There are lots of places where you can get a graphic design course. From the creative live courses to the open college path, you’ll find a number of options. However, the best graphic design courses will be those that give you an education with a purpose. This means that you’ll be designing with passion, and not just for a living.
Open Colleges’ Graphic Design Pathway
Graphic design is an exciting career that is a growing sector of the economy. To make the most of it, it’s important to understand what it takes to be a successful graphic designer. Luckily, there are plenty of options available to prospective students.
A graphic design certificate may help you get your foot in the door. It’s also a good way to show off your skills and build a portfolio that may impress hiring managers.
If you have some experience with graphic design, you can take a more in-depth course or go back to school for a degree. These programs are available at schools all over the country, and you can even take them online.
The graphic design pathway consists of two years of coursework and is designed to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in the industry. By the end of the program, you’ll have a working knowledge of how to produce effective graphics for print and digital media. You’ll also learn about colour theory and industry-standard software.
As you study, you’ll also learn about the history of graphic design. This will help you better prepare for your transfer to a four-year institution.
Lastly, you’ll learn how to use a variety of computer programs. In particular, you’ll be introduced to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. All of these programs are easy to navigate, and you’ll find it easier than you might think to complete your coursework.
Regardless of whether you choose an online or in-person course, you’ll be prepared to land the job of your dreams. After all, graphic design is a highly-paid field, and it’s one of the fastest-growing in the country.
CalArts’ Graphic Design Specialization program
The Graphic Design Specialization program at the California Institute of the Arts teaches the fundamentals of design. Students learn to create and edit photographs, print materials, and digital media. They also learn about typography and color theory, which are essential to graphic design.
There are several different courses for beginners and intermediate learners. For a beginner, the best option is to take the Fundamentals of Graphic Design course at CalArts. This is a great prerequisite to the Graphic Design Specialization program.
Another option is the UI/UX Design Specialization at CalArts. It is ideal for visual designers and web designers, and is available through Coursera. In this course, students will learn about user experience design, from the initial idea to the finished project.
Students in this course will learn about the design process, including image making, branding, and the use of software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. They will also learn about the process of wireframes and how to define strategy.
The Graphic Design Specialization at CalArts consists of five courses. These courses are: Imagemaking, Brand New Brand, Typography, Motion Graphics, and Interface Design.
Students will learn about the history of graphic design, and the elements of a logo, package design, and identity systems. They will also learn about type, color, and spacing.
After completing the Graphic Design Specialization, students can work on a capstone project, which combines the skills learned in each course. They will learn about the basics of branding, user research, website wireframes, and UI/UX design.
The program takes about six months to complete. Students must devote three hours per week to work. Once they have completed the Graphic Design Specialization, they can go on to work in interface design or editorial design.
Creative Live
If you are looking for a program that will provide you with the latest in digital design, CreativeLive is the way to go. It offers more than 100K hours of high-quality video training. You can also get a hands-on look at what’s on offer by signing up for a live event.
There are many different training options available, from free courses to paid classes. The cost can vary, so do your homework.
For example, Adobe Photoshop is a must-have tool for any designer. It will teach you the basics of visual design, as well as the ins and outs of creating graphics.
Other popular options include Photoshop Elements and Illustrator. These programs will give you the tools you need to edit photos, create graphics and animate videos.
One of the more interesting features of CreativeLive is the community of other creatives who share your passion for design. Whether you’re a budding web designer or a photographer, you’ll find a wealth of helpful tips and tricks to help you succeed.
To get started with your membership, visit the website and fill out the required fields. Upon completion, you’ll receive a password via email or SMS. Afterwards, you’ll be able to watch and download free assets.
With more than 2,000 courses to choose from, there’s something for every type of creative. This includes graphic designers, photographers, software developers, and even aspiring filmmakers.
CreativeLive courses are also offered through the live events channel. Watch a class and you’ll learn everything from HTML to CSS to JavaScript. Plus, you’ll also be able to network with other artists and see what’s on offer.
Of course, there’s a huge library of other content. Some of the best CreativeLive programs also offer a money-back guarantee.
Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate
When you enroll in Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate course, you’ll be able to master the fundamentals of design and gain a detailed understanding of the entire design process. You’ll also have the chance to create a comprehensive, professional portfolio that can help you land a position in the industry.
Students can choose to take the course in person at the Noble Desktop facility in Midtown Manhattan, or they can take it online. Whether you’re taking the course in New York or remotely, you’ll have access to industry-leading software and computers.
The program offers one-on-one career mentoring sessions and individualized resume and LinkedIn advice from design experts. Plus, students have the option to participate in a series of projects and receive feedback on their portfolios. This helps them become more competitive when applying for jobs and freelance work.
The Graphic Design Certificate is a 72-hour program that can be taken in-person or online. During the class, you’ll learn how to use Adobe Illustrator to create vector graphics. In addition to this, you’ll also have a chance to take part in retouching and layout in InDesign.
In addition to the Graphic Design Certificate, students can also enroll in the Digital Design Certificate or the UX & UI Design Certificate. Both programs will cover the major Adobe apps used by the industry, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Students who choose to take the program in-person can easily commute to and from the New York area via Penn Station and Grand Central. They’ll also have access to a state-of-the-art facility that includes computer labs and instructor support.
The Graphic Design Certificate and UX & UI Design Certificate will allow you to focus on designing for mobile devices. These courses will also teach you key user interface design concepts and standards.
Vectornator Academy’s free logo design fundamentals course
If you are looking for a free graphic design course, then you have come to the right place. The Vectornator Academy is an online education provider that provides free online courses to students anywhere in the world. Their course material is top-notch and their content is organized into short chapters.
They offer a free logo design course that covers the basics. It takes about an hour and thirteen minutes to complete, which is more than enough time to get you started on the path to becoming a pro. The course materials include downloadable exercise files and written content. In addition, they also have a website that provides a wealth of free resources to help you along the way.
To get you started, they have created a list of 16 free graphic design courses. This list covers the gamut from the basics to the nuances. You will need some knowledge of Adobe Illustrator to fully take advantage of the material. However, if you can’t afford the high-end software, you can use one of the many free vector design applications available on the market.
The Vectonator Academy has a great collection of the best free graphic design courses available. Their instructors are all real world designers and they speak from experience. Whether you are just starting out or you’re a seasoned professional, the Vectonator can teach you the tricks of the trade.
Aside from their free courses, they also have a number of downloadable ebooks. These eBooks are perfect for the student who wants to brush up on the best practices for logo design without having to troll the internet. Another cool feature is that they are mobile-friendly. So you can study from the comfort of your couch, or a hotel room while on vacation.