As a aspiring creative professional, who currently uses Adobe services for graphic design and video editing via Windows, would Linux provide any benefits that would improve my work flow?
I have heard about and experienced the stability and customisation of Linux distributions in the past and was considering utilising a dual- boot set up on my home PC.
Realistically no. just more un-necessary headaches that you don't need. especially if you are new to the Open-Source platform. there is nothing on Linux that rightfully compete with the Adobe Suite on Windows. the stability is awesome and security is awesome. but if you video edit or if that's your job, don't do it. all the headaches are going to make you run back to Windows faster than Road-Runner running away from Wild E. Coyote.
It depends if you're willing to move a project between multiple programs. I wouldn't say you'd get work done faster, but you could achieve everythung that you could on Adobe stuff. Audio editing is where I find Linux to shine.
Your workflow is a very personal thing so it's hard to say if Linux is going to help you. That said, the best way to find out is to spin up a virtual machine within Windows rather than dual boot. When you are working on a project (and aren't on a deadline) challenge yourself to complete the project within Linux rather than Windows, every time you do this you'll learn something new about Linux and whether or not it works for you, once you find yourself opening virtualbox immediately upon opening Windows then you can start thinking about reformatting with Linux.
You will always have some headaches at first. You always do when you try new things, that is no reason to reject sth.
There is Lightworks which is a professional grade application that supports Linux for video editing. You have to take the time to learn it and whether someone wants to take the time for that is very personal. You can also run Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom 5 using PlayOnLinux fine and its dead simple to setup if you know how. I guess you should also check applications like Inkscape, Gimp and Darktable to see if they might suit your needs. Finally there is Blender for animation and SFX. Amazing but again very high learning curve.
Other than that if the alternatives do not suit you, you do not have much choice than staying on Windows at least for your graphics/editing workflow.
Start with dual boot first (I would not recommend a VM if you want to try the Video and Graphics applications on Linux. There is no 3d-acceleration using any simple way to make a VM) and as you learn Linux you will be able to judge for yourself when and if you can fully switch or not. If you find it easy to switch to windows for your graphics and video editing and do the rest with Linux, even if you do not find alternatives that you can use, dual-booting will serve you fine. If you find it too cumbersome then switching to Linux will not really help you at all.
Probably not, if what you use now works, keep rolling with it but by all means experiment and see if it can.
If your a video editor, windows/OSX. If a programmer, use a linux distro, and save a $100 not buying a licence.