Highlights from the 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship by Certiport

Celebrating Young Talent: The 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship

The 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship concluded with a stunning display of creative prowess from young designers around the globe. Hosted by Pearson’s Certiport, this prestigious event brought together 47 finalists in Orlando, Florida, from July 27 to 30, 2025. The competition focused on assessing the contestants' skills in using Adobe’s widely recognized tools — Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

A Showcase of Talent

Among the outstanding participants, Thiago Mello from Brazil emerged victorious, demonstrating exceptional skill and creativity. The final rankings were as follows: 1st place - Thiago Mello (Brazil), 2nd place - Hallie Mitchell (United Kingdom), and 3rd place - Veleria Ximena Barreiro Guillen (Ecuador).

This year marked the 12th installment of the championship, which challenges contestants to create compelling design elements within a demanding timeframe. Notably, participants were tasked with developing promotional materials for the non-profit organization Networking for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). They utilized Adobe Creative Cloud over an intense eight-hour period, crafting posters and social media graphics to promote NFTE’s World Series of Innovation. This competition invites students aged 13 to 24 to propose solutions addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Empowering Young Creatives

Cheyanne Ornelas, Program Manager for NFTE’s World Series of Innovation, emphasized the importance of this platform for aspiring designers. She stated, "This competition not only helps students enhance their entrepreneurial mindset but also enables them to play a pivotal role in raising awareness for significant global issues through their creativity."

The judging panel, comprising NFTE representatives and industry design experts, evaluated the participants based on various criteria, including visual appeal and adherence to client branding. The first-place winner received an impressive cash prize of $8,000, while the second and third places were awarded $4,000 and $2,000, respectively.

Dr. Gary Gates, Managing Director of Pearson VUE, expressed his admiration for the young artists’ ability to apply their Adobe certification skills to real-world challenges. He remarked, "It is incredible to witness how these young people leverage their creative skills to produce remarkable pieces of work in response to genuine demands from organizations."

Looking Ahead

As the curtain falls on this year’s competition, excitement builds for the next event. Certiport has announced that the 2026 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship will be hosted at the Disney Grand California in Anaheim, California, from July 26-29, 2026.

Adobe’s Liana Maharaj, Head of Student Learning and Certification, reiterated the incredible opportunity this competition provides for students worldwide. "By earning an Adobe certification and participating in challenges like these, students can significantly boost their confidence and gain invaluable experience, setting a solid foundation for their future careers in design."

In conclusion, the 2025 Adobe Certified Professional World Championship not only spotlighted talented young designers but also reinforced the critical role of creativity and design skills in addressing real-world issues. As this event continues to inspire and challenge, it undoubtedly plays a crucial part in nurturing the next generation of creative leaders in the digital realm.