If you’re a busy college student looking for a creative outlet that can help you build plenty of marketable skills, learning graphic design over the summer might be an excellent fit. Graphic Designers use a multitude of cutting-edge software programs to bring their ideas to life. Learning to use these programs at a young age is one way that you can stand out amongst your peers when it’s time to enter the workforce. You might also find that your confidence has been boosted once you nail down your unique design style.
Let’s dive in and learn more about some different graphic design programs for college students, including Noble Desktop’s graphic design programs and its partner school NextGen Bootcamp’s NYC graphic design program and live online graphic design summer camp. You’ll also learn some tips to help you choose the right program for your individual needs.
You can skip directly to a program by clicking its name in the list below:
- Noble Desktop—Graphic Design Certificate
- Noble Desktop—Digital Design Certificate
- NextGen Bootcamp—Graphic Design Summer Camp
- General Assembly—Visual Design Course
- ONLC Training Centers—Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp
Why Learn Graphic Design During the Summer?
Investing in a graphic design program over the summer can benefit college students in many ways. These courses can help students build meaningful personal and professional relationships that can last long after the program ends. These can lead to other exciting job opportunities that would not have been available otherwise. Even if you aren’t sure about a long-term graphic design career, you can use the skills you learn in class to freelance as a graphic designer. This is an excellent way to earn extra money while you continue to hone your skills.
Numerous lucrative career paths require a background in graphic design. One option is to become a Motion Graphics Designer. These professionals are skilled in a number of innovative software programs, including Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro. Their animated graphics can be used to enhance social media posts, corporate training videos, and even in major movies and television shows. You could also look into becoming a User Interface (UI) Designer. You would use your design skills to create appealing and intuitive interfaces for web pages and mobile applications in this role. This career commands an average salary of around $80,000 per year.
Types of Graphic Design Summer Programs for College Students
There are many different types of summer programs to help college students learn graphic design principles. One of the more significant differences is the in-person vs. virtual learning options. Virtual learning is certainly more accessible, especially for students who cannot afford an additional commute or live in more rural areas. However, students who live in bigger cities may prefer in-person learning if they find working from home distracting or if they’d like to meet like-minded peers face-to-face.
While all of the programs listed below take place during the summer, they vary widely in length. Some are only a week or two long, while others can take a few months to complete. Many can also be taken on a part-time basis, allowing students with jobs or other commitments to still pursue an education in graphic design. There are some full-time options available as well, since some students may prefer getting their coursework done in less time to use their summer break for more relaxing activities.
#1 Noble Desktop– Graphic Design Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
The Graphic Design Certificate program at Noble Desktop teaches students how to use the three most commonly used graphic design programs: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students will also learn about the principles of graphic design like composition, typography, and color theory. The course culminates in creating a portfolio full of graphics for social media, cover art, and original logos. Instructors provide individual career mentoring sessions where students can work on their resumes and get tips on finding employment.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
No previous design experience is required to enroll. Students do need to know basic computer skills and have access to a computer if they attend remotely.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This program is offered both live online and in-person at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan campus.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The full-time schedule is one month long, with classes taking place on weekdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm EST. If you would prefer a part-time option, this version takes three months; students can select from either evening classes or full-day classes on Sundays.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Noble Desktop accepts students who are 18 and over.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This course costs $2,995 per person. Students can apply for a 12-month financing plan through Climb Credit, or they can pay in installments with the total tuition due by the program ends. If you’re taking this course to boost your skills at your current job, some employers provide support with tuition reimbursement as well.
#2 Noble Desktop– Digital Design Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
Noble Desktop also offers a Digital Design Certificate program. This is a comprehensive course that prepares students to create designs for print as well as digitally. It covers a combination of graphic design and User Interface (UI) technology. Students will learn how to use programs within the Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. They will also learn about Adobe XD, commonly used for UI design.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is beginner-friendly and does not require any prerequisites. Students should have basic computer skills and their own computer if they attend virtually.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This certification is offered both live online and in-person at Noble’s New York City campus.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The full-time program is five weeks, with classes held Monday through Friday. Part-time students attend classes for four months, either on Sundays or weekday evenings.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students must be 18 or older to attend.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program is $3,995 per student. Financing and payment plans are available to help make tuition more manageable. This price also includes the opportunity to retake the course within one year at no additional cost.
#3 NextGen Bootcamp—Graphic Design Summer Camp
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp is a partner program of Noble Desktop with courses designed for high school and college students. Their Graphic Design Summer Camp NYC and Graphic Design Summer Program Live Online cover theories of graphic design to teach students about current trends and how to create dynamic designs. The curriculum includes foundational elements of the Adobe programs Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students complete many hands-on exercises throughout the course, including retouching photos, designing eye-catching page layouts, and creating unique logos from scratch.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This class is suitable for beginners with no previous design experience.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students have the choice of taking this course virtually or in person at NextGen’s New York City campus located near the Financial District. Remote students will connect with their instructor and classmates via Zoom.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class is two weeks long. The online version is 30 hours, and the in-person classes last for a total of 50 hours.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
NextGen’s graphic design program is geared toward high school and college students.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The in-person program is $2,495, while the virtual class is $1,299. The full tuition is required before class begins. Students will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
NextGen does not provide any financial aid for this course at this time.
#4 General Assembly– Visual Design Course
What is Taught in This Program?
There is a Visual Design Course available through General Assembly. This course teaches students to use a variety of design software like Photoshop, Figma, and Sketch. Students participate in small projects that are added to a portfolio at the end of the class. This portfolio also includes the final project, which is an original website mockup.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is designed to be beginner-friendly; there are no prerequisites required. General Assembly also provides optional tutorials for additional practice before class begins. Students can chat with a member of the admissions team to determine if this or another design course is the best fit.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
General Assembly has a handful of in-person locations, primarily in bigger cities like Chicago, Denver, and Boston. The program is also available online.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This course lasts for seven weeks. Classes are held two evenings a week for two hours each, adding up to a total of 32 hours of instruction. There is also an accelerated full-time version that is one week.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students must be over the age of 18 to attend courses at General Assembly.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The Visual Design Course is $2,800. General Assembly offers multiple financing options and installment plans. Some students can also get their tuition at least partially reimbursed by their employers.
#5 ONLC Training Centers– Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp
What is Taught in This Program?
ONLC Training Centers offers an Adobe Creative Cloud Graphic Design Bootcamp. This course introduces students to the services and programs available in an Adobe subscription. The focus is on programs heavily utilized in graphic design– Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
Beginners with basic computer skills are welcome in this class. People who have self-taught themselves how to use Adobe programs are also encouraged to attend since there may be some features you’ve overlooked. The class is suitable for both Mac and PC users. Lessons are taught on Windows, and the instructor will point out the differences between interfaces.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
ONLC has over 300 locations of on-site computer labs, or you can attend remotely from your home.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class is one week long. Sessions are held Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm EST or 7:00 am to 1:45 pm PST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This course is for students who are 18 and up.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This class is $1,995 per student. Be aware that this price goes up to $2,195 if you wait until seven days or less before the program starts. Registration also closes a few days before each session, so you’ll want to check the website to be sure you can enroll in the course you want. No financial aid is mentioned on the course website, but ONLC has a free retake policy within one year, provided the software versions are the same.
Which Graphic Design Summer Program is Right for Me?
Now that you’ve learned about some of the different options available, you might be feeling anxious about making a decision. There are a few factors to consider when choosing which program to invest in. Spending some time reflecting on your priorities will help ensure that you select a course that suits you best.
If you’re already spending money on college tuition, the idea of paying an additional few thousand dollars on a summer program can be very concerning for some folks. Although these skills have the potential to land you a high-paying job, it’s still important to be mindful of your finances, so you don’t burden yourself unnecessarily. With the exception of NextGen Bootcamps, all of the programs listed above offer some sort of financial assistance.
However, the overall cost of a course can be somewhat misleading. Researching the cost of each course per hour can paint a much clearer picture of how far your money will actually go. For instance, the Graphic Design Certificate with Noble Desktop and the Visual Design course with General Assembly are comparable in their base prices; they are $2,995 and $2,800 respectively. However, the Noble course includes 78 hours of instruction, while General Assembly’s course provides 32 hours. This means that the certificate at Noble is a much greater value overall.
Your current skill level in graphic design is also a factor to consider. While these courses are geared toward beginners, the NextGen course specifically targets a younger audience. A beginner course marketed to college students is likely to be less challenging than a course marketed to older adults or those who have already spent some time in the professional world.
You’ll also want to reflect on your personal learning style. All of these courses are available online, but many people feel they do their best work in a traditional classroom setting. If that sounds like you, you can focus your search on courses that are available in person near your current location.
Summer graphic design programs can cater to a wide range of financial needs and personal preferences. Being mindful of your individual situation can provide you with the peace of mind that you’ve done the research and have enrolled in the program that will give you an invaluable learning experience to propel you forward in your professional life.