Graphic design—where art meets technology in a dazzling dance of creativity and unreasonable client expectations. Whether you're sketching logos or dreaming up website layouts, mastering graphic design allows you to turn your creative visions into something tangible – a very handy set of skills.
But with a vast and varied digital landscape where does an aspiring graphic designer start? We've scoured the internet, sifted through the clutter, and compiled a list of the best graphic design courses out there.
From free tutorials for beginners to advanced classes that'll sharpen your skills, our guide is your first step towards graphic design greatness.
So let’s dive into the colorful world of design education, shall we?
1. Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design by Skillshare
Price
A Skillshare membership costs $32 per month. While the annual Premium membership will set you back $168 per year.
Course Overview
Skillshare’s Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design is the optimal choice for those aiming to grasp the core principles of graphic design swiftly and develop their graphic design skills. This 35-minute class provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the five basic principles of graphic design, making it an excellent starting point for beginners.
The course includes practical examples and an opportunity to create a basic layout, allowing you to put your newly acquired knowledge into practice. While the course is free, you’ll need a stable internet connection to get the best learning experience. But given the quality of the content and the brevity of the course, this is a minor inconvenience.
2. Creating Brand Systems by Skillshare
Price
Available to all Skillshare subscribers: Membership is $32 per month or $168 per year.
Course Overview
The “Creating Brand Systems” course on Skillshare, led by Philadelphia-based graphic designers Mike Ski and Jessie Jay, delves into the fundamentals of crafting effective brand systems. This seven-part video series covers the journey from conceptualizing a narrative to the practical application of creating and merging design assets.
Participants will learn how to design logos that resonate with their brand's identity and how to extend these principles across various mediums. The course also includes a project where students can create their own logos and receive peer feedback, fostering a practical learning experience.
3. Canva Design School: Graphic Design Basics
Price
Free!
Course Overview
For those embarking on their graphic design journey, Canva Design School’s Graphic Design Basics course serves as an ideal starting point. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles of graphic design, with a strong focus on practical learning. It’s a brilliant platform to learn and apply basic design principles and graphic design theory.
The course covers a range of topics, from color and shape to typography and imagery, all of which are essential visual elements. One of its standout features is the emphasis on practical activities. Each lesson includes a hands-on project, offering an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned immediately, which is ideal for beginners.
Pros
Practical Lessons: The course includes practical activities like creating mood boards, practicing proximity, mastering alignment, and choosing fonts.
Expert Guidance: Lessons are provided by experienced professionals, including artists, graphic designers, and creative directors, offering diverse perspectives and insights into graphic design.
Versatility in Design Elements: It covers various design elements comprehensively, such as mood boards for inspiration, the importance of grouping items, and effective use of negative space, thereby equipping learners with a broad set of design skills.
Easy-to-Follow Interface: Canva's interface is user-friendly, making it easier for beginners to navigate through templates and customize them according to their needs.
Cons
Limited to Canva's Ecosystem: While highly informative, the course's applicability is primarily within Canva's own design tools and templates.
May Not Cover Advanced Techniques: The course is designed with beginners in mind, focusing on basic principles and Canva’s functionalities.
4. CalArts Graphic Design Specialization (Coursera)
Price
The CalArts Graphic Design Specialization course at Coursera is free.
Course Overview
For those keen on exploring design fundamentals,CalArts Graphic Design Specialization on Coursera is an excellent choice. This course is a comprehensive package of five beginner-level courses, each focusing on a different aspect of design. Led by experienced CalArts faculty members, this course provides a solid foundation in design theory, making it perfect for those looking to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.
The course offers a shareable certificate upon completion, adding value to your professional profile. However, the subscription-based pricing may not be ideal for all, especially if you plan to take your time with the course. But for the depth of knowledge it offers, it is well worth the investment.
Pros
Experienced Faculty: Learners gain insights from seasoned professionals at CalArts, known for their expertise in the field.
Comprehensive Curriculum: The specialization covers essential aspects of graphic design including fundamentals of design, typography, imagemaking, design history, and a capstone project where learners create a complete brand development guide for a fictitious company.
Flexibility: The course is self-paced, allowing learners to progress faster if they wish, and is also free to audit, making it accessible to everyone interested.
Practical Projects: The inclusion of projects helps solidify learning by applying concepts to real-world scenarios.
Cons
Beginner Focus: The course is primarily aimed at beginners. Those with more experience in graphic design may find the content less challenging and may want to explore more advanced courses.
Subscription Cost: Although the course can be audited for free, a Coursera subscription, which is required for access to graded assignments and a certificate, may not be the most affordable option for everyone.
Limited Scope for Certain Careers: It does not extensively cover areas like interface design, motion graphics, or editorial design, which might be necessary for students looking to specialize in these specific areas of graphic design.
Peer Review System: Some users have expressed concerns over the peer grading system, noting that the lack of professional feedback could foster bad design habits.
5. Logo Design Fundamentals (Udemy)
Price
This course is free!
Course Overview
Udemy’s Logo Design Fundamentals course is a comprehensive resource for mastering the pivotal skill of logo design in graphic design. This course does an excellent job of breaking down the process of logo design, teaching you how to create logos that communicate effectively.
One of the standout features of this course is the practical examples and exercises that allow you to apply what you’ve learned. You’ll also get lifetime access to all course materials, so you can revisit the content any time you need a refresher. The only potential downside is the price, which may be a bit steep for some learners. However, given the depth and quality of the content, it’s well worth the investment.
6. Introduction to Graphic Design History by Kadenze
Price
Premium membership at Kadenze costs $20 per month.
Course Overview
Kadenze’s Introduction to Graphic Design History course is the perfect choice for those fascinated by the historical facets of graphic design. This course goes beyond teaching design skills and offers a deep dive into the evolution of graphic design, its impact on society and politics, and various styles and techniques.
The course uses an interactive approach to learning online graphic design, with quizzes and peer-reviewed assignments that keep you engaged throughout the course. While access to course materials is free, there is a premium subscription option that allows you to submit assignments, earn a certificate, and access other benefits. Regardless, the free version offers plenty of value, making this course a great choice for anyone interested in the history of graphic design.
Pros
Taught by leading faculty at MICA, enhancing credibility and quality of education.
Covers a wide range of graphic design history topics, from typography to avant-garde movements.
Interactive quizzes and creative prompts for practical learning.
Flexible learning with premium membership options, including exclusive video lessons and assignment feedback.
Cons
Primarily aimed at beginners, may not offer advanced insights for experienced graphic designers.
Premium membership required for full course benefits, including assignments and certificate.
7. Adobe Illustrator for Beginners by Envato Tuts
Price
Envato's Adobe Illustrator for Beginners is a free course.
Course Overview
Envato Tuts’ Adobe Illustrator for Beginners is the go-to course for aspiring graphic designers eager to master the essential tool, Adobe Illustrator. This three-hour crash course covers key techniques and features of Adobe Illustrator, providing a solid foundation for beginners.
The course emphasizes practical learning, with plenty of hands-on exercises that allow you to apply what you’ve learned. The only potential downside is that you’ll need to have Adobe Illustrator software to follow along with the course. But if you’re serious about graphic design, investing in this software will be well worth it.
8. Adobe's Discover Graphic Design
Price
Available to Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers. The prices of the subscription options vary greatly. Check the Adobe website for more info.
Course Overview
Adobe’s Discover Graphic Design diverges from traditional courses, offering a comprehensive compilation of resources ideal for beginners. From how-to articles and tutorials to free assets and access to Adobe Creative Cloud’s industry-leading apps, this resource compilation is perfect for those looking to explore various areas of graphic design on their own terms.
The resources are accessible via various subscription plans, offering a flexible investment based on your usage and needs. While some resources require a subscription, the wealth of information available makes it a worthy investment for anyone serious about graphic design.
Pros
Comprehensive Coverage: Adobe offers courses on a broad spectrum of its software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Animate, Dreamweaver, and more, catering to various aspects of graphic design.
Flexibility: The courses are available online, offering flexibility to learn from home, office, or anywhere else, making it convenient for those who cannot commit to traditional university schedules.
Career Opportunities: The courses are structured to help you understand the concepts and tools of the trade, making graphic design certification programs online a pathway to advance your career.
Skill Development: Courses are designed to help learners from all levels, from beginners to advanced users, to master Adobe tools effectively through hands-on projects and practical examples
Cons
Learning Curve: Adobe tools, particularly Photoshop and Illustrator, can be somewhat tricky to learn. This might pose a challenge for beginners without prior experience or those not used to self-paced learning environments.
Time and Effort: While online courses offer flexibility, mastering graphic design skills requires significant time and effort, particularly for those balancing other commitments.
Adapting to Feedback: Graphic design is highly collaborative and iterative. Success in the field requires the ability to accept and incorporate feedback, which might be challenging for those preferring to work independently or with complete creative control.
Deadline Pressures: Graphic design projects often have tight deadlines, which can result in increased work hours and potentially stressful situations, especially near project completion.
Verdict: Which is the Right Graphic Design Course for You?
Picking the right graphic design course is all about figuring out what you need and where you're at, skill-wise.
Our top pick is Skillshare's “Graphic Design Basics” course. It's quick, to the point, and packed with the good stuff you need to get started. Basically, it's pretty much everything you need as you prepare to for your first plunge into the world of graphic design.
But hey… not everyone is on that beginner's hourney, right? If you're a little more experienced and keen to learn about building brands, “Creating Brand Systems by Skillshare” is your go-to graphic design course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to learn graphic designing?
The best way to learn graphic designis to start by learning the history and principles, enroll in a graphic design course, master design programs, build a portfolio, grow your network, and continue to learn and grow. This comprehensive approach will help you gain the necessary skills and experience.
Can I learn graphic design in 3 months?
Yes, it's possible to attain the skills needed to start building a competitive portfolio in graphic design within a three-month timeframe. With professional training, one can become an amateur graphic designer on the path to professional expertise.
Which course is best for beginners?
The Graphic Design Basics course from Canva Design School is a great starting point for beginner graphic designers. It covers essential design principles and techniques.
Are there any courses focusing on Adobe Illustrator?
Yes, Envato Tuts offers a comprehensive Adobe Illustrator course for beginners. You can check their website for more information.
