What is the Best Course to Learn Graphic Design?

All graphic design classes vary in their focus, format, and style. Graphic design is a hands-on field that requires students to interact with different software, understand effective communication, and explore their creative side while building technical skills, so the course a student takes could directly affect their ability to perform in the professional field. That is why it is so important to consider all these factors and then some before enrolling. This article explores the differences between asynchronous, live online, and in-person classes as well as other factors to consider before enrolling.

General Factors to Consider

Among the many factors to consider before enrolling, you’ll want to factor in your current skill level, budget, and timeline. First, you’ll want to gauge how comfortable you are with graphic design and the related software. If you are brand new to graphic design, you’ll want to enroll in a course that values the basics and teaches novices the foundational material needed to advance to the next level. Second, you’ll want to consider your budget and how much you’re willing to pay. Education is expensive up front but pays off in the long run when you’ve achieved your goals and landed your dream job. If you don’t have the funds for a university program, you may be able to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate course instead. While these options are also slightly costly, they are much less expensive than the average college program. If you aren’t interested in spending thousands for a thorough overview, you can enroll in an introductory course. Many beginner courses cost a couple hundred, which is a good place to start. Lastly, take into consideration why you are learning this skill and how much time you have to learn this new skill. If you have a project deadline at work that requires some rudimentary graphic design skills, you’ll want to learn quickly. Enrolling in a short course, introductory, or subject-specific course may be the best option. For instance, taking a Figma course will be more useful than taking an all-encompassing graphic design course if you need to use Figma for an upcoming project. These are just a few major considerations that can change the trajectory of your course choice, but there may be other factors depending on your personal life, preferences, and goals.

On-Demand/Asynchronous

On-demand classes are asynchronous, which means students do not attend the course at the same time as the lecture. Instead, on-demand courses consist of pre-recorded lectures, reading material, and solo assignments that students complete at their leisure within a set period of time. Other on-demand classes have no specific time limit and instead, the student can return to the material as needed. There are some pros and cons associated with on-demand classes. As for the advantages, students can learn from anywhere, from their living room, a library, a coffee shop, or while on the go. Additionally, these courses work well for those with minimal time. If you have a rigid schedule, an on-demand course may be the only way you can learn new skills. Lastly, experts in graphic design or those with ample previous experience could benefit greatly from an on-demand class, either as a refresher course or to learn a new concept.

However, there are a few downsides to on-demand classes that can be particularly damaging to your learning journey. Because these classes are asynchronous, they lack interaction. In comparison, a live course offers ample interaction between the student and the material, as well as between the student and the instructor. In addition, because on-demand classes lack instruction from a professional in the field, students will have to answer their own questions and fix errors on their own. These are hurdles the student needs to overcome and they will have to do it on their own time. While many on-demand classes offer support systems for students, they are still left to their own devices when it comes to learning the material and completing the assignments. For these reasons, beginners should avoid enrolling in an on-demand class.

Live Online

Another course option is live online. These classes are live, so the student can interact with the instructor and classmates in real-time, but remotely so they can learn from the comfort of their home or wherever they prefer. This is ideal for those who work, so they can still fit learning new skills into their weekly schedule. In addition, live online classes allow students who live in more rural areas to learn, since many are hesitant to enroll in a course due to the commute. Students can ask their instructor questions and get direct feedback on their work, which differs from the asynchronous option. Plus, many live online courses allow students to complete hands-on projects that are rooted in realistic scenarios. This course option offers thorough instruction at the student's convenience, so it is typically considered a great course style.

Although live online courses are a great option, they may not be best suited for some. For example, students with a weak WiFi connection may lose precious class time fiddling with their router. In addition, finding a quiet space to participate in the class could be challenging, particularly for those with busy home lives. While live online courses are taught by an instructor, and students can interact with the material and others via video or chatbox, they still have less hands-on exposure to the material than in an in-person course. All in all, live online courses are a great alternative to a traditional course but it all depends on how each individual prefers to learn.

In-Person

Most consider in-person classes the most traditional and effective method for learning a new skill. This is mainly due to the interaction that occurs in each course. Students show up to class ready to learn alongside other like-minded individuals and have direct access to an instructor who can answer questions, provide direct feedback, and help with any technical errors that may pop up. Fully immersing oneself in the material helps students transfer their skills from the classroom to the workplace. Plus, many in-person classes provide course materials, whether that includes software or print materials, which isn’t always the case in an asynchronous or live online course. In-person instruction also gives students socialization and allows them to network with others who may have connections in spaces they wish to enter.

Still, in-person classes have some elements that may deter students from enrolling. Most obvious is the commute required to make it to the class. For some, making a commute is no big deal. Those in big cities could potentially walk to their class if they are able-bodied and live or work close by. However, a commute could be challenging for others who have to consider factors like traffic, distance, scheduling, and transportation. If a student does not have reliable transportation, they could miss class and have some issues keeping up with the material. Similarly, traffic in some cities can be especially heavy, which could result in showing up late or missing class altogether. However, in-person classes are worth the effort if you can enroll due to their effectiveness.