In the United States, a staggering 6 million students are embracing the convenience of online learning from the comfort of their homes. The advent of advanced course management technologies has ushered in an era of accessible, high-quality education, particularly in areas like graphic design. These online graphic design courses cater to beginners, offering cost-effective options, and in some cases, entirely free educational opportunities.
Advantages of Online Graphic Design Studies
Opting for online graphic design courses empowers you to explore diverse areas aligned with your specific interests. This approach allows you to concentrate on foundational aspects crucial for aspiring graphic designers—ranging from design theory and pixel and vector graphics to layout and composition. The benefits of online study are manifold, encompassing cost-effectiveness, flexibility, accelerated learning, and personalized attention.
How to Choose an Online Graphic Design Course
Selecting your inaugural online graphic design course can be a nuanced decision. Before finalizing your choice, meticulous evaluation of costs, software proficiency including paid options like Illustrator or Photoshop, or free alternatives like Inkscape, Gimp or Canva, and the skills a course imparts is imperative. Understanding your current standing as a designer—whether a beginner, intermediate, or expert—is crucial.
For beginners, emphasis should be on acquiring foundational skills, delving into graphic design principles, and gaining proficiency in pixel and vector graphics software. The journey progresses to specific design applications like logos, icons, and basic information design.
Various course platforms such as Udemy or Skillshare, offer world-class graphic design education, catering to diverse topics, budgets, timelines, and skill levels. Streamlining your options sets you on the optimal path for learning.
Handpicked Online Graphic Design Courses for Beginners
Here is our list of online graphic design courses ideal for beginners.
1. Graphic Design Basics — Core Principles for Visual Design
Delve into the fundamentals of scale, framing, grids, symmetry, and asymmetry in this short course curated by renowned educator and author Ellen Lupton.
2. Design Fundamentals — Layout and Composition
Master the principles of layout, composition, balance, and grid-based design for stunning compositions in this concise class from Creative Live.
3. The Complete Graphic Design Theory
A comprehensive guide covering color theory, typography, branding, and logo design, offering a step-by-step approach to transform you from a beginner to an intermediate graphic designer.
4. The Basics of Print Design — Free Course
Acquire comprehensive knowledge of print design, covering workspace setup, document structuring, typography composition, color palette selection, and familiarity with publishing software like Adobe InDesign and Affinity Publisher.
5- Crafting Effective Typography
In the realm of graphic design, selecting the right typography is a critical facet. This Skillshare course equips you with the skills to create polished and intelligent typography that captivates any reader. Comprising ten insightful lessons, the course is designed to elevate your text into a realm of outstanding design.
6- Graphic Design Masterclass
Tailored for those venturing into a graphic design career, this comprehensive Udemy course is an ideal starting point. With no prerequisites, the class aims to cultivate essential skills and techniques in graphic design. Covering a spectrum of topics, the masterclass delves into the intricacies of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, design theory, branding, logo design, and pixel and vector graphics software.
7- Fundamentals of User Experience Design
Embark on a journey with this Udemy class to design user-friendly web pages and mobile apps. Uncover the art of creating an exceptional user experience through insights into the research process, visual design structures, strategic planning, A/B testing, and more. This course is a valuable choice for designers seeking to explore the burgeoning sub-field of graphic design.
8- Inkscape Beginners Level
For beginners, Inkscape is a highly recommended software, and this Udemy course serves as an excellent introduction. Navigate Inkscape’s vector tools effortlessly with a user-friendly tutorial specifically crafted for beginners. The step-by-step approach covers every aspect of the interface, ensuring you feel confident in creating and editing in Inkscape.
9- Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator stands as the industry-standard vector software. Dive into the world of Adobe Illustrator with this beginner-friendly Domestika course. Take a systematic approach to understanding Illustrator’s tools and embark on creating a project from scratch. By the course’s end, you’ll master object manipulation, complex shape creation, typography management, and workspace customization—a perfect starting point for beginners.
10- Canva for Beginners
Explore Canva, an online platform for crafting captivating social media graphics, with this free introductory course. Ideal for beginners, the short class guides you through the tools offered by Canva, enabling you to effortlessly create engaging content.
Final Thoughts
The highlighted online graphic design courses convey two key messages: Graphic design transcends mere graphics and photos, and the avenues for learning are limitless. Online resources offer affordability and flexibility, making self-guided or home-based graphic design learning ideal. Photoshop, Illustrator, branding, design theory, color, composition, and typography are just a few of the myriad tools and skills awaiting exploration from the comfort of your home. Seize the opportunities, whether free or low-cost, and embark on your graphic design journey. Which course resonates most with you? Which ones would you choose to embark on first?