It’s a unique skill set that opens up New York City residents to many fascinating career fields. For example, NYC publishers often need graphic designers to produce book covers, while many marketing companies in the city use these experts to create attractive advertising materials.
In fact, this career is in such high demand that graphic design bootcamps have become an attractive option for individuals looking to gain specialized skills and break into this creative industry quickly. They provide a powerful educational experience that immerses students in learning on a deep, satisfying level. So, anyone considering a graphic design bootcamp in New York City must understand the associated costs of these programs and how to finance them.
Average Cost of Graphic Design Bootcamps in NYC
New York City’s massive size and dense population make it one of the most popular educational cities in the country. Some of the most exciting and high-quality tech-based trainers operate in and around the city and provide reasonably priced courses that can transform a person’s life for the better. Here’s a quick look at what learners can expect to pay for graphic design bootcamps.
Overview of Typical Price Range of Graphic Design Bootcamps in NYC
The best graphic design bootcamps in The Big Apple cost anywhere between just under $500 to as much as $16,000. These varying costs can greatly impact which school appeals to learners. After all, someone who’s curious about graphic design probably doesn’t want to spend a quarter of their yearly salary to see if this career is right for them. Instead, they may want to take shorter and less expensive courses that whet their appetite for this unique learning experience.
Comparison of Average Costs Between Different Bootcamps
Each graphic design bootcamp in New York City varies in cost based on its offerings and structure. For example, longer programs naturally have a higher price because they provide more intensive education that helps students prepare for a career in this field. That said, shorter courses are still worth it because they provide a fast-paced and interesting look at this skill set. Here are four popular training teams and their typical costs for graphic design courses:
- Noble Desktop: Noble Desktop provides graphic design bootcamps for as low as $3,000 up to $8,000, which is about the middle of the road for price.
- NYIM Training: Designed to last just a few days, NYIM Training classes cost about $500 to $1,000, depending on the subject and the unique scope of the program.
- General Assembly: With more extensive classes that last several months, General Assembly bootcamps typically require paying $16,500 with some financing options.
- NYC Career Centers: NYC Career Centers also provides shorter classes available for as little as $250, though they typically average about $500 or so.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Graphic Design Bootcamps
So, why do graphic design bootcamps have such wildly different costs? Well, that’s due to many different elements. These include things like the design of the program, the various subjects it covers, and much more. Anyone who’s confused about graphic design course prices should read through this section to get a better understanding of why their classes cost what they do. Doing so can ensure they get the high-quality results that they need for their education.
Duration of the Program
Graphic design bootcamps have pretty diverse completion times due to their scope and their specific educational style. For example, some bootcamps can range from a few weeks to several months, while others may only be a few hours or so. As expected, longer programs typically cost more due to the extended instruction time and more comprehensive curriculum. Striking a good balance between time and cost is critical for graphic designs students.
Curriculum and Specializations Offered
Graphic design bootcamps have specific curriculums and even specializations that can impact how much they cost. Broader courses that cover general design concepts cost far less than specialized programs. That’s because individualized courses offer training in areas such as UX/UI design, branding, or motion graphics, focus on trickier subjects that require more specific education. As a result, students should research carefully before making an educational choice.
Reputation and Ranking of the Bootcamp
Reputation is everything in the educational world. Word gets around fast, and low-quality bootcamps typically charge far less than others. As a result, it’s important to find graphic designer courses with a strong reputation, high job placement rates, and positive student reviews. As a result, these classes often charge higher tuition due to the perceived value and outcomes they offer. A little research can ensure this process goes smoothly and efficiently.
Location and Facilities
Anyone who lives in The Big Apple knows that it comes with high real estate prices. Many of the best graphic design boot camps are located in great downtown locations and have state-of-the-art facilities with updated computers and the latest and greatest tech. Obviously, these costs add up, and schools charge for classes accordingly. Teachers are also paid fair and reasonable wages, depending on their experience and the overall intensity of their class.
Instructor Qualifications
Instructor quality is a big deal in the bootcamp world, and any New York City graphic design course with a person’s time uses experienced industry professionals as instructors. These experts may work part-time with the school while working full-time as professional graphic designers. With experience, though, comes higher wages. That’s fair, though, because these instructors bring valuable real-world insights and mentorship to the program that make it better.
Benefits of Attending Graphic Design Bootcamps
Some people have enough innate talent to pick up a copy of Adobe Photoshop and start graphic design projects without any professional education in the subject. However, that’s a pretty rare situation. Most people need a little support mastering the graphic design theories that underline all projects in this field. Thankfully, graphic design bootcamps can provide the hands-on support that learners need while providing many fantastic benefits that make them worth the investment.
Structured Learning Environment
While many people have successfully learned graphic design through asynchronous courses, these aren’t always right for everybody. Some learners need more hands-on support, especially those with no design experience. Thankfully, bootcamps provide a structured curriculum and a clear learning path, ensuring that students cover all necessary topics one by one. In this way, students work through their lessons and walk away satisfied with their competence.
Access to Experienced Instructors and Mentors
Asynchronous learning works wonderfully for self-directed people who pick up on concepts quickly and who don’t need instructors to help them through the process. However, bootcamps provide students with direct access to experienced professionals who can provide guidance, answer questions, and offer industry insights. Those who want a little more help should sign up for bootcamps and get the support they need to master graphic design successfully.
Networking Opportunities with Peers and Industry Professionals
Starting a career in graphic design is about more than just learning theories and practical techniques. It also requires deep networking with various people, including training experts, professionals, and even fellow trainees. Thankfully, graphic design bootcamps often include networking events, guest lectures, and meetups, helping students build valuable connections in the design industry that can make it easier to find a job that they’ll love after graduating.
Career Services and Job Placement Assistance
Post-graduation is always a tough experience for people, no matter their level. For example, many people just out of graphic design programs in college have no idea what they should do with their lives. Thankfully, many bootcamps offer robust career services, including resume workshops, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. These all significantly increase a student’s chance of landing a job post-graduation with this in-depth prep support.
Why Paying for a Graphic Design Bootcamp is Better Than Learning for Free
For many learners, YouTube videos and free seminars provide a truly tempting and inexpensive bait that, unfortunately, won’t live up to the tasty money-saving promise. These tools work best as a supplement to structured learning. They’re simply not comprehensive enough to truly teach this broad technical skill set. Here’s why it’s far better to pay money to learn with professionals. Note that these benefits are for structured, live classes, not asynchronous courses.
Accountability and Motivation
There’s something about free learning programs that makes them easy to stop doing. However, paying for a full graphic design bootcamp may increase a student’s commitment to the course and keep them motivated throughout their class, increasing their chances of real success.
Hands-on Projects and Real-world Experience
Bootcamps provide practical, hands-on projects that simulate real-world tasks, ensuring that students gain applicable skills. Even better, students can use the projects they complete to build a work portfolio that highlights their skills and makes it easier for them to stand out.
Immediate Feedback and Personalized Support
While asynchronous classes work well for many people, others may need more hands-on support. Graphic design bootcamps have instructors and mentors who offer immediate feedback on assignments and projects to help students understand their mistakes and improve quickly.
Community and Collaborative Learning
Learning is more fun if it’s done with others. That’s why schools with shared classrooms still exist. Thankfully, graphic design bootcamps foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for collaborative learning to further enhance the educational experience.
Financing Options for Graphic Design Bootcamps
Many people interested in a graphic design career may avoid bootcamps due to their expense. That’s understandable, but most organizations provide strong financing options that minimize unnecessary difficulties and make classes more affordable. Some completely cover the program at no expense, while others break down payments into easier-to-handle chunks. Here are some of the most popular of these financing options broken down into their benefits and drawbacks.
Scholarships and Grants
Many graphic design bootcamps offer scholarships and grants to help offset the cost, particularly for underrepresented groups in tech. The great thing about scholarships and grants is that students don’t have to pay them back, meaning they potentially get free education. Note that these options aren’t always available, so it’s important to talk with a learning team about their choices. It’s also important to talk to state and federal officials about possible tech grants.
Income Share Agreements (ISAs)
Here’s a somewhat rare but powerful financing option that may work well for many learners: income share agreements or ISAs. ISAs allow students to pay a percentage of their salary after securing a job, making education accessible without upfront costs. Typically, they’re most commonly available from providers partnered with various graphic design firms. They’re great if they’re available, but their limited spread makes them hard to find, even in NYC.
Payment Plans and Deferred Tuition
Graphic design schools know that their programs aren’t always easily available to many students. That’s why many offer flexible payment plans and deferred tuition options to enable their clients to pay their tuition in installments or delay payment until after graduation. In other words, they pay monthly bills that are easier to afford than a large lump sum. One thing to note is that some facilities charge interest, which could ultimately make this option more expensive.
Loans and Financial Aid
Various loan options are available through private lenders to help finance bootcamp studies. Some facilities also partner with lenders to offer favorable terms, such as interest rates below the current level or decreased loan origin costs. In this way, students can more easily afford their classes without breaking the bank. The biggest problem? Loans and financial aid always come with interest rates, so this option should be saved for when no other types are available.
Available Graphic Design Bootcamps in NYC
In “The City So Nice They Named It Twice,” students should easily find graphic design bootcamps that work well for their needs. With literally over 100 different learning institutions throughout the Five Burroughs, it might be harder than anything for some students to narrow down their choices. On that note, here are three top-tier training institutions that provide strong graphic design bootcamps that can help students master this career and hone their skills.
Noble Desktop
As one of the most trusted educational teams in New York City, Noble Desktop has a career stretching back over 30 years. In a big and competitive city like The Big Apple, that kind of success speaks for itself. Noble has thrived by continually updating its courses and innovating bold new ideas, such as live online learning. Professors come directly from the graphic design world to provide excellent instruction that students can trust for their job training.
Web Design Certificate
Web Design Certificate is an 84-hour course that costs about $3,000. That puts it in the middle ground for Noble courses and graphic design programs by cost. During this class, they’ll learn about Photoshop and practice with InDesign and Illustrator. By integrating important design theories and compositional ideas into these programs, students will become better graphic designers. They can even share their completion certificate on LinkedIn to show off their skills.
Shillington School
Shillington School is available in cities around the world, including right on Madison Avenue in NYC. As a graphic design school, they specialize in teaching in-person and online courses on a variety of subjects. Though more limited in subject matter than Noble Desktop, their programs provide a good alternative for those who have the money. Note that their classes are usually more costly than Noble's, which could be a drawback for people on a more limited budget.
Graphic Design Course
Graphic Design Course is a lengthier three-month program that costs just about $14,000. That’s higher than Noble and New Horizons but worth considering for the comprehensiveness of the available lessons. Students will learn about design theory, popular software tools, UX design concepts, and important practical techniques. Students build a project-based portfolio of work that highlights their skills. When done, they can use it to apply to college courses or a job.
New Horizons
Providing on-site training for various types of job fields, New Horizon focuses heavily on a fast-paced learning experience that quickly prepares students for a new career. They heavily use online training programs, though their New York office does have in-person learning opportunities. Typically taking just a few days, their classes provide a primer for various subjects that can help students move on to more advanced and in-depth graphic design courses.
Adobe Photoshop CC - Part 1
Adobe Photoshop CC - Part 1 teaches students how to use the most important graphical design software on the market today. In this two-day, $790 course, students learn about using Photoshop successfully. They’ll create new images, modify existing ones, and even adjust layers. When paired with the second class, Adobe Photoshop CC - Part 2, students can brush up on their graphic design skills and walk away more c confident about what they’re doing.
Admission Requirements and Application Into Graphic Design Programs
Some advanced graphic design bootcamps may ask applicants to meet prerequisites before joining. This may include filling out an application, showing off a design portfolio, or even completing an interview with the professor. However, the courses discussed here provide beginner-level support that rarely requires specialized skills. Instead, they’re designed to help people from all walks of life easily jump into graphic design quickly and master this skill.
Skills Learned in Graphic Design Bootcamps
Graphic design is a complex skill set that includes multiple theories and hands-on techniques that make it far more challenging to initially understand than many may expect. However, it’s not too difficult to master when taking bootcamps! These courses intelligently arrange class information logically to make it easier to practice. In this way, learners will master various technical concepts to become more skilled designers. Just a few that they’ll practice include:
- Design Principles and Theory: Students learn key design principles such as color theory, typography, composition, and branding. From these core concepts, they will build their knowledge to master crafting graphic design projects of any size and complexity.
- Software Proficiency: Proficiency in industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Figma is a core component of the curriculum. Without tools like these, designers simply can’t work.
- UX/UI Design: Throughout their courses, students gain skills in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, including wireframing, prototyping, and user testing. These massive fields are some of the highest paying on the market today.
- Motion Graphics and Animation: Some graphic design programs offer training in motion graphics and animation using tools like After Effects. Mastering these skills expands a student’s potential skill set and makes it easier to become a professional.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Bootcamps often include group projects, teaching students how to work collaboratively in a team setting, mirroring real-world design practices. No graphic design project can thrive without teamwork pushing it.
Jobs Available After Completing the Best Graphic Design Bootcamps
Will students be ready to jump right into a graphic design job after completing their bootcamp? Those who catch on quickly, build an amazing portfolio, and feel ready to produce professional work may want to try! Others should bide their time, practice, and keep honing their skills to get even better. Just a few careers that might be waiting for them when they’re ready include:
- Graphic Designer: As the backbone of the industry, graphic designers work in digital and physical media to create inspiring artwork. Average salaries sit at $60,000 annually.
- Web Designer: Web designers use graphic design skills when crafting attractive and eye-catching websites. They make about $54,000 annually or up to $74,000.
- Visual Designer: A skilled Visual Designer may create things like banners, icons, overlays, and other digital elements. The median salary for this job is $80,000 nationally.
- Design Director: As a Design Director, students will use their skills to curate products and projects visually through multiple stages. On average, they earn $129,000 yearly.
Why Learning Graphic Design is a Rewarding Experience
Graphic design is one of those job sets that never seems to go out of style. Even now, in a day when AI art seems to be spreading like wildfire, human graphic designers are in high demand. They provide the creative touch needed to make work stand out. Furthermore, it helps reinforce many amazing skills related to both graphic design and outside of it. Here are a few reasons why people love taking bootcamps to reinforce their design skills before starting a career.
High Demand for Design Skills in the Job Market
There is a consistent demand for skilled designers, making this particular skill a valuable and marketable one to learn. The jobs mentioned previously are just a few of the fields that need graphic design specialists. For example, video game designers often hire these experts to create detailed and appealing cutscenes, game art, and much more. AI art is strong but simply not the same as getting a real human being to craft detailed and appealing designs.
Opportunities for Creativity and Innovation
Graphic design allows individuals to express creativity and innovation through visual communication in a variety of mediums. For example, graphic designers can produce appealing websites to market themselves or even produce in-depth advertisements for their customers. Honestly, with a skilled artistic eye and the right training, graphic designers can produce work in just about any medium that will capture the viewer’s imagination in fun and exciting ways.
Potential for Remote Work and Flexible Hours
Many design jobs offer the flexibility of remote work and adjustable hours, which is appealing to a good work-life balance. For example, graphic specialists can easily work from home if they have a powerful computer that can handle the software demand. Furthermore, these experts often work in freelance positions, meaning that they can pick and choose their clients and produce work in a variety of formats. That’s a big deal for those who enjoy economic freedom.
Personal Satisfaction and Continuous Learning
Learning graphic design can be personally fulfilling, providing a sense of accomplishment and ongoing opportunities for learning and growth. Anytime a learner masters a new skill, they feel more confident about themselves and their abilities. Building self-esteem is always a good thing, especially for younger students who may lack it. In this way, learning graphic design is a powerful tool for many people, one that can transform their lives for the better in many ways.
How Easy Is It to Learn Graphic Design?
Graphic design isn’t necessarily as hard to learn as coding or other more involved tech-related careers. That said, graphic design can be challenging for some people. While many find it manageable with dedication and the right resources, others need way more hands-on support. For example, lots of people struggle with concepts like design software, visual hierarchy, and client feedback. They’ll need help from experts to ensure things go smoothly for them.
As a result, overcoming these challenges requires practice, persistence, and seeking help when needed. There’s no shame in asking for help or seeking out extra work after completing a graphic design bootcamp. It’s through consistent practice and persistence that students become proficient in graphic design. In this way, regularly working on projects and design exercises can help solidify their understanding and ensure that they get the long-term help that they need.
How Long Will It Take to Learn Graphic Design?
Here’s the million-dollar question with an appropriate answer: mastering graphic design can take anywhere from 3-12 months, depending on an individual’s talent and practice routine. For context, full-time bootcamps typically last 12-16 weeks, while part-time programs can span 6-9 months or even longer. Neither are enough to completely master graphic design, but they do provide a strong background. As always, persistence and practice improve this experience.