Is 30 Too Old to Learn Graphic Design?

An old saying claims that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks; however, this is far from the truth. The fear and concern you may unnecessarily hold are the only things holding you back from learning graphic design, or any new skills, regardless of your age. If you are worried that thirty may be too late to start learning graphic design, you will be happy to know that this is not the case. Regardless of anything, it is never too late to learn a new skill or make a shift in your professional life. Even if you want to learn graphic design for personal reasons, it is still possible despite all other factors, such as schedule, budget, and skill level. You 

Why Learn Graphic Design at 30?

Career Shift or Other Professional Endeavors

There are plenty of reasons to learn a new skill, such as graphic design, while in your thirties. For instance, you may be planning a career shift. If you work in a creative design field, such as motion graphics or animations, you may want to switch over to purely graphic design. This could be an opportunity to diversify your set of skills and your professional portfolio. By completing a training course or bootcamp, you can gain advanced knowledge and show employers that your capabilities far surpass your current job position. This can lead to professional advancement, increased job opportunities, and more trust from higher-ups in your organization.

Personal Use and Side Hustles

Perhaps you want to learn graphic design for an entirely different reason. Using graphic design software can just be a fun hobby that can lead to other opportunities. You may initially want to learn graphic design as a fun way to create digital art. With graphic design training, you can learn how to use different software, create different illustrations, and apply more complex design concepts. This can be used for any purpose you see fit, from a website and a social media page to digital artwork and formal invitations. There are many other designs, products, and forms of communication to create with graphic design. However, this may lead to starting a side hustle or finding extra work opportunities. For instance, if you have a side hustle, such as selling Etsy products or offering lawn and home renovation services, you can use your graphic design skills to share your services with others in the area. In addition, you may practice graphic design enough to work as a part-time freelancer. This is an ideal way to make extra money and use your design expertise. 

General Knowledge and Transferable Skills

Plus, understanding graphic design theory and related subject matter is useful regardless of the field you plan to enter. You likely see commercials, advertisements, and other marketed graphic design content daily. If you stop to wonder how these design principles are impacting your decision-making, you may be more inclined to think twice about your decisions. Plus, Graphic design is a field that combines a plethora of skills that can be easily found in other fields and situations as well. For instance, a Graphic Designer has strong problem-solving abilities, strong communication skills, extensive creative design knowledge, a keen sense of marketing tactics, and effective time management skills that can be translated to other fields and real-life situations. 

How Long Will it Take to Learn Graphic Design?

The time it takes to learn graphic design depends on several considerations. Your intended outcome, learning style, and previous experience play a role in how long it will take. In addition, the learning method you choose and the resources you utilize may determine the time spent learning. Of course, your mindset plays a huge role in how quickly you can pick up graphic design skills. Generally speaking, however, beginner to intermediate-level skills can be acquired within a few months. This will depend on the course specialization, training center, and level of depth. In addition, the course delivery method plays a large role in its length. Live training options are either in-person or online and offered part-time or full-time. The same can be applied to bootcamps. However, on-demand classes vary slightly more than live classes, since they are self-paced and asynchronous.

For example, beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes can last a few hours to a few days. You can learn graphic design concepts fairly quickly by completing a few classes one after the other. Bootcamps, on the other hand, can last a few weeks to a few months. While this option is noticeably longer than a typical live course, it offers students more in-depth instruction in less time than a degree program, which is the lengthiest option by far. There are lengthier options, such as degree programs, which will last anywhere from two to six years, perhaps even longer. However, this option is not worthwhile or viable for everyone. Hence, many opt for live courses or bootcamps.

Additionally, your comfort with design concepts and technologies plays a huge role. If you have relevant or previous experience with graphic design or the associated software, you may learn graphic design quicker than someone with absolutely zero experience. Plus, your end goals may determine how long it will take to learn graphic design. For example, if you want to learn foundational skills and nothing more, this will take less time. If your goal is to become a professional Graphic Designer, you will have to dedicate a lot more time to your learning journey.

Ways to Make Learning Graphic Design Easier and Quicker

Live Classes

There are ways to quickly and effectively learn graphic design. Generally, a total beginner will start with the basics and work their way up through different levels. Throughout numerous graphic design classes, you can learn graphic design with ease. There are a few elements that make live education so effective. The instructor is a large part of a student's success story as they helpfully guide the students through projects, provide immediate feedback, answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and promote interactive learning. Plus, live classes have a structured curriculum which means you know what to expect when you enter the classroom. Learning alongside peers makes the experience less challenging and can potentially lead to networking opportunities. Classes are also shorter, with most spanning a few hours to a few days and students can take as many as they see fit to advance their skills. Noble Desktop, for example, offers classes in various graphic design software, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Bootcamps

Bootcamps are also an effective way to work towards mastery in graphic design. They are incredibly immersive and give students realistic expectations for becoming a professional Graphic Designer. Bootcamps value practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge, although some may cover theory to some extent. In addition, bootcamps are taught by a professional in the field or someone with ample experience using the software. Through hands-on projects and instructor guidance, you will have a chance to work on real-world design concepts and projects to put your skills into practice immediately. Much like live courses, bootcamps have clear learning objectives and a structured curriculum that helps students learn as much as possible. Plus, bootcamps offer the extra benefit of career support, as many assign projects that can be added to their professional portfolios and give students interview preparation skills. Bootcamps are slightly lengthier compared to a regular course and can span anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. For instance, the Graphic Design Certificate at Noble Desktop lasts one month for full-time students and three months for part-time students. Regardless of the delivery method, bootcamps are generally considered one of the best ways to gain the most comprehensive learning experience.

Part-Time or Full-Time

One notable aspect of live courses and bootcamps is that they are often offered as part-time or full-time options. Initially, you may not be sure whether a part-time or full-time class is best for you. Both have their advantages and disadvantages towards learning quickly; however, both options intend to provide you with the easiest learning methods depending on your needs and a structured, cohesive learning environment with professional development in mind. Part-time learning options may last longer, but break the information up so that it may be more easily understood. Plus, there is not as much of a rush with part-time classes. On the other hand, full-time options allow students to learn quickly but may be slightly more challenging as more information is covered at one time. Regardless, it is nice to have the option available so that you can find the right class or bootcamp to fit your weekly schedule, financing concerns, or set timelines.

Additional Resources

In addition, many courses and bootcamps offer students extra resources and benefits. Many can access setup assistance, payment plans, and supplemental video suites. Some training centers give students the chance to retake the course within a certain period. For example, Noble Desktop allows students to retake their classes within a year of their original enrollment period at no additional cost. Plus, many classes award students with certificates upon completion. Aside from live courses and bootcamps, there are many ways to speed up the learning process. The quickest way to learn is by practicing regularly. Extended exposure to a subject or tool helps you become familiar with it. By practicing graphic design or studying graphic design concepts outside of class, you will feel more confident in your abilities and ultimately, it will make the learning process less difficult. You will also want to seek feedback regularly and feel comfortable receiving critiques. Even the best Graphic Designers have their work reviewed regularly, which is likely why they are considered such strong contenders in their field. Lastly, having a positive mindset will make all the difference. It may take time, but it will be worthwhile. Patience, persistence, and positivity can help make the learning process much less daunting and far less time-consuming.

Live Training Options at Noble Desktop

A great way to start your graphic design career is by taking classes and attending bootcamps. At Noble Desktop, students can enroll in classes that focus on various subjects and tools, such as those under Adobe Creative Cloud. For instance, the Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp shows students how to create vector-based graphics for both print and digital use. Students will practice drawing illustrations for logos, icons, and other projects as well as learn about more complex application functions. They will understand the importance of color theory, layering, and using effective typography before leaving the course and feel well-equipped to advance in their Illustrator training. Students at Noble Desktop have additional benefits, such as setup assistance and access to workbooks. They also receive a free retake of the course at no additional cost within a year of their enrollment date. In addition, they will earn a digital certificate of completion for all their hard work.

Likewise, their Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp teaches students the ins and outs of using this photo editing software for both print and digital imagery. Students will gain hands-on practice with the application and learn how to effectively modify objects, apply filters, enhance images, and build graphics. The practical experience gained in class can easily translate into the workforce and will be useful for anyone pursuing a graphic design career or other creative field. In this course, students also have access to the aforementioned benefits, like setup assistance, a free retake, workbooks, and a digital certificate of completion.

Another important graphic design software is InDesign. In Noble Desktop’s Adobe InDesign Bootcamp, students will practice creating digital and print media for projects like books, magazines, and advertisements. Specifically, students will create page layouts with carefully thought-out stylistic text, color themes, relevant images, eye-catching graphics, and organized text frames. Students will even learn professional typesetting techniques. This class sets students up for success and enables them to use their newly acquired InDesign skills in the professional space. In addition to the thorough education, students receive benefits such as setup assistance, a free retake, and a certificate upon completion of the course.

The Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp is arguably one of the best ways to dive head-first into the world of graphic design. Students in this course will complete projects rooted in realistic workplace situations and learn the fundamental aspects of graphic design and its related software, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Plus, this course focuses on portfolio development, so students are sure to leave with a well-organized, diverse, and carefully curated portfolio. Students have ample access to resources, such as setup assistance, workbooks, and a free retake. In addition, they will earn a certificate of completion to serve as proof of their achieved goals.