10 Best Graphic Design Courses for Beginners

In today’s digital age, graphic design has emerged as a dynamic and highly sought-after skillset, influencing everything from advertising and branding to web design and social media. Whether you’re a creative enthusiast looking to turn your passion into a profession or a professional seeking to enhance your design skills, embarking on the journey of graphic design is an exciting and fulfilling endeavor.

To kickstart your path to becoming a proficient graphic designer, we’ve curated a list of the “10 Best Graphic Design Courses for Beginners.” These courses, carefully selected for their comprehensive curriculum, expert instructors, and accessibility, will equip you with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills needed to create stunning visuals and communicate effectively through design.

Fundamentals of Graphic Design (Coursera)

The Fundamentals of Graphic Design by Michael Worthington on Coursera covers various aspects of graphic design, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education. It begins with the basics of image-making and progresses to more advanced topics such as typography, composition, shape, and color. This structured approach can help beginners gradually build their skills and knowledge.

The fact that around 24% of students reportedly started a new career after completing the course suggests that it provides valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied in real-world situations.

The course includes a range of learning materials, including readings, activities, and videos. This diversity in content can cater to different learning styles and preferences.

Quizzes and reading sections are provided to test students’ knowledge, which can help reinforce learning and ensure that key concepts are understood. Upon completion of the course, students receive a Certificate of Completion, which can be a valuable credential to showcase their graphic design skills to potential employers or clients.

The course is priced at $49 per month, which is relatively affordable compared to many other educational options. It has a duration of 15 hours, making it manageable for individuals with limited time to commit to their studies.

Graphic Design Masterclass (Udemy)

The “Graphic Design Masterclass” by Lindsay Marsh is a comprehensive and practical course for individuals interested in graphic design.

The course covers a wide range of topics, including design theory, branding, and logo design. This breadth of content ensures that students gain a holistic understanding of graphic design and its practical applications.

It provides step-by-step guidance for various skills, such as photo editing, logo design, and vector tracing. This is particularly helpful for beginners who may not have prior experience with graphic design software.

The emphasis on actionable skills means that students can apply what they learn immediately. This hands-on approach is valuable for those who want to create real-world design projects.

Students are taught how to use common graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Proficiency in these tools is essential for graphic designers, as they are widely used in the industry.

The opportunity to work on projects, such as flyers, vectors, and other assets, while following along with the instructor allows for practical application and skill development.

It includes a study of design history without unnecessary fluff, which can provide valuable context and inspiration for aspiring graphic designers. It is continually updated with new lessons, ensuring that students have access to the latest design techniques and tools. This is particularly important in a field like graphic design, where technology and trends evolve rapidly.

Upon completing the course, students receive a Certificate of Completion, which can enhance their credibility as graphic designers.

At $99.99, the course is reasonably priced, especially considering the extensive content and duration. With a duration of 25 hours and 30 minutes, the course provides a substantial amount of learning material, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate learners.

Beginners Guide to Adobe Photoshop (SkillShare)

The “Beginner’s Guide to Adobe Photoshop” course on Skillshare, created by Kate Silver, is a valuable resource for individuals interested in learning Adobe Photoshop for graphic design.

Kate Silver is described as a teacher at the UK’s leading Adobe Training Center, indicating that she likely has a high level of expertise in Adobe Photoshop. Learning from an experienced instructor can significantly enhance your understanding of the software.

This course is specifically tailored to teach you the basics of using Adobe Photoshop for editing and creating graphics from scratch.

The course covers image editing, graphic manipulation, and retouching, which are fundamental skills for graphic designers. Learning these skills can help you create visually appealing and professional designs.

In today’s digital age, creating assets for social media is a crucial skill for graphic designers. This course includes tips on how to create graphics suitable for various social media platforms.

The course is described as “easy-to-follow,” making it accessible for beginners who may not have prior experience with Adobe Photoshop or graphic design.

Priced at $19 per month, the course is relatively affordable compared to other educational options. Skillshare’s subscription model allows you to access a wide range of courses for a single monthly fee.

With a duration of 3 hours and 4 minutes, the course provides a reasonable amount of content, making it manageable for beginners to complete.

Upon completing the course, you receive a Certificate of Completion, which can be added to your portfolio or resume to showcase your proficiency in Adobe Photoshop.

Before enrolling in this course, it’s a good idea to review the syllabus and course materials to ensure they align with your specific learning goals. Additionally, if you are interested in other aspects of graphic design beyond Adobe Photoshop, you may want to explore additional courses that cover design theory, branding, and other software tools commonly used in the field.

Visual and Graphic Design (Alison)

The “Visual and Graphic Design” course from Alison offers an accessible and cost-effective way to learn the fundamentals of graphic design.

The course covers essential graphic design concepts such as composition, balance, and design hierarchy. These fundamentals are crucial for anyone aspiring to become a graphic designer.

It provides insights into what it means to work as a graphic designer in the real world.

The course is designed to be easy to follow, making it suitable for individuals with varying levels of prior design knowledge.

The inclusion of visuals and assessments in the course enhances the learning experience. Visuals can aid in understanding design principles, and assessments allow you to test your comprehension.

The course is available for free, which makes it an attractive option for individuals who want to explore graphic design without making a financial commitment upfront. But you have the option to purchase a Graphic Design Certificate for $25 upon completion. This certificate can add value to your resume and demonstrate your commitment to learning graphic design.

Graphic Design Course Online (Shaw Academy)

The graphic design course offered by Shaw Academy is a comprehensive option for individuals looking to learn graphic design, with a strong emphasis on interaction and guidance.

Shaw Academy is commended for its engaging learning experiences. If you prefer an interactive and teacher-led approach to learning, this course may be a good fit for you.

Regular live video sessions with a teacher offer an opportunity for real-time interaction, questions, and guidance, creating a more dynamic learning experience.

It covers the principles and fundamentals of design, including the use of essential tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This breadth of content ensures that you acquire a well-rounded understanding of graphic design.

Upon completing the course, you will receive a globally recognized Graphic Design Certificate. This certification can enhance your credibility as a graphic designer and improve your job prospects.

The course boasts more than 2.2 million graduates, which reflects its popularity and credibility in the field of graphic design.

It is structured over 16 weeks and consists of 32 lessons with accompanying assessments. This structured approach can help you progress systematically and test your skills along the way.

While the course is not entirely free, it offers a free trial for 4 weeks. Afterward, the monthly subscription fee is $69.99, which is competitive compared to other educational options.

Beginners Guide to Graphic Design (Gareth David Studio)

The Beginners Guide to Graphic Design is one of the most popular graphic design courses available on YouTube, taught by experienced designer Gareth David.

One of its standout features is that it’s entirely free. While it’s primarily designed for beginners in the field of graphic design, it offers valuable insights and knowledge that can benefit individuals at various stages of their graphic design journey.

The course covers a wide range of topics. It begins by providing a foundational understanding of what graphic design entails. This includes exploring essential visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, space, form, and typography.

Additionally, it delves into key design principles like contrast, hierarchy, alignment, balance, proximity, repetition, simplicity, and function.

Beyond the basics, the course explores the question of whether graphic design is the right path for you and why it might be a worthwhile pursuit. It delves into the practical skills, psychological attributes, and innate talent that are beneficial for a graphic designer.

It also guides you on how to embark on your journey as a graphic designer, emphasizing the importance of learning, researching, collecting inspiration, practicing regularly, and seeking educational resources.

The course takes a closer look at various aspects of a graphic design career. This includes recommendations for books to read and the types of education needed to excel as a graphic designer. It discusses the option of pursuing formal education at a university and the qualifications and equipment necessary for success in this field. It also highlights the importance of specific software programs commonly used in graphic design.

In terms of format, the course consists of 46 videos, each ranging from 5 to 10 minutes in duration. The content is primarily conveyed through video lectures, making it accessible for those learners seeking a flexible and visual approach to acquiring graphic design knowledge.

Graphic Design Theory (Yes I’m a Designer)

Graphic design theory is a fundamental aspect of mastering the art and craft of graphic design. This course aims to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of graphic design theory, ultimately boosting your confidence in your graphic design capabilities.

The course curriculum covers a wide range of crucial topics within graphic design theory, offering valuable insights into various aspects of the field. These topics include:

Color: You will explore the significance of color in graphic design, learning about color theory, harmony, and how to effectively use color in your designs.

Contrast: Understanding and applying contrast in your designs to create visual interest and hierarchy is a vital skill, and this course will help you grasp its principles.

Typography: Typography plays a pivotal role in graphic design. This course delves into the art of selecting and arranging typefaces to convey messages effectively.

Golden Graphic Design Rules: These are the foundational principles and rules that guide effective graphic design. You’ll gain a deep understanding of these rules and how to apply them.

Justification vs. Alignment: Learn the distinctions between text justification and alignment and when to use each in your design projects.

Gestalt Principles: These principles explore how humans perceive and interpret visual information. Understanding them is crucial for creating cohesive and impactful designs.

Hierarchy with Fonts: Discover how to establish hierarchy and visual structure in your designs using fonts effectively.

Text Color Limitations: Gain insights into the limitations and considerations when selecting colors for text to ensure readability and accessibility.

Grids: Understand the importance of grids in graphic design for achieving alignment and consistency in layout and composition.

Leading Lines: Explore the use of leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye through your designs and establish flow.

Negative Space: Learn how to leverage negative space, or white space, to create balance and clarity in your designs.

Focal Point: Discover techniques for establishing focal points in your designs to draw the viewer’s attention.

Propositional Density: Understand how to manage the density of information and elements in your designs to convey messages effectively.

The course comprises a total of 16 videos, with each offering a 10 to 15-minute segment of instruction. The content is primarily delivered through video lectures, offering a visual and engaging approach to learning graphic design theory.

This course is provided through YouTube by the institution “Yes I’m a Designer,” and the instructor, Martin Perhiniak, is well-versed in graphic design theory. It is designed for beginners and entails a workload of approximately 3 to 4 hours. Please note that while you can gain valuable knowledge from this course, it does not offer a certificate upon completion.

Graphic Design Tips & Tricks (LinkedIn Learning)

The Graphic Design Tips & Tricks course is geared towards equipping you with indispensable graphic design tips and tricks, all of which can be readily applied to your design projects.

The course encompasses a wide array of topics that will enrich your graphic design skill set, including:

Applying Design Principles: You’ll learn how to effectively apply design principles in real-world scenarios. This includes creating more compelling product sheets, crafting essential visual assets for businesses, and gaining insights into the fundamentals of branding. This branding exploration covers key elements such as logos, business cards, charts, signage, and simple slides.

Workflow Enhancement: Discover ways to streamline and improve your workflow. This involves using shapes effectively, reusing the same images efficiently, and transitioning your design to different formats seamlessly. You’ll also delve into typography tips and practical daily product designs, including stationary, brochures, magazine covers, book covers, posters, collages, and more.

Advanced Design Techniques: As you progress, the course is into more sophisticated design topics. These include mastering the color wheel, employing Gestalt techniques, understanding isomorphism and angles, incorporating hairlines, applying panoramic spacing, utilizing Swiss style grids, exploring silhouettes, softening edges, designing with black, white, and gray, and achieving precise alignment in your designs.

The course structure consists of a single module, which entails approximately 10 to 11 hours of dedicated work. To facilitate your learning, the course employs a variety of teaching methods, including video lectures, quizzes to assess your understanding, and practical exercises that allow you to put your newly acquired knowledge into practice.

This course is offered on LinkedIn Learning and is instructed by John McWade, a knowledgeable figure in the field of graphic design. It is designed to cater to beginners, making it accessible for those who are just starting their journey in graphic design. The course has garnered a significant following, with over 379,000 enrollments, and maintains a high rating of 4.9 out of 5.0, reflecting its quality and effectiveness.

Please note that while you can access the course materials for free on LinkedIn Learning, obtaining a certificate upon completion typically requires a paid subscription or purchase.

Graphic Design Mini Courses from MICA (SkillShare)

The Graphic Design online courses offered by the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) on Skillshare provide a convenient and comprehensive way to enhance your graphic design skills. This collection includes two courses, both taught by the renowned designer and author, Ellen Lupton.

Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design

This course serves as a quick yet thorough introduction to the fundamental principles of graphic design. Despite its concise duration of 35 minutes, it covers essential concepts that are vital for building a strong foundation in visual design.

Some of the key topics you’ll explore in this course include understanding symmetry versus asymmetry, the importance of scale, framing techniques, hierarchy in design, and the use of grids as organizational tools.

Demystifying Graphic Design: How Posters Work

This course delves into the fascinating world of poster design, drawing inspiration from Cooper Hewitt’s 2015 book and exhibition titled “How Posters Work.” Over the course of 12 lessons, you’ll gain insights into the intricacies of poster design.

The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including storytelling through design, the activation of diagonal elements, simplification techniques, the art of overlapping elements, strategies for guiding the viewer’s eye, techniques for enhancing the surface of your designs, a virtual visit to the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum for inspiration, and practical guidance on creating your own posters.

The courses are structured into 9 and 12 lessons, respectively, with each module requiring approximately 5 to 10 minutes of your time. To facilitate learning, the courses employ a blend of instructional videos, readings, and hands-on projects that allow you to put your knowledge into practice.

Introduction to Graphic Design (LinkedIn Learning)

The Introduction to Graphic Design course, available on LinkedIn Learning and instructed by Tony Harmer, is designed to equip beginners with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field.

It covers both the theoretical foundations and practical software skills essential for graphic design, including proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Here’s an overview of what you can expect to learn in each of the seven modules:

Module 1: Overview of the Creative Process

In this module, you’ll gain insights into the creative process, beginning with understanding the creative brief and conducting research. You’ll explore ideation techniques, delve into digital ideation, and conclude with a focus on production methods.

Module 2: Basics of Layout and Composition

This module is about the fundamental principles of layout and composition. You’ll learn about the design space, explore layout principles, delve into grid systems, and conduct in-depth layout analysis.

Module 3: The Language of Type

Here, you’ll explore typography in detail. Topics include type terminology, type anatomy, basic type classifications, ligatures, type measurement, text elements like characters and paragraphs, selecting type, and essential typography guidelines. You’ll also cover common “type crimes.”

Module 4: Understanding Color

This module explores the world of color in graphic design. You’ll learn about color components, monochrome versus temperature, color harmonies, the differences between RGB and CMYK color models, process and spot colors, color associations, and considerations for color blindness.

Module 5: Photoshop Essentials

This module provides a quick tour of Adobe Photoshop. You’ll discover how to save a PSD file, make basic selections, manipulate and transform assets, refine color selections, work with intricate details like hair strands, change colors selectively, and apply various adjustments to images.

Module 6: Illustrator Basics

You’ll embark on your journey with Adobe Illustrator in this module. This includes importing sketches, creating logos, establishing color themes, working with type using the Touch Type tool, and leveraging Creative Cloud libraries for efficient design workflows.

Module 7: InDesign Fundamentals

In the final module, you’ll dive into Adobe InDesign. Topics include creating new documents, utilizing master pages for consistent layouts, importing graphics, seamless roundtrip editing with Photoshop, adjusting graphic placements, importing text, creating text and object styles, designing tables, finalizing layouts, and using InDesign Publish Online to showcase your work.

Each module is designed to be completed in approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour, allowing you to progress at your own pace. The course employs a combination of video lectures, quizzes, and practical exercises to reinforce your understanding of the concepts and software skills presented.

Upon completion of this course, you’ll have a well-rounded foundation in graphic design theory and the proficiency to use industry-standard software tools effectively. Additionally, you’ll receive a certificate from LinkedIn Learning recognizing your accomplishment.

Final Thoughts

Graphic design skills are in high demand across various industries. Whichever course you choose, you’re taking the first step towards unlocking your creative potential and contributing to the visual language of the modern world.

Now that you’ve learned about the best graphic design courses for beginners like you, starting your career is your next step.