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Design Courses

Design courses can help you learn graphic design principles, user interface design, branding strategies, and visual storytelling techniques. You can build skills in color theory, typography, layout composition, and creating user-centered designs. Many courses introduce tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and Figma, that support bringing your design concepts to life and collaborating effectively with teams.

Popular Design Courses and Certifications

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    C

    California Institute of the Arts

    Graphic Design

    Skills you'll gain: Typography, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Logo Design, Digital Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Color Theory, Photo Editing, Adobe InDesign, Image Quality, Style Guides, Branding, Art History, Design, Layout Design, Design Research, Visual Design, Design Strategies, Adobe Illustrator

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    22K reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    A

    Adobe

    Design Fundamentals with AI

    Skills you'll gain: Adobe Express, Typography, Logo Design, Responsible AI, Digital Design, Layout Design, Creative Design, Visual Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Graphic Design, Adobe Firefly, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Color Theory, Content Creation, Generative AI Agents

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.5K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    Status: AI skills
    AI skills
    G

    Google

    Google UX Design

    Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Storyboarding, Wireframing, User Experience Design, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Information Architecture, Presentations, User Research, Web Design, Figma (Design Software), Design Reviews, Persona (User Experience), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, User Story, Data Ethics, User Centered Design, Usability, Interviewing Skills, Applicant Tracking Systems

    Build toward a degree

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    97K reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    A

    Adobe

    Graphic Design

    Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Color Theory, Typography, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Graphics Software, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Adobe Creative Cloud, Design Elements And Principles, Digital Design, Generative AI, Creativity

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    298 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    G

    Google

    Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design

    Skills you'll gain: User Research, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, User Centered Design, Usability, Persona (User Experience), User Interface (UI), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Wireframing, Prototyping, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Planning

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    75K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    Status: AI skills
    AI skills
    A

    Adobe

    Adobe Graphic Designer: Design that Demands Attention

    Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Express, Adobe Photoshop, Responsible AI, Logo Design, Digital Design, Layout Design, Generative AI, Graphic Design, Graphics Software, Adobe Firefly, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Visual Design, File Management, Process Design, Design Reviews, Prompt Engineering, Image Quality, Branding, Storytelling

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    2.5K reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    C

    Coursera

    Canva Design Fundamentals

    Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Layout Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Typography, Design, File Management

    4.3
    Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
    ·
    7 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Next level skills. New Year savings.

    Save on Coursera Plus
  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    C

    California Institute of the Arts

    Fundamentals of Graphic Design

    Skills you'll gain: Typography, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Logo Design, Digital Design, Layout Design, Color Theory, Image Quality, Photo Editing, Creativity

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    18K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    Status: AI skills
    AI skills
    M

    Microsoft

    Microsoft UX Design

    Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, User Research, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, Prototyping, Usability Testing, User Experience, Persona (User Experience), Wireframing, Design Research, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Interaction Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Human Centered Design, Figma (Design Software), Usability, User Interface (UI) Design, User Centered Design, Artificial Intelligence

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    596 reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    C

    California Institute of the Arts

    UI / UX Design

    Skills you'll gain: Information Architecture, Wireframing, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Persona (User Experience), Mockups, User Experience Design, Responsive Web Design, UI/UX Strategy, Web Design, Adobe XD, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience, User Centered Design, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Graphic and Visual Design, Web Language, Design, Design Elements And Principles, User Research

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    8.1K reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    T

    The Museum of Modern Art

    Fashion as Design

    Skills you'll gain: Cultural Diversity, Aesthetics, Design, Art History, Sustainability Standards, Research, Non-Verbal Communication, Creativity, World History, Social Impact, Ethical Standards And Conduct

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    3K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    T

    The University of Sydney

    Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat

    Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Innovation, Service Design, Prototyping, Ideation, Product Development, Design, Case Studies, User Feedback

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    2.3K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular design courses

  • Graphic Design: California Institute of the Arts
  • Design Fundamentals with AI: Adobe
  • Google UX Design: Google
  • Graphic Design: Adobe
  • Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design: Google
  • Adobe Graphic Designer: Design that Demands Attention: Adobe
  • Canva Design Fundamentals: Coursera
  • Fundamentals of Graphic Design: California Institute of the Arts
  • Microsoft UX Design: Microsoft
  • UI / UX Design: California Institute of the Arts

Frequently Asked Questions about Design

Design is the process of creating solutions to problems through visual and functional elements. It encompasses various fields, including graphic design, product design, UX/UI design, and more. Design is important because it shapes how we interact with the world, influences our decisions, and enhances user experiences. Good design can make products more accessible, appealing, and effective, ultimately driving engagement and satisfaction.‎

A career in design can lead to various roles, including graphic designer, UX/UI designer, product designer, and web designer. Other opportunities include roles in game design, interior design, and industrial design. Each of these positions requires a unique set of skills and creativity, allowing individuals to express their artistic vision while solving practical problems.‎

To succeed in design, you need a blend of technical and soft skills. Key skills include proficiency in design software (like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma), an understanding of design principles (such as color theory and typography), and strong problem-solving abilities. Additionally, communication skills are essential for collaborating with clients and team members, while creativity and attention to detail help bring ideas to life.‎

Some of the best online design courses focus on practical skills and real-world applications. For instance, the Google UX Design Professional Certificate offers a comprehensive introduction to user experience design. Similarly, the Figma, Sketch & Miro for UX Design Professional Certificate provides hands-on training with essential design tools.‎

Yes. You can start learning design on Coursera for free in two ways:

  1. Preview the first module of many design courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
  2. Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in design, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

Learning design involves a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Start by exploring online courses that align with your interests, such as graphic design or UX design. Engage in hands-on projects to apply what you learn, seek feedback from peers or mentors, and continuously refine your skills. Building a portfolio of your work can also help showcase your abilities to potential employers.‎

Design courses typically cover a range of topics, including design principles, software tools, user experience research, prototyping, and visual communication. You may also explore specialized areas such as branding, web design, and interaction design, depending on the course focus. These topics equip you with the knowledge needed to create effective and engaging designs.‎

For training and upskilling employees in design, courses like the Creative Design Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Specialization can be particularly beneficial. These courses provide practical skills that employees can apply directly to their work, enhancing their design capabilities and overall productivity.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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