Apple opens The Studio in Chicago retail store

Kesey noticed something new at the North Michigan Avenue Apple Store in Chicago, so he emailed us about it like a good TUAW reader should. It seems Apple has a new help desk to help creative types overcome artistic roadblocks.

"The Studio is the creative hub of the Apple Store. Whether your interest is photography, moviemaking, music or everyday use of your Mac, our team of Creatives can help you. They'll teach you one-on-one how to re-touch photos, compose music and make Hollywood-style movies. Or how to make a logo or design a slick letterhead."

There's no mention of cost, but there's also no real info other than what I posted above, so it may or may not be free. I'm going to guess that is is free and that the help you get will consist of things like "What you need to do to make that work is buy this application/upgrade/peripheral..." Then again, I could be wrong. I hope I am.

There's no mention of the Studio on the Apple SoHo website, so this may be a Chicago-only thing for now. It's not the same thing as the Studio Series are paid, hands-on training classes. Have you noticed anything similar at your local Apple store?

PS to Kesey – your observation on the resemblance between Apple's The Studio logo and Microsoft's Xbox 360 logo did not go unnoticed :)