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. 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 a social media page. It can also help boost your side hustle through more engaging graphics and marketing tactics. Graphic design can help you increase followers, lead to higher viewership, and, overall, you can 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 the 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 complete. 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 its own distinct benefits, 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. 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 their 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.
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 the theory behind these skills but also the tools and technologies that make these designs possible.
Phoenix has a thriving economy with a wide range of industries, including tourism, education, healthcare, and technology, all of which rely on graphic design for marketing and promotional purposes. In the tourism sector, companies like Arizona Grand Resort & Spa and Talking Stick Resort employ marketing professionals to create visually engaging posters, commercials, websites, and digital content that attract visitors to their attractions and services.
Educational institutions such as Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University use graphic design to enhance promotional campaigns, develop engaging digital materials, and attract prospective students. Similarly, healthcare organizations like Banner Health and Dignity Health hire graphic designers to communicate health information, promote services, and strengthen connections with the community through visually compelling campaigns.
The tech industry in Phoenix also heavily leverages graphic design. Companies such as GoDaddy and Intel use designers to develop branding, marketing materials, product visuals, and digital content aimed at educating consumers, promoting new products, and driving engagement.
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 help 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.
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.
Phoenix professionals have a lot of opportunities when it comes to expanding their knowledge in fields like tech, design, business, and data. Anchored by major businesses in downtown Phoenix and the surrounding areas, such as Tempe, Mesa, and Scottsdale, the city benefits greatly from a diverse economy that spans industries ranging from local government and education to tech and finance, all while maintaining strong connections to the global market. One important skill worth learning is graphic design, since every major company hires Graphic Designers. It's a powerful skill that blends creativity with technical skill, which opens doors for creative fields throughout every industry. Through Noble Desktop’s network of professional instructors, students in Phoenix can access high-quality training that helps them meet the industry standard. With decades of combined experience, these instructors go beyond the basics and blend practical guidance with real-world insights. This helps students not only acquire technical skills but also the confidence to make it in their professional careers.
Dr. Deanne Larson is a data science and analytics expert with 20 years of experience and counting. She has worked as an advisor for Fortune 500 companies and FinTech organizations through her firm, Larson & Associates LLC. Throughout her career, she has been drawn to work with AI-driven strategies and initiatives, machine learning implementation, and customer data platforms. Additionally, Dr. Deanne has worked on fraud detection models and managed global personalization platforms that have served hundreds of millions of customers. She is also a knowledgeable instructor, having worked for City University of Seattle, where she mentored doctoral students and developed curricula in data and business analytics. Dr. Deanne currently teaches courses in subjects ranging from data and project management to AI and Python.
After 34 years of federal service, Geno Sexton retired in 2012 and now works as a Phoenix-based project management instructor. Throughout these decades, Geno worked for eight years in the Senior Executive Service, culminating as Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer and HR Director at the U.S. Department of Labor, where he led 120 HR professionals serving 18,000 employees. He was named Deputy CHCO of the Year in 2011 and served as the first HR Officer at the new DHS Headquarters. In his distinguished career, Geno has made a real impact and currently teaches project management courses. He is a Vietnam-era Army veteran, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications and a Master’s degree in Government from New Mexico State University, and is a proud bilingual and ESL-certified instructor.