Graphic Design Classes for High School Students in San Francisco

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San Francisco high school students interested in graphic and web design can enhance skills in industry-standard software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign through local pre-college courses and live online programs.

Virtual design courses, offered by institutions such as NextGen Bootcamp, provide interactive online instruction in graphic and web design, teaching practical design principles, software proficiency, and fundamentals of HTML and CSS.

Local universities, including the San Francisco Art Institute, California College of the Arts, and the Academy of Art University, offer specialized degree programs that enable students to pursue professional careers within the graphic design field.

Learn More About San Francisco Graphic Design Courses

Graphic design includes all the visual and textual elements found on websites, banners, and billboards, and in videos, advertisements, and books. Virtually anywhere you see modern-day visuals, text, or logos, some aspect of graphic design was involved in its creation.

Historically the realm of artists using standard drawing tools like pen and ink, graphic design today is largely accomplished with computer software. The Adobe Creative Cloud includes multiple industry-standard graphic design tools like Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Sketch. These programs are essential to professionals like Graphic Designers, Digital Designers, and Visual Designers.

San Francisco high schoolers interested in graphic design or web design typically learn various disciplines and software programs as they progress through their design training. To discover more about graphic design, check out pre-college courses and summer camps in the Bay area, many of which are specifically designed for secondary students.

Why High Schoolers Should Learn Graphic Design

With museums like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, California Academy of Sciences, and Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco is a major center of the arts. Students with artistic talent can find numerous degree programs here, at schools like the San Francisco Art Institute and California College of the Arts, among others.

Graphic design students will also find degree programs at the University of San Francisco, Academy of Art University, and San Francisco State University, to name a few. To start building skills for a future graphic design career, high schoolers should look for pre-college courses at area course providers.

Of course, other students will look for graphic design training to qualify for summer or part-time jobs or internships. Many companies, and even colleges and universities, offer internships for design students. Adobe Creative Cloud programs like Photoshop and InDesign are important for many positions that require content creation.

Finally, mastering graphic design tools can help with college applications and resumes. Admissions officers and job recruiters love to see essential skills, and the majority of these popular software programs fit comfortably on a list that includes standard computer literacy tools.

In-Person Graphic Design Classes in San Francisco

At the present, there are no fully in-person graphic design classes for high schoolers in San Francisco. If you’re interested in learning graphic design tools, consider enrolling in a live online class you take from anywhere, San Francisco included. Students interested in only in-person coursework should check the San Francisco graphic design high school courses page for updates.

Virtual Graphic Design Classes

Some students seek out in-person courses, but many more today take advantage of live online graphic design classes for high schoolers in San Francisco for their training. Virtual coursework offers a host of benefits: it’s hands-on and interactive like face-to-face classes, but you get to learn from the comfort of home and turn in your assignments remotely. Expert instructors can answer questions in real-time, and even control the screen, with permission.

Some schools offer live online training from various locations around the country such as iD Tech and Sonic Training. Others are more area-specific, like Bay Area Video Coalition and Berkeley Boot Camps. It’s important to check course listings thoroughly, as most programs are currently offered online only.

NextGen Bootcamp, one of Noble Desktop’s partner companies, hosts a range of virtual graphic design and web design summer classes. Their Live Online Graphic Design Summer Course is a certificate program featuring Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, as well as graphic design fundamentals and principles.

A separate Live Online Web Design Summer Course covers how to lay out webpages with Sketch, along with marking up and styling content using HTML and CSS. Students also learn to upload files using FTP, and course graduates receive a verified Certificate of Completion.

If you’re looking to learn both graphic design and web design skills, you can get training through NextGen’s Live Online Graphic & Web Design Summer Program. This certificate combines the Graphic Design and Web Design courses in an immersive 107-hour experience. Contact NextGen Bootcamp to request an enrollment form.

Animation Summer Bootcamp NYC

Animation Summer Bootcamp NYC offers the ideal opportunity for students fascinated by the world of animation and eager to dive into the realm of 2D animation. Throughout the first week, participants embark on a captivating exploration of animation history, uncovering the evolution of this vibrant art form and delving into influential figures and pivotal moments that have shaped the industry. Following this solid foundation, students delve into the principles of design and animation. Through interactive sketching exercises and practical demonstrations, they learn to apply these principles to their own projects, refining their skills and nurturing their creativity with each session.

In the second week, the program elevates the animation journey with advanced concepts and final projects. From mastering cutting-edge animation techniques to honing sound design and timing skills, participants expand their toolkit and refine their craft under the guidance of experienced instructors. The course culminates with the production of a final animation project where students apply their newfound knowledge and skills. Finally, participants have the opportunity to showcase their creations and receive constructive feedback from peers, celebrating their achievements and reflecting on their learning journey. Upon completion of the bootcamp, students will have newfound creativity and confidence, along with a certificate of completion that serves as a valuable credential for college applications and future career endeavors.

Animation Summer Bootcamp Live Online

Animation Summer Bootcamp Live Online takes students on a dynamic learning journey alongside seasoned instructors and provides an excellent option for those unable to attend the NYC summer course. This online platform delivers the full spectrum of cutting-edge content found in the NYC bootcamp, spanning from the origins of animation to mastering contemporary techniques. Through interactive sessions, participants dive deep into design and animation principles, exploring hands-on exercises, state-of-the-art techniques, sound design, and narrative-driven storyboards. They also discover the critical role of timing in elevating project realism and conveying emotion effectively.

With seamless remote setup assistance, students enjoy uninterrupted participation, engaging in the same immersive projects as their in-person counterparts. Utilizing Zoom, they interact in real-time with instructors, share screens, and receive personalized guidance. The culmination of the course features the creation of polished projects, showcasing professional-level skills and creativity. The final project serves as an online exhibition, offering valuable feedback from peers and instructors, further nurturing skill development and bolstering confidence.

How to Choose a Graphic Design Class

Selecting a graphic design course can be a challenge. With so many popular tools available—from Photoshop and Illustrator to InDesign and Sketch—you may not know which class to choose. To make things easier, remember it’s a smart idea to master any of these popular software programs. If you want to learn graphic design in preparation for a particular career, you’ll need to learn art principles as well as some web and/or graphic design fundamentals. The cost of a training program is crucial, as design coursework can range from $495 for a one-month digital design camp to $2,995 for a comprehensive graphic design certificate. Location, whether the class is in-person or virtual, and the level of difficulty are all important considerations, too. No matter which class you take, graphic design training can be both fun and informative: you’ll learn a great deal, and can enjoy the experience at the same time.

Elizabeth Gleesing

Elizabeth Gleesing is a university instructor and content writer at Noble Desktop. She earned her PhD in English from Syracuse University in 2023 with research focusing on how documentaries incorporate digital and new media technologies. Her research into artificial intelligence, data analysis, and emerging technologies informs her content writing as she frequently works on articles related to careers in data science, data analytics, AI, and related software.Elizabeth also has over ten years of experience teaching undergraduates in universities and colleges in New York and Washington state and won the Syracuse University English department’s Elson Teaching Award in 2019. Her experience in instruction allows her to coherently explain difficult topics to a variety of audiences.

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Graphic Design Classes for High School Students in San Francisco

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Key Insights

Learn More About San Francisco Graphic Design Courses

Why High Schoolers Should Learn Graphic Design

In-Person Graphic Design Classes in San Francisco

Virtual Graphic Design Classes

How to Choose a Graphic Design Class

San Francisco Graphic Design
Corporate & Onsite Training

San Francisco Careers & Salaries Related to Graphic Design

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Designer

UI Designer

Visual Designer

Digital Designer

Design Director

Top Certificate Programs

Top Courses

Top Certificate Programs

Top Certificate Programs

Top Courses

Top Certificate Programs

Top Courses

NextGen Bootcamp UX & UI Design Summer Program Online Sponsored

Key Insights

Learn More About San Francisco Graphic Design Courses

Why High Schoolers Should Learn Graphic Design

In-Person Graphic Design Classes in San Francisco

Virtual Graphic Design Classes

How to Choose a Graphic Design Class

San Francisco Graphic Design Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

San Francisco Careers & Salaries Related to Graphic Design

Related Classes

NextGen Bootcamp UX & UI Design Summer Program Online
Sponsored

San Francisco Graphic Design
Corporate & Onsite Training