Begin your journey as a professional graphic designer by learning the essential skills and tools used by industry experts. Gain hands-on experience in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, and create a stunning portfolio to showcase your talent to potential employers or clients.
Learn how to retouch and color correct photos, combine images, and create graphics in Photoshop. This course covers the basic and intermediate features of Photoshop such as color/contrast, photo retouching, layers, masks, filters, and saving files for web/video/print.
Learn how to design professional page layouts with text & graphics in Adobe InDesign. This course covers styling, importing, packaging, and advanced techniques like styles, master pages, and tables. Perfect for creating books, magazines, and ads.
Learn how to draw and edit vector graphics using Adobe Illustrator. This course covers the basics and advanced features, including the Pen tool, effects, layers, masks, and more. Perfect for creating logos, icons, and packaging.
Leverage the power of cutting-edge AI tools and features in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other Adobe apps in this hands-on class.
Learn the fundamentals of graphic design as you get hands-on experience and produce real-world projects. Broaden your understanding of graphic design concepts, understand the elements of design, and expand your portfolio in this comprehensive graphic design course.
Master Photoshop from the ground up and prepare for the Adobe Certified Professional exam with expert-led training, hands-on projects, and personalized tutoring. This comprehensive program is ideal for aspiring designers, photographers, and creative professionals looking to earn industry-recognized certification.
Advance your layout and design expertise while preparing for the Adobe Certified Professional exam in this hands-on InDesign Certification Program. Through expert-led classes, personalized tutoring, and real-world projects, you'll gain the skills and confidence to create polished magazines, brochures, books, and more.
Build professional-level Illustrator skills and earn your Adobe Certified Professional credential through hands-on classes, private tutoring, and real-world projects. This certification program covers everything from vector drawing to logo design, giving you the tools to succeed on the exam.
Develop high-impact motion graphics and visual effects while preparing for the Adobe After Effects Certification exam through hands-on classes and private tutoring. This in-depth program covers beginner to advanced techniques, equipping you with the skills and credentials to stand out in animation and video production.
Master the art of video editing and earn your Adobe Premiere Pro certification through expert-led training and one-on-one tutoring. This comprehensive program prepares you for the certification exam while helping you build professional-level editing skills.
Thanks to the accessibility of digital and print media, you likely encounter hundreds of images daily as you shop online, enjoy entertainment, browse social media, and pass by billboards on your commute. A component in nearly all of these images, graphic design utilizes visuals to communicate complex ideas, including brand values, mood, and personal expression. This is accomplished by combining visual elements such as color, line, shape, and text.
For centuries, graphic designs were created using physical media like paint and chalk, but they have since evolved into a predominantly digital art form. With careful attention to design principles, modern graphics are typically generated with digital applications such as those found in Adobe Creative Cloud. Although graphic design can certainly be found in traditional art galleries, it is most commonly associated with mass consumer audiences.
People have strong emotional responses to seeing images, meaning that graphic design can be a formidable tool for storytelling, influence, and human connection. As a result, visual graphics feature heavily in both print media such as magazines and stickers, as well as digital media like video games, websites, and social media posts. Because graphic design is so vital to marketing and brand identity, it is also heavily used in traditional advertising, logos, and product packaging.
Constant demand has made it possible to turn graphic design into a sustainable creative career, but it’s not strictly necessary to become a professional Designer before benefiting from learning it. As a hobby, graphic design can be a wonderful creative outlet with numerous mental health benefits. In addition to helping artists form connections that fight loneliness, graphic design is known to curtail stress and maximize self-esteem.
Graphic design classes provide training in software skills, design principles, and other valuable soft skills. However, because there are so many great classes available, the graphic design skills explored in each class may be different. For instance, some classes only provide guidance on one tool (such as Photoshop), while others offer a more expansive look at numerous design principles. As a rule, the shortest classes cover fewer concepts, while bootcamps and certificates provide career-appropriate training.
Today’s leading image editing app, Photoshop is primarily used to alter preexisting images and is commonly used to optimize composition. The tool is well-known for its ability to remove undesirable elements from images such as acne and background objects. Likewise, Photoshop can be used to insert completely new objects into a frame or change existing ones (as in redefining a model’s waist). The app is also capable of making more subtle adjustments to features such as brightness, contrast, sharpness, and color.
Although it’s possible to create new images from scratch with Photoshop, the app’s pixel-based graphics deteriorate in quality when resized, resulting in the need for a specialized image-creation app. Fulfilling this need, Illustrator’s vector graphics are fully resizable. A logo created in Illustrator can easily be resized to fit a mobile app icon while being enlarged for use on a large business sign. In contrast to Photoshop’s image-editing toolbox, Illustrator offers an expansive array of painting and sketching tools, making it a popular choice among Artists, Graphic Designers, and Fashion Designers.
The print industry’s golden child, InDesign specializes in creating balanced page layouts that enable designers to seamlessly integrate images with text. This tool is essential for producing print products such as books, magazines, stationery, posters, advertisements, and infographics. Like other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, InDesign is fully compatible with other tools in the family, meaning that images can be seamlessly imported to InDesign from Photoshop and Illustrator.
Practically anyone can create an amateur design using Adobe Creative Cloud, but producing a genuinely stunning design requires specialized knowledge of design principles. This doesn’t just mean memorizing concepts, but rather, developing a working knowledge of how to apply classic principles in unique situations. Common design concepts that you may encounter in a graphic design course are composition, color theory, typography, line, white space, texture, movement, and repetition.
Visual communication skills often make the difference between a design that people scroll past unmoved and one that strikes awe. Consciousness of how viewers respond to visual stimuli can help you communicate the right message while also ensuring your designs are accessible. In addition to elevating your designs, communication skills are vital for Graphic Designers who engage professionally with clients. While short graphic design classes might explore communication briefly, attending a graphic design bootcamp is the best way to hone these skills.
As is true of many creative skills, graphic design is highly subjective when it comes to difficulty. In general, it’s more difficult to become an expert at graphic design than it is to grow a hobby skill set because this path involves greater mastery of a wider variety of skills. If you’re timid to try graphic design for the first time, don’t stress too much about being perfect immediately. Beginner-level graphic design skills are straightforward, and mastering them can give you the confidence to explore more advanced techniques.
While learning to use graphic design software is relatively uncomplicated, you may find it harder to refine soft skills such as applying specific design principles or anticipating how people will react to a design. Similarly, you may find it hard to accept and implement feedback on your designs, a skill that often separates the best designers from average ones. If you decide to make a career out of graphic design, it may feel overwhelming to stay ahead of constantly evolving graphic design trends, but this comes with time and practice. No matter which aspects of graphic design you find most challenging, however, graphic design instructors can assist you in overcoming these challenges.
Your learning timeline will ultimately depend on your goals—whether you’re casually exploring for personal enjoyment or seriously preparing for a career. Thanks to the simplicity of basic graphic design skills, you can start experimenting with Photoshop or another design app in less than a day. In contrast, it often takes several months to develop your skills to a professional level.
Additional factors that may impact your learning timeline include:
Taking a class can speed up your graphic design journey and make it easier to learn. When deciding what class format you sign up for, it’s best to consider which class style most closely aligns with your learning needs.
Ideal for students who thrive on social energy, traditional in-person classes provide plenty of opportunities to ask questions, participate in discussions, and make friends. However, because these classes are held in a physical location, they involve commuting and require the highest time commitment.
There are two ways to receive graphic design training online, and of the two, live online training is the more popular. Similar to in-person classes, live online classes offer interactive training that incorporates real-time activities and feedback. While this class format does require scheduled time commitments, the ability to skip commutes and learn at home makes it a much more flexible option.
On-demand (or asynchronous) training is the most flexible class format and is best suited for highly disciplined students who don’t require instructor support. With few deadlines or time commitments, on-demand training provides self-study resources that students can explore whenever and wherever they like.
While online resources like Noble Desktop's graphic design seminars have made it 100% possible to learn graphic design for free, you limit yourself by choosing this strategy. Scavenging free information can provide you with a technical foundation, but it won’t help you develop necessary soft skills. Additionally, without the feedback of an instructor, it’s incredibly difficult to recognize the shortcomings in your work, leaving you to grow at a much slower pace. At the end of the day, free education may be a great option to fuel your hobby, but it’s not ideal for professional development.
Although graphic design is a marketable skill on its own, intense competition in the industry often means that designers with additional skills win out over those with fewer skills. Regardless of your career intentions, you’ll likely find that acquiring complementary skills will ultimately make you a better Designer. Skills to consider learning in tandem with graphic design include the following:
Graphic design is a substantial industry in its own right, but most graphic design jobs interact heavily with other industries. In addition to serving the rapidly sprouting tech industry, graphic design is crucial to the workings of sectors like advertising, entertainment, print and publishing, fashion design, and digital interface design.
The marketing industry utilizes graphic design almost more than any other industry, and as a rapidly growing industry, will continue to provide work for graphic designers well into the future. In 2022, $549.51 billion was spent on advertising, and it’s believed this number will rise to $870.85 billion by 2027. In addition to working for individual companies, graphic designers can get involved in marketing by connecting with digital marketing agencies.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that graphic design is crucial to the entertainment industry at every level. From forming the basis of comic art to advertising the next hit video game or luring us into new flicks on our favorite streaming platforms, graphic design fills both an artistic and commercial purpose in these spaces. Consequently, thousands of Graphic Designers now work in entertainment, working for film companies like Warner Brothers along with game developers like Nintendo and publishers like DC Comics.
Digital interfaces are more likely to succeed when they incorporate high-quality visuals, making this a top industry for graphic design employment. In addition, digital design employment is expected to rise by 16% between 2022 and 2032, much faster than other industries. In practice, this means workers can expect roughly 19,000 new job openings every year. At present, the industry brings in $42.2 billion each year in web design revenue and includes over 190,000 independent businesses.
With InDesign and other graphic design skills playing a vital role in the presentation of print products, the print and publishing industry is always in need of designers. When it comes to employment, this industry remains on the smaller side, with just over 367,000 Americans spread out across 20,000+ individual businesses. However, this doesn’t mean publishing is disappearing. The US book publishing industry generated $25.7 billion in 2020 and sold roughly 788 million books in 2022.
Because there are so many unique and exciting ways to apply graphic design, this skill set allows for a variety of career specialties. Keep in mind, however, that while learning graphic design is a great first step, it can be tough to land a job with only graphic design skills to fall back on. However, combining your knowledge with expertise from another industry can help you stand out in a competitive applicant pool and nail down your dream job.
Traditional Graphic Designers produce static, two-dimensional graphics for all purposes. In the US, most Graphic Designers earn between $48,000 and $81,000 annually.
While Graphic Designers work only with static images, Digital Designers produce these alongside visual effects and animations. A Digital Designer working in America can expect a yearly salary of roughly $73,000 to $131,000.
Creating digital interfaces such as websites, apps, and streaming platforms, digital interface designers are experts in accessibility and interactive design. Typically, the average Web Designer earns about $43,000 to $74,000, while UI Designers earn around $74,000 to $119,000 and UX Designers net $104,000 to $158,000.
For an even higher salary, Design Directors manage large-scale design projects, including project management in their acumen. Yearly, they collect around $106,000 to $170,000.
For a comprehensive look at all things graphic design, sign up for Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate, available both live online and in-person through their NYC campus. You’ll receive expert-guided training in vital design principles along with software skills like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign as you work to develop your professional portfolio. While completing hands-on assignments, you’ll also get plenty of professional experience, including the chance to work on a real design team. To ensure you’re fully equipped to thrive in a graphic design career, you’ll also receive one-on-one mentorship sessions and career support.
If you already know a bit about graphic design but want to become professionally certified in graphic design software, Noble Desktop also offers specialized prep classes such as the Photoshop Certification Program. Designed to help you master Photoshop completely, this course offers hands-on software training along with specialized guidance on how to prepare for a certification exam. In addition to practicing on mock exams, you’ll be given test-taking strategies and private tutoring to help you work through concepts that stump you.
Spanish speakers who want to receive graphic design training in their native language may benefit from joining the Graphic Design Course at Centro de Estudios de Innovación. Whether tuning into class via the school’s live online channel or participating in classroom study at one of three Spain campuses, students will have the opportunity to learn multiple Adobe design tools through assignments that emphasize print design. In addition, students based in Europe can further their careers by participating in Adobe Certified Professional certification exams right on the school campus.
For another online training option, career-oriented students can sign up for the Graphic Design Course at Shillington School. Structured to mirror a design studio, this course offers assignments that follow a traditional timeline, including briefs, deadlines, and feedback. As they build the meat of their portfolios, students will learn InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma (a UX/UI design app). With one-on-one help from an instructor, they’ll also learn how to improve their application of design principles for greater effect.
Do you know a high school student who’d love an artistic career? NextGen Bootcamp’s Summer Graphic Design Certificate was designed for young learners who are passionate about design and ready to take steps toward a career. With fun classes that take place during the summer holiday, there’s no need to skip school to get professional-grade training in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. The exciting assignments in this course will have teens applying graphic design principles for real impact and building a portfolio at the same time.
Still on the hunt for the ideal class? Additional graphic design courses are available through schools like Devmountain, iXperience, NextGen Bootcamp, General Assembly, and Miami Ad School.
Noble Desktop also provides onsite and virtual graphic design corporate training, making it a piece of cake to train your whole team. Customizable class formats include live online Zoom sessions and in-person training taught by visiting instructors. Interested in finding out more about personalized training or group discounted vouchers? Send a quick note to Noble Desktop.