Learn graphic design from the ground up by mastering Adobe Creative Cloud tools and exploring how color, typography, and layout shape visual impact.
Begin your journey as a professional graphic designer by learning the essential skills and tools used by industry experts. Gain hands-on experience in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, and create a stunning portfolio to showcase your talent to potential employers or clients.
Learn how to retouch and color correct photos, combine images, and create graphics in Photoshop. This course covers the basic and intermediate features of Photoshop such as color/contrast, photo retouching, layers, masks, filters, and saving files for web/video/print.
Learn how to design professional page layouts with text & graphics in Adobe InDesign. This course covers styling, importing, packaging, and advanced techniques like styles, master pages, and tables. Perfect for creating books, magazines, and ads.
Learn how to draw and edit vector graphics using Adobe Illustrator. This course covers the basics and advanced features, including the Pen tool, effects, layers, masks, and more. Perfect for creating logos, icons, and packaging.
Leverage the power of cutting-edge AI tools and features in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other Adobe apps in this hands-on class.
Learn the fundamentals of graphic design as you get hands-on experience and produce real-world projects. Broaden your understanding of graphic design concepts, understand the elements of design, and expand your portfolio in this comprehensive graphic design course.
Master Photoshop from the ground up and prepare for the Adobe Certified Professional exam with expert-led training, hands-on projects, and personalized tutoring. This comprehensive program is ideal for aspiring designers, photographers, and creative professionals looking to earn industry-recognized certification.
Advance your layout and design expertise while preparing for the Adobe Certified Professional exam in this hands-on InDesign Certification Program. Through expert-led classes, personalized tutoring, and real-world projects, you'll gain the skills and confidence to create polished magazines, brochures, books, and more.
Build professional-level Illustrator skills and earn your Adobe Certified Professional credential through hands-on classes, private tutoring, and real-world projects. This certification program covers everything from vector drawing to logo design, giving you the tools to succeed on the exam.
Develop high-impact motion graphics and visual effects while preparing for the Adobe After Effects Certification exam through hands-on classes and private tutoring. This in-depth program covers beginner to advanced techniques, equipping you with the skills and credentials to stand out in animation and video production.
Master the art of video editing and earn your Adobe Premiere Pro certification through expert-led training and one-on-one tutoring. This comprehensive program prepares you for the certification exam while helping you build professional-level editing skills.
Graphic design includes a wide range of skills that involve creating print and digital media with different tools and techniques. This unique field combines technical abilities with skills in communication and creative design. In addition, in an increasingly modern world, digital graphic design is more prevalent and necessary than ever for businesses to stay on top of trends in the market.
Unsurprisingly, graphic design is primarily used for marketing, messaging, and branding purposes and is effective mainly due to its ability to convey information with multiple modes of communication and catch the viewer's attention. Graphic design is a rewarding skill that can be incredibly useful in the professional world.
Most learn graphic design for professional opportunities. In particular, graphic design students can explore a myriad of job opportunities across all kinds of industries. In addition, these jobs offer a lot of variety and flexibility, which makes them highly desirable. Not only does graphic design open doors to ample job opportunities, but most of these positions pay rather lucrative salaries.
There are also personal reasons to learn graphic design. It can become a fun hobby or a way to add a creative flair to their social media pages. It can also help boost your side hustle through more engaging graphics and marketing tactics. Graphic design can help increase followers, lead to higher viewership, and, overall, gain more profits.
A graphic design education can provide opportunities to learn other related fields such as web design, UX/UI design, or marketing. Possessing a diverse skill set can make for a more well-developed project, which is why many graphic design students learn additional software, technologies, and coding languages to supplement their already advanced abilities.
In any graphic design class, students will learn Adobe applications like After Effects, InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop. In addition, some graphic design classes will emphasize appropriate typography for the given context. Digital marketing is a valuable skill for graphic design professionals since they often create media for advertisements and promotional purposes. Some graphic design classes also use coding for more advanced techniques, but this depends on the type of class. In addition, graphic design students will learn effective communication and how to convey a message through various modes such as text, imagery, audio, and video.
Most would agree that graphic design is neither hard nor easy to learn; instead, it has more to do with previous experience, time spent studying, and amount of practice. There is a distinct difference between familiarity and expertise, so students can anticipate learning the basics to be less difficult than advanced techniques. While there are learning curves to overcome while studying any new skill, professional training courses help make the process less challenging.
Some of the most challenging parts of learning graphic design include learning the terminology and the technology. Students may need extra time to learn all the tools, functions, and features of the different design applications they may use to create their projects, but with time and practice, it will become easier. Ultimately, difficulty is subjective. It mostly depends on the student’s relevant experience and personal capabilities.
It is difficult to determine the exact time it takes to learn graphic design because there are varying levels of proficiency and so many different skills to learn before calling oneself a proficient graphic design expert. While some courses and programs last merely a day, some university programs can take four full years to obtain. In addition, students can grasp graphic design foundations within a few days to a week, whereas becoming a professional will take much more time.
Those interested in learning graphic design can do so through different methods, including asynchronous, live online, and in-person training sessions. Each course offers a distinct benefit, but one method may work best for you depending on personal factors such as location, schedule, and experience. For instance, asynchronous classes are self-paced and completed within a set period. This could work for someone with ample experience, but beginners will have to answer questions and troubleshoot errors entirely independently, which may be detrimental to the overall learning process. In addition, the lack of interaction could cause students to only understand the skill at a surface level as opposed to classes with ample hands-on practice.
On the other hand, live online courses bridge the gap between convenience and thoroughness. Students in live online courses can skip the commute and learn from home, which is best for those with busy schedules. While many courses require students to purchase their own materials, and some classes have varying levels of interaction, there are more hands-on opportunities to learn in a live online class.
Ultimately, traditional, in-person classes are considered the most effective due to the hands-on projects, ease of access to a professional, and ample interaction between the student and the material. While in-person classes require students to have reliable transportation, the thorough education they receive in return makes up for any disturbance in your weekly schedule. If a student encounters issues with the software, the instructor can fix it right away and students typically support one another throughout the process.
There are ways to learn more about graphic design for free online. Graphic design experts often create blogs, social media accounts, and chatrooms that discuss graphic design concepts and updates in the field. There are also video collections and other sites that dedicate their efforts to sharing graphic design tips and tricks. For instance, Noble Desktop’s seminar page teaches students about different topics and subjects through their pre-recorded videos. However, it is important to remember that these resources are purely supplemental and that professional skills cannot be learned for free. A training course is the best way to become a graphic design expert.
Depending on their intended career path or purpose, students may choose to learn other skills during their graphic design education. For instance, many Graphic Designers work alongside other professionals or work freelance in different design positions. Some students choose to learn web design and UX or UI design, whereas others may choose to study more advanced digital marketing techniques.
Likewise, students may choose to explore different design paths as well. Animation, motion graphics, and illustration are among a few design careers that Graphic Designers may also pursue, and depending on their intended path, they may need these skills for their graphic design career as well. This includes not only learning theory behind these skills but also the tools and technologies that make these designs possible.
Phoenix has a thriving economy with plenty to explore, so industries such as tourism, education, healthcare, and technology are prominent. In particular, each industry utilizes graphic design expertise in some way, mainly for marketing and promotional purposes. For instance, marketing professionals in the tourism industry create designs for posters, commercials, websites, and digital media that entice tourists to visit their city, enjoy their attractions, or purchase merchandise. In addition, education centers and institutions use graphic design to generate interest and attract more applicants. The healthcare industry, too, hires graphic design experts to help spread information, promote new services, and maintain a bond with the greater community. The tech industry hires graphic design experts for similar reasons: to share information about new products, garner more interest from consumers, and ultimately, increase profits.
Below are a few common job titles and salaries for those with expert-level graphic design skills.
Those who learn graphic design can easily become professional Graphic Designers. They work to create digital and print media that helps with branding and messaging purposes. Graphic Designers learn myriad skills and tools, including Adobe applications, typography, and other design principles. They often work for agencies and in-house, but can frequently find contract and freelance opportunities. Graphic Designers typically earn around $50,000 annually, with a range from $39,000 to $60,000. This can differ depending on education, experience, and the specific company.
Digital Designers also use their animation, graphic design, and visual effects skills to create digital media for applications, websites, marketing campaigns, and publications. They often handle multiple projects at once and work on creative teams of designers and managers. They often need strong communication skills and a vibrant creative streak. In addition, they earn a relatively profitable salary of nearly $95,000. This can differ depending on education, experience, and other factors.
In addition, a Motion Graphics Designer uses their creative skills for various entertainment mediums such as software, video games, applications, television, websites, and technological devices. They often spend their work weeks planning projects, drawing sketches, designing rough drafts, and creating animations and 3D designs. They earn a salary within the range of $42,000 to $142,000, depending on their expertise and education. However, the average annual wage is closer to $78,000.
CAD Designers also use software to create designs, models, 3D images, and other digital design projects. They frequently work in fields like architecture, fashion, and engineering, but can even design machinery and equipment. They have strong skills in AutoCAD and likely have a good idea of graphic design concepts. CAD Designers often earn around $67,000 annually, but this can vary depending on various factors.
Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate is an ideal way to kickstart a graphic design career. Students will learn the most foundational skills and practice applications like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Students will complete hands-on projects with their peers and will be able to add them to their professional portfolio. This course is offered part-time and full-time so students can choose what is best for them. In addition, students at Noble Desktop have access to setup assistance, different payment plans, and a free retake of the course within one year of their original enrollment. They can also attend six additional one-on-one mentoring sessions. Once the course ends, students will earn their digital certificate of completion as a testament to their accomplishments.
Additionally, Noble Desktop offers courses in popular graphic design software such as their Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp. Students will practice using Illustrator and its useful features. In particular, students will learn to add effects, layers, and masks and use tools like the pen and various brush types to create logos, packaging, patterns, flyers, and other digital designs. Students will have access to setup assistance and a one-on-one training session. In addition, they can retake the course at no additional cost within a year of their enrollment. They will also receive their certificate of completion once the class ends.
The Visual Design Short Course from General Assembly gives students insight into different visual design elements such as typography, color, and layout. Students will learn how to effectively communicate their ideas with others through feedback on multiple projects and activities. In addition, there are payment plans for students to choose from and they will leave the course with a certificate of completion.
Students can also find courses through Thinkful‘s bootcamps. Their UX/UI Design Bootcamp shows students how to become professional UX/UI Designers. The instructor will start with the fundamentals and gradually move on to more advanced topics and techniques. Students will have access to flexible payment plans and career mentors that help every step of the way. They will also receive ample feedback and career tips through interview practices, resume support, and access to open job positions. They will also earn a certificate of completion to show for their efforts.
Lumenbrite Training offers a four-day Illustrator Training: Bootcamp course that helps students take the next step in their pursuit of mastering vector graphics design. Students will gain an overview of the interface and learn various effects and tools that result in stunning visual graphics. They will also learn how to create different forms of media, ranging from logos and brochures to business cards and Acrobat PDF documents. Students should have some foundational experience with Illustrator before this class, but once they complete the course, they will earn their verified certificate.
The Adobe Foundations: Animation and Graphics Production course from Maricopa Community College allows students to gain hands-on practice with Adobe applications like Animate, Illustrator, and Photoshop. The instructor will guide students through projects where they edit images, animate characters, design graphics, and learn communication skills. In addition, they will discuss project management tasks and learn how to take on work responsibilities as a professional Designer. Students will earn their certificate of completion by maintaining satisfactory attendance and grades.
Consider pursuing corporate training to provide your team with the most up-to-date skills in graphic design techniques and technologies. Corporate training allows your group to maintain industry standards while working more cohesively and productively in the workplace. Noble Desktop offers in-person and live online training for individuals and groups, so there are options no matter what your learning needs may be.
In addition, Noble Desktop allows your organization to purchase bulk vouchers for attendance in regular classes at a discounted rate. This is ideal for employees who want to learn as much as possible. For more information, reach out to corporate@nobledesktop.com to learn more about training options, pricing, and scheduling abilities.