Best Graphic Design Certificates NYC: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About NYC Graphic Design Certificates

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is a type of visual communication that involves combining text, images, and other visual elements in order to communicate certain ideas and messages to an audience. While artists often create art for its own sake, Graphic Designers usually create for a specific reason. Graphic Designers work in many different types of industries and they create a wide array of products, such as advertisements, logos, and web pages. They can work with non-digital mediums like ink, brushes, and paper. They can also use digital tools. For instance, many Graphic Designers work with applications like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

The way that Graphic Designers create has changed significantly over time. For many years, they worked exclusively by hand, using non-digital tools like pencils, rulers, and scissors. LinkedIn explains, “Graphic Designers had to draw sketches, make mock-ups, and print proofs on paper, film, or metal plates. They also had to work with typographers, printers, and photographers to produce the final product. The process was time-consuming, costly, and limited by the available materials and techniques.” That changed with the advent of computers and digital technology. Digital tools have become increasingly popular in recent years.

LinkedIn calls this the “digital revolution,” and explains that it has changed graphic design in a number of ways. It says, “First, it expanded the scope and diversity of graphic design projects, as graphic designers could work on a wider range of media and genres, such as animation, video, games, and multimedia. Second, it increased the speed and efficiency of graphic design work, as graphic designers could produce and modify designs faster and easier, using digital tools and templates. Third, it enhanced the creativity and innovation of graphic design work, as graphic designers could experiment with different styles, effects, and combinations, using digital tools and resources.” LinkedIn also points out that this digital revolution is not over, but is ongoing, with tools and trends changing constantly. It explains that this gives designers new tools, like artificial intelligence, but also leads to new challenges, like the need to adapt designs to different types of devices.

What Can You Do with Graphic Design?

Graphic design skills can open the door to many different career options. Skilled Graphic Designers are found in a wide range of different industries. As one LinkedIn author explains, “We live in a world that is visually inclined, and in such a world, graphic designing has taken the top seat. From the billboards to brochures, and branding to web designs, the artistic skills of graphic designers are required in almost all fields to capture the attention of people.” In addition to being found in a variety of industries, Graphic Designers work in many different types of design jobs, such as digital design, web design, creating marketing content, helping develop products, and working on animation and other types of multimedia. Some Graphic Designers take on directorial roles, where they oversee the design efforts of an entire team. As a Graphic Designer, you could work on many different types of products, including websites, company logos, educational material, advertising campaigns, user experience and user interface design, animation, or graphics for video games.

What Will I Learn in a Graphic Design Class?

Every graphic design class is different, however, no matter what class you take, you’re likely to learn about design principles and theories. Since a lot of graphic design is now done digitally, you’re also likely to learn to create and edit with digital design applications. In addition, most graphic design classes include work on multiple design projects, which you can also add to your portfolio.

About Design

When you work as a Graphic Designer, every choice that you make affects your audience in a specific way. For instance, you can use color to evoke a certain mood, or repetition to draw viewers' attention to a particular element of the design. As a designer, you have the power to communicate, persuade, excite, and influence viewers in many other ways. Learning about design involves gaining an understanding of how your design choices work, and how you can use them intentionally in order to achieve specific purposes.

Using Digital Design Tools

Digital design has become more and more common in the field of graphic design. When you take a graphic design class, you’re likely to learn how to create and edit designs in one or more digital design applications. Digital tools can save you a lot of time, and they can also give you a lot of creative freedom. Adobe has a number of applications that are popular in graphic design, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Design Projects

A great way to master your graphic design skills is to practice them. Most graphic design classes include working on multiple projects. These may include social media content, advertising material, and web content. An added benefit of these projects is that you’ll have material to add to your portfolio, which is a collection of work that you can use to showcase your skill to potential clients and employers.

Benefits of Taking a Class

There are a number of benefits associated with learning graphic design in a formal class. One is that with a formal education, you’ll have the power to create much more effective designs. The strongest Graphic Designers have an understanding of both technique and theory. They understand that knowing how and why designs work is just as important as being able to create them. As a result, they are able to communicate many different types of messages and affect their audiences in a variety of ways. By taking a class, you’ll learn about both technique and theory, and will be on your way to being a true designer.

A classroom education can also be helpful when it comes to solving design problems, which are common in graphic design, and can be extremely frustrating. A class will help you understand things like how design elements work together to affect an audience, and how each element of a design can impact the viewer. By understanding these principles, you’ll be able to solve many different types of design problems.

Additionally, a class can help you avoid common mistakes in graphic design. Instructors typically have many years of graphic design experience, and are likely to share best practices and common pitfalls that it could take you years to learn by yourself. By drawing from the experience of a seasoned professional, you are more likely to avoid frustrating and time-consuming mistakes of your own.

Graphic Design Industries

From 2015 to 2020, the market size of the Graphic Design industry in the U.S. grew 2.5 percent a year. In 2021 alone, this market size is worth $12.7 billion. New York City is one of the country’s design hubs. According to a government report, New York City has an extremely high concentration of creative industries. The author stresses, “New York City is the artistic and creative epicenter of the country and, in many respects, the world.” The city is home to dozens of design agencies like Lippincott, Arc Touch, and Perpetual. Graphic Design has applications in many NYC industries, such as publishing, advertising, manufacturing, and computer systems design. Learning more about this field is an important first step to launching a high-paying design-related career.

According to NYC International Business, the technology and media industry–which includes many jobs related to graphic design–is one of New York City’s key industries. The organization says, “New York City's tech ecosystem accounts for over 291,000 jobs and over $124.7 billion in economic output.” In addition, it reports that there has been an 18 percent growth rate in this sector over the past ten years. One magazine article refers to New York City as “the design capital of the world.” The author insists, “There are plenty of doors in New York, especially in the New York graphic design world, and if you play your cards right, you can get into them, networking your way into one after another.”

Will I Need To Be Certified in Graphic Design To Get a Job?

In most cases, you won’t need to be certified in graphic design in order to get a job, however, that doesn’t mean that getting certified isn’t a good idea. There is evidence that employers who are looking to hire new employees are more likely to consider candidates who are certified. As one LinkedIn contributor explains, “Certifications can demonstrate to employers that a job seeker is committed to their profession, has the necessary skills and knowledge, and is motivated to continue learning and growing in their field.” In cases where you are competing against multiple candidates, this can be particularly important. Indeed explains that being certified can be a great way to stand out from other applicants. It says, “When multiple applicants have the same credentials, employers can have a difficult time deciding who would be a better fit for their company. In this instance, having the right certifications could help you edge out your competition.”

What Specific Jobs Use Graphic Design?

With skills in graphic design, you could work as a Graphic Designer, either as a freelancer or for a graphic design company. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS) finds that almost 20 percent of Graphic Designers in the United States are self-employed. For those who work for an employer, the most common employers are in the fields of advertising, public relations and related services, specialized design services, printing and related support activities, and publishing industries. Payscale, a website that provides salary estimates for many different jobs, reports that a New York City Graphic Designer earns about $62,000 per year. According to the BLS, a career in graphic design is likely to be relatively stable over the next ten years. It predicts that jobs in this field will grow by 3 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is about as fast as average. the BLS also finds that New York City is the top employer of Graphic Designers among U.S. metropolitan areas, employing more than 19,000 people.

Graphic design is also used in many different types of design jobs. For instance, a Digital Designer is someone who creates digital designs like graphics and animations that are used for apps, websites, and other digital media, and they need graphic design skills. A Web Designer designs websites, and also utilizes graphic design. So does a User Experience (UX) Designer, which is someone who focuses on the way that websites and other digital products look and feel, and works to make them as pleasing and effective as possible for users. According to Payscale, a New York City Digital Designer earns $65,000, a Web Designer earns $66,000, and a UX Designer earns $87,000.

the BLS reports that the field of web development and digital design is experiencing rapid job growth. It predicts that between 2022 and 2032, jobs will increase by 16 percent, which is much faster than average. It explains, “Employment of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow as ecommerce continues to expand.” Further, it says, “The continued use of mobile devices to search the web is expected to generate demand for web developers and digital designers to create websites and interfaces that work on mobile devices with many different screen sizes.” According to the BLS, the New York City metropolitan area is the top employer of Web and Digital Interface Designers, with approximately 8,800 people employed.

Graphic design skills can also lead to a job as a Motion Graphics Designer or an Animator, which involve working with visual effects and animation. the BLS reports that jobs for Special Effects Artists and Animators will grow by 8 percent over the next ten years. It says, “Projected employment growth will be due to increased demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, and television. Consumer demand will continue for more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and three-dimensional movies.” In addition, the agency says, “Continued demand for computer graphics for mobile devices, such as smart phones, will lead to more job opportunities. Special effects artists will be needed to create animation for games and for mobile applications.” New York City employs about 1,700 people in this category, according to the BLS, and ranks fourth among U.S. metropolitan areas for employment levels. According to Payscale, a New York City Motion Graphics Designer has an average salary of $75,000, and an Animator earns about $79,000.

Marketing is another career that frequently involves using graphic design. Marketers can work in print media or digital media. In recent years, digital media has become an increasingly important part of most campaigns, making jobs like Digital Marketer popular. As reported by Glassdoor, which also posts salary estimates, a Digital Marketer in New York City earns about $84,000.

Is It Worth It to Learn Graphic Design?

By learning graphic design, you’ll be gaining an in-demand skill that you can use in many different industries. Visual communication skills, including graphic design, are highly sought after in the current job market. Adobe argues that almost every industry needs experts in visual communication. It says, “The modern digital landscape is fast-paced. Ads on social media platforms, mobile apps, and websites are all clamouring for the user’s attention. Bold, eye-catching visual communication that can quickly convey important information is necessary in every industry.” In fact, it says, “70 percent of the professionals we surveyed stated their knowledge of graphic design helped them land their current job.” Upwork also argues that graphic design is a valuable skill, placing it at the top of its list of Top 10 Most In-Demand Design & Creative Skills for 2023.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Graphic Design?

Some people believe that to be a Graphic Designer, you just need to be artistic or creative, but there is actually a lot more to graphic design than that. Learning graphic design involves learning many different skills and theories. You’ll need to learn the theories behind design, and you’ll also need to learn how to use design applications like Photoshop. In addition, you’ll need to spend a lot of time practicing your skills. You can learn some basic skills in a matter of weeks or months, but many Graphic Designers say that mastering the set of skills needed for this career typically takes years. Enrolling in a paid class can be a great way to speed up the process a bit. With a paid class, you’ll have the guidance of an expert, and can learn things a lot more quickly.

Factors to Consider

Course Length

The length of the graphic design course is one of many things to consider when trying to understand how long it will take to learn graphic design. There are short courses that only take a few days to complete, but more comprehensive classes typically last for weeks or months.

Learning to Use Design Tools

As a Graphic Designer, you’re likely to work with multiple design applications. Design applications are valuable tools that facilitate a wide range of creative possibilities, however, it can take a lot of time to learn how to use all the tools available to you in these applications.

Practice

Practice is an important part of the graphic design learning process. If you want to learn graphic design, you should plan to spend a significant amount of time practicing your skills. Most Graphic Designers say that in addition to taking classes, they put in many hours of practice to become good at what they do.

Learning Will Be Ongoing

As a Graphic Designer, you’ll never stop learning. Taking a graphic design class is often the start of the learning process, but throughout your career, you will continue to learn new things–including how to use new technology–and will continue to evolve as a designer.

How Hard Is It To Learn Graphic Design?

Most people say that graphic design is not too difficult to learn, however, it does take time and practice because many different types of skills are involved. In order to become a Graphic Designer, you need to learn design principles and theories, and learn how to apply them. You also need to learn how to use design programs like Photoshop and Illustrator. Successful Graphic Designers tend to be creative, so creativity is also important. However, keep in mind that creativity is not just something that you are either born with or not. Instead, you can do lots of different things to improve your creativity. For instance, LinkedIn suggests experimenting with different tools, working on personal projects, and seeking feedback from others. In addition, it says, “Another way to develop your creativity is to explore other disciplines that are related to or different from graphic design. For example, you can learn about photography, illustration, animation, typography, web design, or marketing.” It explains, “Exploring other disciplines can help you broaden your horizons, discover new sources of inspiration, and apply different skills and methods to your graphic design projects.” Communication skills are also an important part of being a successful creative designer, since this profession often involves working with clients or as part of a team. Communication is also something that you can improve with time and practice.

One challenge that many students face when they first start designing is developing confidence in their own design skills. It can be easy to look at the work of more experienced designers and feel intimidated and overwhelmed by how much there is to learn. A way to meet this challenge is by starting small, and working on mastering one skill at a time. After you have mastered one skill, move on to something more complex. In addition, recognize that mistakes and failures are likely to be a part of your learning process. Don’t be discouraged by them; instead, understand that these experiences will ultimately make you a stronger designer.

Skills Related to Graphic Design

Video Editing

Video editing is the process of combining video, audio, and effects in order to create a finished video. Knowing something about this process can be helpful if you are working in graphic design, since video content has become increasingly common in all types of visual communication. This means that as a Graphic Designer, there is a good chance that you might need to work with video or work on a project that involves video.

Motion Graphics

Like video, motion graphics have also become more widely used in many different types of media in recent years. Motion graphics are graphics that move, and for many people, this is a logical next learning step after mastering the basics of graphic design. Adobe After Effects is a popular motion graphics application.

Animation

Animation is also commonly used in graphic design, so knowing how to create and edit it can be a useful skill for a Graphic Designer. Learning animation involves learning how to create animations, but also learning basic animation principles–like how to use contrast, lighting, and perspective–so that you can create believable animations.

Soft Skills

Soft skills such as communication and teamwork are an important part of success in any type of design job. Even if you spend most of your time working alone, as a Graphic Designer you’ll need to know how to interact with employers, clients, or team members. Learning soft skills can help those interactions go more smoothly and effectively.

Should I Learn Graphic Design In Person or Online?

There are lots of different ways to learn graphic design. In-person classes are traditional, and remain very popular. With this format, you get real-time instruction and feedback in a face-to-face setting, and you’ll also have the opportunity for face-to-face collaboration and networking with other students. Many people find that this is the most effective and engaging way to learn a new subject. In addition, a traditional classroom does not have many of the distractions that you might encounter at home, so it can be easier to focus on what you’re learning. Another advantage of in-person learning is that you will have access to tools like up-to-date software and computer labs, which you may not have if you learn from home.

However, not everyone has the time for an in-person class, or the ability to get to one. Live online instruction is a popular alternative that still allows for live interaction, but gives students more flexibility. With live online instruction, you log in via your computer to attend class. Instruction still takes place in real-time, and instructors are still available to answer questions and offer feedback. Students who learn live online can attend from anywhere in the world, which means they aren’t limited to courses in their geographic area. In many cases, instructors still encourage interaction with other students, sometimes even building it into the course.

Yet another learning option is the on-demand format. With this format, course content is pre-recorded, and you work through it at your own pace. This can be a great option for people who have a busy schedule. On-demand learning allows you to stop and start whenever you need to. You can also re-watch sections that you need to take more time with, or skip through content that you’ve already mastered. A downside to this format is that it typically requires more self-discipline. If you easily get distracted, on-demand learning may not be the best choice for you.

Can I Learn Graphic Design for Free Online?

There are many different free online graphic design resources, which may have you wondering about whether you can learn this set of skills for free. However, it doesn’t take long to discover that while free resources can be a great way to get an overview of graphic design, or troubleshoot a specific problem, they won’t give you a comprehensive graphic design education. For that, you’ll need to enroll in a paid course. Another downside to free online information is that it can be a challenge to verify the accuracy and currency of that information. If you do decide to utilize free online resources, it’s important to take some time to verify the trustworthiness of each source that you use.

In-Person Graphic Design Classes in NYC

In-person Graphic Design classes are a great option to consider if you are a student who enjoys the traditional classroom approach to learning. These courses offer a fully immersive, hands-on learning environment in which lessons are taught by industry professionals. This collaborative classroom dynamic also facilitates networking opportunities with other students. Those who elect to study in person have access to powerful computers that are loaded with the necessary software and tools for study.

Noble Desktop has been providing industry-relevant design education in New York City for over thirty years. Noble’s state-of-the-art facility is located in Midtown Manhattan, the country’s largest media, entertainment, and commercial hub. This central location allows those attending in-person classes to easily commute via Penn Station, Grand Central, or the NJ PATH. Noble’s Graphic Design courses offer many benefits, such as small class sizes and access to computer labs, software, and equipment tailored to help you succeed. Through its diverse course offerings of certificate programs, bootcamps, and classes, Noble Desktop continues to provide students with an educational environment conducive to success and upward career mobility.

Noble’s Graphic Design Certificate takes one month of full-time study or three months of part-time study to complete, and costs $2,995. In this course, students work with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and learn the skills necessary to create modern designs and impressive portfolio pieces. At the end of the course, students receive a New York State licensed certificate. They also have the option of a free course retake within one year. This class includes six one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Another Noble option is the Digital Design Certificate, which covers graphic design and user interface (UI) design. Students learn to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for graphic design. In addition, they learn Figma for UI design. Finally, they work on developing a portfolio. This course takes seven weeks to complete and costs $4,495.

If you’re interested in getting certified in a specific Adobe design app, Noble Desktop also runs a certification program. For instance, there is a Photoshop Certification Program, which includes 42 hours of instruction and costs $2,499. This program includes two Photoshop classes and six hours of private tutoring. Students also take the Adobe Photoshop Certification exam, with a free retake if needed. Those who don’t want to take the exam can get an extra hour of private tutoring instead.

Shillington also has a campus in New York City and offers a Graphic Design Course for $12,950. The course takes three months to complete full-time, or nine months part-time. Students learn about design theory, design principles, design fundamentals, and design thinking. In addition, they learn to use Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma. This course also covers remote working, so that students will learn how to work productively remotely. During the course, students work on more than 25 briefs in order to practice their skills. Shillington also offers its courses in a live online format.

General Assembly also offers graphic design courses in New York City for interested learners. For students who have little or no previous experience with visual design, it offers a Visual Design Course. This program incorporates a blended learning model in which students learn how to use visual techniques to communicate solutions, connect with customers’ emotions, and direct attention via layouts and patterns. This course takes two months to complete, and tuition is $3,500. It is also available live online.

NYC Career Centers is also based in New York City, and offers in-person graphic design training in addition to live online classes. Its Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp costs $1,295 and has five sessions. In this hands-on course, students learn about the elements of design and the design process. They also work on a number of portfolio projects including logos, stationery, social media graphics, and event posters. The course includes one-on-one mentoring with a design expert, a proprietary workbook, and a certificate of completion. Students who want to take this course should know how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Virtual Graphic Design Classes

If you’re a student who prefers learning in an online environment, then virtual graphic design classes are for you. These live online courses provide the same benefits as in-person study, with hands-on lessons and interactive training by industry professionals. All of Noble’s in-person graphic design courses are also offered in the live online format so that you can ask questions, receive individualized support, and opt to share your screen with the instructor without having to leave the comfort of your own home or office. Many other schools also offer live online graphic design training.

Future Media Concepts has a beginner-level course currently available, Introduction to Illustrator. This three-day class teaches students how to perform basic Illustrator tasks, like working with the interface and drawing tools, as well as skills for using color and shape. Tuition is $1,195.

Another option is the Adobe CC Graphic Design Bootcamp offered by ONLC Training Centers, an IT training school that has hundreds of training centers in the United States. The bootcamp costs $1,995 and runs for five days. With an ONLC course, instructors lecture live in a virtual format, but students also get access to in-person computer labs. This class covers graphic design basics including editing and compositing, page design and layout, and working with vector graphics. Students learn how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe Bridge.

The Borough of Manhattan Community College also runs a graphic design bootcamp. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign has fifteen sessions and costs $914. This class runs via Zoom and has an average class size of 20 students. It covers graphic manipulation, color management, motion effects, and web graphics. Students also learn to create technical drawings for print, business cards, brochures, magazine layouts, and book covers.

If you want to learn how to use Photoshop–a popular graphic design tool–you can do so through Lumenbrite Digital Design Training, which offers a Photoshop Training: Bootcamp. This course covers working with layers, typography, compositing, retouching, and manipulating photos. Students learn how to use Camera Raw, the Brush tool, and the Shape tool, and how to utilize best practices and avoid common pitfalls. Tuition is $1545 and there are four class sessions.

Training Connection also offers a Photoshop Bootcamp, with three sessions. Students learn a wide range of different Photoshop skills such as using text and effects, social media design, exports, adjustment layers and FX, and Pen tool fundamentals. Instructors also cover color settings, graphics for video, working with brushes, filter effects, retouching, color matching, and Camera Raw. Tuition for this class is $1,795. Students get a training manual, a free class repeat, and a certificate of completion.

The Manhattan Edit Workshop runs a short Photoshop course called Adobe Photoshop Level I, which has two sessions. This is an introductory course, designed to get students comfortable working in Photoshop. It covers photo corrections, working with selections, layer basics, quick fixes, masks and channels, typographic design, and vector drawing techniques. Tuition is $1,095.

If you’re interested in learning InDesign, Plexus Creative has an online class called Introduction to Adobe InDesign. This is a one-day class and it costs $600. It covers creating and customizing documents, page setup and layout, working with parent pages, typography, and color. Students also learn to place linked and embedded graphics, size and crop graphics, work with vector shapes, and use paragraph and character styles. In addition, instructors cover transforming objects, and exporting for print and screen.

High School Graphic Design Classes in NYC

For teenagers in New York City looking to get a head start learning graphic design, summer graphic design classes for high schoolers in NYC are available through NextGen Bootcamp. The Graphic Design Summer Program covers Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. There are 50 hours of instruction and tuition is $1,299. NextGen is Noble Desktop’s youth training division, and it shares facilities with Noble in Midtown Manhattan. Those who are interested in enrolling can choose to study in NYC or live online.

Corporate & Onsite Graphic Design Training in NYC

Nearly every design-related job in NYC relies on those with training in graphic design. Noble Desktop offers onsite and corporate graphic design training so that employees at your office or company can receive the necessary guidance and skills to advance their careers. Several options are available depending on your employees’ preferences and needs. Instruction is available at Noble’s offices in Manhattan for those in the city. Noble’s instructors can also provide training at your own office or workplace, or virtual training via WebEx or Zoom. In addition, Noble also has vouchers available for purchase for open enrollment courses, which provide a convenient alternative so that employees can choose which time and learning environment most suits their needs. If you are interested in learning more about the various graphic design training options available for those at your workplace, don’t hesitate to contact Noble Desktop for additional information, as well as how to enroll.

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Key Insights

Learn More About NYC Graphic Design Certificates

What is Graphic Design?

What Can You Do with Graphic Design?

What Will I Learn in a Graphic Design Class?

About Design

Using Digital Design Tools

Design Projects

Benefits of Taking a Class

Graphic Design Industries

Will I Need To Be Certified in Graphic Design To Get a Job?

What Specific Jobs Use Graphic Design?

Is It Worth It to Learn Graphic Design?

How Long Will It Take to Learn Graphic Design?

Factors to Consider

Course Length

Learning to Use Design Tools

Practice

Learning Will Be Ongoing

How Hard Is It To Learn Graphic Design?

Skills Related to Graphic Design

Video Editing

Motion Graphics

Animation

Soft Skills

Should I Learn Graphic Design In Person or Online?

Can I Learn Graphic Design for Free Online?

In-Person Graphic Design Classes in NYC

Virtual Graphic Design Classes

High School Graphic Design Classes in NYC

Corporate & Onsite Graphic Design Training in NYC

NYC Graphic Design Courses by School

Graphic Design Course

UX Design Bootcamp (Online)

Visual Design Short Course (Online)

UX Design Short Course (Online)

UX & UI Design Summer Program

NYC Graphic Design Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Graphic Design Training Locations in or Near NYC

NYC Careers & Salaries Related to Graphic Design

Related Classes

NYC Graphic Design
Corporate & Onsite Training