The path to becoming a graphic designer involves a lot of time and hard work and the ability to grasp all the involved concepts. This learning path is a combination of different courses and classes that are suitable for all kinds of learners who wish to become graphic designers. Note that this path has a foundation, intermediate, and other advanced-level courses that can be taken by all.

Courses in Learning Path	Total Enrollments	Expected Effort	Providers
16	853,550+	111 Hrs	Coursera, SkillShare, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, Masterclass

Section 1 – Foundation

Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview

University of Colorado via Coursera | 46,250+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (854 Ratings)

In this course, you will be taught all about the history and design process of the graphic design professional. Here you will recognize different important ways to work with graphic designers and other creative professionals. Similarly, the instructor will compare the concepts of balance, proximity, repetition, space, and contrast in detail. After that, you will discover the use of white space to develop shape, form, and structure in graphic projects.

Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

CaLARTS via Coursera | 81,205+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (2,303 Ratings)

This course is all about explaining the history of graphic design. The instructor will help you understand the emergence of design as a recognized practice. After that, you will get to learn about graphic design radicalism in the late 1950s and early 1970s. In short, this course will teach you to make informed design choices.

Introduction to Typography

CaLARTS via Coursera | 141,947+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (5,232 Ratings)

This “Introduction to Typography” class reviews the terminology and measuring system that is to be used for describing typography. Here you will be taught how typefaces tell stories and understand the historic evolution. Similarly, you will learn to conduct a peer-reviewed typesetting exercise. Then you will understand how to design a full-scale typographic poster.

Color Theory and Image Formats

University of Colorado via Coursera | 25,606+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (489 Ratings)

In this course, the instructor will help you discriminate between CMYK, Pantone, and RGB color options. Here you will be taught how to categorize the different kinds of image files and understand their usage. Similarly, the instructor will explain how to recognize the ideal combination of graphics and text in logo design.

Creative Patterns for Graphic Design

Giorgia Smiraglia via Domestika | 2,772+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (173 Reviews)

This class explains how to design a pattern by understanding its anatomy and experimenting with different design techniques. Here, you will be taught how to create a symphony of designs by combining your patterns harmoniously. The instructor will explain how to finalize your patterns professionally by creating graphic assets. You will also explore different product designs by creating a mockup set using the finished design in Photoshop and Illustrator.

Branding and User Experience

University of Colorado via Coursera | 14,198+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (236 Ratings)

This “Branding and User Experience” course talks about how to work best with graphic designers, printers, and web designers. Here you will explore the printing elements of graphic design in detail. Similarly, the instructor will explain the online elements of graphic design and so much more.

Demystifying Graphic Design: How Posters Work

Ellen Lupton via SkillShare | 51,997+ already enrolled | 01 Hour of effort required!

In this class, the instructor talks about how posters work. Here you will be taught how to activate the diagonal in detail. This class contains different lessons and with each lesson, you will learn something new. You will learn all about how to assault the surface, focus the eye, simplify, overlap, and so much more in detail.

Section 2 – Tools

InDesign 2021 Essential Training

David Blatner via LinkedIn Learning | 73,842+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (1,593 Ratings)

In this beginner-level course, you will be taught the core features and techniques that can help you make a powerful page-layout application that is fun and easy to use. This course will provide learners with a foundation to move towards advanced skills. The instructor will get you up to speed and teaches the basics. You will learn to manage documents, and pages, edit text, and graphics, and create imperative documents.

Adobe Photoshop CC – Essentials Training Course

Daniel Scott via SkillShare | 92,629+ already enrolled | 10 Hours of effort required!

This course will help you learn the skills to mask anything including the dreaded hair. Here you will learn to make type interactive and make clear-cut images. Similarly, the instructor will explain the different tools and tricks required to recreate current visual styles.

Adobe Illustrator CC – Essentials Training

Daniel Scott via SkillShare | 98,005+ already enrolled | 07 Hours of effort required!

In this class, you will understand how to draw in Adobe Illustrator CC with shapes and lines. The instructor will explain in detail how to draw using the shape builder tool in Adobe Illustrator CC. Similarly, you will be taught how to draw custom logo shapes and draw anything using the Curvature Tool in Adobe Illustrator.

Learn Blender 3D: Become a 3D Illustrator by Mastering Blender

Arash Ahadzadeh via SkillShare | 3,139+ already enrolled | 07 Hours of effort required!

In this course, you will get to work on two separate projects and a modern 3D room. Here you will first understand what a blender is. Then you will understand what the blender interface is. After that, the instructor will explain how to add an object to your scene. Then he will talk about workspaces, navigation, transformation, etc. similarly, you will learn all the modeling tools and so much more in this class.

Social Media Content Creation in Canva: From Beginner to Advanced

Maggie Stara via SkillShare | 15,153+ already enrolled | 05 Hours of effort required!

In this class, you will understand the psychology of colors in detail. The instructor will explain in detail how to use Hex codes and color palettes. You will be taught how to find your fonts and understand the dos and don’ts of design and get a detailed introduction to Canva.

Section 3 – More Graphic Design Courses

Graphic Design Masterclass Intermediate: The NEXT Level

Lindsay Marsh via Udemy | 35,492+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (3,397 Ratings)

In this Masterclass, you will be taught how to create polished and practical logo designs and brand assets. Here you will learn to create images for a full digital marketing campaign. This includes both Facebook and Instagram. The instructor will explain how to produce complex photo manipulations for ad design and create realistic shadows and so much more in detail.

Creative Collaboration

Denise Jacobs via LinkedIn Learning | 57,273+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (554 Ratings)

In this course, the instructor uses a fresh approach to creative collaboration which can make the process productive and fun. Here you will be taught how to recognize and remove personal creative blocks and connect with others. You will learn to combine different ideas using play and construct a collaborative environment to uncover any group’s creative brilliance.

David Carson Graphic Design Class

David Carson via Masterclass | 02 Hours of effort required!

In this class, the instructor will talk about an intuitive approach to design in detail. Here you will understand how to send a message with typography. You will learn to use photography in your designs as well. After that, the instructor will explain how to put yourself into your work completely. Thus this and so much more will be taught in this class.

Graphic Design Careers

Cara St. Hilaire via LinkedIn Learning | 114,042+ already enrolled | ★★★★★ (4,529 Ratings)

This is a beginner-level course that explains the importance of planning and sketching in detail. Here you will explore the building blocks of design, color, and typography. The instructor will share different tips on digital output options and explain how to leverage different eBook distribution options.

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