Pearson Announces 2026 Adobe Certified Professional World Champions

Pearson recently shared the results of the 13th annual Certiport Adobe Certified Professional World Championship. This global competition, according to Pearson, brings together students from around the world to demonstrate their professional-level design and creative abilities, vying for the prestigious world championship title.

The event, hosted in Anaheim, California, featured 56 finalists who represented 27 different countries. To qualify for the World Championship, competitors, ranging in age from 13 to 22, first needed to earn an Adobe Certified Professional certification in either Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign and subsequently win their respective country's competition.

Showcasing Talent and Skill

The competition, as described by Pearson, offers students a practical platform to apply their technical and creative skills in a real-world context. This experience is designed to help prepare them for future careers in an increasingly technologically driven world, influenced by artificial intelligence and ongoing innovation.

Pearson announced the top ten winners of this year's competition:

• First Place: Lulu Emanuele, USA
• Second Place: Furtini Baldesin, Brazil
• Third Place: Muhammad Fawwaz Haiqal Bin Mohd Fuaad, Malaysia
• Fourth Place: Muhammad Nafiz Asyraaf Bin Mohd Nazrin, Malaysia
• Fifth Place: Ho Nhat Anh, Vietnam
• Sixth Place: Francis Joan Guerra de los Angeles, Dominican Republic
• Seventh Place: Gabriela Castro, Peru
• Eighth Place: Mounir Al Achi Chbib, Lebanon
• Ninth Place: Huang Jo Hsuan, Taiwan
• Tenth Place: Dan Amiel V. Salvador, Philippines

The Value of Professional Certifications

Arthur Valentine, President of Assessment and Qualifications at Pearson, emphasized the significance of professional certifications for career development. According to Valentine, professional certifications offer employers a reliable way to assess a candidate's skill level and capabilities. He noted that achieving an Adobe certification early in life can provide students with an advantage, demonstrating their dedication, initiative, and validating their creative, technical, and problem-solving skills.



Pearson states its commitment to supporting the progress of these young individuals and recognizing their talent within the design industry. Earning an Adobe certification and performing well in this type of event can be a significant initial step toward a promising career, according to Valentine.

Adobe Certified Professional: A Credential for the Future

The Adobe Certified Professional credential is highly regarded within the digital media and design sectors. Pearson referenced the Adobe Seeking Creative Candidates: Hiring for the Future report, which indicates that 75% of hiring managers believe certifications identify high-quality candidates for creative roles. Pearson explains that this certification provides objective, globally recognized proof of an individual's software proficiency and design capabilities, helping to bridge the gap between creative passion and professional hiring requirements.

Context for Students, Parents, and Teachers

For students considering a future in design or digital media, participating in competitions like the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship can offer valuable experience beyond classroom learning. It provides a structured environment to test and validate skills against international standards. The process of earning an Adobe Certified Professional certification itself can serve as a concrete goal, helping students to master industry-standard software and build a foundational skill set.



Parents might see these certifications and competitions as a way to support their children's interests in creative fields, providing tangible proof of skill development that can be beneficial for college applications or early career opportunities. The focus on real-world application, as highlighted by Pearson, suggests that the skills gained are directly relevant to industry needs.

For teachers, integrating certification preparation into curriculum can be a powerful way to motivate students and ensure they are developing marketable skills. The competition structure can also be used as an engaging project-based learning opportunity, encouraging students to push their creative boundaries and problem-solve under pressure. The emphasis on certifications signaling high-quality candidates, as mentioned by Pearson, reinforces the idea that these credentials can be a valuable addition to a student's portfolio.

The annual Adobe Certified Professional World Championship, as announced by Pearson, continues to highlight the importance of validated digital skills and provides a global stage for young talent to shine in the evolving landscape of design and technology.