Are Graphic Design Classes Worth It?

Graphic design classes may be advantageous depending on your reason for learning and your end goals. If you aim to become a professional Graphic Designer or work in a related field, such as motion graphics or even animation, it will be worthwhile to enroll in a graphic design class. These classes can provide more insight and offer realistic expectations of the field. However, students should consider numerous factors before enrolling in a graphic design course. Any class will be an investment of time, effort, money, and energy, so choosing the right class is necessary. In addition, there are part-time and full-time options that may be more suitable depending on your schedule and current skill level. Additionally, advancing through the varying levels of graphic design can take months and will likely cost a considerable amount of money, which is another reason that it is especially important to consider your options. Throughout this article, you can learn the myriad reasons why graphic design courses may or may not be worth it for certain people.

Consider the Cost

Enrolling in any class will cost money, especially a professional-style training course. Graphic design classes can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the length of the course, the level of advancement, and the education center that hosts the course. This will likely be a major consideration for most individuals when finding a course. While there are less expensive learning options, such as self-paced options, self-help books, and free online resources, these are generally considered a less effective learning method than a typical training course. With all these options available at your disposal, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. However, judging each course based on factors personal to you will ensure you find the best course to help you reach your purpose.

Advantages of a Graphic Design Class

While live online or in-person graphic design classes can be challenging, they are incredibly rewarding and pay off exponentially in the long run. Here are some of the best reasons to enroll in a graphic design class guided by an expert instructor.

General Benefits

Live training courses allow students to learn new skills or enhance their previously honed skills with the help of a professional who has ample experience in the field. The instructor will guide students through complex topics, difficult concepts, tricky techniques, and challenging technology. Plus, the instructors can personalize their feedback to suit a student’s specific learning needs and answer questions in real-time. Many students agree that taking a live course is effective in helping to facilitate the learning process. Plus, the course will seem less daunting by learning alongside other like-minded individuals. Overall, graphic design classes help students learn quickly and effectively and provide room for advancement.

Access to Programs and Applications

Students often get so caught up choosing the right course that they frequently forget about course material. Most graphic design software, like Adobe Illustrator or Figma, can be difficult to acquire on your own. This is mostly because these graphic design programs require users to sign up for a subscription plan, which can be fairly expensive. There are free options that Graphic Designers can use as supplemental tools, but free graphic design applications often omit some useful tools and features that are vital to the job and field. However, with a professional graphic design training course, students will often have access to all necessary tools and applications. Most training centers offer limited licenses for students so they have access to these applications throughout the course. Additionally, the instructor can provide students with any course materials that may be necessary to complete exercises and projects.

Learning Design Theory and Principles

Arguably, graphic design theory is just as important as learning all the different graphic design software. This is particularly true if you want to turn graphic design into a career. The theory behind graphic design focuses mainly on effective communication and allows designers to clearly and honestly share their message with an intended audience. In general, design theory requires identifying and making connections between various elements in an image. By enrolling in a graphic design course, students will become more confident in making these connections, thus creating more aesthetically pleasing and effective designs. Graphic design courses, particularly beginner-level courses, help students pick up on the theory behind each design, such as the benefit of adding contrast, hierarchy, alignment, negative space, and other vital design principles.

Hands-On Experience

Most graphic design classes are incredibly hands-on, which helps make the transition from the classroom into the professional world less difficult. With a proper training course, students will complete various projects rooted in real-world scenarios and can feel more confident creating logos, posters, flyers, brochures, and other designs that help easily identify a brand. While students can practice creating graphic design projects at home on their own time, it is much more feasible with the help of a professional instructor and while being in an environment that fosters creative expression, technical skill progression, and advancement in the field.

Direct Feedback from Instructors

The design process is similar to the writing process. Most written work goes through stages of review so that the writer ends with the clearest, most well-thought-out composition. Similarly, Graphic Designers benefit from hearing multiple opinions and gaining different perspectives on their work. In-person and live online graphic design classes are most beneficial mainly due to the interaction they provide students. Whether you are a graphic design beginner or a seasoned expert, having feedback on your work is invaluable. In fact, an error in your design can be the difference between effectively reaching your audience or missing the mark entirely. Enrolling in a training course allows students to receive feedback from their peers and instructor, which in turn results in more effective graphic designs. Feedback from an instructor or other classmates can also result in fewer errors and can teach you to avoid simple mistakes in the future.

Building a Professional Portfolio

Graphic design classes are useful for those who hope to enter the field because they help students develop their professional skills and further polish the work that will prove their talents. Students in a graphic design course can take this opportunity to start or further develop their professional portfolios, which can be the determining factor in the job search. Many job openings ask applicants to provide a portfolio that showcases their past work. Through your portfolio, employers can gain a better sense of who you are as a designer and what you can bring to the company. A training course allows students to complete hands-on projects and exercises that help build their abilities but also improve their understanding of client needs, messaging requirements, and design preferences.

Considerations When Searching for a Graphic Design Class

No graphic design course is presented in the same way. Some focus on a general overview whereas others zero in on one skill or application. In addition, graphic design classes aren’t meant for every single design professional, as each course provides a unique perspective and purpose that may benefit some more than others. After thoroughly considering your needs and goals, you will be able to determine which class is suitable for you.

General Considerations

Most live classes are regimented and scheduled, so students need to find a course that fits their weekly schedule. In addition, they may have to make a commute, which can be challenging for those without reliable transportation or who live in more remote areas. Those who enroll in a live online class won’t have this problem, but they will have to allocate time and space within their home or another quiet area to learn. In addition, students will have to keep up with the pace of the course. This means that choosing the right level of advancement is necessary. As a beginner in a more intermediate or advanced-level class, you could easily fall behind and feel inadequate, when in reality, the course may not be suited for you just yet. These are just some of the main considerations that, when mulled over thoroughly, can be the difference between choosing a class that helps you thrive and one that makes you feel discouraged.

Balancing Theory and Practicality

Learning when to rely on theory or practicality is necessary in the graphic design field. Those who want to become professional Graphic Designers will need to learn both theory and practical skills. However, it all depends on your end goals. If you want to learn graphic design for quick projects and personal reasons, you may want to consider a class centered around practical application rather than theoretical practices. Likewise, beginners who want to become experts need to start by learning the theory behind graphic design. Then they can move on to understanding graphic design software, concepts, and practices.

What Skills You Need

The skills you need fully depend on your end goals. If you aren’t trying to learn professional-level skills, you won’t have to spend much time and energy learning more complex graphic design skills. For instance, if you want to learn graphic design for personal reasons, such as a hobby or a small side hustle, it is not in your best interest to go all the way in your graphic design training. Alternatively, if you want to become a professional Graphic Designer, it is necessary to learn more advanced concepts. If you have previous experience with design -- particularly digital design -- some courses could be beneficial whereas others may be less useful.

Is It Worth Enrolling in a Graphic Design Class?

Who Will Find Graphic Design Classes Most Worthwhile?

Graphic design classes will benefit some more so than others. For instance, those who work in graphic design or a related design field will find graphic design classes worth their time and money. Those who only use graphic design software on an occasional basis will still find these courses beneficial, but they may need to enroll in a beginner course as opposed to enrolling in courses with varying levels. Novice Graphic Designers should begin with entry-level courses, absorb as much information as possible, and continue to more challenging classes that teach more complex topics and techniques.

Additionally, those who have previous experience can benefit from graphic design classes as well. To polish their craft or further strengthen their skills, these seasoned professionals can enroll in a more While training may be costly upfront, the reward is well worth the price. Creatives who want to develop their skills should enroll in a professional training course that suits their needs and professional goals. Training ensures that you know every step in the graphic design process, from development and drafting to creation and execution. 

Who May Benefit from Graphic Design Classes?

Even those who are not pursuing a graphic design career can benefit from a graphic design course. Those in related fields like animation, motion graphics, and web design may find it worthwhile to enroll. For instance, content creators and social media marketing professionals could make their own graphic design projects without relying on others. In addition, video professionals may use graphic design skills for their projects. All in all, those who already work in a design profession can benefit from learning more about graphic design.

Additionally, those who have a side hustle could benefit greatly from graphic design training. The skills taught in beginner-level graphic design classes could truly help your small business take off. You can create posters, flyers, and brochures to spread the word about your services. Alternatively, if you have an online store, such as an Etsy shop, you could create graphics and designs to add to your products and social media pages. Ultimately, taking a few introductory classes will help you become a better digital artist and share more information about your small business, so it is a win-win situation.

Who May Not Need a Graphic Design Class?

Graphic design classes are perfect for those with zero experience or those who want to take the next step in their professional career. However, some groups may not need a professional graphic design training course. For instance, those who use their graphic design skills as a hobby could easily learn from on-demand classes since they are not required to finish projects and designs in a specific period of time. While learning this way may take a lot longer, it is an easier way to learn for hobbyists since they can go at their own pace and not worry about assignments, time constraints, and keeping up with other classmates.

In addition, experts in the field can likely avoid enrolling in a traditional, live training course. They already have a background in the field and have completed numerous projects that garner them enough experience. Graphic design professionals will have also mastered the foundational skills by this point, so enrolling in a live course could end up being a waste of time, money, and effort. However, if you are an expert hoping to refresh your memory or learn new industry standards, it could be incredibly worthwhile to find a self-paced option. On-demand options and independent research can be worthwhile in these cases, but not so much for beginners or those who are still going through their graphic design learning journey.