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Best online courses for mastering graphic design skills

What are the best online courses for mastering graphic design skills?



Recommended Online Platforms for Graphic Design Courses

1. Coursera

Overview: Offers a variety of graphic design courses and specializations from leading universities and institutions. Courses range from beginner to advanced levels.

Notable Courses:

“Graphic Design Specialization” by CalArts: A comprehensive series covering fundamental principles, typography, and branding.

“Fundamentals of Graphic Design” by CalArts: A beginner-friendly course focusing on core design principles.

2. Udemy

Overview: Provides a wide range of graphic design courses, often at affordable prices with frequent discounts. Courses are created by industry professionals and cover various aspects of design.

Notable Courses:

“The Ultimate Graphic Design Course – Beginner to Advanced”: Covers essential graphic design skills, software tutorials, and practical projects.

“Adobe Photoshop CC: Your Complete Guide to Photoshop”: An in-depth course on mastering Photoshop, suitable for beginners and intermediate users.

3. LinkedIn Learning

Overview: Features a vast library of graphic design courses taught by experienced professionals. Offers courses on design software, principles, and industry-specific skills.

Notable Courses:

“Graphic Design Foundations: Layout and Composition”: Focuses on the basics of layout design and composition techniques.

“Learning Adobe Illustrator”: A comprehensive guide to using Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics and design.

4. Skillshare

Overview: Offers a range of graphic design classes, often project-based, where you can apply what you learn immediately. Ideal for hands-on learners.

Notable Courses:

“Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design”: Covers fundamental design principles and practical applications.

“Logo Design with Draplin: Secrets of Shape, Type and Color”: Teaches logo design techniques from renowned designer Aaron Draplin.

Foundational Books for Graphic Design


1. “The Elements of Graphic Design” by Alex W. White

Overview: A comprehensive guide to the fundamental principles of graphic design, including layout, typography, and color theory.


2. “Thinking with Type” by Ellen Lupton

Overview: Focuses on typography, providing insights into the use of type in design, including practical examples and design exercises.

3. “Graphic Design: The New Basics” by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips

Overview: Offers a foundational understanding of graphic design principles and practices, featuring visual examples and exercises.


4. “How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things, Explain Things, Make Things Look Better, Make People Laugh, and (Every Once in a While) Change the World” by Michael Bierut

Overview: A practical and engaging exploration of graphic design through the lens of real-world applications and case studies.

5. “Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team” by Alina Wheeler

Overview: A detailed guide on branding, including the process of creating and maintaining a brand identity.


Online Tutorials for Beginners

**1. YouTube Tutorials:

Adobe Creative Cloud Tutorials: Adobe’s official YouTube channel offers tutorials for Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe tools.

Envato Tuts+: Provides a range of free tutorials on graphic design techniques and software tips.


**2. Canva Design School:

Overview: Offers free online tutorials and courses on design principles, branding, and using Canva’s tools effectively.

**3. Adobe’s Learn & Support:

Overview: Adobe’s official website provides a wealth of tutorials, tips, and support for mastering their software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.


**4. Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning):

Overview: Features a broad selection of beginner tutorials on graphic design concepts and software, available with a LinkedIn Learning subscription.

These resources offer a robust starting point for anyone looking to delve into graphic design, whether you're seeking structured courses, foundational reading, or hands-on tutorials.

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