7 Best Graphic Design Courses for Beginners: Jump-Start Your Creative Career

Thinking about learning graphic design? You’re in luck! There are lots of great courses out there for beginners.

These classes can teach you the basics and help you start creating amazing designs.

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The best graphic design courses for beginners will give you hands-on practice and teach you how to use important tools. You’ll learn about color theory, typography, and layout design.

Some courses even offer one-on-one help from experts.

Whether you want to design logos, make posters, or create digital art, there’s a course that’s perfect for you.

1) Adobe Creative Cloud Tutorials

Want to start your graphic design journey with industry-standard tools? Adobe Creative Cloud has got you covered.

Their tutorials are perfect for beginners looking to learn the ropes.

Adobe offers free tutorials for popular apps like Photoshop and Illustrator.

These lessons cover basic skills and more advanced techniques.

You can learn how to edit photos, create logos, and make social media graphics.

The tutorials are easy to follow and packed with useful tips.

Adobe’s lessons are great for visual learners.

They use lots of examples and step-by-step instructions to help you understand each concept.

As a beginner, you’ll love that you can try Creative Cloud apps for free.

This lets you practice what you learn without spending money upfront.

Adobe’s tutorials are flexible.

You can learn at your own pace and focus on the skills you want to develop.

Whether you’re into digital art or web design, there’s something for everyone.

2) Canva Design School

Looking to boost your design skills? Canva Design School has got you covered.

They offer free courses that are perfect for beginners.

One standout option is their Graphic Design Essentials course.

It’s quick, taking only about 45 minutes to complete.

You’ll learn the basics of creativity and problem-solving for unique ideas.

Want to dive deeper? Check out the Graphic Design Basics from the Experts course.

It teaches you how to make your designs pop using visual hierarchy and contrast.

The best part? You can learn at your own pace.

These courses use video tutorials and hands-on projects to help you grasp key concepts.

Canva’s platform is user-friendly, making it easy to apply what you’ve learned right away.

You’ll be creating eye-catching designs in no time.

Whether you’re a student or looking to boost your career, these courses can help.

They’re great for improving your assignments, presentations, and overall design skills.

3) Skillshare Graphic Design Basics

Want to learn graphic design basics quickly? Skillshare has you covered.

Their Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design course is perfect for beginners.

In just 35 minutes, you’ll get the scoop on key design principles.

You’ll learn about symmetry, scale, and framing.

Plus, you’ll dive into hierarchy and grids.

But that’s not all.

Skillshare offers other cool design courses too.

Check out Graphic Design for Self-Expression to flex your creative muscles.

Want to make awesome posters? Try the Graphic Design for Beginners course.

You’ll learn how to create eye-catching designs for various uses.

The best part? Skillshare’s courses are super affordable.

You can access all these classes with a monthly membership.

It’s a great way to build your design skills without breaking the bank.

4) Udemy Beginner’s Guide to Graphic Design

A computer with a graphic design software open, surrounded by colorful pencils, markers, and a sketchbook, with a cup of coffee on the side

Want to start your graphic design journey? Udemy’s got you covered with some great courses for newbies.

Let’s check out a few top picks.

First up is Graphic Design for Beginners.

This course teaches you the basics from scratch.

You’ll learn about layouts, alignment, and how to mix different design elements.

Looking for something user-friendly? Try the Graphic Design: For Complete Beginner course.

It’s designed to be easy to follow, even if you’ve never touched design software before.

Want to dive deep into the world of Photoshop? The Graphic Design For Complete Beginners course might be just what you need.

It covers Photoshop basics and special design techniques.

These Udemy courses are packed with video lessons, projects, and tips to help you get started.

You can learn at your own pace and replay lessons as often as you like.

Remember, practice makes perfect in graphic design.

So don’t be afraid to experiment with what you learn in these courses.

5) Domestika Introduction to Graphic Design

A desk with a computer, tablet, and sketchbook surrounded by design books and colorful art supplies

Want to learn graphic design but don’t know where to start? The Introduction to Graphic Design for non-designers course on Domestika might be just what you need.

Led by designer Weronika Rafa, this online class teaches you the basics of creating eye-catching images.

You’ll pick up skills to make your designs stand out from the crowd.

The course covers key design concepts that are helpful for beginners.

You’ll learn about using images, typography, color, and composition to bring your ideas to life.

Don’t worry if you’re not artistic – this class is made for non-designers.

It gives you the tools to start creating your own graphics, even if you’ve never done it before.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a good grasp of design fundamentals.

You’ll be able to take on simple projects and start building your skills.

This Domestika course is a great starting point for anyone curious about graphic design.

It’s perfect if you want to dip your toes into the design world without feeling overwhelmed.

6) LinkedIn Learning Graphic Design Foundations

A desk with a computer, tablet, and drawing tools surrounded by design books and inspirational images

Want to learn graphic design basics? Check out LinkedIn Learning’s Graphic Design Foundations course.

It’s great for beginners and covers key ideas and concepts.

The course teaches you about visual communication and how to use design elements effectively.

You’ll learn about color, typography, and layout – all important stuff for creating eye-catching designs.

One cool thing about this course is it encourages you to explore non-digital media too.

Think painting, drawing, and even felting! This can help expand your skills and spark creativity.

LinkedIn Learning offers tons of other graphic design courses too.

You can pick and choose based on what you want to learn.

The best part? You can learn at your own pace.

Whether you’re a total newbie or looking to brush up on skills, these courses can help you level up your graphic design game.

7) Coursera Graphic Design Specialization

A desk with a computer, tablet, and sketchbook.</p><p>Bright light illuminates the workspace.</p><p>Color swatches and design tools are scattered around

Want to learn graphic design from scratch? The Coursera Graphic Design Specialization is a great place to start.

This program offers five courses that cover all the basics.

You’ll kick things off with the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course.

Here, you’ll get the lowdown on color, composition, and typography.

Next up, you’ll dive into Introduction to Typography.

This course teaches you how to use fonts effectively in your designs.

The Introduction to Imagemaking course follows.

You’ll learn different techniques for creating eye-catching images.

Then, you’ll move on to Ideas from the History of Graphic Design.

This course gives you a peek into the past and how it shapes modern design.

Lastly, you’ll tackle the Brand New Brand course.

Here, you’ll put everything you’ve learned to use by creating a comprehensive brand identity.

This specialization is perfect if you’re looking for a well-rounded intro to graphic design.

You can work at your own pace and get feedback from peers along the way.

Understanding Graphic Design Basics

A colorful array of design tools and materials arranged neatly on a clean, white desk, with a computer displaying graphic design software in the background

Graphic design blends art and tech to create eye-catching visuals.

It uses shapes, colors, and text to share ideas and info in a clear, cool way.

What Is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is all about making stuff look good and work well.

It’s the art of putting together pictures and words to get a message across.

You see it everywhere – on websites, in ads, on product packaging, and even in the apps on your phone.

Designers use lots of tools to make their magic happen.

They might use software like Adobe Creative Suite to draw, edit photos, or layout pages.

But it’s not just about the tech – you need a good eye and some creativity too.

Graphic design isn’t just about making things pretty.

It’s about solving problems and telling stories through visuals.

Whether it’s a logo that sums up a whole company or a poster that grabs your attention, good design makes you feel something.

Key Principles Involved

When you’re learning graphic design, there are some big ideas you need to know:

  • Balance: Making sure everything looks steady and not lopsided
  • Contrast: Using differences to make important stuff stand out
  • Alignment: Lining things up so they look neat and tidy
  • Repetition: Repeating elements to create a unified look
  • Proximity: Putting related items close together

Color is super important too.

Different colors can make you feel different things.

Typography (that’s fancy for choosing and using fonts) is another key skill.

The right font can really change how a message comes across.

You’ll learn about these basics in most beginner courses.

As you practice, you’ll see how these principles work together to create designs that really pop.

How to Choose the Right Course

A table with seven different graphic design course options displayed on a computer screen, with various design tools and materials scattered around

Picking the perfect graphic design course can be tricky.

You’ll want to think about how you learn best and what the course covers.

Let’s look at some key things to keep in mind.

Finding Your Learning Style

Are you a visual learner? You might like courses with lots of videos and demos.

If you prefer reading, look for text-heavy options.

Some people learn best by doing, so hands-on projects are key.

Think about your schedule too.

Do you need a flexible course you can do at your own pace? Or do you like set deadlines to keep you on track?

Coursera’s Graphic Design Specialization offers both self-paced and timed options.

Don’t forget about support.

Do you want instructor feedback? Or are you happy figuring things out on your own? Some courses, like AND Academy’s programs, offer personalized guidance.

Assessing Course Content and Structure

Look closely at what each course covers.

Does it match what you want to learn? A good beginner course should cover the basics like color theory, typography, and layout.

Check out the tools you’ll use.

Many courses teach industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite.

Designlab’s Design 101 introduces key design concepts using common tools.

Project-based learning can be super helpful.

Look for courses that let you build a portfolio as you learn.

This gives you real-world practice and something to show future clients or employers.

Consider the course length and depth.

Short courses are great for quick skills, but longer programs often go more in-depth.

CalArts’ Graphic Design Specialization on Coursera offers a comprehensive intro over several months.

Frequently Asked Questions

A laptop surrounded by graphic design tools and resources, with a stack of books on graphic design courses for beginners

Starting your graphic design journey can feel overwhelming.

Here are some common questions to help guide you in the right direction.

Where can beginners find the top graphic design courses online?

You can find great courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare.

The Graphic Design Specialization by CalArts on Coursera is a popular choice for beginners.

What are some free graphic design courses that offer a certificate upon completion?

Canva Design School offers free courses with certificates.

You can also check out LinkedIn Learning, which sometimes has free trials.

How can I start learning graphic design from scratch?

Begin with the basics.

Try the Udemy Beginner’s Guide to Graphic Design or Skillshare Graphic Design Basics.

These courses cover fundamental concepts and tools.

Which are the best graphic design courses available for free?

Adobe Creative Cloud Tutorials are excellent free resources.

You can also explore YouTube channels dedicated to graphic design for free lessons.

Can you recommend any world-renowned graphic design courses for newbies?

The Graphic Design Specialization by CalArts on Coursera is highly regarded. Domestika’s Introduction to Graphic Design is another top choice for beginners.

What foundational graphic design skills should a beginner focus on learning?

Beginners should focus on learning color theory, typography, and composition.

They should also learn the basics of design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Practice creating simple layouts and logos to build your skills.