Best Graphic Design Classes Charlotte, NC: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About Charlotte Graphic Design Courses

Broadly speaking, graphic design is the discipline of using images to convey messages to a social group. While the term itself originated in the 1920s, the concept has existed since the days of Egyptian hieroglyphics. Graphic designers work in all major industries in the Los Angeles area—entertainment, tourism, and manufacturing, among many others. They can choose to work directly for a company or in a freelance capacity. Graphic designers use images, text, and color to communicate visual messages. They use design apps such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to create social media images, ads, logos, websites, and other graphics.

Becoming a Graphic Designer, however, requires more than just learning the tools of the trade. Students need to learn design theory, color theory, typography, and best practices in visual design. Graphic design bootcamps offer training in visual design and the relevant software. Oftentimes, these programs will cover graphic design from a user experience (UX) perspective and include lessons on usability, adaptability, and the navigation of websites and apps. Students will learn about typography, photo retouching, and vector graphics, as well as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

A graphic design bootcamp prepares students to work across various media including print, web, digital, apps, and advertising. Both print and digital marketing are in-demand fields where the skills of a Graphic Designer will be needed on a daily basis. If you’re interested in a career that combines creativity with strategy, graphic design could be the field for you.

What Can You Do with Graphic Design Training?

According to Berkeley College, there are eight different types of graphic design: web design, UI and interactive design, advertising and marketing design, motion graphics and animations, packaging design, illustration, and publication and typographic design. These eight types can give you an idea of what you could do with skills in graphic design. You could design captivating websites and apps, create graphics for various marketing campaigns, work in the television and film industry, or help bring an author’s vision to life through the design of their cover art and book design. A strategic yet creative eye is in high demand across a variety of industries, so opportunities await no matter which path you choose.

What Will I Learn in a Graphic Design Class?

Graphic design is a creative and multifaceted field that requires a wide range of skills. Below are some of the tricks, techniques, and tools you’ll learn in a top-notch graphic design course. Armed with the below outline, you can confidently choose a course that meets your needs and covers all the essential topics.

Design Principles

Every Graphic Designer needs a strong understanding of design principles to help them strategically use various elements to convey intended messages. You’ll need to know how to bring together lines, color, shape, space, texture, typography, scale, dominance, emphasis, and harmony to create engaging and well-structured designs.

UX and UI Design

While not required of most Graphic Designers, UX and UI skills can help you improve your work and stay competitive in an ever-changing field. UX and UI can help you create designs that are both visually appealing and functional, with a focus on the customer’s experience. Plus, Graphic Designers often work closely with UX and UI Designers, so understanding the fundamentals will help you collaborate and communicate with team members better.

Industry-Standard Tools

Most courses in graphic design will begin with industry-standard tools and software like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Figma. You’ll learn to edit and retouch photos, create vector graphics, design page layouts, and design user interfaces with the help of these commonly used tools. Nearly any graphic design role will require you to be familiar with at least a few of these software programs, so you can expect to cover at least one in any graphic design class.

Branding

Graphic Designers often build or maintain branding for their client or employer. When working with a brand, they need an in-depth understanding of what makes that brand unique. Then, they need to bring that brand to life through logos, colors, typography, illustration, photography, graphic elements, and more. Graphic Designers should be able to create work that is consistent across platforms and that speaks to the right audience.

Communication and Presentation

The design field is often collaborative, requiring you to work with a variety of team members (UI/UX designers, copywriters, project managers, etc.). You’ll also work with stakeholders who may not be experts in your field. Proper communication skills will ensure that these important relationships are successful, allowing you to work well with others, receive and incorporate feedback, and present your work with confidence. You may need to explain the strategy behind your work, advocate for budgeting for future projects, and talk through any changes with your team members, so communication is key as a Graphic Designer.

How Hard is It to Learn Graphic Design?

Graphic design is considered a relatively straightforward skill set to learn, but you may encounter some challenges. Studying graphic design requires creative thinking, an aptitude for art and design, as well as time and dedication. It also requires an understanding of design theories and knowledge of various tools (previously mentioned above). If you naturally possess a creative mind and have the right amount of passion and determination, learning graphic design should be fairly easy.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Graphic Design?

While graphic design is considered easy to learn, there are some challenges you may encounter. If you aren’t already familiar with various tools used for graphic design like the Adobe Creative Cloud or Figma, learning their features and functionalities can be difficult. These tools will be essential to your success as a Graphic Designer, so it’s important to take the necessary time to confidently master the basics.

Plus, with new software and advances in artificial intelligence (AI), the design industry is constantly evolving. It’s crucial you stay up-to-date by continually investing in professional education. Set aside time to identify these trends and follow up on them with active learning approaches.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Graphic Design?

Mastering graphic design will depend upon several factors, but you can tackle the basic tools in only a few weeks. There are several tools that you’ll typically master in a graphic design course: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Figma, to name a few. These programs are considered fairly user-friendly (at least for the fundamentals), but if you struggle to master one or more, it may take you longer to learn graphic design overall.

Mastering graphic design requires repeated practice and training, so depending on your learning style, focus, and determination, it can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to fully grasp all the concepts and tools. Attending a graphic design training course offers you a better chance to learn as much as possible in a shorter time frame, regardless of whether it’s an in-person or online course.

Should I Learn Graphic Design in Person or Online?

There are several factors to consider when answering this question. First, you’ll want to consider what learning environment is best suited for you. Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where you can interact with your peers and receive in-the-moment feedback from your instructor? Or, do you prefer a more solitary learning environment, perhaps one where you can learn at your own speed?

You’ll also want to consider how much time you can dedicate to your education and what level of flexibility your schedule needs. Are you looking to immerse yourself in an intensive program? Do you work full-time and need your classes to be scheduled for evening and weekend hours?

In-person courses offer face-to-face interaction with both your fellow students and your expert instructor. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. Online classes may lack this in-person interaction, but they make up for it with increased flexibility. Live online classes still offer instant feedback from your instructor and interactions with other students, while on-demand virtual courses allow for the most flexibility since you can decide where and when you learn.

The good news is that, no matter which option you choose, you can obtain a quality education with a top-notch curriculum and expert instructors.

Can I Learn Graphic Design Free Online?

Technically, it is possible to learn graphic design for free online. YouTube videos, blogs, and free short workshops can all be a great way to learn the basics without purchasing any educational content. (Don’t forget to watch the most recent uploads so you’re learning the latest trends and techniques.)

But, for the more advanced skills, an in-depth training course is going to be your best bet. These courses have a curriculum developed and taught by experts with the chance to receive feedback or troubleshoot any issues with your instructor or a support team. Formal training can also provide the structure and accountability that some students need to stay focused, creating an environment where you’re more likely to succeed. So, if you’re looking to master more than just the basics, a formal workshop or class is a better choice than free online resources.

What Should I Learn Alongside Graphic Design?

There are several things you can learn alongside graphic design to help bolster your professional appeal. Most courses will cover at least one Adobe product, whether that’s InDesign, Photoshop, or Illustrator. Learning the remaining Adobe products not covered by your chosen training can be extremely helpful.

Learning UI design is also recommended for graphic designers, as it provides a more holistic understanding of the creative process. You’d take the graphic designs created in programs like Photoshop and Illustrator and transform them into interactive digital assets for webpages or mobile applications. You’d also design layouts for websites using tools like Figma and Adobe XD, giving you an even more complex canvas on which to work and opening up new career opportunities.

Industries That Use Graphic Design

Known as the Queen City, Charlotte is a thriving city full of Southern charm. Home to nearly 900,000 residents (and growing), Charlotte has many robust industries that bolster the booming local economy, and many of these will have a continual need for graphic design experts. Below are a few of the top industries so you can get an idea of the fields in which you may find work.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing has been around for more than one hundred years. Today, the Charlotte region is home to more than 3,500 manufacturers employing more than 145,000 professionals with growth in sectors like automotive parts, plastics, advanced textiles, biomedical, and energy manufacturing. Its strategic location on the East Coast of the United States, equidistant between New York and Miami, allows the city to have the infrastructure to move goods and people efficiently regardless of the mode of transportation.

Financial Services

Home to the second-largest banking center in the U.S., Charlotte has the fastest-growing employment rate in financial services among major metropolitan areas in the past five years. The industry employs 105,000 residents, contributes more than $28 billion to the region’s economy, and is home to the operations of global financial institutions like Bank of America, Truist, and Wells Fargo.

Life Sciences

Another top contender is the life sciences industry, employing 22,000 employees with 22% growth in the last five years. More than 20 higher education institutions provide training programs specific to life sciences, ensuring a strong talent pool for future growth. And, with more than 60 innovation and research centers located in the region, there are plenty of career opportunities available for those fresh out of college and those established in the field.

Tech Industry

With over 67,000 employees and counting in the tech industry, Charlotte is continuing to attract interest from major tech-focused companies across the US and the globe. Large and small companies alike can benefit greatly from the experienced IT consulting services offered in Charlotte. Solutions like cloud computing support, automation support, network augmentation and monitoring, and data center management can all be provided by the robust local tech industry.

Graphic Design Job Titles and Salaries

Charlotte’s diverse industries have formed it into one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. and make it an ideal place for experts in graphic design to work and live. Below are a few of the most common job titles available, as well as a brief description and salary expectations, to give you an idea of what opportunities await.

Graphic Designer

The most obvious career is Graphic Designer. As a Graphic Designer, you could work on everything from magazine layouts to graphic illustrations to product packaging. You could also design company logos or branded merchandise. The average salary for a Graphic Designer in Charlotte is around $52,000-$68,000, but you can make much more in a senior role.

UI Designer

A User Interface (UI) Designer manages how an application or webpage looks and feels by using colors, fonts, patterns, textures, icons, and buttons to improve the user’s experience. You’ll most likely collaborate with User Experience (UX) Designers, Developers, Project Managers, Product Managers, and clients when designing the interface of a product or service. You can expect to make around $80,000 in this role in Charlotte.

UX Designers

UX Designers are similar to UI Designers, except they focus on prototyping, user research, and use testing to ensure that digital products offer a seamless user experience. UX Designers work closely with computer programmers who will build the actual product or service and rely on feedback from research and testing to improve the usability of their design. The average salary for a UX Designer in Charlotte is $121,000.

Design Director

With some experience under your belt, you could become a Design Director. In this role, you’d manage creative professionals who curate the look and feel of a product or project through the production of visual strategies. This position does a bit of everything like meeting with team members, pitching new clients, meeting with current clients, responding to RFPs, designing a product or project, hiring contractors, delegating tasks, developing deliverables, or reviewing team members’ work. The average salary for a Design Director is $163,000, depending on your level of experience.

Graphic Design Classes Near Me

Graphic Design Certificate Specialization in Introduction to Graphic Design

Central Piedmont Community College offers this certificate program that includes five courses: Graphic Design 1, Computer Design Basics, History of Graphic Design, Drawing Fundamentals I, and Typography I. Designed to supply you with all the introductory skills and knowledge you need to pursue a career in graphic design, the courses in this training can be applied to a degree program, should you choose to pursue one. Once you’ve completed this course, you could move on to the intermediate level certificate that is also offered by CPCC.

Graphic Design Certificate

This program from Wake Tech is ideal for someone working in an administration or marketing role looking to expand their skills. Available at the Southern Wake campus and online, you’ll take five courses covering topics like graphic design, typography, computer design basics, publication design, and vector imaging software. It’s important to note that these courses do have prerequisites, so you’ll want to make sure you meet the requirements.

Graphic Design Certificate

Offered by Noble Desktop, this is a 72-hour online bootcamp that covers graphic design fundamentals and processes, as well as in-depth practice with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students create designs, edit and retouch photos, vector graphics in Illustrator, and layout documents in InDesign. They learn about composition, typography, color, and design theory, and create projects including social media graphics, logos, and cover art to showcase clients or employers. This program also comes with one-on-one mentoring sessions.

UX & UI Design Certificate

Also from Noble Desktop, this training covers the fundamentals of UX and UI design and Sketch, Photoshop, and Illustrator. It is a popular choice for those who not only want to learn to design websites but also want to make informed decisions about how to set up a website based on user experiences. You’ll master the fundamentals and then get familiar with conducting user research and testing. The last portion of the course is a series of projects where you’ll design websites and apps and build clickable prototypes. These projects can be added to your portfolio at the end of class, giving you an upper hand in the job interview process.

Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp

This class from Noble Desktop prepares students to retouch and color-correct photos, combine images, and create graphics. It will also cover color and contrast, photo retouching, layers, masks, filters, and saving files for web, video, and print. Hands-on and interactive, you’ll work on a wide variety of projects that you can then add to your portfolio for future job interviews. This short course is also part of their Graphic Design Certificate and Digital Design Certificate, should you wish to pursue further education.

Illustrator in a Day

Also from Noble Desktop, this quick course focuses on Adobe Illustrator, which is used to produce high-quality vector graphics like logos and icons. You'll learn to resize a graphic without losing quality while mastering the secrets of the Pen tool, learning how to draw shapes, and using colors, layers, brushes, and even trace images. Ideal for beginners, there are no prerequisites for this class.

Graphic Design Corporate Training

If you’re looking to offer in-person or online training to your office or team, Noble Desktop can help. They offer a variety of corporate training programs, including in graphic design. You can order vouchers in bulk at a discount, choose which courses are available to employees, and even let your employees choose their own schedule. Plus, you can choose to have your training hosted at a location of your choosing, live online, or at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan office.

With a top-notch customizable curriculum and instructors who are experts in their industries, Noble Desktop’s corporate training is designed to cater to your business or organization’s needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to Noble Desktop at corporate@nobledesktop.com.

Kelsey Kissner

Kelsey Kissner is a writer for Noble Desktop. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio State University, a master’s degree in creative writing from London Metropolitan University, and a certification in UX Writing and Content Strategy from the UX Content Collective. Collectively, she has 15 years of experience in publishing and marketing spanning across a variety of industries, including education, fashion and retail, and the nonprofit sector. While working in the publishing industry, she managed the books and materials for construction, architecture, hospitality management, and various trades like HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. Kelsey's writing at Noble Desktop also covers a variety of professional training programs and career fields.

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Key Insights

Learn More About Charlotte Graphic Design Courses

What Can You Do with Graphic Design Training?

What Will I Learn in a Graphic Design Class?

Design Principles

UX and UI Design

Industry-Standard Tools

Branding

Communication and Presentation

How Hard is It to Learn Graphic Design?

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Graphic Design?

How Long Does It Take to Learn Graphic Design?

Should I Learn Graphic Design in Person or Online?

Can I Learn Graphic Design Free Online?

What Should I Learn Alongside Graphic Design?

Industries That Use Graphic Design

Manufacturing

Financial Services

Life Sciences

Tech Industry

Graphic Design Job Titles and Salaries

Graphic Designer

UI Designer

UX Designers

Design Director

Graphic Design Classes Near Me

Graphic Design Certificate Specialization in Introduction to Graphic Design

Graphic Design Certificate

Illustrator in a Day

Graphic Design Corporate Training

Charlotte Graphic Design Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Graphic Design Training Locations in or Near Charlotte

Charlotte Careers & Salaries Related to Graphic Design

Related Classes

Charlotte Graphic Design
Corporate & Onsite Training