Discover graphic design as a discipline that merges creativity and communication. Courses teach design principles, Adobe software, and real-world application.
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.
Learn to create compelling video content with Adobe After Effects. This course covers the basics of animation, text effects, and file integration needed to start creating impressive visual content from scratch. Get hands-on experience with real-world projects taught by an experienced instructor.
Learn how to use Adobe Premiere Pro to create professionally edited videos in this comprehensive class. From importing and organizing footage to advanced editing techniques like multi-cam editing and green screen removal, this course will equip you with the skills to create compelling video content.
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 basics of Adobe Creative Cloud apps like InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and After Effects in this hands-on bootcamp. Gain practical skills and become proficient in using these industry-standard applications.
Master the Adobe Creative Cloud and get hands-on training in top applications like Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Become an expert in designing for print, web, and motion graphics with project-based training.
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.
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.
Become a well-rounded Digital Designer by learning essential Adobe applications, Figma for UI design, and key design concepts and theory. Develop a comprehensive understanding of design concepts, processes, and workflows, create great-looking modern designs, and showcase them in a portfolio.
Gain essential skills in UI design for websites and mobile apps, including composition, typography, color, and attention to interactivity. Develop a portfolio showcasing your design projects and earn a NY State-approved certificate in UI Design.
Graphic design is essentially about multimodal communication methods. It combines text, imagery, movement, and other interactive features to convey messages or ideas in a way that makes sense to the consumer but also looks visually appealing. Whether it’s a logo, a website interface, or a promotional flyer hanging on a wall, a graphic design professional is behind the messaging and visual elements. Graphic Designers combine their creative skills with their technical aptitudes to clearly and effectively create visual content that is engaging, informative, and functional.
People have been conveying information and marketing for centuries, in myriad ways. Graphic design has roots going far back—think of cave paintings, for example. However, this field truly began to explode in the 19th and 20th centuries with the invention of modern printing techniques. Artists and designers alike would experiment with visual elements like typography, layout, formatting, and color schemes. The introduction of the internet brought a new twist to graphic design through the use of software, social media, and other digital tools. Today, graphic design is everywhere and has become an essential part of everyday life.
Graphic design training can lead to work opportunities in various industries. You can work in advertising and marketing, web design, and even film production. Companies of all sizes—from startups to major corporations—hire Graphic Designers as well. Even hospitals, banks, and government agencies hire graphic design experts to handle their visual messaging.
Since graphic design is needed in virtually every industry, you can find yourself tackling a wide range of projects while working in the field. For example, you can create print and digital projects. You may design posters, flyers, brochures, and magazines or work on websites and social media content. Each project gives you a chance to expand your portfolio and showcase your creative skills.
Graphic design is also useful for personal reasons. For example, you can use your skills to create personalized cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. In addition, you may design invitations for parties and events you are hosting. You could also start a club and spread the word by creating flyers to share around town. Even if you have a side hustle, like candle making or knitting, you could use your skills to start up a fun and visually appealing social media page or blog. The skills you learn in graphic design can help you grow professionally and enrich your personal life as well.
Each graphic design course will vary in its specifications, depth, and length. However, most go into one or more of these essential graphic design concepts. Whether you choose a class that zeros in on one specific type of software or emphasizes web design, you will need these skills to work as a successful Graphic Designer.
Graphic design relies on the professional’s ability to utilize various design principles to create visually appealing branding materials and messaging. Whether you’re working on a logo, a website, or a marketing campaign, you will have to capture the audience’s attention and clearly convey ideas. You may consider color theory and typography as well as hierarchy and contrast. Learning these principles will help you design more effective materials.
Most graphic design classes will teach at least one useful software or application that makes the job possible. For instance, most Graphic Designers use Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Those who focus on website design may also learn Figma. As you develop your skills, this software will make your graphic design projects far less challenging and far more visually engaging.
Understanding branding and marketing techniques is another essential aspect of working as a graphic design professional. Graphic design plays a huge role in establishing the company’s brand identity through its designs such as logos, social media pages, and packaging. By learning the basics of branding and marketing, you can enhance the overall message that the company is trying to send its consumers. This knowledge helps you produce better work as a Graphic Designer.
Many graphic design professionals create logos, banners, advertisements, and graphics for websites. Therefore, it’s essential to understand how a company’s online presence can make a huge impact on its success. Some graphic design classes teach you how to create user-friendly, visually appealing websites that provide a pleasant user experience. As websites become more and more a part of the consumer experience, it will be useful to learn web design fundamentals.
Although project management is not directly tied to graphic design, many Graphic Designers manage multiple projects and clients at once. As such, some graphic design classes discuss ways to manage your workflow, improve communication across your team, and work as a more reliable Designer. This may include managing deadlines and quality standards as well as ways to align your designs with the client’s needs and branding expectations.
Learning graphic design can be challenging in some ways and easy in others. It mostly depends on your knack for creativity and your attention to detail. Plus, communication can be tricky for some. On the other side of things, some people may have a bigger learning curve when it comes to using software, so it is a little difficult to determine how hard it is to learn graphic design. Overall, while it may be challenging to learn the concepts, tools, and theories behind graphic design, your learning method, mindset, and effort will reflect in your work and your studies. It is entirely possible to learn graphic design and overcome any difficulties.
As previously mentioned, some people may have more difficulty with the communication aspects of graphic design. Something may seem obvious to you, but it may not be as well received by audiences. In addition, some people find themselves hitting a creative wall that can be hard to climb over. Adobe Creative Cloud applications and prototyping tools like Figma may also pose difficulties as some of the tools and features take some time to get used to. However, overcoming these challenges is part of the process—with time and practice, you will find that learning graphic design becomes less and less challenging.
Your end goal will determine how long it will take you to learn graphic design. For example, if you just need a few basic skills to supplement your budding marketing career, you can learn some tools and techniques within a few days or weeks. However, if you want to eventually burst into the field of graphic design, you can expect to spend months or a year learning. Of course, design trends are always changing and new technologies are always emerging. As such, it may be worthwhile to continue your learning journey for years after you’ve completed your initial graphic design training.
When it comes to learning graphic design, you have many options. In-person classes are the most traditional and offer the most immersion. You’ll complete hands-on projects with the guidance of an expert instructor who will offer advice, feedback, and troubleshooting assistance. While this method requires a commute, this may not be an issue if you have a relatively open schedule and reliable transportation.
On the other hand, live online learning has its benefits too. If you live in a rural area or are otherwise unable to make it to an in-person class, this option gives you as much immersion as possible while learning from the comfort of home, the office, or anywhere else. You can explore topics with your virtual peers and still get help from the instructor. While this option is great for those with busier schedules, it can come with technical issues that may disrupt your learning experience. Still, this is a fantastic way to learn, no matter where you are or what your schedule is like.
Asynchronous learning has some benefits as well. This option is best for those who need an incredibly flexible way to learn. However, this method is entirely hands-off, meaning there is no instructor to guide you or provide feedback. This enables you to become more self-sufficient and manage your time better, but may not be ideal for those who want to become professionals as you will need additional interaction and experience. While very convenient, it is not the best for total beginners and may be better suited to those with ample graphic design experience who just want to sharpen their skills.
You can learn graphic design concepts for free online through various mediums and resources. For example, you can explore training center websites like Noble Desktop and watch their free seminars or check out their YouTube channel. Moreover, you can explore discussion boards, chatrooms, and social media pages to learn more about the field from professional Graphic Designers. They can provide more insight. You may be able to learn basic graphic design skills and practices with free resources, but they cannot replace a professional training method. You can use free resources to supplement your learning, but if you want to become a professional, you will have to find a more immersive and hands-on way to learn.
To enhance your graphic design skills, consider diving into related subjects that will help you become a more well-rounded design professional. For instance, you could study motion graphics and animation as complementary skills. This area of expertise adds an extra design element to any website, social media post, or digital medium and can help you engage with your audience even further. Learning how to do this can overall elevate your projects.
Furthermore, it may be useful to learn user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI) design. These skills are closely related and incredibly valuable to budding graphic design professionals as they can help them understand ways to improve their designs over not just websites, but applications and other digital interfaces. Knowing how users interact with your digital designs can further inform your design choices and ensure that the work you do is both functional and easy to understand as well as visually pleasing.
Toronto has a thriving economy with some high-performing industries such as technology, media and entertainment, tourism, and finance. In each of these industries, graphic design professionals can find work. Whether they assist with marketing campaigns or website design, there is always a need for graphic design experts. Here are just some of the ways that graphic design can help support the companies within these successful Toronto industries.
Anything from software development, artificial intelligence (AI), IT services, and cybersecurity can be clumped into the technology industry. The technology sector in Toronto is steadily growing, making the city one of North America’s top tech hubs. There are numerous big-name companies like Microsoft and Google as well as many startups and small businesses. This, paired with the many notable colleges and universities in the area, makes Toronto a prime location for tech innovation.
Graphic design is commonly needed in the tech industry to promote products and services as well as develop stunning user interfaces. Tech companies will hire Graphic Designers to help make visually appealing marketing materials, websites, and applications so that users can engage with the product effectively while enjoying the aesthetic aspects. Overall, graphic design in this industry ensures that the tech company is recognizable and the products are user-friendly and engaging.
Toronto’s entertainment industry contributes heavily not just to the economy but to the cultural identity of the city. There are many film production companies and television studios in the region so many entertainment professionals are driven here year after year. In addition, Toronto is home to the world-renowned Toronto International Film Festival.
Whether it is a film, a television show, or any other form of digital media, you can guarantee a Graphic Designer helped with the process. In this sector, graphic design professionals create promotional materials that spread the word about a recent project, event, or service. They will design print and digital materials like posters, social media content, or other digital advertisements. They will also develop title sequences or design packaging for streaming services. Effective graphic design helps establish the narrative, entice audiences, and communicate what the viewer or consumer can expect.
Every year, Toronto sees millions of visitors thanks to its plentiful cultural attractions, sporting events, concerts, and leisurely activities. Plus, there is an amazing food scene in many of the lively neighborhoods in the city. Between museums and festivals as well as restaurants and outdoor recreation, it’s easy to see why it’s a key part of Canada’s overall tourism industry. As such, many hotels, airlines, tour guide companies, and other tourism-related businesses find themselves planting roots in Toronto.
Graphic design is pivotal for creating a visually appealing promotional message about a tourism-related business's services and goods. Many Graphic Designers help make brochures, flyers, websites, mobile applications, social media posts, and travel guides for Toronto-based companies. They ensure that their target audience is reached and that the branding material is informative and visually stunning so that it attracts more potential visitors and consumers. In essence, graphic design makes it easier for tourists to plan their visit.
Any sort of financial institution can be included in the finance industry such as banks, investment firms, FinTech companies, and insurance agencies. Toronto is a significant location for finance, as it’s home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, one of the largest in the world. As such, this city is often considered a financial hub. With a wide range of financial services and numerous places to work, it’s easy to see why many folks flock to the finance sector in this region.
Graphic Designers in the finance industry are tasked with creating effective, clear communications between the organization and the client. A graphic design professional may work on reports, presentations, marketing materials, and other forms of branding. They may also develop user interfaces for websites and mobile applications which must be as easy to use as they are visually appealing. Whether they work on advertising campaigns that promote financial services or develop mobile applications, a Graphic Designer is a necessity for any financial institution that wants to build trust and communicate effectively with their client base.
Graphic design training can lead to several career paths that are rewarding both personally and financially. Although salaries vary based on several factors, graphic design is a relatively worthwhile career. Continue reading to learn more about graphic design jobs and their expected salaries.
A Graphic Designer uses visual elements to convey messages and ideas to their audience. They use different tools and software to create designs for print and digital branding material, mainly concerning themselves with typography, color theory, layouts, and formatting elements of the design. Above all else, Graphic Designers aim to make their designs effective and visually appealing. In Toronto, Graphic Designers can earn roughly $54,000 USD annually according to data compiled from Indeed. Of course, this number varies based on the company and applicant experience.
User Experience (UX) Designers ensure that their designs are user-friendly; in other words, the user has an overall pleasant, easy time using the product or service. This role conducts extensive research to understand what their consumers need as well as develops prototypes that are tested and tweaked continuously until they are suitable for further development. Glassdoor reports that Toronto-based UX Designers can expect a salary of roughly $83,000 USD, but the range can be anywhere from $65,000 to $106,000 USD. This may depend on the company, your level of education, and years spent in the field.
A Motion Graphic Designer combines their graphic design and animation skills to develop animations, graphics, and other visual effects for various mediums such as film, television, websites, and other digital content. They are adept at various tools and software that enable them to tell compelling, visually stunning stories. Motion Graphic Designers in the Toronto area earn an annual salary of $66,000 USD according to Payscale. However, a realistic range is anywhere from $42,000 to $83,000 USD and may fluctuate based on different factors.
Digital Marketers often have strong graphic design skills that they use to create engaging, communicative marketing campaigns. They promote their products and services through various online mediums, like websites, social media pages, and email, which all include logos, graphics, banners, and other branding materials. Their goal is to increase viewership, engagement, and profits for their company. Indeed shares that Digital Marketers in Toronto can earn close to $62,000 USD annually, but some currently available jobs offer upwards of $75,000 USD.
In Noble Desktop’s ||CPN548|| program, you will learn Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator and complete projects that help you develop a professional graphic design portfolio. You’ll study the foundational concepts and processes of graphic design and the best practices for communicating with the viewer. Furthermore, you’ll learn to retouch photos, design page layouts, and create vector graphics to help establish the company and its ethos. Some projects include album art, book covers, subway posters, and other kinds of branding material. Once the course ends, you will have a professional portfolio, a polished resume, and a certificate of completion.
There is also a Digital Design Certificate program at Noble Desktop where you will learn Adobe applications like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator in addition to Figma and UI design concepts. Once you’ve studied the basics of graphic design and UI design, you will get practice with each application. With Adobe Creative Cloud applications, you will learn how to design logos, icons, banners, and graphics, and with Figma, you will learn how to design the interface of websites and applications. This program also offers portfolio and resume development in addition to the certificate of completion.
If you would rather focus specifically on UI design, the UI Design Certificate program will take you through the entire process. You’ll practice using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Figma, and develop a portfolio filled with graphic design and UI design projects. The instructor will teach you how to use the drawing tools in Illustrator and the retouching tools in Photoshop. Moreover, you’ll create prototypes of websites and applications, both for desktop and mobile. Once you complete the course, you’ll earn a certificate of completion and leave with a professional portfolio and resume.
You can also learn more about Adobe Illustrator from The Training Company. In the Illustrator 101 course, you will spend two days covering the most industry-standard methods for creating vector graphics. You will learn how to navigate the interface, add color and effects, work with the various drawing tools, and add layers to your illustrations.
General Assembly provides an ||CPN118|| where students will spend seven hours diving into the most useful practices for editing and refining photos. You’ll learn the basics before moving on to more complex concepts such as image manipulation and using more difficult tools. Once you complete your edits and designs, you will export your image and study other useful tips and tricks on the application.
The University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies offers bootcamps such as the UX/UI Bootcamp. In this program, you will learn foundational skills in 24 weeks, including how to create visual prototypes with Adobe XD, follow information architecture practices, conduct user research, and develop personas. Moreover, you’ll practice website prototyping with JavaScript and Bootstrap.
Have you considered enrolling in graphic design corporate training? Your design team could benefit greatly from this training method as it can provide an added boost to future design projects and marketing campaigns. You can increase your creativity, strengthen collaborative efforts, and enhance productivity by participating in corporate training, so it is certainly worth a shot. Consider checking out Noble Desktop for your training needs. The lessons can be customized to suit your group’s preferences and interests, so everyone leaves a stronger member of the design team. In addition, everyone will learn the same thing at the same pace, which makes corporate training not only effective for retention but also allows these skills to transfer easily to the workplace.
Moreover, you can take charge of your training experience by choosing in-person or live online training. Plus, Noble Desktop offers a discounted rate for bulk vouchers in regular classes. This makes it easier for team members to continue learning as they see fit without breaking the bank. If sharpening your graphic design skills in a supportive environment interests you and your group, consider reaching out to Noble Desktop at corporate@nobledesktop.com to ask about pricing, scheduling, and training options.