Online Graphic Design Courses: The Most Comprehensive Guide

Looking for online graphic design courses? This post is for you. Read on!
In the era of unlimited information available online, the opportunity for people to follow their dream career no matter of their location in the world is just more accessible than ever. If your dream is to become a graphic designer and/or master your skills in this professional field without being restricted by physical boundaries, then you’ve landed just on the right place.
In this rich selection of online graphic design courses, you will find free and paid options, diploma courses and certification courses, short video courses and even more options for online graphic design courses that will give you the knowledge needed to kick-start your career as a graphic designer. Let’s begin!
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Article Overview:

Graphic Design Schools & Academies

1. Graphic Design Course

by The Graphic Design School

Established in 2008, The Graphic Design School is the first of its kind that offers solely online education in the field of graphic design. The school’s courses are with flexible schedules and pathways which means students can take them from any location.

The educators are designers themselves and fully ready to share their experience and guidance through a cognitive approach. They will also introduce you to the idea of keeping a visual journal which can play the role of a portfolio at a later stage.

The school is currently preparing master classes, as well, but for now, it offers two types of graphic design courses:

• Intensive Foundation Course – a non-qualification course (11 modules)
• CUA40715 Certificate IV in Design – a qualification course (12 modules)

Users of all levels can enroll in these courses gaining access not only to the course itself but to their own student website – the Schoolyard. In this site, students can access an e-library, training videos, and a forum. Even if you opt for the Intensive Foundation Course, you can upgrade to Certificate IV later. The upgrade includes a 12th module and 5 more assessments (a total of 20-50 hours more).

The modules covered are as follows:

Price:
Intensive Foundation Course – $2500 (one off payment) ; $2625 (3-month plan)
CUA40715 Certificate IV in Design – $4290 (fees structure) ; $4680 (9-month plan)

Learn more about this Graphic Design Course

 

2. Online Graphic Design Degree

by Academy of Art University

• Admission, curriculum, and pricing info upon request

Situated in San Francisco, the Academy of Art University has been offering online education for over 16 years. The innovative approach of this university provides students with a unique online learning experience thanks to an array of online tools specifically developed for the needs of their students. Such a tool is their custom-designed Learning Management System which allows you to upload your work and share it with your class and instructors.

The online education at the Academy of Art University provides a great collaborative space where students can chat, make relations, exchange experiences, give and receive feedback, and more. The Online Graphic Design Degree program provides all the necessary materials for you to study: videos, slideshows, documents, interviews, and live streams. And you can study at your own pace.

Information about admission, curriculum, pricing, and financial aid is available upon request.

Learn more about this Online Graphic Design Degree

 

3. Graphic Design Specialization

by California Institute of the Arts (via Coursera)

• Free view-only access
• Paid subscription for full access and certificate

Coursera is one of the most popular platforms providing MOOCs by reputable universities and colleges from across the globe. Regarding graphic design, the platform offers a great specialization by The California Institute of the Arts consisting of several courses on key graphic design topics.
The provider of this specialization – The California Institute of the Arts is also known as CalArts and is a top college in the United States. The educational institution is among the leading ones in the field of visual and performing arts. Here are a few details about the graphic design specialization CalArts provides on the Coursera platform.

• Fully online.
• English subtitles available.
• Includes 5 courses. Each can be taken separately.
• Free audit access to all 5 courses – you can read and view all content for free.
• Approximate completion time of all 5 courses: 6 months (3 hrs/week).
• The course is self-paced. You can pause the course whenever you like.
• Basic knowledge of Adobe In Design, Illustrator, and Photoshop is needed in order to complete assignments.
• Specialization Certification is available with a paid subscription: €42 per month with a 7-day full access free trial (including assignments, participation in discussion forums, etc.)
• To earn a certificate, you will have to finish all 5 courses and complete a hands-on project based on a real-life challenge.

The 5 courses included in this Graphic Design Specialization are:

Pricing:
Free for view-only access
Paid for Certification: €42/month (7-day free trial)

Learn more about this specialization

 

4. Professional Diploma in Graphic Design

by Shaw Academy

• Paid subscription with a free trial

Shaw Academy is an educational company providing fully online and accredited courses in different fields. The mission of the Academy is to provide personalized and interactive education while delivering engaging, relevant and up-to-date content.

In the field of graphic design, Shaw Academy offers a Professional Diploma course with EQF accreditation and global recognition. This means that at the end of this course and upon finishing all course assignments successfully, you receive an EQF Level 5 Professional Certification.

Shaw Academy offers a paid membership which gives you access to all courses, although it is recommended to take one course at a time. At a pace of 2 lessons per week, you should finish your course for about 4 months.

The Academy provides all necessary educational materials including weekly Webinars where you can ask all your questions regarding the learning process. Even if you aren’t able to attend the webinars live, you can watch them later from the Members Area. Here is the material covered in the Professional Diploma in Graphic Design course:

Approximate duration: 16 weeks (2 lessons/week)
Pricing: €39.99 / Month  (with a 30-day free trial)

Learn more about this course

 

Platforms for online graphic design courses

5. Graphic Design Courses on Udemy

• Each course is available for individual purchase
• Certificate of completion

[/column] Udemy is one of the most famous platforms for online learning that offers courses on a wide range of topics. The education platform has acquired a system based on ratings and reviews to help users choose the best courses for their needs. The courses themselves are prepared by independent educators and priced individually depending on their topic, length, and of course – the rating of the lecturer himself/herself.

Udemy offers many courses in the graphic design field, most of which are quite affordable. Moreover, Udemy often offers promo codes for significant discounts and sales that save you up to 90% of the course price.

The variety of graphic design courses on Udemy is big: there are courses on broader and narrower subjects. Here are several picks that will help you get started in graphic design even if you have no previous experience.

Course: The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course

A course focusing on the principles of graphic design and the most common graphic design practices. This course is a great place to start building the foundations of your career as a graphic designer, as it covers:

• The Basics of Graphic Design
• Color Theory
• Typography
• Layout
• Composition
• User Experience
• Branding
• Logo Design
• Photography in Graphic Design
• Modern Trends and Themes
• The Legal Side of Graphic Design

This theory course is aimed to give you an intermediate to an expert level of understanding the graphic design theory and processes. If you decide to follow along with the video lectures, you will need to have access to Adobe Photoshop CC and Canva. Even if you don’t, you will still find the course useful, as it is focused on the fundamentals of graphic design.

Approximate duration: 5 hours

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Design and Make Infographics

 

Course: Graphic Design Bootcamp: Part 1

A project-based learning course that will give you the practical knowledge, skills, and some hack (like program shortcuts) needed to create some of the most important graphic design work such as custom logos, business cards, brochures, web graphics, and more.

The course requires that you have access to Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. However, previous experience in the graphic design field is not required. Once enrolled, you also get access to a private Facebook group where you and fellow learners can exchange feedback and experience.

When you purchase this course, you receive lifetime access to all lectures included, as well as access to 10 downloadable files which you can use for educational purposes.

Approximate duration: 5 hours

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Graphic Design Masterclass – Learn GREAT Design

An extensive course based on practical real-life project learning that covers almost every aspect of graphic design. This course is perfectly suitable for beginners but it also provides detailed knowledge, so you will find it useful even if you have a certain experience in the field. The course covers:

• The basics of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Typography
• Color theory
• Layout and composition
• Use of photos in design, photo manipulations, and editing
• Magazine layout design
• Branding and logo design

By the end of this course, you will be able to create an entire brand package covering the design of all marketing materials that go with it. The course is updated frequently with fresh lessons and projects, so it keeps up to date with the fast-paced change of graphic design trends and modern techniques. By enrolling, you get lifetime access to the lessons and access to 6 downloadable resources.

Approximate duration: 12 hours

Learn more about this course

 

6. Design Skills Training and Tutorials on LinkedIn Learning (Lynda)

• A subscription plan from €22.19 per month with a 1-month free trial

The educational platform Lynda acquired by LinkedIn offers training courses on all kinds of subjects, available with a subscription plan to LinkedIn Learning. On the educational platform, you will find a useful filter that will help you identify the right courses for you. Regarding graphic design, you can search by software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), author/lecturer, and level of expertise. Here are a few picks worthy of checking out:

Course: Universal Principles of Design

A course dedicated to design principles and concepts suitable for everyone who is building a career in graphic design. This course covers interesting insight and crucial rules about design which every graphic designer have to know and apply.

The course is ever-evolving with new tutorials and lessons. This means you won’t receive certification for completing it but instead, timely and regularly updated information about tricks and techniques in the graphic design field.

Approximate duration: 5.5 hours

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Brand Strategy for Designers

A short course defining the importance of brand strategy from a designer’s perspective. From this course, you will learn how to create a brand design identity in the long term. The course will help you understand the importance of the core factors of a brand (purpose, mission, target audience, position on the market, etc.) and their influence in creating the brand design.

• Foundations of brand strategy
• Steps in creating a brand strategy
• From brand strategy to brand design

Approximate duration: <1 hour

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Logo Design: Techniques

Logo design is one of the skills any graphic designer must acquire. This course called Logo Design: Techniques is perfectly suitable for beginners. It covers all aspects of making a logo, including the theoretical and practical parts of the process. The content of the course is as follows:

• What makes a good logo
• Exploring time variables
• Type treatments
• Designing with simple shapes
• Logo motifs
• Logo effects
• Choosing logo colors
• Lines and stripes
• Simple 3D and shadow effects
• Finalizing the logo

Approximate duration: 5 hours

Learn more about this course

 

7. Graphic Design Courses on Kadenze

• Free and exclusive courses
• Certification with a Paid subscription: $20 USD per month

Kadenze is an online learning platform that partners with leading global educational institutions in order to provide quality courses in the art and creative technology fields.

There are a lot of courses on Kadenze which are free for enrollment and view-only access: you can watch the lectures and read the discussion but you can’t participate. If you become a premium member, you will be given full access to all functionalities of the platform, as well as exclusive lessons included in the course. As a premium member, you are also entitled to certification for each completed course.

Moreover, on Kadenze courses are either scheduled which means you have to follow a strict schedule once enrolled, and adaptive which basically means they are self-paced.

Course: Introduction to Graphic Design History

A self-paced graphic design course which is perfect for beginners. From this course, you will receive insight into where the graphic design came from and which factors influences its development. Here is a content outline of the course:

• Origins Of Text And Graphic Design
• Liberated Styles Of The Late 1800s
• Avant-Garde: New Representations In Objects And Space
• Mechanical Abstractions And Photomontage
• Practicality In Typography
• International Styles
• Cultural Revolutions

Approximate duration: 35 hours
Pricing: Free for view only

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Typography in Graphic Design

An exclusive course that is a part of The Complete Typographer learning program. The course focuses on the role of typefaces, as well as how to choose the right typeface and mix different typefaces for a design project.

As a part of The Complete Typographer program by the School of Visual Arts, the course is currently available upon purchase of the whole program and is suitable for intermediate users.
Price: $ 900.00 (of the whole program)
Learn more about this program

 

8. Graphic design classes on Creative Live

• Buy individual courses or get a subscription plan

Creative Live is a learning platform providing online classes in creative fields like art and design, photo and video, music, crafts, and more. The educational platform works with over 650 instructors from all over the world providing classes in their specific fields of expertise.

Regarding graphic design, you will find classes on narrower or broader topics, topics covering the design essentials (color, typography, lettering, etc.), the different fields of visual design (graphic, logo, UX, web, etc.), and even classes devoted to specific software (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).

Each class on Creative Live is available for individual purchase. Often, the platform provides discounts on some classes, so look out for those. Creative Live also offers a subscription plan called Creator Pass which gives you access to almost all classes (see exclusions). See a few picks from the graphic design category:

Course: Graphic Design Fundamentals: Getting Started

Suitable for users of all levels, this course covers the fundamentals of graphic design, i.e. form and image, color theory, typography, layout, and composition. By using real-world projects, the lecturer shares his own experience and insight on how to solve design problems and make design decisions. The course covers:

• Introduction to Graphic Design
• Graphic Design: Areas of Specialization
• The History of Graphic Design
• The Designer’s Toolkit
• The Graphic Designer’s Tools: Color
• The Graphic Designers Tools: Typography
• The Graphic Designer’s Tools: Layout & Space
• Typical Work Processes
• Designing an Advertisement
• Designing a Poster
• Designing a Book Layout: Basic Concepts
• Designing a Book Layout: The Details
• Designing a Website
• How to Design a Brand Identity: Preparation
• How to Design Brand Identity: Showing the Client
• Building Brand Language
• Designing the Touchpoints
• Fundamentals are Forever

Approximate duration: 6 hours
Pricing: $ 49 one-time purchase or a subscription plan from $ 25/month
Lifetime access

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Color for Designers: Exploration, Theory, & Application

The right choice of color is one of the fundamental skills any graphic designer must have. From this course, you will learn a lot about color principles and how to effectively use color to enhance any graphic design composition. The course covers:

• Natural Awareness of Color & Playing
• Colors and Their Relationships
• Color Contrast of the Color Wheel
• Hands-On Color Grids
• Color Illusion in Practice
• Interaction of Color Practice
• Illusion of Transparency
• Tangrams
• Leaf Composition
• Expression of Color and Opposites
• Learning from the Masters
• Cut Paper Illusion
• Everyday Found Color
• Colors in Nature

Approximate duration: 8 hours
Pricing: $ 49 one-time purchase or a subscription plan from $ 25/month
Lifetime access

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Typography Fundamentals

Typography is a major part of graphic design. This course is devoted to typography and type aesthetics entirely. By taking this course, you will learn the principles and rules which apply to typography and how to use it as a primary or supporting element in your graphic design compositions. The course covers:

• Beginning of Typography
• Selecting the Right Type for the Job
• Text vs. Display
• Type Hierarchy
• OpenType Demystified
• Taking the Plunge with Type
• Think Like a Type Designer
• Breaking Down Typeface: Bodoni
• Breaking Down Typeface: Bodega Serif
• Are You a Type Criminal?
• Typography Misdemeanors

Approximate duration: 6 hours
Pricing: $ 29 one-time purchase or a subscription plan from $ 25/month
Lifetime access

Learn more about this course

 

9. Graphic design courses on Envato Tuts+

• Access to all courses with a subscription from $ 16.50/month

On the learning platform Envato Tuts, you will find over 1200 video courses on all kinds of subjects in the fields of graphic design and illustration, web design, code, photo and video, and more. All courses allow you to learn at your own pace and follow your own learning path.

The video courses are focused on practical learning and are organized into chapters. You can gain access to all video courses by subscribing for $ 16.50/month. A subscription to Envato Tuts+ actually gives you access to Envato Elements, as well.

Course: From the Top: Adobe Illustrator for Beginners

An introductory course to Adobe Illustrator that is suitable for users with no or little experience in the software. The course material covers:

• Drawing (Using Shapes, Lines, Shape builder, Curvature tool, Pen tool, Pencil tool)
• Color and Gradients
• Type and Fonts
• Effects (Liquifying, Distorting, Bending, Warping)
• Using Patterns
• Vectorizing an Image
• Exporting

Approximate duration: 3.3 hours

Learn more about this course

 

Course: From the Top: Adobe Photoshop for Beginners

An Adobe Photoshop course for beginners – very useful for everyone who has no or little experience with the program. The course material covers:

• Layers and Combining Images
• Tone, Color and Hue Adjustment
• Working with Type
• Layer Styles and Effects
• Cropping and Resizing
• Selections and Masking
• Smart Objects
• Transforming and Warping
• Retouching
• Exporting

Approximate duration: 3.1 hours

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Working With Color in Adobe Photoshop

A beginners’ course devoted to the basics of color theory and the use of colors in one of the most famous software for graphic design – Adobe Photoshop. This course covers the following material:

• Basic Color Theory (covering the Color Wheel, Cool vs Warm colors, Hue, Saturation, Lightness, etc.)
• Color Modes (RGB, CMYK, LAB)
• Working with Color (Scene planning, Hue/Saturation, Blending modes, Gradient maps, Painting tools)
• GUI Color Wheel, Adobe color themes, Color look-up tables

Approximate duration: 1.3 hours

Learn more about this course

 

10. Graphic Design Category on Skillshare

• A subscription plan with a 1-month free trial

Skillshare is an online learning platform whose classes are not only focused on giving information but also on doing. Each class on Skillshare has a practical project that lets you instantly apply the skills you just learned. Moreover, you can collaborate and communicate with the Skillshare community.

The platform offers over 27000 classes in the fields of design, illustration, technology, business, and more professional and creative fields. Since most classes on Skillshare are short, this allows you to shape your own learning experience and personalize it according to your needs. Here are a few course picks:

Course: Adobe Photoshop CC – Essentials Training Course

A highly popular beginners Photoshop course led by an Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI). This course includes 90 videos covering all kinds of tools and tricks that will turn you from a beginner into a master of creating compositions with Adobe Photoshop.

You will acquire great masking skills, learn how to make interactive type, how to retouch photographs, how to distort, transform and manipulate images, how to create amazing graphics from scratch, and many more skills.

Approximate duration: 10 hours

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Graphic Design Mastery: The Complete Branding Process

A course suitable for intermediate users in graphic design. This class will teach you the full graphic design course you should follow when creating a brand identity for a company.

Consisting of 45 videos in total, this course covers skills like creating a logo, creating package design, stationery design, ad design, and T-shirt design.

You will also learn Adobe Xd from the basics – how to create a web layout and working wireframe in the software, and many more skills.

Approximate duration: 6 hours

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Logo Design with Draplin: Secrets of Shape, Type, and Color

Logo design is an essential part of the work of every graphic designer. From this course, you will learn how to create compelling logos, how to simplify designs, what techniques to use, and even more. Led by one of the biggest professionals in the field, this class is suitable for intermediate users. It covers 10 videos and the following topics:

• Project Background
• Research
• Efficient Workflow
• Shape Architecture
• Typography
• Color

Approximate duration: 1 hour

Learn more about this course

 

11. Design courses on Of course

• Individual course prices

Of course is an online marketplace providing video courses led by accredited experts in different professional fields. The platform offers over 1000 courses on various topics subjects – perfect for beginners, as well as intermediate users who want to master their skills.

After finishing each course, you get a Certificate for completion. Let’s see a couple of courses in the graphic design area.

Course: Photoshop for Beginners

A Photoshop course suitable for beginners and covers the basic program features, as well as advanced techniques that will let you edit photos and design graphics on a professional level. Course curriculum:

• Photoshop Basics
• Photoshop Layers Panel
• Editing Photos in Photoshop Camera RAW
• Photo Editing in Photoshop
• The Selection Tools
• Dodge, Burn, and Sponge
• Retouching Photos in Photoshop
• Shapes in Photoshop
• Photoshop Blending Modes
• Adding Text in Photoshop
• Photoshop Filters
• Create an Animated Gif
• Saving from Photoshop

Approximate duration: 6 hours
Price: £100

Learn more about this course

 

Course: UI Design & Photoshop for Websites & Mobile Apps

A course suitable for beginners in web and graphic design. The material covered in this online video course will help you understand the basic tools and shortcuts of Photoshop and how to use them to create UI design. Course curriculum:

• Setting Up Photoshop for UI Design
• Color Calibration and Monitors for Designers
• Basics of Photoshop for Beginners
• Layer Styles Basics for UI Design
• Gradients in Web and UI Design
• Using Patterns in Web and UI Design
• Basics of UI Design | Light, Shadows, Color schemes & Typography
• UI Design Exercises & Challenges with Step by Step solutions
• Image Editing 101 for UI Designers
• IOS App Design: Exercise iPhone Food Deals App
• BONUS: Dribbble styled Dashboard UI Design
• Exercises: Form UI Design with Photoshop
• Dribbble Shot Redesign Exercise
• Wireframes in UI Design + Ultimate Web Design Challenge
• Tips and Tools for Designers and Developers

Approximate duration: 11 hours
Price: £100

Learn more about this course

You may also be interested in Web Design Trends 2022

 

12. Free Courses on Alison

• Free courses
• Paid Certificates

Alison is an online learning platform that provides free courses for everyone to enroll in and complete. A course is considered completed once you achieve a result of at least 80% of all course assessments.

You can enroll in courses in various fields on Alison, including graphic design. If you’d like to receive a Certificate, there are 3 options available for purchase: digital, print, and framed.

Course: Graphic Design – Visual and Graphic Design

A free theoretic course in graphic design that introduces the fundamental graphic design elements (line, shape, form, texture), as well as graphic design principles (composition, balance, contrast, hierarchy). Perfectly suitable for beginners and a good start for everyone who is just starting their career in graphic design.

Approximate duration: 2-3 hours

Learn more about this course

 

13. Graphic Design Courses from Coursera

• $59 per month subscription on Coursera
• Paid courses, options for financial aid

Coursera is a reputable name in the eLearning industry. While there are many platforms that are richer in resources (Coursera has over 7,000 courses but is nowhere near the industry highest), you can find some high-quality courses that are offered by famous universities like Stanford, Berkley, New York State, Pennsylvania, etc., which makes Coursera a very credible source where professionals can enhance their career.

Course: Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization

This online graphic design course is offered by the University of Colorado, with Lori Poole the leading instructor. It is targeted at beginners who want to take their skills to the next level. Unlike some of the courses here, it takes more time to complete, so have that in mind. What you’ll learn during the 4 modules is:

• Discover how the design layout functions
• Analyze concepts
• Learn how color theory works
• Master typography
• Design creative projects
• Learn how to optimize website visuals
• Improve your print design skills

Approximate duration: 50h+

Learn more about this course

 

Course: Coursera Project Network Guided Projects

If you prefer Adobe Illustrator Tutorials instead of combined courses, this option is the one for you. There are 29 videos in English that you can select. Each of them will teach you how to use a different tool that can help you create better visuals and become a better graphic designer. Some of the most notable things you’ll learn here are:

• Master with the Pen Tool
• Transform Artwork
• Design a poster
• Create social media posts
• Craft a great logo
• Enhance your typography skills
• Learn the Brand Kit basics

Approximate duration: Up to 2h for each lesson, ~55h in total.

Learn more about this course

To wrap up,

There are plenty of opportunities out there for graphic design enthusiasts who want to level up their skills in this highly demanded professional field. If you’ve made it till the end, you deserve our congratulations. We definitely believe you’ve got all it takes to make it into the competitive world of graphic design!

If you’d like to share your thoughts or recommend another online graphic design course you’ve taken, feel welcome to use the Comments section below.

After you feel confident with your skills, you may be interested to check out Top Resume Powerpoint Templates.