Do you aspire to master the tools, techniques, and skills to build fantastic designs? Do you wish to be thorough with the process of building branding packages and designing logos?
Does InDesign, Illustrator, Procreate, or Photoshop give you jitters at work? If the answer to any of it is yes, it is time you enroll yourself in some good graphic design classes online.
The internet is full of courses for graphic designing. So, how do you find the best graphic design course online? Well, we are here to guide you. In this list, we will share with you some of the internet’s best graphic design courses. So, let us get started and address them one by one.
Best Graphic Design Classes Online
- Graphic Design Masterclass – Learn GREAT Design – [Udemy]
- Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign – [Udemy]
- The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course – [Udemy]
- Graphic Design Specialization – Offered By California Institute of the Arts – [Coursera]
- Graphic Design – Offered by University of Colorado Boulder – [Coursera]
- Computer Graphics – Offered by UC San Diego – [edX]
- Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization – Offered by University of Colorado Boulder – [Coursera]
Graphic Design Course Online – (Bonus Picks)
- Online Graphic Design– [Skillshare]
- The Creator Pass – [CreativeLive]
- Graphic Designer Courses – [LinkedIn Learning]
Are Online Graphic Design Courses Worth It? Let’s Find Out With The Top 10 Courses
1. Graphic Design Masterclass – Learn GREAT Design – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.7 based on 32120+ reviews |
| Enrolled | 117,603 students |
| Duration | 25.5 hours on-demand video |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Instructor | Lindsay Marsh |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | The course may seem a little too long for some students. |
Tired of searching “What is the best website to learn graphic design?” Well, we have the answer for you – Udemy!
So, undoubtedly our first course is by Udemy. This extensive and comprehensive Udemy graphic design course intends to give you a solid understanding of the different skills associated with graphic design. It is a bestseller course.
The course has been positively reviewed by many students who have taken it in the past.
What will you learn?
This graphic design course online will equip you with abundant knowledge. A few things that you will learn are:
- Thorough understanding of color theory, typography, layout, photos, design skills, blocking, and other design theory
- Understanding and learning the vital capabilities or tools associated with Photoshop
- Knowledge of creating branding packages and logos for clients
- Knowledge of using InDesign and Illustrator
- Learning manipulation and editing in Adobe Photoshop
- Creating editorial spreads in Adobe InDesign
- Knowing how to create magazine layouts with Adobe InDesign
- Becoming thorough with the pen tool
- Learning to use the shape builder tool
- Learning to develop vital vector design tools in Adobe Illustrator
- Creating logos and ads for compelling campaigns
- Walking through the complete design process
- Familiarity with the non-destructive editing skills in Photoshop
- Learning some new and impending design trends for 2021
- Working across an event flyer design to understand strong type hierarchy, overall design layout, and balance
- Knowledge of the history of typefaces and fonts and pairing fonts
- Working with a 7-page vector tracing worksheet
- Creating a complex vector illustration
- Familiarity with the fundamentals of affinity designer
- Knowing the difference between Affinity Designer and Adobe Illustrator
- Learning to work with several page layouts in Adobe InDesign
- Building a cookbook cover
- Learning all the vital skills to be a pro graphic designer
- Knowing how to work with Photoshop Mockups and creating superb presentations
- Knowing brainstorming techniques that boost your logo designing, creating
- Learning the Double exposure effect in Photoshop
- Creating Vector Art in Adobe Illustrator
- Knowing how to create social media graphics and YouTube thumbnails
Prerequisites
This is one of the best graphic design courses with certificates, and there are some prerequisites associated with it. So, before you begin with the course, you must have:
- Access to Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and InDesign
- Alternatively, if you do not have access to the above-listed software, you can also use Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher.
Though not mandatory, versions CS6 or higher are recommended for someone using Adobe products for a smoother experience.
Who should take this course?
This is the best graphic design training online for:
- Anyone who aspires to create great and compelling designs
- Anyone who wishes to learn InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
- Students who wish to learn branding and logo design execution and techniques
- Anyone who wants to learn graphic design theory and basics, along with real-world apps and projects.
- Someone who wishes to be a part-time or a full-time graphic design
- Students who require design skills to boost their career
- Anyone who wishes to be thorough with the fundamentals of graphic design
- Those who want to equip themselves with the fundamentals of Affinity Designer
- Anyone who wants to know the difference between Affinity Designer and Adobe Illustrator
2. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign – [Udemy]
Like learning in a hands-on environment? Want clarity on the fundamentals of InDesign, Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop? If yes, this is one of the best graphic design courses with certificates. In this course, you will be working on both web design and print projects.
| Rating | 4.5 |
| Enrolled | 110,683 students |
| Duration | 15.5 hours on-demand video |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Instructor | Derrick Mitchell |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | The course is designed for beginners, but it is not the most beginner-friendly course out there. |
What will you learn?
There is an array of things that you will learn with this Udemy graphic design course. These include:
- Acquiring a thorough understanding of working with both web and print projects in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
- Gaining the confidence and skills to build common graphic design projects
- Building a skill set, which can set you up to be employable in the creative industry as a graphic designer
- Understanding the fundamentals of logo design, such as color usage and typography
- Knowing how to make refined selections with Photoshop
- Learning to create composite images with Photoshop
- Working with colors, shapes, typography, and Illustrator
- Learning to export and package files
- Learning to lay out text and graphics when designing an eBook with InDesign
- Working with the Adobe Illustrator type tools
- Learning to work with figures and working with Font Awesome icons
- Learning to set mood board and present the work to clients
- Discovering the proper techniques to export finished projects directly from Adobe CC to Behance.
Prerequisites
It is one of the top-recommended graphic design courses with certificates and indeed has some prerequisites. A few of them are:
- Access to Adobe Creative Suite, comprising InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
- Proficiency with computer
- Creative skills – photography, drawing, etc., which will help you be successful as a designer
- Desire and willingness to learn
- Time to start and complete the course
The teacher does not expect you to be thorough with Adobe apps and suites. However, it is not an A-Z course. So, some familiarity will help to build fantastic projects, which employers, clients, and people are willing to pay for.
Who should take this course?
This is one of the top-rated graphic design classes online, ideal for someone interested in being a graphic designer. However, this graphic design training online is specifically meant for beginners. In addition, the course will benefit:
- Beginners who want to start their career as a graphic designer
- Employers and employees who wish to acquire design skills
- Entrepreneurs who want to start their business
- Anyone wishing to be a freelance graphic designer
- Anyone who wishes to take their creative ideas and put them in digital and print format
3. Graphic Design Specialization – Offered By California Institute of the Arts – [Coursera]
Next, we have a Coursera graphic design course online. It is a specialization comprising five different graphic design courses with certificates. You can take the whole specialization from start to finish to make the most of this course. It is a 100% online course with flexible timelines. You can start and finish at your schedule.
| Rating | 4.7 based on 12850+ reviews |
| Enrolled | 240,753 students |
| Duration | Approximately 6 months to complete (Suggested pace of 3 hours/week) |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Instructor | Michael Worthington, Gail Swanlund, Lorraine Wild, Anther Kiley, and Louise Sandhaus |
| Return or refund policy | 7-day free trial. No refund after that on cancellation. |
| Cons | The structure of the assignments could have been improved. |
What will you learn?
This is truly one of the most popular graphic design courses with certificates. In this course, you will learn a variety of things, such as:
- Fundamental skills required to be a graphic designer
- Communication via typography and image-making
- Finishing a whole capstone project to include in your professional profile
- Learning everything that is to know about working in motion graphics, interface design, and editorial design
Learner career outcomes
This is one of the top-selling graphic design courses with certificates and has phenomenal learner career outcomes. Twenty-seven percent of students who took this graphic design course online began a new career post-specialization completion.
Prerequisites
It is a beginner-level course. So, no prior knowledge or training is needed.
4. The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course – [Udemy]
Often people wish to be graphic designers but do not know the fundamentals of graphic design. If you are one of them, these are the best graphic design classes online for you.
The course is not a boring theoretical course. Instead, it comes with an array of practical projects, and hands-on activities that will give you adequate substance to master what you have learned.
| Rating | 4.6 based on 10890+ reviews |
| Enrolled | 43,951 students |
| Duration | 8.5 hours on-demand video |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Instructor | Jeremy Deighan and Lindsay Marsh |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | The instructor should cut down the massive self-promotion within the course. |
What will you learn?
There is an array of things you will learn with these graphic design classes online. These include:
- Intermediate to expert-level graphic design theoretical knowledge can instantly be applied to your job, hobby, career, or company.
- Overview of the prevalent graphic design practices and the principles behind the same.
- Real-world applicable projects, which you can follow along with the practice
- Experience and knowledge to employ fundamentals of graphic design in your projects.
- Color theory and its application to things around us
- Typography theory and how the type plays a pivotal role in both print and digital mediums
- Photography composition and its interactions with graphic design elements for creating beautiful artwork
- Layout, experience design, and user interface
- Understanding how to control what the user wishes to see
- Branding and logo design
- The way your company applies the ideas to attract more people
- Current and past design trends that you will use to create your original work
- The legal side of design and safe practices to ensure that you are following proper trademarks and copyright laws
- Everything that is to know to be a good graphic designer
Prerequisites
The instructor will use tools such as Adobe Photoshop CC and Canva across the course. If you wish to follow along, you will need this software.
Who should take this course?
This is the best graphic design course online and is meant for beginners in graphic design theory who aspire to learn the basic fundamentals of typography, color theory, branding, logo design, layout design, and other graphic design techniques. Further, anyone who aspires to work as a graphic designer will appreciate this course.
In addition, this is an excellent course for:
- Website designers
- UI and UX designers
- Logo designers
- T-Shirt designers
- Product designers
- Marketers
- Businesses
- Social media experts
- Anyone who aspires to be thorough with graphic design theory and fundamentals
5. Graphic Design – Offered by University of Colorado Boulder – [Coursera]
This is the second course in the Effective Communications Specialization. More than seventy companies have chosen this graphic design course online to offer to their employees as a resource for internal professional development.
Hence, the popularity of the course is massive. It is a practical course, wherein you learn by doing. You can find an array of videos and quizzes across the course, which will help you solidify your learning.
It is a 100% online beginners course, which comes with flexible deadlines. So, anyone who aspires to learn graphic design will find the course helpful.
| Rating | 4.8 based on 2600+ ratings |
| Enrolled | 107,124 students |
| Duration | Approx. 27 hours to complete |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Instructor | David Underwood |
| Return or refund policy | 14 days from the date of purchase |
| Cons | There is a lot of talking in between the course, which makes it unnecessarily long. |
What will you learn?
You have an array of things to master in this graphic design course online. A few of them include:
- Tools to create professional-looking PPTs, resumes, reports, and presentations
- Set of the best practices that will make your work seem inspired and fresh
- Application of simple design tricks to commence any project with professionalism
- Responding to criticism and revising the project accordingly
- Fundamentals of Graphic Design
- Familiarity with tools, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Prerequisites
You must be familiar with the basic composition-friendly software. Further, knowledge of Keynote, PowerPoint, and InDesign is also recommended before enrolling in this graphic design training online.
6. Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization – Offered by University of Colorado Boulder – [Coursera]
This is another of Coursera’s best graphic design training specializations, a 100% online program comprising four courses. These are hands-on graphic design classes online, wherein you will learn by doing.
| Rating | 4.7 based on 800+ ratings |
| Enrolled | 28,231 students |
| Duration | Approximately 4 months to complete Suggested pace of 4 hours/week |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Instructor | Lori Poole |
| Return or refund policy | 7-day free trial. No refund on subscription cancellation after it. |
| Cons | The course felt slightly incomplete. More aspects could have been added. |
What will you learn?
- In this graphic design course online, you will learn to work with creative professionals, such as web designers, printers, and graphic designers.
- This course will teach you how to make the most of designs in print mediums, such as brochures, logos, and projects.
- Things you must bear in mind when working on graphic design projects.
- Working towards providing the customers with the best user experience
- Different elements of graphic design
- You will explore graphic design elements, publication design, color theory, and techniques to create world-class layouts and images.
- Typography
- Discussing the critique design in a workspace
Prerequisites
This is a beginner-level graphic design course online. However, students taking this course must have the willingness and desire to learn, computer proficiency, and access to computer programs needed for design projects.
Who should take this course?
This graphic design training online is meant for anyone who aspires to work in a team of designers, wishes to learn the design process, and desires to empower the creatives on the team.
7. Computer Graphics – Offered by UC San Diego – [edX]
Next on our list is the edX graphic design course. It is a six-week course, which demands an effort of 6–12 hours per week. However, this best graphic design training course is self-paced, and you can take it at your convenience.
These graphic design classes online are divided into four segments, and every segment contains an individual programming assignment.
- Overview and Basic Math (Homework 0: 10% of grade)
- Transformations (Homework 1: 20% of grade)
- OpenGL and Lighting (Homework 2: 35% of grade)
- Raytracing (Homework 3: 35% of grade
Anyone who earns a score of 50 percent or more will be said to have passed this graphic design course online and will earn a UC San DiegoX certificate. Professional Certificate in Virtual Reality (VR) App Development is the associated program for these best graphic design classes online by Ravi Ramamoorthi.
What will you learn?
In these graphic design classes online, you will learn a variety of things. These include:
- Creating images of the 3D scenes in real-time
- Realistic ray tracing
- Fundamentals of computer graphics, which apply to virtual simulators, visualization, and even imaging products and cameras
- Computer-generated images of 3D scenes, such as a real-time scene viewer, flybys of objects, and creating very realistic images with raytracing
- Basic mathematics of virtual camera placement
- Using real-time graphics programming languages like OpenGL and GLSL to create your scene viewer
- Manipulating 3D scenes
- Creating realistic images with shadows and reflects with raytracing
- Fundamentals of computer graphics
Prerequisites
This is an intermediate-level edX graphic design course. Hence, there are some prerequisites for someone who takes these graphic design classes online. These include:
- Solid C/C++ programming background – Java will work too
- Access to the latest computer – Linux, macOS, or Windows
- Firm grip over high-school maths
Graphic Design Course Online – (Bonus Picks)
1. Online Graphic Design Classes – [Skillshare]
The next platform on our list for graphic design classes online is Skillshare. It has incredible courses aimed at different skill levels and experiences.
On the platform, you can find beginner-friendly, intermediate-level, and advanced graphic design Skillshare courses.
Browse through the available courses, and pick one that best fits your needs.
If you need specific graphic design training online for a particular concept, even that can be found on Skillshare. Do check the available programs to make your selection.
2. The Creator Pass – [CreativeLive]
On Creative Live, you can find an array of graphic design classes online related to various skill levels and experiences.
You can find graphic design training programs for designing skills, such as
- 3D Modeling
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Creative
- Design Skills
- Digital Illustration
- Illustration
- Logo Design
- Typography
- Vector Graphics
You can take a course for one or all of the skills you wish to learn and get trained as desired.
Related: Graphic Design Interview Questions with Sample Answers | Web Design Vs. Graphic Design
3. Graphic Design Courses – [LinkedIn Learning]
LinkedIn Learning is one of the best platforms to take the best graphic design courses online. They have an array of graphic design training online that fetches you a shareable certification, which helps you become a standout professional in your field of work and showcases your talent to the employer.
Of course, having the LinkedIn Learning certification also boosts your chances of landing a job.
Some of the top courses for graphic designing by LinkedIn Learning are:
- Introduction to Graphic Design: Illustrator
- Introduction to Graphic Design: Photoshop
- Graphic Design Foundations: Layout and Composition
- Introduction to Graphic Design: Concepts
- Introduction to Graphic Design: InDesign
You can avail of these top courses from LinkedIn and boost your chances of landing a high-paying job.
If you liked reading about graphic design courses, you surely would be interested in After Effects Training, Blender classes, and Digital Painting Courses.
Conclusion
So, these are the top 10 best graphic design courses online. Our sincere attempt has been to include only the internet’s best graphic design training online programs on this list.
So, regardless of the course you pick, you will not regret your selection. So, now, go ahead, take your pick, and enjoy adding graphic designing as a superior skill to your CV. Happy upskilling!
