How to Learn Graphic Design Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning graphic design is no different.Graphic design training is used to help creatives become familiar with the tools they need to create vibrant, evocative digital designs. Using tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, Graphic Designers can learn how to blend text, graphics, color, and images into memorable, persuasive compositions. If you’ve always wanted to learn graphic design, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. From free tutorials to live classes, your options are outlined here so you can decide how to learn in a way that works best for you.

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is a field of creative arts that focuses on projecting visual communication, often built of combinations of text, images, photographs, and other visual elements, with specific goals. Graphic design covers a wide array of different artistic disciplines and endeavors. Still, at its core, it is the act of using visual imagery to communicate with audiences and convey feelings and ideas that language alone wouldn’t be able to express. As a subset of the fine arts, graphic design skills are used in virtually every industry, but they are particularly prominent in advertising and branding. Advertisements, product packaging, logos, branded merchandise, and other promotional materials all demonstrate graphic design skills. Any business or organization looking to reach an audience will want to hire those skilled in graphic design.

Since graphic design covers a wide range of artistic disciplines, no two Graphic Designers will be working with the same toolset or on the same kinds of projects. Some will work in traditional print mediums, such as the publishing or magazine industry. Some will work on designing logos and branded merchandise for companies to place on billboards, hats, and other promotional materials. Some will work on digital projects, building webpages and mobile application assets. Others will design infographics, posters, and signage for activist organizations or non-profits. Graphic design is a wide-open field of diverse artistic endeavors, and learning graphic design skills will open many doors for creatives.

Read more about what graphic design is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Graphic Design?

Graphic design represents a wide-ranging field of visual expression, which means there is virtually no limit to the kinds of images that sufficiently skilled creatives can create. As the field of graphic design is so expensive, creatives can make use of their skills in both professional and personal contexts. As professional Graphic Designers, creatives will be tasked with building imagery that is both evocative and communicates complex persuasive ideas to their audience of consumers. Graphic Designers will build the iconography of companies and brands, build the images that audiences come to associate with those companies, and help construct memorable advertising campaigns, promotional material, and product packaging.

Graphic design skills are also useful for non-professionals who want to persuade large audiences. Small business owners, start-up entrepreneurs, or even creatives working in marketplaces like Etsy may wish to learn more about graphic design to build their brand identities and set themselves apart from their competitors. Activists and organizers can learn graphic design skills to build more visually appealing and persuasive designs for flyers and infographics. Politicians will hire graphic designers to build campaign materials. As long as someone is attempting to communicate visually to an audience, they will benefit from either learning graphic design skills or working closely alongside someone who knows them.

Live Online Graphic Design Training

Students who can’t attend the in-person training course they desire may wish to consider live online training. These courses maintain many of the advantages of live in-person instruction while allowing students to learn from anywhere. Students can still interface directly with talented instructors and receive feedback on their work. The drawback to these courses is that students will need to supply and maintain their own technology, which can be difficult for students learning several design programs at once.

Noble offers all of its in-person training options through live online instruction classes. These courses give students the same perks of in-person training, including free retakes and one-on-one career mentoring, meaning that online students won’t miss out on any of the advantages of a life instruction course. Live online classes are also offered through many other service providers. Students interested in learning about their options for live online graphic design instruction should consult Noble’s Classes Near Me tool.

On-Demand Graphic Design Classes

Students looking for more flexibility in their graphic design training may wish to explore on-demand courses. These courses let students move at their own pace and set their own schedule for training. This can be ideal for students who cannot attend regular classes because of work and family obligations or feel they would benefit from a more open-ended learning environment. The downside to these courses is that without a live instructor to provide feedback, students may advance their designs slowly once they have gotten the hang of the tools they are using.

Moreso than live training courses, on-demand learning options vary in content and cost. Some are comprised of pre-recorded lectures, some are hands-on modules, and others are a combination of the two. Some courses have an upfront cost, while others are part of a premium subscription service. Noble offers a comparison tool through their Classes Near Me page to help students find and compare their options for on-demand graphic design courses.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

Students who want to get a feel for the process of graphic design before they invest too much time and money into professional training options may wish to take advantage of free online training resources and tutorials. These training resources will help students ease into using tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign and will provide students with the necessary background on composition and design theories and philosophies. While students looking to use their graphic design skills professionally will need more advanced training, these online seminars are a great way to start down the path of graphic design education.

Noble offers a wide array of free graphic design seminars through the Graphic Design playlist on its official YouTube channel and the Free Seminars page on its official website. These courses include free introductory seminars on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign alongside seminars detailing more general theories of graphic design and its function in various industries. These courses will give students the chance to learn the basic features of graphic design tools to begin experimenting with their own designs and feel more confident in their skills when they enroll in an online course.

Many other service providers offer free online training, including Udemy and Coursera. In addition, for students looking to learn graphic design tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, Adobe provides users with free tutorials and introductory projects through their website.

Read about more free graphic design videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning

Students interested in learning graphic design may be intimidated by the numerous options available. They can learn in person or online. They can learn in real-time or asynchronously. They can learn many programs at once, or they can learn programs individually. This section highlights differences between these options to help students make more informed decisions about their training practices.

The most immersive training option will be live in-person training. These courses will give students direct access to skilled instructors who are prepared to answer their questions, provide feedback, and guide them through the graphic design learning process. These courses tend to be some of the most expensive options, but they provide students with the best return on their investment. The downside to these courses is that there are many hidden costs associated with in-person learning (such as travel and food expenses). Because they are in-person, many students may find it difficult or impossible to attend specific training programs outside of their area.

Live online instruction retains almost all of the advantages of in-person learning (except for, possibly, networking opportunities). These courses can be taken from anywhere and allow students to receive the same high-quality instruction and feedback without being restricted to the training centers in a single physical location. The drawback to these courses is that while in-person training centers will almost always provide students with the hardware and software they need to practice graphic design, live online courses rarely, if ever, do this. This means that students will have to maintain their technology and control the status of their workstations, which can mean that an online course will subtly cost more money, time, and energy for students.

Students seeking more flexibility in their learning schedule may opt for an on-demand, asynchronous training course. These courses give students control over the pace of their skills training, letting them speed up or slow down as their schedules allow. These courses are ideal for students who lack a fixed schedule or worry that live instruction may not be right for them. These courses come with the drawback of requiring students to self-motivate and monitor their progress in a way that some students find overwhelming. In addition, an important part of any graphic design training program is the chance to receive feedback on one’s designs, which may be difficult for students to receive in an on-demand course.

Tips to Succeed when Learning Graphic Design Online

For students who aren’t accustomed to online skills training, it can seem imposing to try and learn graphic design through online courses. While online learning is a perfectly acceptable alternative to in-person learning, students are right to observe that there will be a few differences between the two kinds of instruction. To succeed at online learning, graphic design students need to consider a few things they wouldn’t in an in-person learning environment.

One subtle advantage of learning in person is that the classroom space is designed to keep students close to their instructor and away from distractions. This means they can work and listen attentively without worrying about something interfering with their training. In an online classroom, students will be responsible for replicating this environment at their workstations. This may not be a problem for students who are not easily distracted, but for students who worry about this sort of thing, it is important to be aware of how your surroundings impact your learning.

On a similar note, students should resist the temptation to try and multi-task or complete other work while attending an online course. Since students won’t be as directly connected to their instructors, it is easy to attempt to do other things during lectures or even individual exercises. Still, students should know that this will slow them down greatly.

Additionally, since graphic design is a creative skill, learning it will require constant practice and iteration. This can be difficult for students who don’t have access to live instructors or who aren’t used to the process of learning a creative design tool. Students should consult with their friends and colleagues to see if they have a circle that can provide honest feedback on their work. While a live instructor can certainly help with this, students may find that they need more assistance and feedback in an online learning space.

Finally, students should have a basic understanding of how to troubleshoot their own hardware. They will need to be sure that their computers can run all the different applications required to participate in an online course. This is not particularly labor intensive, but students should be aware of these skills to avoid classes due to technical difficulties.

Learn Graphic Design with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Interested in learning graphic design? There are a few different options available. It’s possible to either study individual graphic design tools in accelerated bootcamps or learn complementary graphic design skills in more career-focused training programs. Both graphic design training courses are available to students through Noble Desktop, both in-person and online. These courses are taught by experienced instructors who can teach students important graphic design techniques and give them vital feedback on their designs. Even online, Noble strives to keep class sizes small, ensuring that students can interface directly with their instructors. Plus, all of Noble’s courses have the option to retake the course for free within a year. This allows students to hone their skills, cover material that may have given them difficulty, or just get more hands-on practice and feedback on their designs.

For students looking to learn the programs most commonly associated with professional graphic design, Noble offers a wide selection of bootcamps. These include training courses in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, all of which are industry-standard tools. These courses will provide students with hands-on training in the advanced techniques to manipulate and edit photos, build vector graphic illustrations, or construct layout designs. Each of these courses will guide students through practical exercises replicating the kinds of projects built by professional Graphic Designers. Each of these courses will teach an individual tool, but because they are all part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, learning one tool will ease future training and greatly expand how creatives can use multiple programs simultaneously.

Students looking to build a career in graphic design may wish to consider Noble’s Graphic Design Certificate program. This accelerated training program will teach students all three major 2D graphic design tools. Students will learn Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign work separately, then they will learn how these programs complement one another, introducing students to new and expansive ways to build graphic designs. Since this is a career-focused bootcamp, students will receive one-on-one career mentorship. The final portion of the course is dedicated to helping students build a practical portfolio of sample design that they can take onto the job market. For students looking to turn a passion for graphic design into a career, Noble’s certificate programs are an ideal place to receive the necessary skills training.

Key Insights

• Online learning can be a great way for students to receive training in a wide array of graphic design tools and techniques.
• Online training is available in both live and asynchronous formats. Live training options let students interface directly with expert instructors who can guide them through learning how to use graphic design tools. On-demand courses give students far greater flexibility in the style and pace of their instruction.
• Students learning graphic design online should ensure that their workspace is distraction-free and stable. They should also avoid multi-tasking and other such temptations while in coursework.
• Students should also be encouraged to find others they can turn to provide an honest assessment of their designs. Feedback is a vital part of learning a creative skill, and some students may find that even live online instruction doesn’t provide enough.
• Students looking to explore their online graphic design training options should consider the courses offered through Noble.