Pearson's Adobe Certified Professional World Championship Crowns Global Design Talent
Event summary
- Pearson announced winners of the 13th annual Certiport Adobe Certified Professional World Championship on July 29, 2026.
- 56 finalists from 27 countries competed in Anaheim, CA, after earning certifications in Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign and winning national competitions.
- First place went to Lulu Emanuele (USA), followed by Furtini Baldesin (Brazil) and Muhammad Fawwaz Haiqal Bin Mohd Fuaad (Malaysia).
- 75% of hiring managers value Adobe certifications as indicators of high-quality creative candidates, per Adobe's report.
The big picture
Pearson's championship underscores the strategic importance of certifications in bridging skills gaps for employers. As AI reshapes creative industries, these competitions position young talent to meet evolving hiring demands. The event also highlights Pearson's role in fostering global design capabilities through standardized assessments.
What we're watching
- Certification Value
- How the growing recognition of Adobe certifications will impact hiring trends in creative industries.
- Global Talent Pipeline
- Whether Pearson can sustain the international expansion of this competition as a key talent development tool.
- AI Readiness
- The pace at which certified students integrate AI tools into their creative workflows, given Pearson's focus on AI-ready graduates.