Best Design Classes Chicago, IL: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Top Chicago Design Courses

Find the perfect Design class for you in Chicago. We’ve found 106 courses available in-person or live online with class duration ranging from 3 hours to 12 weeks and pricing ranging from $99 to $14,950.

Graphic Design Certificate Learn The Skills Guarantee™

Learn about design, typography, photo retouching, vector graphics, and much more as you study Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. You’ll explore design concepts in our project-based Graphic Design Bootcamp, where you’ll work on designs for your portfolio to show prospective employers or clients.

Learn more & register Explore Noble Desktop’s Design courses
- $2,995
- 72 hours
- Free retake
- Available live online
Featured course from
General Assembly UX Design Immersive

This UX design course is designed to help individuals with little to no UX experience learn the common tools and concepts to launch their UX career. Through their blended learning model, students will be able to hone their UX design skills through 20 hours of introductory lessons, in-class project work, and though the support of a devoted career coach. Students in this course will start their UX journeys by learning the foundations and fundamentals in UX, like the design process, affinity mapping, rapid prototyping, and usability testing. As the course progresses, students will switch to UI foundations, design iteration and development, and best practices when working with a product team. The program concludes with UX's real-world implications, like working with clients and projects, as well as a final stage dedicated entirely to career planning and building your personal brand.

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In-person @ 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL Also available online
- $14,950
- 12 Weeks
- Weekdays
- Beginner
General Assembly UX Design Course

This beginner UX course is a 40-hour in-person or online program aimed at giving students the fundamentals to succeed in the fast-paced field of UX. The course curriculum covers a range of important UX topics, including user experience research, content strategy, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. Students build skills quickly through GA's hands-on approach, and students will build experience with two of the most common platforms in the industry: Sketch and Invision. Graduates of the program walk away with a capstone project in addition to foundational skills required to start a career in UX design.

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In-person @ 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL Also available online
- $3,950
- 40 Hours
- Weekdays or Evenings
- Beginner
General Assembly Visual Design Course

This visual design course is a flexible program meant to help individuals with little to no prior experience get exposure and learn how to create stunning digital products. Through their blended learning model, students will gain access to pre-learning and setup videos to hit the ground running. Students in this course will gain the ability to use visual techniques to guide influence customer emotions, communicate simple solutions, and center attention with layouts and patterns. This course will also give students a better understanding of using typeface to convey meaning, improve messaging, understand the psychology of color, and use visual communication best practices to make sure your message resonates with key stakeholders. This course is punctuated with a final project where students showcase their visual design knowledge through a production-ready mockup to be displayed on a dynamic web page.

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In-person @ 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL Also available online
- $2,800
- 32 Hours
- Weekdays or Evenings
- Beginner
Training Connection After Effects 2020 Fundamentals

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of Adobe After Effects. This 3-day program will teach students how to use many of Adobe After Effects’ basic features. Intended for graphic and video professionals, this course covers will prepare students to work with masks, 3D motion graphics, animating 2D text, and dynamic workflows. Taught by professionals in a face-to-face environment, students will gain skills through hands-on projects and real-time collaboration.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $1,395
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- Beginner
- Free Retake
Training Connection After Effects 2020 Advanced

Novice users of Adobe After Effects can expand their skills by taking this 2-day course. This course teaches students more advanced functions, such as camera workflows, compositing techniques, particle effects, color grading, and keying techniques. Students will learn from professionals in a face-to-face environment, giving them real-time support and the opportunity to collaborate. This program is intended as a follow-up to the fundamentals course and will provide students a more advanced skill set.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $895
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- Intermediate
- Free Retake
Training Connection Illustrator 2020 Quickstart

This 1-day beginner class will give students the skills they need to begin using Adobe Illustrator. Intended for aspiring graphic designers and marketers, this course will teach students the basics of this software. Students will learn how to use the Pen Tool, work with vector graphics, design icons, and export their work to the web. With in-person instruction from professionals, students will quickly gain the confidence to use this powerful tool.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $495
- 1 Day
- Weekdays
- Beginner
- Free Retake
Training Connection Illustrator 2020 Fundamentals

This 3-day fundamentals course will teach students to use Adobe Illustrator effectively. Guided by professionals in a face-to-face learning experience, students will learn how to design icons, use swatches and complex shapes, and create vectors and multiple graphic elements. Students will also learn how to use the Pathfinder Panel and WARP Tools. Real-world projects will give students relevant skills that they can immediately use.

Read more

In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $1,195
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- Beginner
- Free Retake
Training Connection Illustrator 2020 Advanced

For those ready for the next level, this advanced course in Adobe Illustrator is a 2-day, in-person program that ensures mastery of this powerful tool. Through real-world projects and instruction from professionals in the field, students will learn advanced illustrator skills. These skills include: how to design infographics, create vector 3D art, work with typography, use Blending Modes, and navigate the Might Appearance Panel. By learning the proper workflows, students will learn how to maximize their use of Adobe Illustrator.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $895
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- Intermediate
- Free Retake
Training Connection InDesign 2020 Quickstart

This program gives students the ability to learn the basics of InDesign in one day. Using a series of five real-world projects, students will learn how to navigate the program and use it to create magazine ads, letters, print layouts, and magazine spreads. Having face-to-face instruction from professionals in the field ensures that students have real-time support as they learn the basics. Students will leave this program with the ability to use the basic features of Adobe InDesign.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $495
- 1 Day
- Weekdays
- Beginner
- Free Retake
Training Connection InDesign 2020 Fundamentals

This fundamentals course in Adobe InDesign features face-to-face instruction from real professionals. Students will learn how to create publishing projects similar to what they would create in the real world, such as vector maps, letters, magazine ads, and more. Each unit of this course features a project deliverable, such as a magazine cover or multi-panel brochure. This 3-day program will give students a foundational understanding of how to use this publishing tool.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $1,195
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- Beginner
- Free Retake
Training Connection InDesign 2020 Advanced

This 2-day advanced course in Adobe InDesign uses face-to-face classes to teach advanced skills in InDesign. Students in this course will work with professionals who will teach them how to use the Wonka Bar menu to create tables and GREP to apply conditional formatting and build an index. You will also learn how to format a book, design a pitch deck layout, and create book cover art. Students in this course will complete ten projects giving them a professional portfolio to share.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $895
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- Intermediate
- Free Retake
Training Connection Photoshop 2020 Quickstart

This single-day face-to-face course teaches the basics you need to use Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn how to use the program to retouch images, create effects, and prepare images for print. Professional instructors will guide students as they learn Photoshop shortcuts, tools, and functions. All students will create a movie poster by the end of the day-long session.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $495
- 1 Day
- Weekdays
- Beginner
- Free Retake
Training Connection Photoshop 2020 Fundamentals

This 3-day course teaches foundational skills in Adobe Photoshop 2020. Taught by Photoshop professionals, students will learn how to create, edit, and manipulate images, composite graphics, and retouch photos. By the final day of the course, students will know how to use Photoshop to create a video workflow, add smart filters and special effects, and design assets for social media. The final project involves the conversion of an image from peaceful to frightening, using many of the program’s graphic editing features.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $1,195
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- Beginner
- Free Retake
Training Connection Photoshop 2020 Advanced

This advanced course in Adobe Photoshop 2020 will give students master-level skills. Students will learn techniques for color grading using curves, retouching, liquefication, displacement, and blending. They will practice working in perspective, creating lighting effects, compositing with color, and working with Adobe Camera Raw. This program relies on face-to-face instruction from experienced professionals to help students master the software.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $895
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- Intermediate
- Free Retake
Training Connection Premiere Pro 2020 Fundamentals

This 3-day fundamentals course in Adobe Premiere Pro gives an introduction to this video editing tool. Working with onsite professional instructors, students will begin with a survey of the tool’s capabilities and best practices for managing Premiere Pro projects. Each unit builds on that foundation, guiding students through ingesting tapeless media, handling rough cuts and three-point edits, adding transitions, adding video effects, and animating clips. The final unit teaches students how to finish a Premiere Pro project and export it for mastering.

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In-person @ 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
- $1,395
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- Beginner
- Free Retake

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showing 15 of 106 courses

Design Topics

When searching for a design course, you want a class that covers design comprehensively, including the industry-standard design applications, design theory, and portfolio development. Design is a huge industry, so you'll want to narrow down which type(s) of design you want to focus on, such as graphic design, web design, UX design, visual design, video editing, and motion graphics. You can also choose to focus on a specific application within design, including popular apps like Adobe Photoshop. InDesign, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Adobe XD, and Sketch.

Chicago Design Courses by School

Here are some of the top Chicago schools offering Design training, including Ledet Training (26 courses), Training Connection (13 courses), and CTS Training (13 courses). We’ve also included 2 schools that offer live online courses you can take from anywhere, including Chicago.

General Assembly

Chicago location: 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611 US

General Assembly provides a variety of bootcamps and workshops in digital marketing, user experience design, and immersive courses in software engineering and data science. Students have a choice between part-time, full-time, or online classes, committed to finding you the most flexible fit for your busy schedule.

General Assembly’s Top Chicago Design Courses

UX Design Immersive
- 12 Weeks
- Weekdays
- $14,950
- Beginner
This UX design course is designed to help individuals with little to no UX experience learn the common tools and concepts to launch their UX career. Through their blended learning model, students will be able to hone their UX design skills through 20 hours of introductory lessons, in-class project work, and though the support of a devoted career coach. Students in this course will start their UX journeys by learning the foundations and fundamentals in UX, like the design process, affinity mapping, rapid prototyping, and usability testing. As the course progresses, students will switch to UI foundations, design iteration and development, and best practices when working with a product team. The program concludes with UX's real-world implications, like working with clients and projects, as well as a final stage dedicated entirely to career planning and building your personal brand.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Job support
- Payment plans
- Available online
Financing: Apply for a student loan through Meritize or Climb, or divide tuition into installments. Income sharing agreements are available in select U.S. markets.

Prerequisite: Participants will be required to complete online, self-paced prep work.
Go to course at generalassemb.ly
UX Design Course
- 40 Hours
- Weekdays or Evenings
- $3,950
- Beginner
This beginner UX course is a 40-hour in-person or online program aimed at giving students the fundamentals to succeed in the fast-paced field of UX. The course curriculum covers a range of important UX topics, including user experience research, content strategy, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. Students build skills quickly through GA's hands-on approach, and students will build experience with two of the most common platforms in the industry: Sketch and Invision. Graduates of the program walk away with a capstone project in addition to foundational skills required to start a career in UX design.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Payment plans
- Available online
Financing: Apply for a student loan through Meritize or Climb, or divide tuition into installments.
Go to course at generalassemb.ly
Visual Design Course
- 32 Hours
- Weekdays or Evenings
- $2,800
- Beginner
This visual design course is a flexible program meant to help individuals with little to no prior experience get exposure and learn how to create stunning digital products. Through their blended learning model, students will gain access to pre-learning and setup videos to hit the ground running. Students in this course will gain the ability to use visual techniques to guide influence customer emotions, communicate simple solutions, and center attention with layouts and patterns. This course will also give students a better understanding of using typeface to convey meaning, improve messaging, understand the psychology of color, and use visual communication best practices to make sure your message resonates with key stakeholders. This course is punctuated with a final project where students showcase their visual design knowledge through a production-ready mockup to be displayed on a dynamic web page.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Payment plans
- Available online
Financing: Apply for a student loan through Meritize or Climb, or divide tuition into installments.

Prerequisite: Beginners will have access to optional video tutorials to practice using visual design software.
Go to course at generalassemb.ly
User Experience Design Bootcamp
- 6 Hours
- Weekdays or Weekends
- $250
- Beginner
This UX design bootcamp is a beginner-friendly 1-day workshop designed for individuals hungry to learn UX basics. In this hands-on workshop, students will work alongside experts to learn how humans engage with websites, discover who the key players are in the field of UX, and work through a design thinking exercise. Students will also practice various aspects of UX, including the design, research, sketching, and testing skills needed to succeed on any UX team.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at generalassemb.ly

See all General Assembly’s Courses

Training Connection

Chicago location: 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL, 60606 US

Training Connection focuses on providing incoming students with computer and business skills training in Chicago and Los Angeles. They provide face-to-face instructor learning and an interactive working environment. They offer courses that dive deep into Adobe, Microsoft Office, Web Design, Web Development, and Business Skills.

Training Connection’s Top Chicago Design Courses

After Effects 2020 Fundamentals
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,395
- Beginner
- Free Retake
In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of Adobe After Effects. This 3-day program will teach students how to use many of Adobe After Effects’ basic features. Intended for graphic and video professionals, this course covers will prepare students to work with masks, 3D motion graphics, animating 2D text, and dynamic workflows. Taught by professionals in a face-to-face environment, students will gain skills through hands-on projects and real-time collaboration.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Money-back guarantee
- Free retake
- Workbooks included
Go to course at trainingconnection.com
After Effects 2020 Advanced
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $895
- Intermediate
- Free Retake
Novice users of Adobe After Effects can expand their skills by taking this 2-day course. This course teaches students more advanced functions, such as camera workflows, compositing techniques, particle effects, color grading, and keying techniques. Students will learn from professionals in a face-to-face environment, giving them real-time support and the opportunity to collaborate. This program is intended as a follow-up to the fundamentals course and will provide students a more advanced skill set.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Money-back guarantee
- Free retake
- Workbooks included
Go to course at trainingconnection.com
Illustrator 2020 Quickstart
- 1 Day
- Weekdays
- $495
- Beginner
- Free Retake
This 1-day beginner class will give students the skills they need to begin using Adobe Illustrator. Intended for aspiring graphic designers and marketers, this course will teach students the basics of this software. Students will learn how to use the Pen Tool, work with vector graphics, design icons, and export their work to the web. With in-person instruction from professionals, students will quickly gain the confidence to use this powerful tool.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Money-back guarantee
- Free retake
- Workbooks included
Go to course at trainingconnection.com
Illustrator 2020 Fundamentals
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,195
- Beginner
- Free Retake
This 3-day fundamentals course will teach students to use Adobe Illustrator effectively. Guided by professionals in a face-to-face learning experience, students will learn how to design icons, use swatches and complex shapes, and create vectors and multiple graphic elements. Students will also learn how to use the Pathfinder Panel and WARP Tools. Real-world projects will give students relevant skills that they can immediately use.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Money-back guarantee
- Free retake
- Workbooks included
Go to course at trainingconnection.com

See all Training Connection’s Courses

ONLC Training Centers

Chicago location: 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606 US

ONLC has over 300 training sites and offers courses and certificates in many areas including desktop applications like Adobe, Microsoft Technical like Visual Studio, Server and Security, and Process and Programming like Java and Web Development.

ONLC’s Top Chicago Design Courses

Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp
- 5 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,995
- Beginner
- Free Retake
Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp is a 5-day course that allows students to master the core skills needed to work in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. The curriculum is designed for beginners and will cover the fundamentals of Creative Cloud and how to utilize the Creative Cloud panel to later excel with more advanced content.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Available online
Go to course at onlc.com
Adobe Photoshop Core Skills: Level 1
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $795
- Beginner
- Free Retake
This introductory Photoshop course is meant to get students comfortable in the Photoshop interface while exercising new core skills in the process. Students can further their journey in mastering Photoshop by being introduced to selection tools, layering, and how to edit masks and channels. This course can help anyone strengthen their core skills and learn retouching, resolution, cropping, and adjusting color and tone.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Available online
Go to course at onlc.com
Adobe Photoshop Core Skills: Level 2
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,195
- Advanced
- Free Retake
This 2-day advanced Photoshop course is an builds off the beginner course and has students learning real-world 'tips and tricks.' Students will dive into more advanced concepts inspired by the Level 1 course to continue to build up their Photoshop skills.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Available online
Go to course at onlc.com
Adobe Illustrator Core Skills: Level 1
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $795
- Beginner
- Free Retake
This 2-day beginner class in Adobe Illustrator kicks off the course by thoroughly reviewing the illustrator interface and then merging into teaching new skills that can be found behind more complex drawings. Students will discover the skills behind using tools, panels, customizing and saving workspaces, setting up and saving document presets, using multiple artboards, and navigating the different elements when creating illustrations. The lessons are created to teach you the basics behind Adobe Illustrator and prepare you for more advanced content.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Available online
Go to course at onlc.com

See all ONLC Training Centers’s Courses

Ledet Training

Chicago location: 17 North State St, Chicago, IL, 60602 US

Ledet Training offers graphics and mobile training courses on-site across the U.S. including Washington, Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Portland, Houston, and Fort Lauderdale.

Ledet’s Top Chicago Design Courses

Adobe Photoshop 101 - Photoshop Intro
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $899
- Beginner
This 2-day program provides a comprehensive introduction to Adobe Photoshop. This course teaches students how to leverage Photoshop to create professional-quality images. Students will learn how to customize their Photoshop workspace and use Photoshop’s tools to edit, enhance, and augment graphics. Using Camera RAW and Adobe Bridge will also be included in the curriculum.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Prerequisite: Novice to intermediate skills in Photoshop
Go to course at ledet.com
Adobe Photoshop 201 - Photoshop Advanced
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $899
- Advanced
This 2-day program teaches advanced Adobe Photoshop skills. Using Photoshop’s tools, students will repair photos, work with selections and layers, and create special visual effects. Vector drawing and advanced compositing techniques are also included in the curriculum. Completion of this course will ensure that any professionals working with Adobe Photoshop will be able to unlock the tool’s full capabilities.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Prerequisite: Intermediate to advanced skills in Photoshop
Go to course at ledet.com
Adobe After Effects 101 - After Effects Essentials
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,299
- Beginner
This comprehensive course offers an in-depth overview of Adobe After Effects. Students will learn how to develop dynamic visual assets with professional quality motion graphics and visual effects. They will learn how to enhance video, eLearning and other types of projects, utilizing best design practices.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at ledet.com
Adobe Illustrator 101
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $899
- Beginner
This 2-day course teaches students how to use the basic functions of Adobe Illustrator. Instructors will cover Artboards and Workspaces before introducing the Tool Palette. Students will learn how to use Live Paint, the Pen tool and all of Photoshop’s patterns and color palettes. Completion of the program will prepare students to create professional effects, logos and multilayered designs.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at ledet.com

See all Ledet Training’s Courses

American Graphics Institute

Locations:

NYC
Boston
Philadelphia
Live Online

American Graphics Institute offers both organizations and individuals with professional development training and support for a variety of courses in Adobe applications, graphic design, video editing, and digital marketing. Students can choose from live instructors in classrooms in Boston, Philadelphia, or NYC, and remotely from anywhere.

American Graphics Institute’s Top Live Online Design Courses

UX Certificate
- 105 Hours
- Weekdays
- $4,800
- Beginner
- Free Retake
In the UX Certificate program you'll learn how to organize and present information and navigation in an engaging and easy to use way. The course covers the use of UX design tools and is great for those designing on multiple devices. This program starts from the basic principles of UX design and covers UX for mobile devices, rapid prototyping, Sketch, Adobe XD, Photoshop, responsive web design, and more. Students will work in the the tools to learn the skills and start building their UX design portfolio in this project-based certificate program.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Job support
- Payment plans
- Workbooks included
- Available online
Go to course at agitraining.com
Graphic Design Certificate
- 90 Hours
- Weekdays
- $3,600
- Beginner
- Free Retake
In our Graphic Design Certificate class, students learn the foundation for graphic design skills, creating illustration, photo retouching, digital and print layouts, and digital tools. The graphic design certificate is available either online or in-person. All certificate courses in both formats are led by live instructors with personalized attention from our instructors and staff.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Job support
- Payment plans
- Workbooks included
- Available online
Go to course at agitraining.com
Video Editing Certificate
- 78 Hours
- Weekdays
- $3,600
- Beginner
- Free Retake
In this comprehensive Video Editing Certificate program students will learn the foundation of digital video editing, effects, and motion graphics. The program is designed for digital artists looking to gain expert level video editing skills. This series covers the basics of Premiere Pro and After Effects for multimedia content. The video editing certificate is available either online or in-person.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Job support
- Payment plans
- Workbooks included
- Available online
Go to course at agitraining.com

Noble Desktop

Locations:

NYC
Live Online

Founded in 1990, Noble Desktop offers part-time and full-immersion courses on anything you can think of from design and coding to business. Located in New York City and providing courses both online and in-person, Noble Desktop prides itself on accommodating dynamic courses and bootcamps with hands-on learning, time-tested curriculums, and education from top industry experts.

Noble Desktop’s Top Live Online Design Courses

Web & Visual Design Certificate
- 120 Hours
- Weekdays, Evenings, or Weekends
- $4,995
- Beginner
- Free Retake
In this 120-hour certificate program, participants will learn the skills needed to become a web designer and front-end web developer. Students will learn to build webpages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code, design webpages with Sketch, and review visual design concepts and best practices. Participants will learn developer tools such as Git to collaborate with developers, modern web technologies such as Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap to efficiently create responsive websites, and how to build HTML emails. Attendees will develop their own portfolio site and learn the design and coding skills needed to start a career in web design. The program includes a free retake and several step-by-step workbooks.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Payment plans
- Workbooks included
- Available online
Financing: Students can finance their tuition with installment plans, or no-interest student loans via Climb Credit. See terms and conditions.
Go to course at nobledesktop.com
Web Design Certificate
- 90 Hours
- Weekdays, Evenings, or Weekends
- $3,800
- Beginner
- Free Retake
In this 90-hour certificate program, participants will learn the skills needed to become a website designer and front-end web developer. Students will learn to build webpages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as well as how to design webpages with Sketch. Participants will learn developer tools such as Git to collaborate with developers, modern web technologies such as Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap to efficiently create responsive websites, and how to build HTML emails. Attendees will learn the skills needed to start a career in web design. The program includes a free retake and each course includes a step-by-step workbook.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
- Payment plans
- Workbooks included
- Available online
Financing: Students can finance their tuition with installment plans, or no-interest student loans via Climb Credit. See terms and conditions.
Go to course at nobledesktop.com

Future Media Concepts

Chicago location: 55 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL, 60604 US

Future Media Concepts provides accessible education for content creators and IT professionals. They offer both on-site and online classes in digital video, graphics, Adobe, 3D animation and design, and web development. FMC has several locations around the globe including Dubai, Toronto, and the U.S.

Future Media Concepts’s Top Chicago Design Courses

Introduction to Premiere Pro CC
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,495
- Beginner
This 3-day Premiere Pro course is meant to teach beginners to edit videos with Premiere Pro. In this course, students will learn to create projects, edit clips, add transitions, add audio, and more with instructor-led training and project work.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at fmctraining.com
Premiere Pro CC Advanced
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,195
- Intermediate
The Premiere Pro CC Advanced course is geared towards professionals with experience with Premiere Pro looking to take their skills to the next level. Students will learn to add video effect, use advanced editing techniques, sweeten sound, color correct, and more.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at fmctraining.com
Introduction to Final Cut Pro X
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,495
- Beginner
Introduction to Final Cut Pro is a hands-on course meant to teach beginners how to use Final Cut Pro for video editing. Students will start organizing projects, learn editing techniques, apply effects, add captions, and work on projects in the tool during this course.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at fmctraining.com
Introduction to Adobe After Effects CC
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,495
- Intermediate
This beginner After Effects course is geared towards individuals with Photoshop experience looking to create graphics that come alive. Students will learn to create motion graphics, create basic animations, animate text, work with masks, use puppet tools, and more with After Effects.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Prerequisite: Participants should have experience working in Photoshop
Go to course at fmctraining.com

See all Future Media Concepts’s Courses

New Horizons

Chicago location: 525 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL, 60607 US

Offering on-site training all over the world and online, New Horizons is a computer learning center. New Horizons offers training for top technology providers like Adobe, Citrix, and Microsoft.

New Horizons’s Top Chicago Design Courses

Adobe Photoshop CC - Part 1
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $790
- Beginner
- Free Retake
This 2-day course teaches the basic features and functions of Adobe Photoshop CC. Students will learn how to create, modify and edit basic images. More advanced topic include using camera raw, adjusting layers, and using image refinement techniques. Finally, students will learn how to organize their assets using Adobe Bridge.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
Go to course at nhlearningsolutions.com
Adobe Photoshop CC - Part 2
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $790
- Beginner
- Free Retake
This 2-day course on Adobe Photoshop CC builds on the first course and introduces students to more advanced capabilities. Students will learn how to create raster images, apply vector image tools and advanced layer techniques, and edit videos. Because project management is also important, this course will also teach students how to define the audience and purpose of a project, avoid problems with copyright infringement, and manage tasks and responsibilities.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
Go to course at nhlearningsolutions.com
Adobe InDesign CC - Part 1
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $790
- Beginner
- Free Retake
In this 2-day course, students will get a comprehensive introduction to Adobe InDesign CC. Beginning with the user interface and navigation controls, students will then learn how to design their first document. Students will also practice adding text and graphics, formatting characters, paragraphs, and colors, and work with page elements such as layers and objects. The final lesson involves the export of InDesign files for delivery.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
Go to course at nhlearningsolutions.com
Adobe InDesign CC - Part 2
- 2 Days
- Weekdays
- $790
- Beginner
- Free Retake
This 2-day course expands on the foundations of Adobe InDesign, teaching students more advanced skills. Students will learn how to prepare documents for different layout versions, manage libraries, anchor objects, and create dynamic documents. They will be able to manage long documents such as books, including building a table of contents, an index and system of footnotes.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Free retake
Go to course at nhlearningsolutions.com

See all New Horizons’s Courses

CTS Training

Chicago location: 420 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611 US

Computer Training Source offers computer training courses in Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg, and online. CTS provides students with a variety of courses including Microsoft Office, Adobe, web design, project management, and technology/networking.

CTS Training’s Top Chicago Design Courses

Photoshop Part 1
- 1 Day
- Weekdays
- $349
- Beginner
This 1-day introductory course will train participants in the basics of Adobe Photoshop, including the Photoshop work area and photo manipulation. Participants will retouch images, create layered images, and start using masks. File management as well as the basics of incorporating Adobe Bridge will be covered.

Go to course at ctstraining.com
Photoshop Part 2
- 1 Day
- Weekdays
- $399
- Beginner
Learn raster images, vector images, advanced layer techniques, and the basics of video editing in Adobe Photoshop. In addition, students will learn how to automate tasks with Actions and manage their files.This 1-day Photoshop course is for those with a basic understanding of Photoshop looking to add intermediate-level skills.

Go to course at ctstraining.com
Photoshop Part 3
- 1 Day
- Weekdays
- $425
- Intermediate
This 1-day Photoshop course will educate students in photo retouching, photo editing, and working with masks and channels. Advanced subjects will be taught, such as image compositing with filters, and the concepts behind processing colors for print and web. Finally, 3D compatibility will be discussed. This course is for those with a basic knowledge of Photoshop seeking to improve with intermediate-level skills.

Go to course at ctstraining.com
Adobe Premiere Part 1
- See provider
- See provider
- See provider
- Beginner
This introductory Premiere Pro class will start participants off by learning the interface, then continuing on to importing and organizing media. Topics covered will include video editing concepts, working with clips and transitions, and adding video effects. Students will gain an understanding of how to export their projects as well.

Go to course at ctstraining.com

See all CTS Training’s Courses

Certstaffix Training

Chicago location: 205 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60601 US

Certstaff offers live online classes and group training onsite for corporate entities all over the U.S. They provide courses in End-user/Desktop, IT Pro Skills, Online Marketing, Business Skills, and Programming/Development.

Certstaffix’s Top Chicago Design Courses

Adobe After Effects CC (2020)
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,330
- Beginner
This is a 3-day course that gives students foundational skills in Adobe After Effects. Students will learn how to animate text and images, create motion graphics, and develop 3D content. Students will also have an opportunity to practice working with masks, adding lens flares, using puppet tools, and employing advanced editing techniques.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at certstaff.com
Adobe Illustrator CC (2020)
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,330
- Beginner
This introductory course to Adobe Illustrator uses 15 project-based lessons to teach the fundamentals of this tool. Students will learn how to use the Essentials workspace to navigate the Illustrator workflow. During this 3-day program, students will also learn how to use Illustrator’s tools to edit and combine shapes, create graphics for everything from websites to t-shirts, and develop web content.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at certstaff.com
Adobe InDesign CC (2020)
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,330
- Beginner
This 3-day course teaches the fundamentals of Adobe InDesign. Students will learn how to work with colors, objects, styles, and typography to develop designs for publishing. Completing 15 projects in this course will allow students to practice creating rich layouts and interactive .pdf forms. While intended for beginners, advanced users are also encouraged to take the course to expand their skills.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at certstaff.com
Adobe Photoshop CC (2020)
- 3 Days
- Weekdays
- $1,330
- Beginner
This is an introductory course to Adobe Photoshop. This 3-day program teaches fundamentals of Photoshop, including techniques for compositing video, editing photos, printing 3D files, painting with the mixer brush, and producing vectors. Students will also learn how to use the new Frame and Content-Aware Fill tools to simplify the video and photo editing process.
Course Benefits & Notes
- Available online
Go to course at certstaff.com

See all Certstaffix Training’s Courses

Which Chicago Design Class is Right for Me?

You have several options when it comes to learning Design, so we’ve chosen 101 of the best Chicago courses from the top 11 training providers to help you make your decision. But even so, with the variety of considerations including cost, duration, course format, starting level, and more, choosing the perfect course still isn’t that easy.

Here are the key questions you should ask yourself before enrolling in a Design course. We hope you’ll find the best option based on your learning preferences and goals.

What level should I start at?

Enrolling in the right skill level is pivotal. Skipping over prerequisites can leave you confused, while choosing a course too easy will waste your time and tuition dollars.

Beginner Courses

If you’re new to Design, there’s no need to fear. We’ve found 66 beginner courses, with costs ranging from $99 to $14,950. The top options open to beginners include:

UX Design Course @ General Assembly ($3,950 | 40 Hours)
In-person in Chicago or live online
Visual Design Course @ General Assembly ($2,800 | 32 Hours)
In-person in Chicago or live online
UX Design Immersive @ General Assembly ($14,950 | 12 Weeks)
In-person in Chicago or live online
User Experience Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 6 Hours)
In-person in Chicago or live online
Product Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($374 | 14 Hours)
In-person in Chicago or live online

Note that beginner courses still typically assume basic proficiency with computers.

Intermediate & Advanced Courses

Already comfortable with the basics of Design and feel ready to move to an intermediate or advanced class? Consider the following courses which all require some prerequisite knowledge:

Adobe Photoshop Core Skills: Level 2 @ ONLC Training Centers ($1,195 | 3 Days)
In-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe Illustrator Core Skills: Level 2 @ ONLC Training Centers ($1,195 | 3 Days)
In-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe InDesign Core Skills: Level 2 @ ONLC Training Centers ($1,195 | 3 Days)
In-person in Chicago or live online
After Effects 2020 Advanced @ Training Connection ($895 | 2 Days)
In-person in Chicago
Illustrator 2020 Advanced @ Training Connection ($895 | 2 Days)
In-person in Chicago

Which class format (in-person or live online) works best for me?

In Chicago, you can choose to attend Design courses in-person or live online. Additionally, some providers like ONLC and Certstaffix offer live online training with the option to use a computer lab in Chicago.

In-Person in Chicago

If you prefer to learn Design face-to-face with your instructor, you have nine schools to choose from in the Chicago area:

General Assembly located at 444 N Wabash Ave in Chicago, IL. We found nine Design courses with prices ranging from $99 to $14,950 and class duration ranging from 3 hours to 12 weeks.
Training Connection located at 230 W Monroe St in Chicago, IL. We found thirteen Design courses with prices ranging from $495 to $1,395 and class duration ranging from 1 day to 3 days.
Ledet Training located at 17 North State St in Chicago, IL. We found twenty-six Design courses with prices ranging from $499 to $5,495 and class duration ranging from 1 day to 15 days.
Future Media Concepts located at 55 E. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago, IL. We found eleven Design courses with prices ranging from $1,195 to $1,495 and class duration ranging from 2 days to 3 days.
New Horizons located at 525 W Van Buren St in Chicago, IL. We found six Design courses with prices ranging from $790 and class duration ranging from 2 days.
CTS Training located at 420 N Wabash Ave in Chicago, IL. We found thirteen Design courses with prices ranging from $349 to $425 and class duration ranging from 1 day.

Please note that due to COVID-19 some providers are temporarily offering online training only. Check with each provider for the latest status on a school’s in-person reopening plans.

Live Online Training from Anywhere

Live Online training is synchronous training where participants and the instructor attend remotely. Participants learn and interact with the instructor in real-time and can ask questions and receive feedback throughout the course. Instructors can remote into students’ computers (with prior permission) to assist with class exercises and any technical issues. The courses are hands-on and interactive like in-person training.

You can attend the course from your own home or office. This option works best for those without easy access to a nearby facility, and it has become increasingly popular during COVID-19. Here are 7 of the best live online Design classes we found:

UX Design Course @ General Assembly ($3,950 | 40 Hours | beginner)
Visual Design Course @ General Assembly ($2,800 | 32 Hours | beginner)
UX Design Immersive @ General Assembly ($14,950 | 12 Weeks | beginner)
User Experience Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 6 Hours | beginner)
Product Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($374 | 14 Hours | beginner)
Adobe InDesign Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 7 Hours | beginner)
Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 7 Hours | beginner)

“Remote Instructor” Training

In Chicago, you can attend Design courses live online and use the computer lab ONLC or Certstaffix at your option. In this “remote instructor” training, the instructor is not present in the same room as the students, but the training is still synchronous. Here are some “remote instructor” options in Chicago:

ONLC Training Centers: Computer lab at 233 South Wacker Drive in Chicago, IL
- Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp ($1,995 for 5 Days)
- Adobe Photoshop Core Skills: Level 1 ($795 for 2 Days)
- Adobe Photoshop Core Skills: Level 2 ($1,195 for 3 Days)
- Adobe Illustrator Core Skills: Level 1 ($795 for 2 Days)
- Adobe Illustrator Core Skills: Level 2 ($1,195 for 3 Days)
Certstaffix Training: Computer lab at 205 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL
- Adobe After Effects CC (2020) ($1,330 for 3 Days)
- Adobe Illustrator CC (2020) ($1,330 for 3 Days)
- Adobe InDesign CC (2020) ($1,330 for 3 Days)
- Adobe Photoshop CC (2020) ($1,330 for 3 Days)
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC (2020) ($1,330 for 3 Days)

When are Design classes available?

It’s crucial to find a course that fits your schedule. For training in Chicago or live online, we’ve found flexible scheduling options, including weekday, evening, and weekend courses.

Courses with multiple scheduling options include:

UX Design Course @ General Assembly ($3,950 | 40 Hours | Chicago or Online) is available weekdays or evenings
Visual Design Course @ General Assembly ($2,800 | 32 Hours | Chicago or Online) is available weekdays or evenings
User Experience Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 6 Hours | Chicago or Online) is available weekdays or weekends
Product Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($374 | 14 Hours | Chicago or Online) is available weekdays or weekends
Adobe InDesign Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 7 Hours | Chicago or Online) is available weekdays or weekends

Courses available weekdays only include:

Adobe Photoshop CC - Part 1 @ New Horizons ($790 | 2 Days | Chicago)
Adobe Photoshop CC - Part 2 @ New Horizons ($790 | 2 Days | Chicago)
Adobe InDesign CC - Part 1 @ New Horizons ($790 | 2 Days | Chicago)
Adobe InDesign CC - Part 2 @ New Horizons ($790 | 2 Days | Chicago)
Adobe Illustrator CC - Part 1 @ New Horizons ($790 | 2 Days | Chicago)

Full-time Courses

Also note, one course we’ve found requires a full-time commitment. This course is a “career-changer” course that may span over several months and probably requires 40 or more hours of work per week, whether in the classroom or out-of-class assignments and projects. Courses like these typically require a large financial commitment, although many provide payment plans and financing options.

UX Design Immersive @ General Assembly, spanning over 12 Weeks for $14,950

Due to changing schedules and uncertainty during COVID-19, we recommend that prospective students confirm course availability directly with the school.

What should I learn in Design?

With Design encompassing so many verticals and subtopics, it could be challenging to find what you’re looking for. We’ll help you break down the subcategories and related topics (see the Design topics section) to focus directly on one of the subcategories.

When learning Design, you can attend a course or program that dives comprehensively into Design, provides a brief introduction into Design, or focuses on a particular topic, including Graphic Design, Web Design, or UX Design.

Focus on a Specific Subtopic within Design

Within Design, you can focus your learning on a specific topic, including Graphic Design, Web Design, UX Design, Video Editing, and Motion Graphics. Each one of these topics will directly enhance, supplement, or support your learning in Design. To see how each topic relates to Design and to focus your learning on any subcategory, see the subtopics section above.

For a quick overview, here are some popular classes:

Learn Graphic Design with Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp @ ONLC Training Centers.
The course costs $1,995 and is available both in-person in Chicago or live online
Learn Web Design with Getting Started with Wordpress @ General Assembly.
The course costs $99 and is available both in-person in Chicago or live online
Learn UX Design with UX Design Course @ General Assembly.
The course costs $3,950 and is available both in-person in Chicago or live online
Learn Video Editing with Adobe Video Basics @ Ascend Training.
The course costs $699 and is available in-person in Chicago
Learn Visual Design with Visual Design Course @ General Assembly.
The course costs $2,800 and is available both in-person in Chicago or live online
Learn Photoshop with Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp @ General Assembly.
The course costs $250 and is available both in-person in Chicago or live online
Learn InDesign with Adobe InDesign Bootcamp @ General Assembly.
The course costs $250 and is available both in-person in Chicago or live online
Learn Illustrator with Adobe Illustrator Core Skills: Level 1 @ ONLC Training Centers.
The course costs $795 and is available both in-person in Chicago or live online
Learn After Effects with After Effects 2020 Fundamentals @ Training Connection.
The course costs $1,395 and is available in-person in Chicago
Learn Premiere Pro with Premiere Pro 2020 Fundamentals @ Training Connection.
The course costs $1,395 and is available in-person in Chicago
Learn Adobe XD with Adobe XD @ Ascend Training.
The course costs $799 and is available in-person in Chicago
Learn Final Cut Pro with Introduction to Final Cut Pro X @ Future Media Concepts.
The course costs $1,495 and is available both in-person in Chicago or live online

What type of learner am I?

When learning Design, there are a variety of learning goals you can achieve, including learning Design comprehensively, gaining a broad introduction to Design, getting started, adding to existing skills, or embarking on a new career path.

To find the perfect fit for you, it’s important to determine what your training goals are. Here is a breakdown of the variety of courses and learners.

Comprehensive Learner

For those who are committed to comprehensively understand Design and ready to spend 32 hours to 15 days to master Design, these classes will help achieve that goal. With prices ranging from $1,330 to $5,495, there is a financial commitment, but learning these skills can have a tremendous impact on job performance and earnings potential.

UX Design Course @ General Assembly ($3,950 | 40 Hours) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Visual Design Course @ General Assembly ($2,800 | 32 Hours) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp @ ONLC Training Centers ($1,995 | 5 Days) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe Illustrator CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe InDesign CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe Photoshop CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days) available in-person in Chicago or live online

Explorer

Learning Design comprehensively can be a large financial and time commitment. If you’re not committed quite yet, or just want to learn about the field or subject, these courses can give you a high-level overview to help inform larger decisions. Note that most of these courses tend to be broader and less hands-on.

User Experience Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 6 Hours) available in-person in Chicago or live online

Committed to Getting Started

If you know you need to get started in Design but you’re not quite committed to learning it comprehensively, these courses will get you started with hands-on skills you can use right away. Many schools offer the ability to continue learning with intermediate-to-advanced courses, and some offer package discounts. All these courses are open to beginners.

Product Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($374 | 14 Hours) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe InDesign Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 7 Hours) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 7 Hours) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Visual Design Bootcamp @ General Assembly ($250 | 7 Hours) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Getting Started with Wordpress @ General Assembly ($99 | 3 Hours) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe Photoshop Core Skills: Level 1 @ ONLC Training Centers ($795 | 2 Days) available in-person in Chicago or live online

Skill-Advancer

For those with some familiarity with Design looking to advance or add to their skills, these courses provide those with experience the perfect opportunity to skill-up. All these courses require prerequisite knowledge, and we’ve included a brief note for many of them, but you should check with the school for more details on the entry requirements.

Adobe Photoshop Core Skills: Level 2 @ ONLC Training Centers ($1,195 | 3 Days) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe Illustrator Core Skills: Level 2 @ ONLC Training Centers ($1,195 | 3 Days) available in-person in Chicago or live online
Adobe InDesign Core Skills: Level 2 @ ONLC Training Centers ($1,195 | 3 Days) available in-person in Chicago or live online
After Effects 2020 Advanced @ Training Connection ($895 | 2 Days) available in-person in Chicago
Illustrator 2020 Advanced @ Training Connection ($895 | 2 Days) available in-person in Chicago
InDesign 2020 Advanced @ Training Connection ($895 | 2 Days) available in-person in Chicago

Career Changer

You’re not only committed to learning Design comprehensively, but you’re hoping and ready to break into a new career. While securing a new career is not guaranteed, these courses provide in-depth training in Design. Many offer job support and some offer a money-back guarantee. Job support typically includes resume writing, help with job applications, portfolio building, and career counseling, but the services vary by provider.

Applications are typically required and many also require remote prework to build essential concepts before the more intensive “live” training. And due to the steep prices (some courses as high as $14,950) many programs provide financing options. See financing notes below but always be sure to confirm with the school and read the terms and conditions. Not all applicants are admitted and approved for financing.

Here is one “career-changer” program. All the programs include career services (see the provider’s website for details on what is included).

UX Design Immersive @ General Assembly ($14,950 | 12 Weeks) available in-person in Chicago or live online
The course provides job support and comes with a money-back guarantee (see the school’s website for terms and conditions). Financing is also available: Apply for a student loan through Meritize or Climb, or divide tuition into installments. Income sharing agreements are available in select U.S. markets.

How much does Chicago Design training cost?

Pricing for Design training varies by school, duration, method of delivery, and several other factors.

For group classes, in-person training in Chicago ranges from $26/hour to $98/hour, and live online training ranges from $26/hour to $98/hr.

See the Design pricing analysis section to compare course fees.

For Design corporate and on-site training, contact us at (212) 226-4149 or to receive a quote and free consultation. We can customize the curriculum to meet the needs of your team.

Design Training Pricing Analysis

See the tuition comparison below to compare Design courses by cost per training hour (open enrollment courses under 300 hours only). For private tutoring or corporate training (onsite or virtual), contact us at hello@nobledesktop.com for a quote.