Is Design a Hard Class?

The difficulty of learning design is largely subjective, varying from learner to learner. How hard a design student finds the subject depends on a number of different variables, including the quality of the design class and instructor, the specific depth and scope of the class, and the learner’s background and aptitude for learning technical and creative topics. A complete beginner in a comprehensive career-focused bootcamp will find their design class significantly more challenging than an experienced designer brushing up on their Photoshop skills in a certification-prep course. However, even the most inexperienced design learner can achieve full professional design expertise with enough dedication, persistence, and hard work, and the creative nature of the field makes its study an engaging and rewarding pursuit.

What is Hard about Learning Design?

One of the most challenging aspects of learning design is mastering the underlying principles and theories that guide effective visual communication. While software tools like Adobe Creative Cloud are relatively user-friendly, understanding concepts such as color theory, typography, and composition requires time and practice to internalize. Many new students struggle with translating their creative ideas into polished, professional-looking designs that effectively convey the intended message.

Another hurdle for design learners is developing a keen eye for detail and the ability to objectively critique their work. This skill is crucial for producing high-quality designs but often takes time to cultivate. Additionally, keeping up with rapidly evolving design trends and technologies can be daunting, as the field is constantly changing and expanding. Industry and hiring trends are also increasing the pressure on designers to boast multifaceted skill sets. For example, various types of designers are increasingly expected to know how to perform their own UX research, and learning these additional skill sets can be a considerable challenge.

For those pursuing more advanced design skills, challenges may include mastering complex techniques in areas like 3D modeling, motion graphics, or user experience design. These specializations often require a deep understanding of additional software and methodologies, which can be time-consuming to learn and apply effectively.

Read more about how difficult it is to learn design.

How Can I Make Learning Design Easier?

A wide variety of design class formats and resources are available to make learning design more manageable. Noble Desktop and other design schools provide free seminars on a variety of design topics that can make learning easier. For example, Noble’s Getting Started in Design seminar introduces newcomers to various design disciplines, which can set learners up for success in whichever discipline they choose to focus on in their studies. Articles like those published by Noble Desktop in their Learn Hub and blog posts published by working designers can also provide significant insights that can help design learners plan their learning journey, answer questions that arise throughout their education, and stay abreast of industry news. Design learners may also wish to peruse YouTube, their favorite podcast apps, and their local library for other design resources that can make excellent supplements to their design training in paid classes, as the various viewpoints and diverse perspectives can make overcoming roadblocks and solving challenging problems considerably easier.

However, learners interested in learning design easily will not be able to do it with free resources alone. Featuring the benefits of a structured learning environment and real-time feedback and interaction with a live instructor, live online or in-person classes are by far the easiest way to learn design. These courses offer proven curricula that cover both theory and practical skills, helping students build a solid skill set in design from the ground up. Comprehensive bootcamps and career-focused certificate programs can be particularly effective for those looking to quickly reach job readiness, as they build practical skills quickly through hands-on projects in a fully immersive environment while also providing vital career support, including assistance in creating a professional portfolio. Those whose learning goals are limited to adding familiarity with basic design principles or mastery of a design tool like Photoshop to their current skill set will also benefit from the guidance of a live instructor and the structure of a set schedule, as these two features can make the learning process significantly easier.

While live classes feature many of the most significant factors for design easier to learn—such as live mentorship, a structured schedule, and a built-in learning community—some may wish to weigh the pros and cons of on-demand courses before deciding on a class format. Also known as self-paced courses, on-demand classes offer a mix of pre-recorded lectures, reading assignments, and hands-on projects, which learners can complete at any time that fits within their schedule. For the most self-driven, independent learners—especially those with smaller learning goals—the flexibility of on-demand classes may make them a worthwhile endeavor. Additionally, those wishing to learn design as part of a hobby may prefer the laidback experience of an on-demand course to the accountability of a live class, where they would be learning alongside aspiring or current designers. However, for the easiest possible learning design experience, the real-time feedback and guidance of a live instructor in a live online or in-person class is unparalleled.

Best Ways to Learn Design Without Difficulty

For those looking to learn design with minimal difficulty, finding live online or in-person classes near them can be a game-changer. These structured environments offer numerous advantages, providing a focused curriculum and expert guidance that allows students to progress more rapidly than they might through self-study alone. Whether in a traditional in-person classroom or a live online one, learners benefit from real-time interaction with instructors, enabling them to ask questions, receive immediate feedback, and gain insights that might otherwise be missed. This dynamic learning experience helps students avoid common pitfalls and develop good habits from the start, significantly shortening the learning curve.

Intensive bootcamps and certificate programs are particularly effective for the rapidly developing design skills without undue difficulty. These courses typically offer a carefully curated curriculum designed to build proficiency in multiple design tools and techniques within a condensed timeframe. Students engage in hands-on projects that simulate real-world scenarios, allowing them to apply their new theoretical knowledge in practical ways. Aspiring designers will want to find a career-focused comprehensive bootcamp or certificate program featuring career support services, such as portfolio development and interview preparation, as these can make breaking into the design industry significantly less challenging for newcomers.

When considering training options, individuals can choose between full-time versus part-time programs, each offering unique advantages in making design education less daunting. Full-time courses provide an immersive experience, allowing students to focus entirely on their design education without distractions. This intensive approach can accelerate the learning process, helping aspiring designers reach a professional level of expertise quickly and streamline their path to landing their first job in the field. Part-time programs, while potentially extending the overall learning timeline, offer greater flexibility for those whose difficulties in learning design include the need to balance other commitments with their education. This format allows students to apply their new skills to personal or professional projects throughout their educational journey, reinforcing their learning through practical application and making the process more manageable and less overwhelming.

Learn Design Skills with Noble Desktop

Design and coding school Noble Desktop provides a vast menu of design classes led by live expert instructors whether you choose to attend in-person in NYC or live online from anywhere in the world. Their flexible scheduling options allow you to participate as a full-time or part-time student, ensuring you can meet your learning goals no matter your current calendar. Noble Desktop provides classes in various scopes and design-related topics, from beginner-friendly short courses on tools like Photoshop or After Effects to comprehensive career-focused certificate programs in various design disciplines, including graphic design, web design, UX/UI design, motion graphics design, and video editing. Noble keeps their class size small to ensure all learners can receive personalized guidance and immediate feedback from their expert instructors, all of whom are experienced industry professionals invested in the success of their students. In fact, Noble Desktop’s dedication to helping their students achieve their goals is evident in its many perks, including verified digital certificates of completion, free retakes of all their courses within one year, and one-on-one mentorship in all career-focused certificate classes. 

If you’re interested in learning design skills to launch a career as a Graphic Designer, you may wish to enroll in Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate program. Students in this course will learn essential graphic design principles and turn them into practical knowledge through extensive hands-on projects, creating projects such as signage, infographics, product packaging, logos, and branded merchandise. Students will be job-ready by the end of the certificate program, having built expertise in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and they will have a professional quality portfolio ready to showcase their design skills to prospective employers alongside their impressive verified certificate of completion for the program.

Noble Desktop’s Digital Design Certificate program will arm you with the design skills you need to work in digital design, user interface (UI) design, web design, or graphic design. In this certificate program, you’ll learn the core tools of the trade—Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Figma—and key digital design concepts and theory. With no coding required, this program allows you to focus on what matters to you—designing aesthetically pleasing and functional user interfaces, websites, and other digital products. Like all of Noble Desktop’s Certificate Programs, the Digital Design Certificate features one-on-one mentorship for career support, portfolio-building assistance, and a verified digital certificate of completion.

Noble Desktop’s Motion Graphics Certificate program offers practical training in motion graphics and visual effects using Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Audition, and Cinema 4D in After Effects. With the help of your expert instructors, you’ll develop skills in motion graphics design, animation, and video production. With career support, portfolio-building assistance, and a free retake option, students will be ready to impress hiring managers looking for a new entry-level Motion Graphics Designer.