Best Graphic Design Classes Virginia Beach, VA: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Top Virginia Beach Graphic Design Courses

Discover how graphic design skills can unlock versatile career paths in Virginia Beach, with opportunities ranging from traditional print media to digital marketing, UI design, and more. Learn about the potential to increase your annual income as you progress from entry-level positions to advanced roles like Design Director, with salaries ranging from $65,000 to $100,000.

Key Insights

Graphic design merges art and technology, requiring knowledge in design principles and proficiency in various design software.
Graphic design roles in Virginia Beach offer growth opportunities, with entry-level positions like Designer and Graphic Designer starting at around $40,000 and progressing to higher-paying roles like Digital, Visual, or UI Designer, and Design Director, which offer salaries from $65,000 to $100,000.
In-person and virtual graphic design classes are available in Virginia Beach, with programs focusing on essential Adobe Creative Cloud apps such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Noble Desktop offers a comprehensive range of live online graphic design courses, including shorter courses, workshops, and a Graphic Design Certificate ideal for career starters.
Bootcamps offer an intensive way to acquire necessary skills for a specific career path in a shorter time than a formal degree.
Corporate and onsite graphic design training can be beneficial for businesses looking to enhance their employees' skills and bring design needs in-house, with customizable programs available from providers like Noble Desktop.

Learn more below

Graphic Design Topics

When searching for a graphic design course, you want a class that covers graphic design comprehensively, including the industry-standard design applications, graphic design theory, and portfolio development. You can also choose to focus on a specific application within graphic design, including popular apps like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, or related fields like visual design or UX design.

Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the most popular photo-editing app, but it's also a popular design app. Allowing you to edit, refine, sharpen, brighten, and retouch photos, Photoshop is popular among photographers as well as graphic designers. Going beyond photo editing, designers use Photoshop to design graphics for social media, websites, presentations, print layouts, animated GIFs, and much more.

Explore Photoshop Classes

InDesign

Adobe InDesign is the industry-standard app for professional print design. Designers use InDesign to create books, magazines, flyers, brochures, business cards, posters, PDFs, and more.

Explore InDesign Classes

Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is used by graphic designers and digital artists to draw vector graphics. It's used to create logos, icons, illustrations, product packaging, fashion designs, and much more. It's often used in combination with InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects, and more.

Explore Illustrator Classes

Visual Design

Graphic designers that focus on digital products (such as websites, apps, and more) are often called visual designers. Visual design is the strategic use of aesthetic elements to communicate a message to a given audience. Visual designers use their expertise in typography, composition, hierarchy, contrast, scale, color, etc. to evaluate visual impact and make attractive and usable designs. Visual designers understand best practices in functionality and aesthetic consistency and apply this knowledge to their designs.

Explore Visual Design Classes

UX Design

Making a product (website, app, etc.) attractive, functional, navigable, and effective requires special skills and knowledge. User experience (UX) design requires both technical and creative skills. Responsible for product research, creating personas, defining the information architecture, developing wireframes, prototyping, and user testing, UX designers work in an environment of continuous improvement. Each testing cycle informs the next round of iterations, ensuring a product's ongoing functionality and effectiveness. Graphic designers, typically called UI (user interface) or visual designers, often work with UX designers and focus on how the product looks. Graphic designers who understand both UX and UI can design both aspects (how it works and how it looks).

Explore UX Design Classes

Virginia Beach Graphic Design Courses by School

Here are some of the top Virginia Beach schools offering Graphic Design training, including Certstaffix Training (3 courses). We’ve also included 1 school that offer live online courses you can take from anywhere, including Virginia Beach.

Noble Desktop

NYC location: 185 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10016 US

Founded in 1990, Noble Desktop offers part-time and full-immersion courses on anything you can think of from design and coding to business. Located in New York City and providing courses both online and in-person, Noble Desktop prides itself on accommodating dynamic courses and bootcamps with hands-on learning, time-tested curriculums, and education from top industry experts.
Noble Desktop’s Top Live Online Graphic Design Courses
- Graphic Design Certificate
  - 84 Hours
  - $2,995
  In this certificate program, participants will learn the skills needed to become a graphic designer. Attendees start by learning industry-standard apps such as Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Students then learn and put into practice design fundamentals such as design theory, composition, typography, color, and more. During the program, students will work on multiple design projects including logos, social media graphics, album art, advertisements, and more. Attendees will learn the skills needed to start a career as a graphic designer and walk away with projects they can use in a portfolio to show prospective employers or clients. The program includes a free retake and several step-by-step workbooks.
- Digital Design Certificate
  - 138 Hours
  - $4,495
  Become a well-rounded Digital Designer: Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, and Visual (UI) Design. Conquer the essential Adobe applications (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Adobe XD); learn design concepts and theory; and develop several portfolio projects to showcase to employers or clients. This program includes 174 hours of hands-on training and 8 one-one-one mentoring sessions.
- UI Design Certificate
  - 120 Hours
  - $3,995
  In this certificate program, participants will learn the skills needed to become a well rounded digital designer, capable of designing websites, logos, social media graphics, and more. Attendees start by learning industry-standard apps such as Sketch, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Students then learn and implement design fundamentals such as design theory, composition, typography, color, web design standards, and more. Attendees will learn the skills needed to start a career as a visual designer and walk away with projects they can use in a portfolio to show prospective employers or clients. The program includes a free retake and several step-by-step workbooks.
- Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp
  - 18 Hours
  - $975
  In this 18-hour class, participants will learn the important fundamentals of Photoshop to start using it right away. Attendees will work on a variety of projects from photo editing to creating graphics for web and print. Students will learn how to retouch photos, correct color, combine photos, use layers, start working with masks, use filters, save files properly for print, web, and more. The class includes a free retake and a step-by-step workbook.
See all Noble Desktop’s Courses
Certstaffix Training

Virginia Beach location: 900 Commonwealth Pl, Virginia Beach, VA, 23464 US

Certstaffix offers live online classes and group training onsite for corporate entities all over the U.S. They provide courses in End-user/Desktop, IT Pro Skills, Online Marketing, Business Skills, and Programming/Development.
Certstaffix’s Top Virginia Beach Graphic Design Courses
- Adobe Photoshop CC (2020)
  - 3 Days
  - $1,330
  This is an introductory course to Adobe Photoshop. This 3-day program teaches fundamentals of Photoshop, including techniques for compositing video, editing photos, printing 3D files, painting with the mixer brush, and producing vectors. Students will also learn how to use the new Frame and Content-Aware Fill tools to simplify the video and photo editing process.
- Adobe InDesign CC (2020)
  - 3 Days
  - $1,330
  This 3-day course teaches the fundamentals of Adobe InDesign. Students will learn how to work with colors, objects, styles, and typography to develop designs for publishing. Completing 15 projects in this course will allow students to practice creating rich layouts and interactive .pdf forms. While intended for beginners, advanced users are also encouraged to take the course to expand their skills.
- Adobe Illustrator CC (2020)
  - 3 Days
  - $1,330
  This introductory course to Adobe Illustrator uses 15 project-based lessons to teach the fundamentals of this tool. Students will learn how to use the Essentials workspace to navigate the Illustrator workflow. During this 3-day program, students will also learn how to use Illustrator’s tools to edit and combine shapes, create graphics for everything from websites to t-shirts, and develop web content.
See all Certstaffix Training’s Courses

showing 2 of 2 schools

Virginia Beach Graphic Design
Corporate & Onsite Training

Upskill or reskill your workforce with our industry-leading corporate and onsite Graphic Design training programs. Conduct the training onsite at your location or live online from anywhere. You can also purchase vouchers for our public enrollment Graphic Design courses.

corporate@nobledesktop.com (212) 226-4149

Learn Graphic Design for a New Career

Graphic Design is the foundation of any career that works with visual art and text. It’s a way to express ideas in a way that’s visually pleasing. Graphic design is versatile and it’s utilized by everyone from multinational retailers to small indie films. It’s the core of every advertisement, product’s aesthetic, and brand’s identity which means that there is always a demand for Graphic Designers. Learning graphic design concepts sets you up for a digital creative career in a variety of industries.

Graphic Design is one of the core skills needed to secure one of these positions. See the career pages for more information on required skills, tips for landing a job, typical day-to-day work, and where to find job postings.

Graphic Designer source: indeed.com

Salary in Virginia Beach

$51,000 / year
10.94% less than the U.S. average

Graphic designers work with both digital and physical media to create art that communicates and inspires. Using graphics, text, colors, and animations, graphics designers develop media assets for branding, advertising, and messaging. Graphics designers can work for agencies or themselves. They create a wide variety of design elements, such as brochures, infographics, marketing material layouts, and design elements for print, video, or web use.
Learn about becoming a Graphic Designer
Designer source: indeed.com

Salary in Virginia Beach

$59,000 / year
18.48% less than the U.S. average

Designers work in a wide variety of industries and specialize in just as many mediums. Most designers create digital assets, but some designers work with hand-drawn sketches and illustrations. They start with an understanding of the best design principles and functional aesthetics. Common fields for designers include web, apps, print, fashion, animation, advertising, and UX design.
Learn about becoming a Designer
UI Designer source: indeed.com

Salary in Virginia Beach

$75,000 / year
15.42% less than the U.S. average

User interface (UI) designers are responsible for how an application or web page looks and feels. Using colors, fonts, patterns, textures, icons, and buttons, user interface designers work with user experience designers to improve websites. Some user interface designers may also touch on user experience design (UX) issues and use prototyping and user testing to analyze the effectiveness of messaging and ease of use.
Learn about becoming a UI Designer
Visual Designer source: indeed.com

Salary in Virginia Beach

$69,000 / year
13.76% less than the U.S. average

Visual designers focus on what users see on their screens—banners, menus, graphics, navigation, and more. They use their knowledge of best practices to design digital elements such as page designs, banner ads, icons, and overlays. Working for platforms such as websites, apps, movies, games, and wearables, visual designers strive to provide beautiful user interface. Visual designers often work with software such as Sketch, Adobe XD, Figma, Photoshop, and more.
Learn about becoming a Visual Designer
Digital Designer source: indeed.com

Salary in Virginia Beach

$45,000 / year
52.69% less than the U.S. average

Digital Designers make graphics, animations, and other visual effects. Depending on their preference, a Digital Designer might choose to niche down to work exclusively on pre-print, web, or digital marketing. These niches that the Digital Designer is designing websites, applications, advertisements, or publications.
Learn about becoming a Digital Designer
Design Director source: indeed.com

Salary in Virginia Beach

$113,000 / year
10.36% less than the U.S. average

A Design Director leads a team of creative professionals who curate the look and feel of a product or project through the production of visual strategies. They work on projects like magazines, movies, advertisements, video games, or websites. Design Directors can work in industries such as interior design, retail, marketing, architecture, and entertainment.
Learn about becoming a Design Director

showing 6 of 6 career paths

Indeed salary data from November 2023

Learn more about how learning Graphic Design can help with your career options

Learn More About Virginia Beach Graphic Design Courses

At the intersection of art and technology, you will find the medium of graphic design. The field involves communicating ideas visually by creating artwork ultimately used for print or digital needs. Graphic designers use these images for many forms of media including websites, social graphics, logos, digital or print advertising campaigns, apps, and magazines or books.

To achieve success in graphic design, there is a lot to learn about the basic principles and elements of design such as balance, proportion, alignment, image-to-text ratio, emphasis, and white space. You would also need to become familiar with numerous programs and apps that today’s designers use to bring life to their images, wherever they are being used.

Graphic design is appealing because it is not as “cut and dry” as other technical career paths, where the work must be methodical and precise. If you would like to join the tech world but crave more creative freedom, graphic design could be exactly what you are looking for.

Graphic Design Careers in Virginia Beach

Like many tech fields, graphic design has multiple focal points. It is crucial to choose which area you are targeting as a potential career path before you begin training, as your coursework and related experience will be informed by this decision. For example, you would start with the fundamental coursework for a career as a Designer, graphic or otherwise. However, you could supplement your training with classes in User Experience or User Interface (UX and UI), visual design, and animation or motion graphics to excel beyond the traditional use of graphic design education and open up new doors down the line.

When you look for graphic design jobs available in Virginia Beach, it is essential to check the required training for each position to ensure that you have the right skill set for the role. Salaries for positions like Designer and Graphic Designer in Virginia Beach start at the entry-level range (around $40,000), but your expertise will be a jumping-off point toward careers like Digital, Visual, or UI Designer, as well as Design Director down the line. These positions are higher-paying, with salaries from $65,000 to $100,000. Even if you do start in an entry-level position, there is incredible growth potential in the field so it’s not likely you would stay there for long before parlaying your skills into a more advanced role.

Once you are ready to pursue a graphic design role, there are numerous design firms in Virginia Beach that are always looking for top talent, or you could also apply your skills in-house at a small business or large corporation; companies of all sizes have graphic design needs so either one would be a viable option. One of Virginia Beach’s key industries is Corporate Headquarters, with hundreds of businesses that employ thousands of MSA residents. Since these main offices are often where marketing needs are met, graphic design skills could be a strong advantage in securing a position.

In-Person Graphic Design Classes in Virginia Beach

Adobe’s Creative Cloud (CC) is a suite of applications used commonly by designers and other creative professionals across video, web development, and photography. The three Adobe CC apps you are most likely to use in a graphic design career are Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Two schools in Virginia Beach offer training centered on these apps: Certstaff and ONLC.

Although both schools’ courses are taught live online by a remote instructor, there is still the option to use their in-person computer lab, which helps if you do not already own the requisite equipment or programs needed. Classes range from 2-5 days, so they are a perfect opportunity to dip your feet into the world of graphic design to see if it is right for you before diving into a longer program.

Virtual Graphic Design Classes

While a visual topic like graphic design could benefit from in-person learning, live online instruction has recently evolved to become nearly equal in terms of quality and experience. Courses are hands-on, with feedback and interaction happening in real-time; you never have to leave your home or office, but still get all of the advantages of a face-to-face class.

If you are interested in taking a class, Noble Desktop’s virtual offering of live online graphic design courses is far broader than what you can find in-person in the area. Their shorter courses and workshops last from 6 to 18 hours and offer focused training on single apps, also including related fields like visual design and motion graphics. Another option is to complete a Graphic Design Certificate, which includes the top Adobe applications as well as design principles and portfolio creation; this is an ideal choice if you are preparing to start a new career.

Virtual programs are also available through Career Centers and NYIM. You can find instructor-led live online graphic design courses through NYC Career Centers in an assortment of Adobe apps, as well as longer certificates and bootcamps. Check out virtual graphic design courses from NYIM Training for a comparable selection.

Do you know any younger creatives who might like to learn about graphic design? Noble Desktop’s NextGen Bootcamp offers live online graphic design classes for high schoolers; these programs would be a perfect artistic outlet that could one day lead to a lucrative career.

Graphic Design Bootcamps in Virginia Beach

No matter which area of design you decide to pursue, you will need a solid mix of education and experience in a number of applications, coding languages, or both. One way to acquire all of the skills necessary for a given career path is to complete a bootcamp in the subject. Bootcamps take more time than a single class but far less than a formal degree, and they focus on preparing their students for a job in the field upon completion.

Thinking about checking out graphic design bootcamps in Virginia Beach? ONLC has an in-person computer lab you can use to take a remote 5-day Adobe Creative Cloud course, otherwise, there are several live online options available from anywhere you are. Noble Desktop and American Graphics Institute both have a variety of longer graphic design certificates and bootcamps; courses range from 18 to 174 hours, making training accessible for all levels of availability.

Corporate & Onsite Graphic Design Training in Virginia Beach

Design firms and corporate headquarters are not the only markets for graphic design skills. Nearly any business could benefit from its employees having related expertise because it could be used to create all kinds of images, from marketing materials and website content to a new logo or visually stunning trade show banner.

Graphic design courses could go a long way to upskill your staff and bring design needs in-house—a good investment in the long run since outsourcing can be expensive and unpredictable. Noble Desktop’s onsite or virtual corporate training graphic design training provides a customizable curriculum of group classes or discounted vouchers, so there is a program to fit any training needs, large or small.

A new or revitalized design skill set can empower your staff while improving your business. For more information, contact hello@nobledesktop.com to find the right training options.

Which Virginia Beach Graphic Design Class is Right for Me?

You have several options when it comes to learning Graphic Design, so we’ve chosen 3 of the best Virginia Beach courses from the top 2 training providers to help you make your decision. But even so, with the variety of considerations including cost, duration, course format, starting level, and more, choosing the perfect course still isn’t that easy.

Here are the key questions you should ask yourself before enrolling in a Graphic Design course. We hope you’ll find the best option based on your learning preferences and goals.

What level should I start at?

Enrolling in the right skill level is pivotal. Skipping over prerequisites can leave you confused, while choosing a course too easy will waste your time and tuition dollars.

Beginner Courses

If you’re new to Graphic Design, there’s no need to fear. We’ve found 3 beginner courses, with costs ranging from $1,330. The top options open to beginners include:

Adobe Illustrator CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days)
In-person in Virginia Beach or live online
Adobe InDesign CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days)
In-person in Virginia Beach or live online
Adobe Photoshop CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days)
In-person in Virginia Beach or live online

Note that beginner courses still typically assume basic proficiency with computers.

Which class format (in-person or live online) works best for me?

In Virginia Beach, you can choose to attend Graphic Design courses in-person or live online. Additionally, some providers like Certstaffix offer live online training with the option to use a computer lab in Virginia Beach.

In-Person in Virginia Beach

Please note that due to COVID-19 some providers are temporarily offering online training only. Check with each provider for the latest status on a school’s in-person reopening plans.

Live Online Training from Anywhere

Live Online training is synchronous training where participants and the instructor attend remotely. Participants learn and interact with the instructor in real-time and can ask questions and receive feedback throughout the course. Instructors can remote into students’ computers (with prior permission) to assist with class exercises and any technical issues. The courses are hands-on and interactive like in-person training.

You can attend the course from your own home or office. This option works best for those without easy access to a nearby facility, and it has become increasingly popular during COVID-19. Here are 3 of the best live online Graphic Design classes we found:

Adobe Illustrator CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days | beginner)
Adobe InDesign CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days | beginner)
Adobe Photoshop CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days | beginner)

“Remote Instructor” Training

In Virginia Beach, you can attend Graphic Design courses live online and use the computer lab Certstaffix at your option. In this “remote instructor” training, the instructor is not present in the same room as the students, but the training is still synchronous. Here are some “remote instructor” options in Virginia Beach:

Certstaffix Training: Computer lab at 900 Commonwealth Pl in Virginia Beach, VA
- Adobe Illustrator CC (2020) ($1,330 for 3 Days)
- Adobe InDesign CC (2020) ($1,330 for 3 Days)
- Adobe Photoshop CC (2020) ($1,330 for 3 Days)

When are Graphic Design classes available?

It’s crucial to find a course that fits your schedule. For in-person training in Virginia Beach, the Graphic Design courses we found (shown above) are only available weekdays. For those with busy schedules looking for evening or weekend courses, these live online options offer flexibility:

Adobe Illustrator CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days)
This course is also available online
Adobe InDesign CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days)
This course is also available online
Adobe Photoshop CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days)
This course is also available online

Due to changing schedules and uncertainty during COVID-19, we recommend that prospective students confirm course availability directly with the school.

What should I learn in Graphic Design?

With Graphic Design encompassing so many verticals and subtopics, it could be challenging to find what you’re looking for. We’ll help you break down the subcategories and related topics (see the Graphic Design topics section) to focus directly on one of the subcategories.

When learning Graphic Design, you can attend a course or program that dives comprehensively into Graphic Design or focuses on a particular topic, including Photoshop, InDesign, or Illustrator.

Focus on a Specific Subtopic within Graphic Design

Within Graphic Design, you can focus your learning on a specific topic, including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Visual Design, and UX Design. Each one of these topics will directly enhance, supplement, or support your learning in Graphic Design. To see how each topic relates to Graphic Design and to focus your learning on any subcategory, see the subtopics section above.

For a quick overview, here are some popular classes:

Learn Photoshop with Adobe Photoshop CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training.
The course costs $1,330 and is available both in-person in Virginia Beach or live online
Learn InDesign with Adobe InDesign CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training.
The course costs $1,330 and is available both in-person in Virginia Beach or live online
Learn Illustrator with Adobe Illustrator CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training.
The course costs $1,330 and is available both in-person in Virginia Beach or live online

What type of course is right for me?

When learning Graphic Design, there are a variety of learning goals you can achieve, including learning Graphic Design comprehensively.

To find the perfect fit for you, it’s important to determine what your training goals are. Here is a breakdown of the variety of courses and learners.

Comprehensive Learner

For those who are committed to comprehensively understand Graphic Design and ready to spend 3 days to master Graphic Design, these classes will help achieve that goal. With prices ranging from $1,330, there is a financial commitment, but learning these skills can have a tremendous impact on job performance and earnings potential.

Adobe Photoshop CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days) available in-person in Virginia Beach or live online
Adobe InDesign CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days) available in-person in Virginia Beach or live online
Adobe Illustrator CC (2020) @ Certstaffix Training ($1,330 | 3 Days) available in-person in Virginia Beach or live online

Will learning Graphic Design help me get a job?

Graphic Design is an in-demand design skill that is essential for a variety of career paths. Here are some popular positions listing Graphic Design as a skill and the average salaries in Virginia Beach according to Indeed as of November 2023.

Design Director: $113K annual salary, 10.36% below the national average
UI Designer: $75K annual salary, 15.42% below the national average
Visual Designer: $69K annual salary, 13.76% below the national average
Designer: $59K annual salary, 18.48% below the national average
Graphic Designer: $51K annual salary, 10.94% below the national average
Digital Designer: $45K annual salary, 52.69% below the national average

See the careers section for more information about the top related careers and the salaries in Virginia Beach, and visit the career pages for detail on skill requirements, day-to-day work, compensation, tips, and more.

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Key Insights

Graphic Design Topics

Photoshop

InDesign

Illustrator

Visual Design

UX Design

Virginia Beach Graphic Design Courses by School

Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop’s Top Live Online Graphic Design Courses

Certstaffix Training

Certstaffix’s Top Virginia Beach Graphic Design Courses

Virginia Beach Graphic Design Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Graphic Design Training Locations in or Near Virginia Beach

Learn Graphic Design for a New Career

Graphic Designer source: indeed.com

Designer source: indeed.com

UI Designer source: indeed.com

Visual Designer source: indeed.com

Digital Designer source: indeed.com

Design Director source: indeed.com

Learn More About Virginia Beach Graphic Design Courses

Graphic Design Careers in Virginia Beach

In-Person Graphic Design Classes in Virginia Beach

Virtual Graphic Design Classes

Graphic Design Bootcamps in Virginia Beach

Corporate & Onsite Graphic Design Training in Virginia Beach

Which Virginia Beach Graphic Design Class is Right for Me?

What level should I start at?

Beginner Courses

Which class format (in-person or live online) works best for me?

In-Person in Virginia Beach

Live Online Training from Anywhere

“Remote Instructor” Training

When are Graphic Design classes available?

What should I learn in Graphic Design?

Focus on a Specific Subtopic within Graphic Design

What type of course is right for me?

Comprehensive Learner

Will learning Graphic Design help me get a job?

Related Classes

Virginia Beach Graphic Design
Corporate & Onsite Training