Graphic Design Classes CT

Graphic design is the process of conveying a message or idea visually using text, color, and graphics. While some suggest that graphic design has its origins in cave paintings or the invention of the printing press, most point to the rise of modern advertising in the 19th and 20th centuries as what helped to solidify graphic design principles and tools. Today, graphic design is still most commonly used in advertising, publishing, digital design, and the arts to create a variety of works including promotional materials, product packaging, brand logos, book covers, webpages, and application interfaces.

Learning graphic design can be the start of a fulfilling career or a way to create balanced and engaging works for your own use. Graphic design training often involves learning the foundations of creative, balanced design and working with software like InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Someone looking to learn web design or UI/UX design will need additional training in web programming, user testing, and essential wireframing software.

What Can You Do with Graphic Design Training?

Learning graphic design will provide you with a skill set that you can use for a variety of purposes. Many pursue graphic design to work in advertising or publishing. In these industries, graphic design professionals find themselves creating a variety of promotional materials. This could involve designing a logo for a brand that has a distinct message they want to communicate to consumers, creating detailed and scalable product packaging designs, or designing a book cover for a soon-to-be-published novel.

Some also learn graphic design to create digital assets or user interfaces for websites and applications. These professions include Digital Designers, Web Designers, and User Interface (UI) Designers and they often have training in both graphic design and computer science. Web, Digital, and UI Designers can work on creating the layout and visual content for a webpage or interface, including designing graphics, animations, icons, menus, and other features. They must pay attention to how something looks as well as how it functions to create an engaging and accessible experience for the user.

Not only will you learn career-ready skills in a graphic design class, but you will also have a skill set that you can use to draw, retouch images, or create designs for your own uses. This can include anything from removing unwanted background details from your photographs to drawing patterns for your own fashion designs. You can also put your skills to use by creating flyers for a neighborhood get-together, a family reunion, or an event hosted by a local nonprofit.

What Will I Learn in a Graphic Design Class?

InDesign

Adobe InDesign is industry-standard page layout software. Graphic design professionals use this software to organize elements like text, color, graphics, shapes, and images in single- and multi-page documents. In a graphic design course, you will learn how to style and format elements in InDesign, as well as how to work with master pages and tables. Using InDesign, you can create content like brochures, flyers, book covers, and magazine spreads. This software can also be used to create content for distribution on social media channels, to prototype webpages, or to put together interactive, dynamic PDFs.

Illustrator

Illustrator is vector graphic software from Adobe. Using this program allows you to create accurate and scalable illustrations for print or web distribution. This could involve creating a brand logo or custom font, designing a social media banner, illustrating product packaging, or drawing out clothing patterns. In a graphic design course, you will learn how to use the shape tools, draw with the Pen tool, and use other features like 3D effects, masks, and layers.

Photoshop

Photoshop is image editing software from Adobe. This software allows professionals and amateurs to retouch photos, adjust the color and contrast, remove unwanted background elements, and create multi-layered photographs with different text and images. Graphic design courses will teach students how to use Photoshop’s basic and advanced features so that they use it to touch up or create images for publication, promotional campaigns, or distribution on social media.

Motion Graphics

Graphic design courses will cover InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop but might also include instruction on motion graphics software. For someone pursuing a career in animation, visual effects, or video editing, training in motion graphics will be essential, and knowledge of motion graphics can also help someone pursuing graphic design, digital design, or web design develop a more marketable skill set. In a graphic design course on motion graphics, you will often learn Adobe software like After Effects, which allows you to create animations, visual effects, and 3D effects, or Premiere Pro, which is a video and sound editing program. Those wanting to learn 3D animation and modeling should also consider Cinema 4D training.

Creative Thinking

One of the “soft skills” you will learn in graphic design is creative thinking. Many are drawn to graphic design because it allows them to channel their creative talents into specific forms. Graphic design courses will also help to enhance your creative thinking by challenging you to undertake new tasks and adapt to new creative challenges. These courses provide you with a set of creative standards and skills to draw on as you launch your graphic design career or continue to practice your skills outside of the classroom.

How Hard is It to Learn Graphic Design?

Learning the basic graphic design concepts and tools is not considered difficult. As long as you have an interest in design and are willing to put time and effort into learning, you should be able to learn graphic design. One of the trickiest parts of graphic design is using your knowledge of design principles and toolsets to create a unique graphic design project. You will need to employ your own creative thinking to tackle engaging design projects for yourself or for your clients.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Graphic Design?

One of the most difficult parts of graphic design is the need to use your own critical thinking and creativity for each project you complete. Most of the software and the design concepts you will learn are not considered too demanding, but you will need to have a strong creative impulse and bring your own original style to your projects. This can mean developing an eye for aesthetics, learning the history of different styles, fads, and trends, and remaining up-to-date on new trends and tools. Additionally, some of the software programs like Photoshop or After Effects might present more of a challenge because they have complex and advanced toolsets that will take extra dedication to learn.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Graphic Design?

How long it takes you to learn graphic design depends on how much time and effort you put into learning as well as your specific learning goals. You can learn the basics of using individual graphic design concepts or software, like Illustrator or InDesign, in as little as a few days or a few weeks. It will take longer for you to be able to put your skills to use in a professional capacity and many find it takes six months to a year to become fully proficient in graphic design. Someone learning graphic design to start a career in UI/UX design or web design will need computer science training, as well, which will make it take longer to master design skills.

Should I Learn Graphic Design in Person or Online?

Whether to learn graphic design in-person or online will depend on your own preferences and learning needs as well as a course’s cost, curriculum, and schedule. In-person learning is still considered the best way to learn and retain information. Most people find that they learn better in a classroom environment where they can receive instruction and feedback from an expert teacher. However, it can be harder to find in-person bootcamps or classes outside of a full-time university and college degree program. In-person classes can also cost more than online options and are often scheduled during the workweek, making it hard for those with full-time jobs or busy schedules to attend.

Live online classes are a good alternative to in-person graphic design training. Instructor-led classes should offer hands-on instruction from an expert teacher and a similar curriculum in comparison to in-person learning. Online classes are also more convenient as you can take them from home and they are more frequently scheduled in the evenings, on weekends, or part-time. Some people do have a harder time focusing and staying engaged in the course material when taking an online class. You can work to overcome this by exerting more active effort to participate during live class sessions or on discussion boards and engaging with your instructor and other classmates.

Another online option is taking an asynchronous online or on-demand class. On-demand classes will not require you to attend any live class sessions, instead, you will receive access to the course material and can work through it at your own speed. This is the best option for dedicated learners who cannot commit to attending an in-person or live online class and it can be a great way to learn the foundations of graphic design at a lower cost. Someone taking an on-demand class will need to be extremely self-motivated, as there will not necessarily be an instructor to guide your learning and you will have to teach yourself the material. On-demand classes will also not provide professional skill development and will not offer the career support that an in-person or live online class will provide.

Can I Learn Graphic Design Free Online?

You can learn the basics of graphic design for free online. There are articles, guides, free graphic design seminars, and online tutorial videos that learners will find useful. Providers like Adobe and LinkedIn Learning offer short classes and workshops that you can access online for free. Another option many pursue is searching YouTube for introductory videos and tutorials on graphic design concepts and tools. A great entry point into learning graphic design is Noble Desktop’s graphic design YouTube playlist, which has videos on getting started in graphic design, motion graphics, or UI design and tutorial videos for programs like Figma, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

Free resources can help you learn graphic design foundations, but they cannot provide the professional skill development or career support services that a paid class offers students.

What Should I Learn Alongside Graphic Design?

Many skills and toolsets will complement your graphic design knowledge. Someone interested in motion graphics should learn Adobe software like Premiere Pro and After Effects. These are often not part of a regular graphic design class unless that class specifies it will teach video editing, animation, visual effects, or motion graphics. Premiere Pro is video and sound editing software and After Effects is motion graphics software that allows users to create visual effects, animation, and combine layers of image and text. These are especially important to learn for anyone wanting to use their design skills to work in the entertainment industry on films, TV shows, or video games. Someone with this training can also create interactive and dynamic animations and effects for websites or applications.

Those interested in pursuing a career in web or UI/UX design should learn basic coding. This often means learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which most do not find difficult. UI and UX Designers also need to know how to wireframe or prototype their designs and will need training in user testing. Some do use InDesign for webpage mock-ups, but it is also common to use Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch to design and prototype webpages or application interfaces.

Industries That Use Graphic Design

Most industries will use some amount of graphic design as companies and organizations of all sizes try to create a coherent brand image and message through their logos, websites, social media channels, or promotional materials. In Connecticut, two of the largest industries where someone with graphic design training can find a home are manufacturing and financial services. Additionally, those with graphic design training in Connecticut can find themselves working in advertising or entertainment.

Manufacturing

Connecticut’s top industry is manufacturing. A quarter of all US aircraft and aircraft parts are manufactured in Connecticut and Connecticut’s manufacturing industry is also known for shipbuilding and repair, electronics, and plastics. The state is gearing itself towards advanced manufacturing, which is the use of new technologies, like artificial intelligence and robotics, to innovate the manufacturing process.

Those working on graphic design in manufacturing have a unique role to play. Similar to other industries, graphic design professionals might be tapped to create a logo or unique typography for a company. They also might work on projects conveying technical or educational information. Additionally, one of the careers someone with graphic design training can go into is working on product packing designs. Product Designers or Packaging Designers create visual elements for product packaging and often have to balance the aesthetics of the design with any necessary information and labeling requirements.

Finance

Finance is another of Connecticut’s top industries. Connecticut’s financial sector is heavily involved in asset management and insurance. Some of the largest hedge funds call Connecticut home and the state has made serious developments in the FinTech sector.

Graphic design professionals working for clients in financial services might be tasked with designing a custom logo or font for a company that communicates professionalism and trustworthiness. Similar to how these professionals are needed in other industries, graphic design professionals will often work on promotional materials for print or digital distribution. They can also work on visualizing key performance data in graphics, charts, and dynamic PDFs for clients in the finance industry.

Advertising

While advertising is not the top industry in Connecticut, it is the top industry for the employment of graphic design professionals. Most companies and organizations utilize some form of advertising to raise awareness of their goods and services and generate sales. The state of Connecticut itself even employs graphic design professionals for its own state initiatives like 2023’s “Make It Here” campaign which included not only promotional materials but a special campaign logo.

Graphic design professionals work on promotional materials in the advertising industry. These professionals create visual representations of a brand’s messages and vision. This can be like the aforementioned logo design for Connecticut’s “Make It Here” marketing campaign. It can also mean creating print materials like brochures, posters, product packaging, or content for exhibition on digital channels like banners, social media posts, or even the look of a webpage or application interface.

Entertainment

The entertainment industry in Connecticut is another place where graphic design professionals can find employment. Connecticut has a diverse entertainment industry, with post-production studios and game and software development studios. TV sports and audio broadcasters like ESPN and iHeartMedia have locations in Hartford adding to the diversity of this industry.

Graphic design professionals work with those in the entertainment industry to make their ideas into a visual reality. Someone with graphic design training can work in animation or visual effects helping to design the look of a setting, a character, or a series of actions. As with other industries, the entertainment industry needs graphic design professionals for marketing and to craft a distinctive look for all the materials and content generated by their companies, organizations, and brands.

Graphic Design Job Titles and Salaries

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers manipulate graphics, text, and color to convey a message to an intended audience. These professionals work in a variety of industries, some of the most popular being advertising, publishing, and entertainment. A Graphic Designer can create various things, including promotional materials for a company or brand, a logo or font, product packaging, social media content, book covers, or even the look of a webpage.

A Graphic Designer in Connecticut can expect to earn $76,000 on average annually, which is similar to the national average salary for this role. The salary range for this job starts at around $48,000 for entry-level positions and can go as high as around $121,000 for more experienced, senior Graphic Designers working in-demand industries.

Multimedia Designer

Multimedia Designers create detailed graphics, motion graphics, text, or interactive elements for use in video, animation, video games, or websites. These professionals often work in the entertainment industry, designing props, settings, and character graphics for TV or film or creating computer graphics for video games. They have a similar background in graphic design as the other design professionals but need further training in their specific career niche, which can include training in film production, CAD design, animation, or web design.

Those working as Multimedia Designers in Connecticut earn an average of $56,000 annually, which is the same as the national average. Entry-level positions can start around $42,000 and more experienced Multimedia Designers can earn up to around $75,000. A Multimedia Designer's salary is dependent on experience, location, and industry.

Animator

Animators use hand-drawn images or computer software to create motion graphics and effects. They often work in the entertainment industry on TV shows, films, or video games, where they can help to design or implement the look of a character or a setting or create specific visual effects for something as small as animated on-screen text to something as large as entire characters, settings, scenes, or actions. Animators can work in a variety of industries beyond just entertainment to create custom 2D or 3D animations on websites or applications that can be used for education, promotional, and entertainment purposes.

Animators, on average, earn around $88,000 annually in Connecticut, the same as the national average. How much you earn can range from $47,000 at the entry-level to $163,000 at the highest end of the spectrum and also depends on whether you are a 2D Animator or a 3D Animator. 3D Animators earn higher salaries, though what you will earn depends on your skill level, location, and industry.

UI Designer

A User Interface (UI) Designer is a professional who uses their design and programming skills to prototype and test the interface of a website or application. UI Designers need to create engaging and aesthetically pleasing visual content while also paying attention to the usability and functionality of their designs. To do this, they need training in user testing and the critical ability to think about the look and function of their designs. With further training in programming and a more holistic approach to the user experience, someone can also become a User Experience (UX) Designer.

In Connecticut, UI Designers make around $100,000 per year, similar to the national average. Because this career requires more training than some other graphic design roles, the entry-level positions often pay higher, as well. The salary for a UI Designer typically ranges from around $74,000 to $135,000 depending on one’s skill level and location.

Graphic Design Classes Near Me

Those interested in learning graphic design should consider Noble Desktop’s classes, bootcamps, and certificate programs. Certificate programs are a great option for comprehensive, career-ready graphic design training and professional skill development. Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate is a month-long program of study covering foundational design theories and industry-standard software like Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Students will receive hands-on training in creating logos, packaging, and various promotional materials while building a competitive portfolio. In addition to this certificate program, Noble Desktop also offers a Digital Design Certificate and a UI Design Certificate which are designed to train students to create web and mobile application designs and use wireframing programs like Figma.

If you want to learn about a specific software program, consider enrolling in a bootcamp. Bootcamps are shorter, comprehensive classes that will teach you career-ready skills over an accelerated timeline. Noble Desktop offers beginner-friendly bootcamps in design software including an Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp, an Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp, and an Adobe InDesign Bootcamp. Recently added to the course offerings, Noble Desktop also has an AI for Graphic Design course that will keep graphic design professionals updated on the latest technology developments. This two-day class is a great follow-up to the Graphic Design Certificate or the individual classes in Adobe software as it teaches participants how to leverage Adobe’s AI innovations to enhance their design process or workflow. These courses are just the start as Noble Desktop also offers classes in animation, motion graphics, video editing, or web design.

Many universities and colleges in Connecticut and neighboring states have full degree programs in graphic design. If you’re looking for a two-to-four-year degree program, Paier College’s BFA in Graphic Design is a good option to consider. Paier College aims to provide professional, career-ready training for students in art and marketing and their graphic design curriculum covers design theory and advertising principles as well as practical skills like typography, layout, and working with computer graphics, multimedia design, and photography.

Located in Branford, Shoreline Adult Education is a continuing education school that offers an Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) program of study. Beginners are welcome to enroll in this online course taught by a graphic design and web programming professional who covers Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Students will learn about typography, styling, templates, image creation, drawing, and how to create websites while preparing for ACP exams in the specified software. While you do not need ACP certification to work in graphic design, this certification can set you apart from the competition when you are on the job market.

ONLC Training Center offers instructor-led graphic design courses in Rocky Hill. Their Rocky Hill offerings include an Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp and Adobe InDesign Core Skills: Level 1 and Level 2 classes. Their Graphic Design Bootcamp is a week-long, intensive course for graphic design beginners or those looking to enhance their graphic design skills. This bootcamp covers Adobe Creative Cloud essentials and teaches you the basics of creating designs in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. In-person students will learn on Windows PC software, whereas online-only students can use their PC or Mac during the class. The Adobe InDesign Core Skills course will provide learners with more comprehensive introductory and advanced InDesign training.

Information technology training center New Horizons is another option for online graphic design training. They offer short classes in Adobe Creative Cloud software like Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro. They have additional courses for those interested in learning web development or designing e-learning materials. Most of their Adobe software courses have introductory and advanced options and can be completed in one or two intensive class sessions. Their introductory courses are great for beginners who want to learn how to create professional page layouts in InDesign, retouch images in Photoshop, or draw graphics and text in Illustrator.

Graphic Design Corporate Training

If you are looking to train, reskill, or upskill your workforce, consider Noble Desktop’s corporate training options. Noble Desktop offers classes, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide hands-on training at their in-person facility in Manhattan, online from any location, or onsite at your location. For graphic design, consider Noble Desktop’s comprehensive Graphic Design Certificate as well as their intensive one-day workshops and accelerated bootcamps on industry-standard design software including Figma, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

Discounted bulk vouchers are available for attendance in Noble Desktop’s regular public classes. This option allows you to decide which classes to offer to your workforce and then your employees can determine which options will work best for their schedules and training needs. For more information on corporate training options or to schedule a free consultation, email corporate@nobledesktop.com.