Are you hoping to enter the area of graphic design for the first time? Or do you simply want to improve your current skills? There are no longer any obstacles to learning from the greatest universities or experts. All you have to do now is pick from the graphic design online courses that best fit your existing graphic design skills and future development ambitions.
It can be difficult to figure out how to "break into" the field of graphic design because it is such an extensive field. Graphic design is certainly a crucial form of communication between a brand and its market or customers, and it plays an important role in modern businesses and our everyday lives in many ways. Graphics are used in various ways to attract potential clients, including logos, brochures, websites, signage, magazines, business cards, and pamphlets. That’s why searching for the perfect graphic design online courses should be at the top of your priority before diving into graphic design.
Attending a design school and enrolling in a degree program is one obvious way to learn graphic design. However, this isn't the only option. If you are enthusiastic about design and want to learn more, you can do so on your own by utilizing various resources and enrolling in graphic design online courses. You'll hit the ground running if you have a solid foundation in graphic design theory and practice. You'll also need experience with desktop design software like Illustrator and InDesign, as well as photo editing programs like Photoshop.
List of the Best Graphic Design Online Courses
You can gain a thorough understanding of all these through self-directed study through graphic design online courses or certification that will provide you with a strong basis in multiple areas of graphic design. We've made things simple for you by compiling this list of the leading online graphic design courses, and training programs. It includes both free and paid resources, as well as a highly flexible timetable that allows you to study and practice additional material on your own. There is something for every type of learner, whether they are beginners, intermediates, or experts.
1. Graphic Design Bootcamp (Udemy)
On-demand video with a duration of 15.5 hours with a 4.5 out of 5 ratings.
Derrick Mitchell, a graphic designer with over 15 years of experience, who has taught over 100,000 students online in 11 classes, teaches Udemy's Graphic Design Bootcamp. Graphic Design Bootcamp on Udemy is one of the most popular online graphic design courses for beginners. This course is the best for first-timers who want to build a skill set that will make them employable in the creative industry as graphic designers. These graphic design online courses are suitable for freelancers as well as entrepreneurs planning to start their own businesses.
Highlights of the Graphic Design Classes:
- Gain a thorough understanding of how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to work on both print and web projects.
- Access to a private Facebook group with over 14,000 members that provides opportunities for students and working professionals all over the world to post projects, receive insightful criticisms, and connect with other students and professionals.
- After completing the course, you'll have lifetime access to over 15 hours of video content, 13 free download materials, and a certificate.
2. Become a Graphic Designer (LinkedIn)
22 hours of video content with 4.5 out of 5 ratings.
LinkedIn also offers a handful of graphic design online courses. The Become a Graphic Designer learning path from LinkedIn Learning includes 11 courses and over 29 hours of video tutorials from nine different professional designers and instructors. The series teaches students how to develop a solid foundation in design elements, like typography, color, and layout, as well as the design procedure and the skills required to start or advance a career as a graphic designer.
Students must complete hands-on activities in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and receive a shareable certificate as a reward. Course videos can also be downloaded and viewed at any time using the LinkedIn Learning app.
Highlights of the Graphic Design Classes:
- Understanding the design process to visualize inspiring concepts.
- Learn how to use industry-standard software that every graphic designer should be familiar with.
- Hands-on InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop activities
- Professionals and experts in the field in the industry write and teach the courses.
- After signing up, you'll have access to all course content for 30 days at no cost.
- Flexible schedules allow you to learn at your own speed.
3. Free Graphic Design Courses (Skillshare)
Self-paced learning with a 4.5 out of 5 ratings.
Skillshare is an online learning community that offers thousands of classes in design, business, technology, and other subjects. They provide graphic design online courses in areas like logo design, 3D illustration, brand identity design, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, among others.
From fundamental design concepts to the best methods and techniques for creating great graphical design ideas, students can learn it all. There are online graphic design courses for all levels of learners, including beginners, intermediates, and experts.
Highlights of the Graphic Design Classes:
- Every Skillshare course includes a project that students can use to practice their skills and receive feedback.
- Get access to a growing community of over 7 million creators to share and collaborate with.
- With the Skillshare app, you can access course content from anywhere and at any time (available for both Android and iOS platforms).
- For the first two months after signing up, all course materials are available for free.
4. UX Designer Nanodegree Program (Udacity)
3 months at a rate of 10 hours per week, with a 4.6 out of 5 ratings.
This Nanodegree program in User Experience Design teaches UX fundamentals as well as how to conduct design research. It's best for learners with some graphic design experience who want to improve their UX skills for app and web design. You'll also learn about interaction theory and how to create structures that are more user-friendly.
These graphic design online courses are divided into three modules that cover anything from visual design fundamentals to UX conceptual design, including how to integrate low-fi sketches into hi-fi graphics design ready for engineering handoff using Figma.
Highlights of the Graphic Design Classes:
- Learn the fundamentals of human-centered design and how to scope a design problem correctly.
- Learn how to run a design sprint and how to turn research findings into a prototype that can be tested with real people.
- To create interactive and impactful designs, learn advanced user interface principles.
- Learn how to use engagement data to improve design and user experiences.
- Work on real-world projects designed by experts in the field.
- Get access to career services and technical mentorship.
5. Graphic Design Specialization (Coursera)
Approximately 5-6 months, 4 hours each week, 4.7 out of 5 ratings.
The Graphic Design Specialization on Coursera is taught by five CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) professors. The graphic design online courses of CalArts are known around the world for their over 70-degree programs in the visual, performing, media, and literary arts.
The principles of graphic design, typography, image-making, the history of design, and branding are all covered in this five-course series. Videos and readings, practice quizzes, graded assignments with peer input, graded quizzes with feedback, and graded programming assignments make up this self-paced course. Students must also produce a project report that demonstrates the abilities they can employ in their portfolio.
Highlights of the Graphic Design Classes:
- Aimed at students who are new to the area of graphics design or who want to learn more about visual culture, analysis, and procedures.
- From concept to development to presentation, you'll gain a thorough understanding of the complete design process.
- Learn everything you need to know about working in the fields of interface design, motion graphics, and editorial design.
- At the end of each week, there will be assignments and practical exercises to apply what you've learned.
Moving Forward: Career Advancement as a Graphic Designer
Taking graphic design online courses can help anyone who wants to start a career as a professional graphic designer. It's like having a personal mentor, seeing an expert designer cover the basics of good design, typography, and taking a project from start to end. Graphic design online courses that teach the foundations and advanced functionalities of design software can considerably reduce the learning curve and help graphic designers develop their skills quickly.
This image is taken from Strikingly User’s Website
Once you’ve finished your graphic design online courses, and become more confident with your craft, you can now build your online portfolio! Strikingly believes your skill should be showcased on a beautiful platform. You may use Strikingly to create graphic design portfolio websites that highlight your greatest work. Here are steps simple steps you can follow after finishing your online graphic design courses:
1. Choose Strikingly
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Website
Put no waste of learning from your graphic design online courses, showcase your craft, and create your website portfolio! There are many website builders available online, but most of them demand technical expertise and do not offer a free alternative. Strikingly can quickly give all the parts your website requires, free to use, and very user-friendly. Your website portfolio can access the network in less than an hour.
2. Using a Website Template
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Website
Customize your preferred website template to reflect your own personality. To make a one-of-a-kind web portfolio, mix and match different color schemes and font styles.
3. Include Your Best Work
This image is taken from Strikingly User’s Website
While it may be tempting to exhibit all your work, we recommend selecting a few of your greatest pieces. You can also create many gallery sections to represent various design styles.
4. Fill in Your Contact Information
This image is taken from Strikingly’s User Website
Make sure your visitors know how to contact you, and remember to add your contact information. Include a contact form on your website so that visitors may send you messages.
5. Publish Your Website
This image is taken from Strikingly’s User Website
Congratulations! Your graphic designer website portfolio is finally done! Here's one last tip after you publish your portfolio. To increase traffic, promote your website on social media and other venues.
Students can now join in online graphic design classes without ever having to set foot on campus, thanks to the growing popularity of distance learning over the Internet. Who knows, when you get good at graphic designing, you can also start your graphic design online courses for aspiring designers. The best part about that is you can also sell your online graphic design courses here in Strikingly!
