Did you know the graphic design industry will reach $43.4 billion by the end of 2022? It’s a budding industry buzzing with growth and potential.
And do you have any idea what an average graphic designer earns in a year?
Let us tell you, they make $53,380 annually, and 90% of these designers are freelancers.
So, Graphic Designing is a skill you cannot forgo in this era of technology. The good news is that you can learn this skill quickly from your couch! The number of online certification programs in this field is skyrocketing.
However, too many choices can muddle your brain, making it challenging to pick the optimal course. Furthermore, not all of these programs are worthy enough, so you can easily take a wrong turn and end up exactly where you are today!
To ensure that you get your money’s worth and polish your skills, we did the hard work for you.
By sifting through thousands of courses offered, we came across 8 programs that prove their mettle. So please look at our top compilation and enrol in the one that serves you best!
1. An Allrounder: Udemy’s Graphic Design Bootcamp
If you live on this earth, you must have heard about Udemy. Nothing beats this platform in its vast selection of beginner courses. And regarding graphic designing, we found Udemy as the top contender due to its affordable pricing and overall learning ecosystem.
The features offered by this certification program are:
- 15½ hours of on-demand video
- 13 resources
- Lifetime access
- Assignments
- 1 article
- Certificate of completion
Price: $84.99
Why Enroll in it?
The Udemy Bootcamp is perfect for beginners who wish to discover design, logo making, typography, and branding from scratch. It is an end-to-end program that not only teaches basics but goes beyond that.
It provides you with more than 15 hours of learning, leaving you with a comprehensive toolkit of skills. From Photoshop to Illustrator, you will be able to experiment with the different design apps after completing this course. In addition, the assignments provided will guide you on how to tackle real-world projects.
Moreover, the program is ultra-flexible as it provides on-demand videos and downloadable resources. So those who have tight schedules can access it anywhere, anytime!
Apart from this, it is a certified course, so you can add it to your resume to uplift it. With its lifetime access, you can keep returning if you miss something!
Join Udemy’s Graphic Design Bootcamp ➡️
2. University Affiliated: Coursera Fundamentals of Graphic Design
Coursera, like Udemy, is amongst the most renowned learning platforms. Its beginner-level Graphic Designing course by Michael Worthington has more than half a million students enrolled in it. With its flexible deadlines and easy-to-follow learning outcomes, it has gained massive popularity amongst amateur graphic designers. Backed by the California Institute of the Arts (CALARTS), this affiliated program is neither too vague nor too advanced, making it perfect for beginners.
The features offered by this certification program are:
- 15-hour Course Videos
- Reading material
- Practice Quizzes
- Assignments with Peers
- Graded Quizzes
- Feedback provided
- Certificate of completion
Price: $49
Why Enroll in it?
This course offers graphic designing techniques in a myriad of forms. By enrolling in it, you will learn both in-print and on-screen designing. The program is divided into four parts which expose students to skills sequentially.
This course aims to equip you with an extensive skill set and lay the foundation for further career development in designing.
The syllabus covers various graphic design essentials in the form of short and easy-to-understand videos and materials. It starts with basic image-making and leads to more challenging compositions such as visuals, patterns and rhythm implementation.
From sophisticated processes and historical contexts to image-editing and typography, the program takes you on a full rollercoaster ride.
Moreover, its assignment submission flexibility and low pricing make it accessible to all.
Lastly, at the end of the course, you are given a capstone project and feedback is provided on it to help you enhance your skills and portfolio.
Enroll in Coursera Fundamentals of Graphic Design ➡️
3. Low on the Pocket: Adobe Photoshop Beginners Guide by Skillshare
Not every designer has a vast budget to learn new skills. So if you want something which matches your budget but also provides worthy content, then this Skillshare course is something you should go for.
Many graphic designers recommend this program as it is affordable and provides value for money. The learning ecosystem of this Adobe Photoshop workshop is gold.
The features offered by this certification program are:
- A range of videos and reading
- Quiz to test your knowledge
- Comprehensive insights
- Certificate of completion.
Price: $19/month
Why Enroll in it:
If you want to master graphic designing, then you should be proficient at Adobe, and this is precisely what this course teaches you. It has an easy-to-follow syllabus covering everything from basic editing to creating images from scratch.
By the end of the course, you will become a pro at cleaning images, retouching, and creating assets for social media. In addition, the insights and support provided by the mentor will help you tackle real-life designing projects.
The step-by-step exploration of techniques enables beginners to optimally consume Adobe Photoshop’s features. Moreover, the assignments and quizzes are beneficial for beginners in creating their portfolios and open them to challenges.
Enroll in Adobe Photoshop Beginners Guide by Skillshare ➡️
4. Masterclass for Masters: David Carson Graphic Design Course
This masterclass by the master of graphics David Carson is something budding designers shouldn’t miss. In it, you get to learn from the guru himself, who imparts his life-long learning to you. In this course, you get to know intuitive approaches to graphic designing and how you can bend the rules to create an impact.
The features offered by this certification program are:
- Practical examples
- Direct advice from David Carson
- 11 video lessons
- Monthly access
Price: $15/month
Why Enroll in it:
David Carson is a pioneering graphic designer, and we love his take on teaching. This course made it to our top 8 list as it challenges predictable designing techniques and gives you a fresh eye.
By taking this course, you will understand how twerking a few patterns and breaking a few rules can help you design something powerful. In addition, this program contains advice from the guru himself and how he changed the trajectory of graphic design.
The tips and tricks you learn here will help you trust your gut and experiment freely. By the end of this course, you will have explored typography, logo designing, photography, and more in-depth. You will be able to push the boundaries of traditional designing and become a unique designer!
Enroll in David Carson Graphic Design Course ➡️
5. Affordable Advance Course: Adobe Photoshop Mastery
This advanced-level Adobe Photoshop course by Fiverr learn is a detailed program that transits a beginner to an expert. Unlike other expert courses, this is relatively affordable. With it, you can understand complex techniques with various design tools.
From mastering colours to performing enhancements such as cloning, and retouching, you can become an Adobe master by taking this course.
The features offered by this certification program are:
- 107 videos
- 13.2 hours of learning
- Lifetime access to course materials
- Exercises and quizzes
- A badge is provided upon completion
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Price: $24
Why Enroll in it?
For those who already know the fundamentals and want to take their skills a notch up, this course is for them. It will accelerate your design career without denting your budget.
The Fiverr program is filled with advanced skills which can elevate your knowledge and help you streamline your processes. The course focuses on editing techniques and teaches you the ins and outs of Adobe. In addition, the downloadable material and practical assignments allow you to gain insights on the go.
With more than 13 hours of video learning, this course is jammed-packed with techniques that even pro designers are unaware of. By the end of this extensive program, you will be able to tackle complex designing challenges such as correcting images and creating trending visuals. Moreover, you will be provided with a badge to display your credentials after completion.
Enroll in Adobe Photoshop Mastery ➡️
6. Expert’s Choice: Online Graphic Design Course By New York Institute of Art and Design (NYIAD)
This is a high-end course for intermediate and expert designers backed by a reputable institute. Thus, the cost of this course is also high. It is an all-in-one online graphic design certification which doesn’t leave any stone unturned. When we say it teaches you everything, we mean it literally. From concept to execution, the mentor covers it all!
The features offered by this certification program are:
- 100 online screen materials
- 24/7 watchable videos
- One-on-one feedback
- 14 days trial period
- Interactive Student forum
- Certificate of completion
Price: $1499
Why Enroll in it?
Designed by experts, this course offered by NYIAD is an advanced-level program with proper accreditations. It covers print and web designing and makes you proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
The many hours of video tutorials and downloadable resources make it accessible for anyone. By the end of this course, you will be able to create high-quality designs, experiment with different design theories, explore typography and manage various layouts. Throughout the program, there will be an emphasis on developing a well-rounded portfolio which can help you in future endeavours.
The feedback process of this course is also commendable. You get tips and advice from professional graphic designers. In addition, a team of experts is always available via email and call to answer all your questions and help you improve. Finally, the interactive student forum is a bonus where you can engage with budding designers and learn from them.
Online Graphic Design Course By New York Institute ➡️
7. Best Free Course: Canva Graphic Design Basics
You must have heard of Canva, as it is one of the top digital creation tools. But you will be surprised to know that Canva also has a design school offering free courses.
This graphic design course is one of its most popular short programs and is perfect for those who wish to learn the basics without paying. It has helped more than 159,000 students and is among designers’ most accessible learning avenues!
The features offered by this program are:
- 30-minute video
- Lifetime accessibility
- Step-by-step teaching
- Multiple experts on board
- Canva forum available for answering queries
Price: Free
Why Enroll in it?
The first reason is it’s free. If you are low on budget, Canva’s graphic design course offers you an easy entry point into the world of designing. You can use this as a stepping stone to decide whether being a designer suits you or not.
With its multiple expert panels, Canva designed this short course to inspire the love of graphic designing in beginners.
We recommend you take this course before deciding to invest in paid courses. Not only will it introduce you to the basics, but it will also help you think like a designer.
The course outline is pretty straightforward to follow. Even though it’s only 30 min long, you will get practical advice from top experts like Johanna Roca, Jason Little, and Lynneal Santos. It will set the foundation of your career, and then later, you can opt for advanced courses!
Enrll in Canva Graphic Design Basics ➡️
Ready Get Set Design!
So if you want a career transition or are already a designer who wants to polish your skill, then enrol in one of the above programs. They will surely elevate your skills and help you build a robust portfolio.
Don’t miss the opportunity to join this prospering profession and become a freelance graphic designer now. Go through the features of each course and find the one that suits your skill and your pocket.
Most of these courses offer trials, so why not try a free session and then decide whether they are worth the investment. From the remits of your home, become a part of this growing industry. All you need is a laptop, a strong internet connection, and some apps and you are good to go
Happy designing and may the colours, patterns, and graphics all be in your favour
