Best Graphic Design Certificates Minneapolis, MN: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About Minneapolis Graphic Design Certificates

Graphic design is the process of planning and creating visual communication by combining elements like text and images. Graphic Designers work in many different industries and create products like advertisements, logos, webpages, and magazines. While artists often create art for its own sake, Graphic Designers usually have a specific goal, and they use design principles such as balance, contrast, and repetition to achieve designs that communicate a specific message or affect viewers in a specific way.

Graphic design was traditionally done by hand, using tools like pens, paper, and rulers. However, since the late 20th century, digital tools have become increasingly popular and have changed the field of graphic design significantly. LinkedIn calls this a “digital revolution,” explaining that digital tools have made graphic design more affordable and accessible, allow designers to work more quickly and efficiently, and have greatly expanded their capacity for creativity and innovation. Further, it stresses that this revolution is not over. It says, “The digital revolution is still ongoing and evolving, bringing new trends and challenges for graphic designers.”

Why Become Certified in Graphic Design?

Becoming certified in graphic design can lead to several career fields that are predicted to remain relatively stable over the next ten years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a federal agency that provides statistics about many different jobs, including graphic design-related jobs. It finds that for Graphic Designers, the median pay is close to $60,000 yearly and predicts that graphic design jobs will grow at a rate of 3 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is about average. Some Graphic Designers work as Web Developers or Digital Designers, and this field is expected to see 16 percent job growth between 2022 and 2032, according to the BLS, which is much faster than the average job growth rate. Web Developers and Digital Designers have a median pay of about $80,000. Graphic design skills can also lead to a career as a Special Effects Artist and Animator, which has a median pay of close to $100,000 and is expected to grow by 8 percent over the next ten years, according to the BLS.

Graphic design can also give you the ability to work in many different industries and to constantly learn new things. One Graphic Designer explains the versatility and creativity of this career in a recent LinkedIn article, stating, “Graphic design is more than just creating visually appealing images; it's a versatile skill that holds immense importance in our digital age. Learning graphic design can open doors to a world of opportunities and creativity.” The author also points out that this field is constantly evolving, and as a result, it offers constant opportunities to learn new things.

What You’ll Learn While Becoming Graphic Design Certified

Graphic design courses vary by school; however, when you get certified, there are several fundamental concepts that you’re likely to learn no matter where you study. Every Graphic Designer needs to understand design theory, so this is covered in most courses. You’re also likely to learn how to create digital content, how to edit your design, and how to use at least one design application. In addition, you’ll work on several different design projects.

Design Theory

Every design choice has a specific effect on the audience, and design theory is a way to understand how and why this happens. When you learn graphic design, you’ll learn how to use different design elements and techniques to achieve more effective designs.

How to Create Digital Content

Digital media has become an integral part of life for most people, and when you get certified in graphic design, you’ll probably learn how to create many different types of digital designs. For instance, you might create content for a digital marketing campaign, or you may work on web content.

How to Edit Designs

An important part of being a Graphic Designer is understanding how to edit and manipulate your designs. Most design applications include many different editing tools, and when you get certified, you’ll learn how to use these tools to edit your work.

Graphic Design Applications

In recent years, computer applications have become an increasingly important tool for Graphic Designers. When you get certified, you may learn to design on paper, but you’re also likely to learn at least one design application. Adobe applications like Photoshop and Illustrator are some of the most popular.

Project Work

One of the best ways to master graphic design skills is to work on real-world projects, and you’re likely to do this when you get certified in graphic design. You can also include these projects in your portfolio, which is a collection of your best work that you can show to potential employers and clients.

Graphic Design Industries in Minneapolis

The Minneapolis-St Paul metropolitan area has a population of more than three and a half million people, with a busy economy and many opportunities in graphic design. It was recently ranked at number nine on a list of Best Cities to Start a Career. According to the Greater MSP Partnership, it has more Fortune 500 companies per capita than any other city in the world. The organization lists some of the area’s major industries. It states, “A global leader in medical technology innovation, commercialization, and manufacturing. Innovation across multiple industries, from software to renewable energy. And one of the highest concentrations of banks and financial talent in a major metropolitan area. These are just a few of the things that make the Greater MSP business community great.”

This area is also known for its tech industries. According to the Minnesota Technology Corridor, Minnesota supports more than 136,000 tech jobs. The organization says, “The tech sector has an estimated direct economic impact of $31.1 billion, or about 9.3 percent of Minnesota’s total economy.” In a recent Built In article, the author explains, “In recent years, the city has become a favorite among ambitious entrepreneurs, spawning a startup community that grows larger each year. Like other fledgling tech capitals, Minneapolis offers greater economic freedom than traditional tech hubs like San Francisco and New York, making it an even more desirable location for startup founders.” According to the article, notable tech companies in Minneapolis include Zipnosis, MentorMate, Ceridian, When I Work, Datica, Kipsu, and HomeSpotter.

Graphic Design Careers in Minneapolis

Graphic design skills can lead to a career as a Graphic Designer. Graphic Designers can work for graphic design companies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Those who work for specialized graphic design firms are often part of a design team. Many graphic designers collaborate with colleagues or work with clients on projects.” However, the BLS finds that it is also common to work alone in this profession and reports that 19 percent of Graphic Designers are self-employed. According to Payscale, which posts salary estimates for many U.S. cities, in Minneapolis, a Graphic Designer earns an average of $36,000 to $67,000. The BLS finds that the Minneapolis metropolitan area has one of the highest levels of employment for Graphic Designers in the United States

With graphic design skills, you can also end up in a variety of other design careers. For instance, you could work as a Digital Designer creating digital visuals like graphics and animations that are used in websites, mobile apps, and other forms of digital media. Payscale finds that a Minneapolis Digital Designer earns $43,000 to $77,000 on average. Another common design career for a Graphic Designer is that of User Experience (UX) Designer. UX Designers try to improve the way websites, apps, and other digital products look and feel, making them enjoyable to look at and use. They earn about $62,000 to $122,000 in Minneapolis, according to Payscale. Web Designers design entire websites, and they can use graphic design knowledge to help them create visually appealing websites. Payscale reports that they earn $42,000 to $77,000 in Minneapolis. Graphic design skills can also lead to a career as a Motion Graphics Designer, which is someone who creates visual effects and animation for media like video games and apps. According to Glassdoor, which is another website that posts U.S. salary estimates, Minneapolis-based Motion Graphics Designers earn approximately $67,000 to $105,000 yearly. Graphic design skills are also used to create marketing content. A Digital Marketer is a person who works on content for digital marketing campaigns and earns about $44,000 to $73,000 in Minneapolis, according to Payscale.

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification

“Certificate” and “certification” sound similar, and aspiring Graphic Designers might assume that they mean the same thing; however, there are some important differences between these two types of qualifications. Certificates are earned by completing a specific education program, which will vary depending on the school you attend. Every school offers its own unique certificate programs. They do not expire, and in most cases, you simply need to pass the course to earn one. An example of a certificate is Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate, which takes one month to complete and is focused on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. In contrast, certifications are standardized qualifications that are the same no matter where you earn them, usually expire, and require you to pass a proctored exam. For instance, you can become an Adobe Certified Professional in Photoshop by passing a 50-minute exam, and your certification will last for three years.

Certificate programs generally cover a broad range of skills and are geared towards beginners, and they are popular among students looking to gain the skills they need for an entry-level graphic design job. Most certifications are more narrowly focused–for example, Adobe’s Photoshop certification is focused only on Photoshop skills–and are more popular among experienced designers who want to stand out from their colleagues. A recent LinkedIn post explains that many employers like certifications because they demonstrate a certain level of mastery. The author says, “Similar to how a college degree proves that you’ve passed all the required courses in your field of study, your Adobe certification demonstrates your skills with Adobe. Prospective employers no longer need to take you at your word that you are competent.”

Top Graphic Design Certificate Programs in Minneapolis

Graphic design skills can open up a variety of different career options, and many design-related careers are expected to grow significantly over the next ten years, particularly those that involve digital media. By enrolling in a graphic design certificate program, you can start learning the skills that you’ll need for a career in this thriving industry. The Minneapolis area has many different graphic design course offerings, including in-person classes and classes that run in an online format.

If you need help making sense of all the different certificate programs out there, you can use the Classes Near Me tool. This tool lets you find and compare all the classes in your area.

Graphic Design Certificate

The Graphic Design Certificate is offered by Minneapolis College. There are nine classes. Tuition at this school is $175.45 per credit for general courses and $179.95 per credit for online courses. Minneapolis College is a two-year career and technical college that serves 10,000 students.

To earn the certificate, students complete nine courses: Adobe Photoshop 1,2, and 3; Adobe Illustrator 1 and 2; Adobe InDesign 1,2, and 3; and Design Principles. They learn real-world skills from experienced Graphic Designers. They also produce a comprehensive project that can be used as a portfolio piece.

Design Foundations Certificate

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design was founded in 1886 and is an internationally recognized school. To earn the Design Foundations Certificate, students need to take eight courses, which each takes between 5 and 15 weeks to complete. Total tuition is approximately $5,120.

In this program, students learn graphic design essentials, including design concepts, history and theory, composition, and typography. The required classes are Graphic Design Essentials, Introduction to Graphic Design, Introduction to Typography, Graduate Level Typography Class, Graduate Level Design in Context Class, User Experience (UX) Design Concepts and Mobile Apps, Typography Intensive, and Web Development: HTML.

Graphic Design Certificate

Founded in 1990 and based in New York City, Noble Desktop is a design and coding school that teaches many different courses, both in-person and live online. The Graphic Design Certificate is a one-month course that costs $2,995. Students can also opt for a part-time schedule, which takes three months. The course is licensed by the state of New York and includes the option of a free retake within a year. Students receive a certificate upon completion.

The program is broken into four separate courses: Adobe InDesign Bootcamp, Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp, Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp, and Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp. Students learn to create vector graphics in Illustrator, design page layouts with InDesign, and edit photos with Photoshop. They will also learn to use Adobe Bridge. In addition, they will work on projects for a portfolio and receive six one-on-one mentoring sessions that can be used for career support or for extra help with challenging concepts from class.

Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp

This course runs through NYC Career Centers, which is based in New York City but also offers live online classes. This school has been operating for more than 30 years. The Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp costs $1,295. There are five class sessions. Students receive a certificate of completion after finishing the course. They can also choose to do a free retake within a year. Students need to have a strong working knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, and Photoshop to enroll.

The bootcamp runs in a hands-on format, where students learn more about design concepts and processes, but also work on many different design projects using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. They will receive instructor critiques of their work, and there will also be group critiques during class. Projects include logos, stationery, event posters, email announcements, and social media graphics.

Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp

ONLC Training Centers has hundreds of training centers in the United States and offers IT training. The Graphic Design Bootcamp runs in a live online format, but students also get access to in-person computer labs. The course takes five days to complete, and tuition is $1,995. Students receive a certificate upon completion.

The course is focused on graphic design, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Students learn to create visual assets, utilize Adobe Creative Cloud libraries, and work with My Portfolio. They also learn image editing and compositing, creating and editing vector graphics and illustrations, page design and layout, Lightroom skills, as well as Adobe Bridge.

Photoshop Training: Bootcamp

Lumenbrite Digital Design Training offers hands-on, interactive digital design training, including this four-session bootcamp, which is focused on Photoshop. Photoshop has become an industry-standard tool and is extremely popular among Graphic Designers. The bootcamp has four sessions and costs $1,595. There are no prerequisites, but students do need to have basic computer skills. A certificate is awarded upon completion of the course.

The course covers many different Photoshop skills including setting up a workflow, working with layers, typography, compositing, and retouching, repairing, and manipulating photos. Students also learn color management and how to do advanced image manipulation. Instructors also cover best practices and common pitfalls.

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Graphic Design Certificate Learn The Skills Guarantee™

Key Insights

Learn More About Minneapolis Graphic Design Certificates

Why Become Certified in Graphic Design?

What You’ll Learn While Becoming Graphic Design Certified

Design Theory

How to Create Digital Content

How to Edit Designs

Graphic Design Applications

Project Work

Graphic Design Industries in Minneapolis

Graphic Design Careers in Minneapolis

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification

Top Graphic Design Certificate Programs in Minneapolis

Graphic Design Certificate

Design Foundations Certificate

Graphic Design Certificate

Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp

Photoshop Training: Bootcamp

Minneapolis Graphic Design Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Graphic Design Training Locations in or Near Minneapolis

Minneapolis Careers & Salaries Related to Graphic Design

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Minneapolis Graphic Design
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