instruction across a wide range of visual arts is invaluable.

As Visual Education continues to expand its offerings, with new graphic design and illustration courses on the horizon, it's poised to become an even more comprehensive resource for visual artists of all stripes.

Whether you're looking to refine your photography skills, dive into the world of CGI and filmmaking, learn graphic design or illustration, or explore the intersections between different visual disciplines, Visual Education provides the tools, knowledge and support to help you unleash your creative potential.