Becoming a graphic designer is an exciting career that enables professionals to do work they are passionate about. Suppose you have a knack for design and illustration. In that case, you are probably already manifesting the day when you can get paid for drawing on your iPad.
However, several skills will need to be acquired before you reach that stage. The skills you need to improve may depend on the service you intend to provide as a freelance graphic designer or on the particular role you are targeting.
This article aims to provide the best resources for learning graphic design. This will save you from needless trial and error when figuring things out.
By incorporating the most effective and suitable resources, you will also increase your enjoyment of the continuous learning process!
Online Courses and Tutorials
Okay, let's get right into the meat of this article and discuss some of the best courses and tutorials for elevating your skills as a graphic designer.
Don't worry too much if you work full-time in a completely unrelated career. Many courses provide flexible learning options that enable you to improve incrementally until you meet your goals.
On the other hand, if you already consider yourself advanced and have a few years of experience, you will still find value in many of the tutorials offered in this select list of resources.
Don't worry if you feel like you haven't found your niche as a designer or you find yourself not knowing what to look for in a graphic design course, simply set aside twenty minutes of your time and listen to the podcast below.
Hopefully, now you find yourself with a little more direction on actionable next steps and what you might want to target in your learning going forward.
Learning graphic design can be easy and convenient, provided you take advantage of the right online resources.
Alison Online
Alison Online, which is an attractive option primarily for the self-paced design courses it offers. Of course, another driving factor is that the resource is available free of charge.
Its appeal is in its ease of access and the wide range of topics it addresses. Whether you're looking for the best graphic design software tutorials or in-depth lessons on design principles, you can tailor your learning to suit your career goals.
Completing courses on the platform earns certificates that can bolster your credentials as a designer. Alison Online is especially valuable for professionals wanting to grow their skills without spending money.
CreativePro
Suppose you want to upskill your graphic design competencies to elevate your career. In that case, CreativePro is likely the final destination for you. This is an excellent option for those looking to explore the professional aspects of the industry.
CreativePro goes beyond simply teaching design skills and invites you to explore the business side of being a graphic designer.
By using this resource, you can gain insight into how to handle clients, manage projects, and promote your services as a freelancer.
Take just a few minutes to browse the website. It offers a helpful mix of webinars, guides, and articles by industry professionals.
This resource is particularly valuable for graphic designers who want to stay current with industry norms and emerging trends and stay ahead of the curve.
Canva Design School
Canva has made its way into the monthly subscriptions of almost every graphic designer over the past decade. Some might say that the platform makes anyone a graphic designer for all of the high-quality templates offered on the site.
Canva Design School provides an array of tutorials covering subjects such as design basics, typography, color theory, current design trends, and more, helping you understand the key elements of design.
The above video is the first in a series of twelve lessons that are available completely free of charge as a playlist on the Canva YouTube channel. The series details everything you need to know to get you to the intermediate stage as a graphic designer.
You also don't need to spend a minute learning a skill you never intended to use. The tailored courses allow you to select the specific topics you want to know.
Instructors are also available to help guide you through the essentials of using Canva while ensuring a seamless learning journey, even if you have no previous experience using the platform.
Through Canva, you could find yourself with refined storytelling skills, crafting logos that communicate a brand message. You could also focus on enhancing your communication skills by learning to use whiteboards effectively using Canva tools and techniques or even focus on creating websites. The choice is entirely yours!
Although you won't receive a certificate after finishing the course, it will give you a good grasp of Canvas functionalities and enable you to enhance your design workflow!
Udemy
To get things started, Udemy's Introduction to Graphic Design course is a great starting point for newcomers to the world of design.
For many of us, starting out requires a lengthy transition period. We need to get our skills up to speed and perhaps develop a reasonable income before we can transition away from our former careers.
The courses that are featured in the video below are an excellent catalyst for this process. They introduce a broad range of topics and design principles that will help you develop into the designer you invisign yourself as.
You'll also appreciate hearing that you'll have the flexibility to learn at your own pace and access course materials and video lectures around the clock.
One standout feature of this resource is that it allows students to engage in hands-on projects and receive feedback. This will go a long way in helping you construct a portfolio when starting as a graphic designer.
Start Listening to the 'Graphic Design Is Fun' Podcast
Now that we have reviewed the top graphic design courses you have available, I'll introduce some resources that you can use to supplement your learning.
Suppose you are serious about improving your skills as a graphic designer. In that case, your learning can only continue after working hours.
You must incorporate graphic design into your lifestyle by learning through various mediums outside of courses and textbooks.
One of the best ways to get into graphic design is to tune into the 'Graphic Design is Fun' podcast during your commute or free time.
This way, you can take your learning with you wherever you go and learn about topics that aren't typically covered in courses.
After just 20 episodes, the podcast is one of the most respected among graphic designers and is hosted by a Toronto-based designer named Dan Alan.
From your listening, you can expect to explore subjects such as profiles of known graphic designers, conversations about design education, creative processes, and sources of inspiration.
The podcast also offers guidance on many of the struggles that freelancers typically face at the beginning of their graphic design career paths, such as discovering their own style, maintaining a work-life balance, and understanding how to price their work effectively.
Subscribe to 'Gareth David Studio' on YouTube
Nowadays, we turn to YouTube to learn about everything, so why should graphic design be any different?
Instead of coming home after a long day and throwing on some mindless comedy, you could experiment by substituting an educational yet entertaining video on graphic design.
This channel is a treasure trove of resources that will help you enhance your design skills with each video.
Whatever topic you're interested in, if it's even loosely related to graphic design, the chances are you'll find a video on it. Gareth David offers in-depth tutorials covering a range of design topics, from the very basics to software techniques.
Suppose you need to figure out where to get started. In that case, look at the curated playlists to concentrate on areas of interest and progress incrementally as the series unfolds.
The channel will keep you updated on the trends in the design industry, helping you stay current in this evolving field. This, if nothing else, could serve as a talking point in future interviews.
So, if you're looking to supplement your learning with a more diverse range of education resources, make sure to add this channel to your subscriptions.
Looking for help in getting tutoring graphic design? Find a professional tutor for lessons on Superprof!
Learn Graphic Design with Superprof
Working alongside an experienced tutor is perhaps the most valuable resource for learning a skill such as graphic design.
A rule of thumb says it takes 10,000 hours to master a new skill. This wasn't told with Supeprof in mind, as working with one of the experienced graphic design tutors listed on the platform will cut the time you spend learning into a fraction.
Design is an art form that constantly evolves, so being open to ideas and techniques will lead you to self-expression and artistic development opportunities.
Another beautiful thing about private tuition is the freedom it gives you in how you approach your learning.
Suppose any of the resources in this article spark some thought or give you any difficulty. In that case, you can bring them to your tutor and get instant feedback on turning your weaknesses into strengths.
Start learning graphic design with a tutor from Superprof as soon as today!
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