Best Graphic Design Bootcamps Philadelphia, PA: Find Bootcamps & Certificates

Learn More About Philadelphia Graphic Design Bootcamps

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

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

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

What Can You Do with Graphic Design Training?

According to Berkeley College, there are eight different types of graphic design: web design, UI and interactive design, advertising and marketing design, motion graphics and animations, packaging design, illustration, and publication and typographic design. These eight types can give you an idea of what you can do with skills in graphic design. Knowledge and experience in graphic design can lead to employment in a variety of industries and professions including web design, video gaming, and online advertising.

With training in graphic design, prospective Designers can develop engaging graphics that can be included in a portfolio for appealing to potential employers. Tools used in graphic design include Adobe software such as Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Through training for these applications, students will learn how to design complex animated graphics that include engaging digital animations and logos. Many of these design tools can help Graphic Designers and related professionals create illustrations armed with the skills needed for working in a variety of visual design capacities.

Skills in graphic design can lead to work in areas such as visual effects and video editing for applying skills in digital technology used in today’s film and television industries. Training in graphic design can help with finding work as Graphic Designers, Visual Designers, and Digital Designers responsible for graphics-related content. Design professionals often work as members of a design team tasked with developing graphics, illustrations, and other visual elements involved with product design, branding, or marketing. Training in graphic design can also help with expanding any ambitious Graphic Designer’s skills set for learning new design concepts.

What Will I Learn in a Graphic Design Class?

Training in graphic design involves learning several areas related to visual design, but new learners must have some native artistic talents as well as some experience with using computer operating systems for both Macs and PCs. For training in graphic design, students should know some basic visual design and composition principles. Students must also be aware of current design trends involved with marketing and technology.

People who would like to train to become Graphic Designers can enroll in a variety of in-person or live online courses. For those who have little to no formal training with working in graphic design, finding beginner-level training would be a wise move. By that same measure, intermediate to advanced-level training can help new learners who have some experience or a high aptitude for design with learning new graphic design software. Listed below are tools and concepts that may help with becoming a Graphic Designer:

Graphic Design

Graphic design combines elements of visual design with graphic technology. Design skills can be applied for working in digital media, traditional commercial art, or online marketing for using graphics and other forms of visual design. Graphic Designers must be able to apply a wide range of skills in design, including motion graphics for adding dynamic visual elements to otherwise static images. Motion graphics can be used for animating text, designing web layouts, or inserting dynamic graphics into video presentations for creating content in a variety of media.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics design tool used in a variety of industries for creating and customizing graphics and illustrations for digital and print media with products and clients who include creating infographics and promotion material. As the industry-standard vector graphics design tool, Illustrator can help with improving any new Graphic Designer’s career options. Illustrator offers time-saving features like Repeat Patterns and Global Editing, which help in creating graphics in various sizes and formats. Adobe Illustrator is among the most popular vector graphic applications used in visual design by professionals and organizations for creating resizable illustrations, designing visual elements in videos, and developing motion graphics through its vector creation tool integrated across the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the world’s most popular photo editing software, used by photographers, Graphic Designers, and other design professionals for retouching, designing social media graphics, web design, and app design, as well as graphics used in animation with Adobe After Effects. Learning Photoshop is essential for any career associated with visual design in today’s digitally saturated marketplace. This photo editing application provides hundreds of tools that Graphic Designers can use in visual projects beyond just photography. Photoshop can also be used with animation, graphic design, web design, or UX design as a tool that can be applied in many formats due to its versatile functions in facilitating visual creativity.

Motion Graphics

Skills with motion graphics can be used for working in a variety of design professions, including web design, social media marketing, digital advertising, film and television, and video game development. Graphic Designers often use motion graphics to help with attracting audiences but it can also be used to create animated visuals that make comprehending complex content easier. Motion graphics have become popular in several areas of media for reaching and connecting with a wider audience of potential customers.

Adobe Dreamweaver

Adobe Dreamweaver is a web development application used for creating websites and smartphone apps. Dreamweaver provides Web Developers, UX Designers, and other web professionals with a tool for building and managing professional-looking websites that includes a variety of options for graphic design. Designers with skills in Dreamweaver can create basic HTML layouts as well as prototype webpages before publishing for help with application design, information architectures, and UX design. Graphic Designers, in particular, can use Dreamweaver to apply a variety of aesthetics to websites and web designs, helping to more effectively engage online users or potential customers.

How Hard is It to Learn Graphic Design?

For anyone interested in learning graphic design who has anxieties about how difficult the training might be, picking up new skills greatly depends on that individual’s ambitions. Learning graphic design will be affected by a student’s experience and goals for pursuing the training. Other factors include whether training in graphic design has current work obligations as well as the training level involved, and what graphic design tools that person is familiar with.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Graphic Design?

For anyone new to graphic design, getting comfortable with visual design software and applying techniques might represent the highest hurdle. However, training with user-friendly applications like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop can help new learners ease their way toward mastering design skills. Learning anything new may not be easy, but training in techniques for working in graphic design with tools like Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign can provide a smooth transition for picking up a new set of skills.

Additionally, staying up-to-date on current trends and tools can be challenging, especially when you’re just starting out. Graphic design is heavily influenced by current artistic trends, so you’ll want to keep a pulse on trends within both business and design. Ongoing training can help with this, as can networking with other professionals or attending free seminars at local colleges.

Finally, studying graphic design requires creative thinking, an aptitude for art and design, and time and dedication. It also requires an understanding of design theories and knowledge of various tools (as previously mentioned). If you naturally possess a creative mind and have the right amount of passion and determination, learning graphic design should be fairly easy.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Graphic Design?

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

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

Should I Learn Graphic Design in Person or Online?

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

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

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

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

Can I Learn Graphic Design Free Online?

For those who don’t feel quite ready to take on in-person or virtual training to learn graphic design, there are free learning options available from a variety of online education providers. This includes Coursesity, which offers the free Design Workshop for Beginners with Free Design Elements course. Anyone interested in initiating learning related to graphic design can also take advantage of Udemy’s free Introduction to Graphic Design tutorial or Evato’s Free Graphic Design Trends.

Additionally, Noble Desktop offers free video tutorials for training related to graphic design, including Graphic Design Fundamentals seminar, which provides practical insights related to working in graphic design for creating logos, graphics, and other types of images to use in websites, online marketing, or social media. This free webinar introduces new learners to applying graphic design in a variety of capacities. Noble Desktop offers other free tutorials in graphic design that include the Intro to Adobe Creative Cloud seminar, the Intro to UI Design seminar, and the Get Started in Design: Graphic, Web, UX/UI & Motion seminar.

What Should I Learn Alongside Graphic Design?

Training in graphic design can include a wide range of skills for working in print, digital media, or video for optimizing career options to work in a variety of industries. For example, Graphic Designers can learn motion graphics for working in film and television as well as designing animated graphics for websites, online videos, and social media. Training in Adobe After Effects can provide skills that include motion graphics as well as knowledge with visual effects.

Graphic Designers may also want to learn video editing so they can integrate graphic and audio content into coherent visual presentations through training in Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro. Learning skills adjacent to graphic design such as motion graphics, video editing, visual effects, and web design helps in offering a skills set that represents visual cross-pollination that provides Graphic Designers with flexibility for working in a variety of media.

Industries That Use Graphic Design

Philadelphia offers an appealing place to live and work due to its proximity to New York City and New Jersey and the variety of local industries like healthcare, technology, and marketing. The City of Brotherly Love also offers plenty of opportunities in financial services and data analytics. Because of the prevalence of web and digital technology in people’s day-to-day lives, the need for Graphic Designers to make engaging websites and marketing materials is vital. Below are some of the top fields in Philadelphia for Graphic Designers so you can get a feel for what’s available.

Life Sciences

Greater Philadelphia is ranked among the top 10 life sciences markets in the U.S. and boasts world-class research institutions, inventors of breakthrough medical treatments and technology, and 15 major health systems. Biopharmaceutical leaders like AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are among the 1,200 life sciences companies in the city.

Financial Services

Philly is the home base of world-class financial services companies like Colonial Penn, Delaware Funds by Macquarie, SEI, and Vanguard. Banks and investment houses also have established operations, including big hitters like Bank of America, Citizens Bank, Firstrust Bank,, JP Morgan Chase, PNC Bank, and Wells Fargo. Greater Philadelphia’s innovation ecosystem also creates opportunities for next-generation FinTech startups, propelling new sub-industries and job growth in the region.

Advanced Manufacturing

More than 5,600 manufacturers call Greater Philadelphia home, employing 190,000 workers across areas like biopharmaceutical, chemical, plastics, food, and aerospace manufacturing. A central location makes the city an East Coast gateway. Combined with a robust infrastructure and extensive supply chain networks, manufacturing companies can easily transport products and materials. It’s easy to see why global firms like Boeing, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Lockheed Martin, Merck, and Pfizer have established diverse manufacturing operations in Greater Philadelphia.

Graphic Design Job Titles and Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for Graphic Designers projects to increase by three percent between 2022 and 2032 for designing graphics in a variety of capacities, including print and digital media. Graphic Designers create layouts, production designs, and graphics for organizations in a variety of industries such as print advertisement, online marketing, magazines, and websites. Companies in Philadelphia depend on Graphic Designers for working in web development, digital media, and print publishing to connect with users and potential customers. Possessing graphic design skills and experience can give Designers an edge for employment with Philadelphia's growing technology and design labor force.

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers are able to apply skills in design for making visual elements in content more appealing with print or digital media. Graphics often help with enhancing the look and feel of web design layouts as well as with illustrating print media. Training in graphic design can improve career options for working in visual communication, including television, web design, and social media. A Graphic Designer working in Philadelphia can make an annual salary starting around $65,000. Graphic Designers can help with bringing any company’s visual concepts to life for attracting and engaging online users or potential customers.

UX Designer

UX Designers handle the accessibility and ease of the user experience with navigating websites and smartphone apps. Part of a UX Designer’s role involves designing engaging graphics that contribute to the visual appeal for smartphone apps and webpages that draw users in for purchasing products or services. Working as a UX Designer can bring in a yearly salary around $122,000 in Philadelphia. You’ll want to be familiar with Figma as it helps UX Designers with functionality by creating prototypes for websites and testing interactivity to assure an effortless user experience.

Visual Designer

A Visual Designer creates artwork and other visual concepts for digital projects in a variety of media. They handle responsibilities in a variety of industries related to web design, marketing and advertising, and film and video production. In Philadelphia, a Visual Designer can make an annual income starting at $64,000. While some companies may hire their own in-house Visual Designers, many Designers work as independent contractors. Working as a Visual Designer typically requires collaborating with Web Designers, UI Developers, and Product Managers as a member of a design team.

Web Designer

Due to the versatility required with working in web design, graphic design experience can provide anyone with a variety of career options. Graphic design skills can contribute to finding work as a Web Designer, earning somewhere starting around $57,000 a year in Philadelphia. A Web Designer is responsible for designing the look and navigation of websites. The profession requires combining graphic design with computer programming skills for being able to produce both visually appealing and efficiently functioning websites and smartphone apps. A good Web Designer needs to have vision with designing websites that not only attract users but for being able to anticipate how users might navigate a webpage.

Digital Designer

Digital Designers design websites, smartphone apps, and online ads by applying skills with graphic design, animation, and visual effects. Digital Designers are able to work in various areas of web design, digital marketing, social media, and print. A Digital Designer also qualifies for working in graphic design for earning around $103,000 a year in Philadelphia. Digital Designers can apply their skills with a variety of graphic design tools for prototyping newly developed websites and apps to ensure that everything works as expected for users being able to access content on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.

Product Designer

A Product Designer applies skills in graphic design for creating websites, smartphone apps, and digital media. Product Designers also work in a variety of industries designing products ranging from furniture and tools to a variety of media. A Product Designer can earn an annual income of $122,000 in Philadelphia and spend their days designing the look and functions of various products using skills in user research, drafting, and prototyping user-friendly interfaces.

Graphic Design Classes Near Me

While there are plenty of live online courses available for learning graphic design, many people simply feel more comfortable learning inside a classroom with a teacher in front of them. For those individuals, there are schools in Boston that provide in-person graphic design training. However, if going back out into traffic after a day at work to find a classroom somewhere in the city sounds unappealing, live online courses provide a convenient option for getting the same level of education without leaving home. Listed below are in-person and live online courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs for gaining skills in graphic design:

Noble Desktop: Graphic Design Certificate

This course trains you in Adobe design software including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator to gain a comprehensive understanding of graphic design concepts and processes for being able to create modern designs by expanding your skill set. Lessons cover composition, typography, color, and design theory. Through this certificate program, you will be able to compile a portfolio from projects that include social media graphics and cover art that you can use to impress potential employers.

This program offers 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class as well as an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year. Students can attend this certificate program at Noble’s Manhattan location or live online from wherever they choose in either a one-month full-time format or a three-month part-time format with financial options available.

Noble Desktop: Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp

This course aims at training you in comprehensive skills for working with Adobe Photoshop. Lessons include training for retouching photographs, correcting color, and combining images as well as preparing graphics for online, print, and digital presentations starting with the basics before moving on to learning advanced techniques.

Upon completing this program, you will have gained a thorough understanding of composition, typography, color, and design theory. Additionally, by the end of this course you will have developed a portfolio loaded with projects that should impress potential employers. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year. Students can take this 18-hour bootcamp from Noble’s Manhattan location or live online from anywhere else in the country.

Noble Desktop: Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp

This bootcamp will train you in fundamental skills for working in graphic design. Lessons focus on learning the basics of graphic design through hands-on training with real-world projects. Upon completing this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of graphic design with knowledge of digital concepts and procedures for building a portfolio.

You must have working knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator to enroll in this bootcamp. This program offers an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year.

Students have the option of attending this 30-hour bootcamp at Noble’s Manhattan location or through virtual learning from anywhere in the country.

Certstaffix Training: Adobe Illustrator (2024) Course

This course trains students in the basics of Adobe Illustrator for working as Graphic Designers. Lessons cover creating logos to include in eye-catching online ads as well as designing professional-looking graphics to use in a variety of capacities. Upon completing this course, students will be able to use Illustrator for a variety of real-world purposes.

It should be noted that Certstaffix courses are taught using remote instructors who are not in the same room as their students but teach these classes live online. This three-day course can be taken live online or inside Certstaffix labs located in Philadelphia.

Noble Desktop: Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp

Held live online and in-person at their New York location, this course trains you for working with Adobe Illustrator as a Graphic Designer. Lessons will train you in a comprehensive understanding of graphic design concepts and processes that allow you to create current techniques along with expanding your skill set in visual design.

Upon completing this course, you will have a better understanding of composition, typography, color, and design theory, which can help for creating a portfolio from projects that include social media graphics and cover art that can be used to impress potential employers. To enroll in this course, you must feel comfortable working with computers. This bootcamp offers an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year.

ONLC Training Centers: Adobe InDesign Core Skills Level 1

This program provides training for Adobe InDesign—a desktop publishing application—that includes learning how to use tools and panels, importing photos and graphics, and creating page layouts to use in a variety of media. In this course, students will learn how to set up complex documents as well as master pages, guides, grids, and placeholders. Students will also learn how to format text and paragraphs, create and apply paragraph and character styles, set up documents, and save document presets. Training includes learning how to navigate and zoom in and out of layouts.

With skills for designing professional-looking layouts using InDesign, students will be able to create text frames, graphic frames, and place text content and images. With knowledge in Adobe InDesign, Publishers, Editor, Writers, and Designers are able to set up complex documents using master pages, guides, grids, and placeholders. InDesign allows users to add, rearrange, or delete pages using the Pages panel function.

Upon completing this course, students will know how to apply color to design elements, customize colors, and work with swatches and gradients. They will also learn about the correct use for different color modes, how to find and change missing fonts, check spelling, and work with graphics.

It should be noted that ONLC courses are taught by remote instructors who are not in the same room as their students but instruct these classes live online with participants having the option of using ONLC’s up-to-date computer labs.

Noble Desktop: UI Design Certificate

This certificate program trains participants in fundamental skills related to UI design for creating websites and smartphone apps. Lessons will focus on graphic design and interfacing for designing, developing, and prototyping websites and applications along with best practices for testing. Students will also learn about composition, typography, user interface elements, and color. Upon completing this course, students will have compiled a portfolio that contains projects for showcasing skills to potential employers.

To enroll, students must feel comfortable using computers. As part of this program, students will be designing a website and an app and are encouraged to have a project in mind by the beginning of the course.

This certificate program offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class as well as an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year. Students have the option of attending this certificate program at Noble’s Manhattan location or live online from anywhere they choose in either a six-week full-time or five-month part-time format.

Noble Desktop: Digital Design Certificate

This certificate program trains you in a variety of skills for working in digital design by learning about concepts related to online, print, and digital graphics.

Lessons include learning Adobe design tools Photoshop and Illustrator along with training in Figma for working in UI design as well as learning other design concepts and theories. Upon completing this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of design concepts, processes, and workflows for being able to create professional-looking graphic designs.

This program offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of the class with the option to retake the course within one year. This live online certificate program can be taken in a seven-week full-time format or a five-month part-time format with financial options available.

Certstaffix Training: Adobe Photoshop (2024) Course

This course trains participants in the basics of Adobe Photoshop to help with a career in graphic design. Lessons cover learning the fundamentals of Photoshop that includes editing photos, composting videos, printing 3D files, painting with the mixer-brush, and producing vectors. Upon completing this course, students will be able to use Photoshop in several capacities for working in graphic design.

Graphic Design Corporate Training

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

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

Eric Benac

Eric Benac is a copywriter, marketing content producer, researcher, and AI specialist for Noble Desktop. He earned a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in Writing from Northern Michigan University. Before working with Noble Desktop, Eric worked for over 15 years as a copywriter, project manager, and marketer. Since graduating, he's continually expanded his knowledge base by completing project management courses, digital marketing classes, artificial intelligence programs, and programming certifications. Currently, he works full-time as a project manager for an AI firm. Eric’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce, and Generative AI Fundamentals.

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Graphic Design Certificate Learn The Skills Guarantee™

Noble Desktop Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp

Noble Desktop Adobe InDesign Bootcamp

Noble Desktop Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp

Noble Desktop UX & UI Design Certificate

Noble Desktop Digital Design Certificate

Key Insights

Learn More About Philadelphia Graphic Design Bootcamps

What Can You Do with Graphic Design Training?

What Will I Learn in a Graphic Design Class?

Graphic Design

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Motion Graphics

Adobe Dreamweaver

How Hard is It to Learn Graphic Design?

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Graphic Design?

How Long Does It Take to Learn Graphic Design?

Should I Learn Graphic Design in Person or Online?

Can I Learn Graphic Design Free Online?

What Should I Learn Alongside Graphic Design?

Industries That Use Graphic Design

Life Sciences

Financial Services

Advanced Manufacturing

Graphic Design Job Titles and Salaries

Graphic Designer

UX Designer

Visual Designer

Web Designer

Digital Designer

Product Designer

Graphic Design Classes Near Me

Noble Desktop: Graphic Design Certificate

Noble Desktop: Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp

Noble Desktop: Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp

Certstaffix Training: Adobe Illustrator (2024) Course

Noble Desktop: Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp

ONLC Training Centers: Adobe InDesign Core Skills Level 1

Noble Desktop: UI Design Certificate

Noble Desktop: Digital Design Certificate

Certstaffix Training: Adobe Photoshop (2024) Course

Graphic Design Corporate Training

Philadelphia Graphic Design Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Philadelphia Graphic Design
Corporate & Onsite Training