CreativeLive Review (2024 Upd.) Will it Work for You?

Last Updated on November, 2024

“Creativity gives us hope – helps us innovate and imagine. It’s how we change the world”- CreativeLive.We humans are all creative individuals. Some embrace, explore, integrate into the lifestyle, and even make a successful career out of it. And others are yet to discover it.

All creatives: thriving, existing, aspiring, and yet to discover– need a sense of guidance to keep them on track and empower them–CreativeLive is one such online learning platform for creatives.

Unlike other online learning platforms, creativeLive is quite different. This Creativelive review will explore everything you need to know about the platform–from courses and instructors to pricing details to my verdict on whether it’s worth it.

Let’s jump right in and get lost in creativity!

 Overall: 4.9/5
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4.9
Features
4.9
Effectiveness
4.8
Price
Features
  • Wide range of creative fields covered
  • On Air Live Class Streaming
  • Buy individual courses or subscribe for unlimited access
  • iOS and Android apps for learning on the go
  • Workbooks, quizzes, and assignments to complement learning
  • SEE WHAT’S MORE
Brand Information
  • Founded in 2010 by Chase Jarvis and Craig Swanson
  • Mission is to Empower through high-quality creative education
  • Headquarters is in Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Strong focus on supportive learning community
  • Acclaimed for innovation in creative education
Product Benefits
  • The ‘On Air Now’ feature allows you to watch classes completely free every day.
  • High-quality teaching delivered by famous people
  • Lesson transcripts are a great way to jog your memory if you need a refresher on a particular area
  • The current subscription pricing of CreativeLive is affordable
  • Individual course purchases have lifetime access

About CreativeLive

creativelive logo

As the name suggests, CreativeLive is for all the Creative minds out there. 

CreativeLive is an online learning platform offering creative online classes to unleash and nurture entrepreneurs’ and creative individuals’ creative skills and confidence, supporting career growth.

The mission of this platform is to make high-quality online learning content available to all creative individuals, helping them explore the world of creativity.

This one-of-a-kind online learning platform was founded in 2009 by photographer and artists Chase Jarvis and Craig Swanson, an entrepreneur.

The founders breathed life into CreativeLive with the idea of creating workshops to inspire and support people to develop or unleash existing creative skills. 

And over the decade, CreativeLive has witnessed much success by attracting investors like Red Bull and Starbucks. It has now become a strong community of 10+ million students worldwide.

CreativeLive offers over 2000 classes featuring an impactful panel of 650+ world-class instructors.

With a focus on creativity and creative industries, Creative Live offers courses covering interesting domains like art, photo, lifestyle, design, entrepreneurship, music, and more.

CreativeLive believes anyone can become a creator if they step out of their comfort zone and reach for success. To cultivate this attitude of success and reach full potential, CreativeLive encourages independent thinking and exploration. 

CreativeLive Instructors

a screenshot of the creativelive instructors

CreativeLive has assembled a 650+ strong team of instructors who are leading experts in their fields to ensure students learn from the world’s best. 

CreativeLive instructors come from reputed backgrounds like NY Times best-selling authors, award winners (Grammy, Pulitzer, Oscar), legendary entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Their background speaks volumes. 

So when CreativeLive instructors are not teaching, they are on the grind, breaking barriers and reaching new limits– winning more awards and accolades, innovating and implementing ideas and products, leading major publications, and advocating for various causes.

Some of the hotshot names of the instructors include:

  • Ramit Sethi– New York Times Bestseller Author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich.”
  • Tim Ferriss– Tech investor/advisor, author of 5 #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and founder/host of the business/interview podcast “The Tim Ferriss Show”.
  • Richard Branson– Founder of Virgin Group.
  • Mel Robbins– Author, podcast host, motivational speaker, and former lawyer.
  • Daymond John– Businessman, investor, and Founder of FUBU and The Shark Tank group.

Creative Live Classes

a screenshot of the creativelive classes

CreativeLive has 2000+ creative courses in its catalog covering various creative topics. The platform is always evolving, and so is the addition of new courses every month, expanding the course catalog. 

To access the course catalog, there is an option on the homepage called ‘Classes.’ Below classes, you get direct access to all the courses available on the platform. 

You can hit the search bar or apply filters like Streaming Now, Best Sellers, Top Rated, Featured, and New Classes to find a particular course.

Also, for further convenience, Creativelive offers a categorized course catalog. Currently, it is categorized into five areas. 

These categories are referred to as ‘channels’ in the CreativeLive platform. Each one of these channels holds a curated collection of online courses covering topics and skills relevant to each channel. 

The category and subcategory structure helps narrow the search for a preferred course. Listed below are the five channels and examples of a few topics covered under each;

But, if you are yet to determine which courses interest you the most, here are some tips to navigate the CreativeLive course catalog better:

  • Photo and Video
  • Essentials- Lighting, Posing, Fundamental, etc.
  • Genres- Commercial, Documentary, Fine Art, etc.
  • Techniques- Filmmaking, Videography, Aerial and Drone, etc.
  • Cameras- Camera guides, Canon tutorials, Nikon tutorials, etc.
  • Software- Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro X, etc.
  • Art and Design
  • Essentials- Color Theory, Illustration, Typography, etc.
  • Fundamentals- Branding, Logo Design, Design Thinking, etc.
  • Software- Adobe After Effects, Adobe In Design, Adobe Illustrator, etc. 
  • Craft and Maker
  • Papercraft- Calligraphy, Scrapbooking, Hand Lettering, etc.
  • Needlecraft- Embroidery, Crochet, Quilting, etc.
  • Food and Home- Interior Design, Cake Decorating, Floral Arranging, etc.
  • Jewelry Design
  • Business- Business, Marketing and Sales, Etsy.
  • Music and Audio
  • Essentials- Songwriting, Audio Engineering, Sound Mixing, etc.
  • Software- Cubase, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, etc.
  • Technique- Guitar Recording, Learn to DJ, Bass, etc.
  • Money and Life
  • Self Improvement- Money and finance, Time management, Wellness, etc.
  • Skills- Podcasting, writing, leadership, and management, etc.
  • Entrepreneurship- Freelancing, Sales, Social Media, etc.

Inside a CreativeLive Class

a screenshot of a creativelive course structure

The instructors themselves are a major hit of the platform. So, you can imagine the quality of the content these instructors deliver. Yes, they are top notch too.

As discussed above, you can find a variety of video courses on the platform, from design to business to photography courses.

Unlike classes in other virtual learning platforms, CreativeLive classes are fashioned to be highly interactive and engaging.

Every CreativeLive’s classes feature quality videos with high production value. And all the courses are structured to be followed at your own pace. Like in a typical classroom setup, every Creativelive class happens with a live audience.

Unlike other platforms, Creative Live offers these classes through live streaming and studio recorded sessions (recording locations change from music studios to kitchen tables to living rooms based on the topic).

Students who are part of the live audience of the studio recording or those who catch the live streaming sessions of the CreativeLive’s courses can interact with the instructors and the online creative community to raise questions, share ideas and actively participate. 

Students watching recorded sessions do not get to interact. However, most questions would likely have already been brought up by the students who had live access to the class.

The live virtual classroom setup is an excellent way of keeping the class lively rather than watching video after video, where the instructors communicate with cameras. And not many questions from students’ perspectives are raised.

Most courses start with an introductory lecture, giving insight into the class. This will give students a mental picture of the rest of the course, allowing them to set their goals and gauge if the course is what they are looking for.

This is then followed by the instructors sharing their background and expertise. Then, a Q&A session involving the studio live and live stream audiences will occur. 

The students may even be prompted to perform certain exercises, and a live student may demonstrate. This usually keeps the class more engaging, like a workshop.

Based on the class setup, you would have already understood the teaching style will vary from instructor to instructor and subject to subject. 

But learning through CreativeLive is consistently kept interactive. Instructors use proven teaching principles and techniques to ensure easy grasping and knowledge retention.

Most Popular CreativeLive Classes

CreativeLive has a host of popular courses. But to keep things easier and balanced, below is the currently most popular Creativelive course list under each channel.

Photo and Video

Fundamentals of Photography – Taught by John Greengo, the course has over 142K students enrolled, with 99% of them recommending it. The course covers 107 lessons over a running time of 24.5 hours. 

Adobe Photoshop CC: The Complete Guide – There are over 150k students, and 99% of them recommend this course. Ben Wilmore teaches it and covers 21 video lessons.

Art and Design

Designing Your Life: How to Build A Well-Lived, Joyful Life – Stanford Professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans teach thinking principles to help design a more meaningful life. 

Workflow, Time Management, and Productivity For Creatives – This class has seen over 99k students, and 88% of the students recommend this class.

This class teaches how proper organization allows workflow and time management to enhance efficiency and productivity.

Music and Audio

Studio Pass: Periphery – This class is for all creative music, instrument, and sound-mixing professionals and enthusiasts. 94% of the 35K+ students who took this class liked it.

Power Your Podcast With Storytelling – This is an interesting class for all storytellers. Here, you can learn what makes a good story, production techniques to create an outstanding sensory experience that captures the audience, and more.

Craft and Maker

Design Surface Patterns From Scratch – This course is for artistic creatives to learn digital pattern creation from sketches, drawings, and doodles. 100% of students who saw this class recommend it. 

Color Fundamentals – This class explores color principles and the best ways to apply them. The class is suitable for art students to understand how colors work to make better color decisions.

Money and Life

How to Break the Habit of Self-Doubt and Build Real Confidence – This is a super popular course in CreativeLive with over 165K students, and 99% of them recommend it.

From eliminating self-doubt to building confidence, this class can help transform you as a person and help you live a fulfilling life.

The Power of Body Language – This course takes a deep dive into understanding the impression your verbal and non-verbal language is giving to become the most memorable person in a room, even without communication. 

BEST ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM
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CreativeLive
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Tips to Picking the Perfect CreativeLive Course

If you already know the category or the particular class you want to take, then a search through the search bar will take you there.

But, if you are yet to determine which courses interest you the most, here are some tips to navigate the CreativeLive course catalog better:

  • Use Filters– You can shortlist the course catalog by choosing the channel/ category you want to explore. The subcategories will also be listed below when you choose your preferred category. You can then pick a subcategory to shortlist search results further. If need be, you can apply filters like streaming now, featured, best sellers, top-rated, and new classes. And also sort it by date, popularity, and rating.
  • Class Description– Read the class description that summarizes the course. You will also find a section on what you’ll learn. There is also a section on the right that mentions the topics covered in this class. 
  • Class Trailer– Every course page has a short video snippet giving an inside view into the course.
  • Research the Instructor– All course pages include a blurb on the instructor. Some may be familiar faces like Richard Branson and Mel Ribbons. You can research more on the instructor through their websites and social media links given under the description.
  • Lessons/ Syllabus of the Class– The class syllabus/ lessons will be listed with the time duration of each on the course page. 
  • Course Materials– Below the class description, all of the class materials for the course are available in downloadable PDF format. You can check if it appeals to your learning style.
  • Check Reviews Section– Check the past students’ reviews section on the course page of each class. This will give an idea of why students recommend this course.
  • Check Student Work Section– You can also explore the student work section where past learners have uploaded their work. This gives a touch to each course to see what the students have learned and produced.

CreativeLive Audience: Who is CreativeLive for?

Everyone harbors a creative personality within them. Some are fortunate to have discovered it because of their overwhelming creative nature, and some have yet to figure it out. 

So, all individuals who are naturally creative or want to unleash their creative side can find something on the CreativeLive platform.

Some of the people who will enjoy the CreativeLive platform include:

  • Art lovers
  • Musicians and producers
  • Arts and crafts enthusiast
  • Photography lovers
  • Cooks and bakers
  • Personal development enthusiasts
  • Freelancers trying to become successful and successful freelancers trying to remain productive.
  • Small business owners
  • Professionals in marketing and advertising
  • And all passionate creatives

Accessing CreativeLive

a screenshot of the creativelive homepage

CreativeLive is accessible via website browsing through any digital device like smartphones, desktops, and laptops. 

CreativeLive is also available on apps supporting iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Roku TV to bring creative learning to your fingertips. The iOS app is supposed to be outstanding.

Unfortunately, the lack of an Android app can make for an awful user experience for all Android users. 

Opening a CreativeLive Account

Registering with CreativeLive is completely free.

a screenshot of the login/signup option in creativelive website
a screenshot of the login/signup methods for creativelive
a screenshot of the creativelive credentials filling boxes for signing up

It is an easy process, but here are the steps:

  • Open a web browser and go to Creativelive.com.
  • When you reach the page, a pop-up usually asks you to Log In or Sign Up. The site header also has the same option and a subscribe option.
  • You can sign up using Facebook, Google, or your email address.
  • You will be asked for your Full Name and password in a separate window.

Once you are in, you can start navigating the platform and access several free courses at your own pace. You can take your time to understand how the platform works. 

You can watch CreativeLive ‘On Air Now’ as live broadcasts (more on this later), where many free classes on topics like life, photography, money, audio, and music are streamed. 

a screenshot of the 30 days of genius by chase jarvis creativelive course

A super popular free class on CreativeLive is the 30 Days of Genius with Chase Jarvis. In this class, Chase Jarvis interviews multiple genius business minds, including Richard Branson, Mark Cuban, Tim Ferris, Rene Brown, and Jared Leto.

How Much Does CreativeLive Cost?

Technically, many classes on Creativelive are offered for free. But only if you catch it on live streaming– the ‘ON AIR NOW’ option (more on it follows) under classes on the header. 

If you don’t catch it on live stream or watch it on live stream and later want a copy or want to view the course again, that’s where the Creative Live cost comes into play. 

If you want a copy, you can purchase individual courses, or if you want to view courses, you can go for subscription plans.

Individual Class Purchasing

Creativelive learners can purchase individual courses starting from $29 and going up to $199

The courses are on sale multiple times during the year, offered at massively discounted prices. It may be a marketing strategy, but who wouldn’t want to buy a course at a bargain price and have lifetime access to it?

CreativeLive Bundle and Save

CreativeLive also offers an option of ‘Bundle and Save.’ This is where similar courses under a particular subject area are bundled and offered at a bargain rate.

This not only allows learners to save, but it also creates a learning path initiative to inspire continuous learning.

Subscription Plans

a screenshot of the creative live subscription plans

CreativeLive has two subscription plans:

  • A monthly subscription plan: $29
  • An annual subscription plan: $129 billed at $10.75 per month

Both subscription plans include the following:

  • Access to 2000+ on-demand courses
  • Taught by 700+ industry icon instructors
  • 60K+ digestible lesson
  • Exclusive access to fast class
  • Access to new classes and exclusive conferences
  • Download the lesson for offline viewing (iPhone/iPad app)
  • You can set goals and track progress through curated learning paths
  • 24/7 access to progress anytime

The annual plan is more valuable if you plan to take more than one course. You’ll only be paying around $11 monthly for a year-long access to the entire platform. 

Gifting a CreativeLive Subscription

CreativeLive also offers the option of gifting subscription plans to friends and family. This is a thoughtful feature because there is no gift better than knowledge. 

The prices are the same as the subscription plans discussed above. A monthly plan is $29, and an annual plan is $129

CreativeLive for Teams

a screenshot of the creativelive for teams subscription plans

CreativeLive for Teams offers curated plans for businesses and organizations. This allows employees to upskill and become more creative, communicative, and resilient at work– and, of course, in life, too.

Currently, CreativeLive offers two plans:

  • Standard plan for 5-1000 people at $149 per person.
  • Enterprise plan for 1000+ people at customized prices with customized solutions.

CreativeLive Refund Policy

In case of an individual course purchase, users are given a grace period of 30 days to request a refund. However, a monthly or annual plan purchase comes only with a 7-day request period.

To request a refund, you can write to Creative Live through email- [email protected]

Note: After the 7-day window, you cannot request a refund on subscription plans. Instead, you can cancel your subscription to avoid auto-renewal during the next billing year. 

CreativeLive Classes for Free?

a screenshot of all free classes available in creativelive

CreativeLive does not explicitly offer free courses. But there are a few photography courses for free. Filtering these out is not easy. And then there’s also the 30 days of Genius with Chase Jarvis which I mentioned previously.

However, CreativeLive offers an interesting option called ‘ON AIR NOW.’ This is where classes are live-streamed. 

This option allows learners to access classes for FREE– creativelive free live classes and on-air events. Of course, given that it’s free, the platform decides what topics to air and when. But according to the website, you can “watch free classes 24/7”.

Classes from all five categories of CreativeLive are live-streamed here. If you click on that option, you can see the classes currently running on live stream and the schedule of the upcoming classes. 

Classes are scheduled for the next 30+ days. Each class listed on the schedule has an option to RSVP. If you RSVP, you will receive a reminder when the class is live. You can also adjust the reminder to your time zone.

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CreativeLive User Testimonials

To give a sense of completeness to this creativelive review, I decided to share what other students have said about creativelive.

For any product or service, user reviews say a lot about customers’ overall experience. The same applies here. Reading general reviews of the platform for particular courses will give insight into past student experiences.

This can help gauge your experience and decide if the platform or course suits you. Most reviews are positive and highlight the teaching quality and interactive experience the classes deliver.

Users say:

Great content for creatives
Amazing content at reasonable prices
A great place to learn

….and more to describe the platform.

However, some users have also complained about the refund policy and bad customer service. But these reviews date back a few years. Surely, CreativeLive is now upgraded to ensure the ultimate user experience.

Overall, learners are satisfied and highly recommend the CreativeLive platform.

Creative Live: Pros & Cons

Pros

On Air Live Class Streaming– The ‘On Air Now’ is a super interesting feature of the CreativeLive platform that allows learners to watch classes completely free every day.
High-quality Courses– All Creative Live courses feature videos filmed and edited by in-house videographers to deliver top-quality, engaging content.
Industry Professionals and Experts as Teachers– High-quality teaching delivered by industry leaders, Oscar and Grammy winners, best-selling authors, and other high achievers.
Availability Of Video Transcripts– Lesson transcripts are a great way to jog your memory if you need a refresher on a particular area. Instead of watching the whole video again, reading the transcript, figuring out the exact area of the lesson you want to revisit, and using Ctrl F will take you right where you want. This is an excellent time-saving feature.
Affordable– The current subscription pricing of CreativeLive is affordable compared to many of its competitors. And most of the individual price tags are often available at discounted rates.
Multiple Purchase Options– Creative Live offers both single course purchases and access to platform purchases as well. This gives learners options to pick what is most convenient to them.
Great Refund Policy On Single Course Purchases– An amazing 30-day refund policy backs individual courses.
Lifetime Access– Individual course purchases have lifetime access, so learners can revisit the course lessons as often as they want.
Offline viewing– iOS app users can download classes for offline viewing.

Cons

No Certifications Or Accreditations– Creative Live is not an accredited course provider nor offers course completion certificates.
Limited Free Courses– Most courses are available on the paid version of Creative Live unless watched on live stream for free.
No Android App– The lack of an Android is likely a disappointment to most Android users.
Lack of depth– Certain courses lack depth and structure. They cover content that is mostly on the surface only. Reading reviews is important to avoid such courses.

Can CreativeLive Help With My Career?

CreativeLive is an excellent online learning platform for all creative professionals looking to learn new skills or hone existing skills.

If you aim to learn a new creative skill as an enthusiast, then Creative Live can give you the relevant creative knowledge to set you on the right path.

As a creative individual looking to cultivate an impressive portfolio to attract potential employers and clients, competency and knowledge are more valuable than certifications for recognition.

For those who understand that, a creative live course will help you become more communicative, creative, innovative, a better problem solver, emotionally intelligent, and an active team member. These are all qualities valued by employers and clients. 

So, based on how you portray the knowledge you acquired from your creative live learning, you can help your career grow and reach new heights.

CreativeLive Alternatives

If you are on the edge about CreativeLive, below are a few other online learning platforms worth considering;

MASTERCLASS LOGO
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Masterclass

Masterclass is an interesting alternative that provides knowledge on an educational basis. The course catalog is small, but the courses hold high production value to retain and keep classes engaging. 

The instructor panel is the main selling point of Masterclass. The instructors include A-list celebrities, VIPs, and industry leaders sharing their expertise.

Masterclass subscription plans start at $120 annually, billed at $10 monthly. You can check out their course catalog and explore a few class trailers, to feel the difference.

Skillshare 

Skillshare is another online learning platform with a massive course catalog exceeding 34,000. Just like the course offerings, it covers every topic and skill. The courses are categorized into three main branches: Creative, Build, and Thrive.

Skillshare is an affordable alternative to CreativeLive. Subscriptions are priced at $180 annually or $32 per month.

Udemy

Udemy is also an online learning platform like Skillshare. It is like a marketplace where you can choose courses from a gigantic catalog of 213,000 courses. These courses cover marketing, music, business, development, design, and more. 

Udemy allows only individual course purchases. The quality of the course varies based on the course creators. And is accordingly priced.

However, it is likely that you will end up paying more than $12, which is the monthly fee of the CreativeLive annual subscription, if you are to pick a decent course from Udemy. 

Other Online Learning Platform reviews:

Frequently Asked Questions

There are over 2000 courses on CreativeLive, divided into five different categories.

CreativeLive offers classes/courses in five categories: Photo & Video, Money & Life, Art & Design, Craft & Maker, and Music & Audio. These cover a range of topics such as photography, filmmaking, writing, personal growth, and more.

No, CreativeLive does not offer a free trial. Instead, it offers free registration and free access to live classes.

Yes, CreativeLive courses cater to learners of all skill levels, including complete beginners and advanced students.

The cost of CreativeLive ranges from $50 to $200 for individual courses, or from $29 per month and $129 per year for subscription plans.

CreativeLive Review Wrap-Up: Is CreativeLive Worth it?

Knowing if your time and money invested in the CreativeLive platform learning is worth it is a reasonable consideration that all of us should make.

And here’s answering that lingering doubt!

Yes, CreativeLive is worth investing in, given that you make it work for yourself. This student-oriented learning platform is centered around creative niches like arts, sound, music, photography, and more. 

With courses taught by experts and world-class instructors, the student has to find and maintain the drive that inspires them to stay creative and grow as creatives.

Hopefully, this Creativelive review answered all your questions about the platform. Also, don’t forget that you can try the CreativeLive platform for free and learn from ‘on-air’ live classes to understand if it will fit you well.

OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
CreativeLive
creativelive online platform image
Features
Effectiveness
Price

4.9

4.9

4.8

Overall Score

4.9

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Pros
On Air Live Class Streaming
High-quality Courses
Industry Professionals and Experts as Teachers
Lifetime Access
Offline viewing
Get the BEST PRICE valid until the end of November
Cons
No Certifications Or Accreditations
Limited Free Courses

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Author
Carlos Eduardo
Hey there, I’m Carlos Eduardo, the Founder and Author of Scorebeyond. Delving deep into 20+ years of education transformation through innovative e-learning, I’ve poured my expertise into this platform. My enduring legacy continues to drive the path towards a future empowered by knowledge!

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