Graphic design courses can help you learn typography, color theory, layout design, and branding strategies. You can build skills in creating visual content for both print and digital platforms, as well as developing a keen eye for aesthetics and composition. Many courses introduce tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, that support executing design projects and bringing your creative ideas to life.

Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Design, Digital Design, Product Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Creative Design, Color Theory, Graphic Design, Intellectual Property, E-Commerce, Direct Selling, Digital Content, Digital Assets, Marketing, Marketing Materials
Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Color Theory, Developing Training Materials, Digital Design, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Creative Design, Marketing, Social Media
Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, LangChain, Tool Calling, LangGraph, Agentic systems, Multimodal Prompts, Generative AI, LLM Application, Generative AI Agents, Responsible AI, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Application Design, Application Deployment, Application Development, Large Language Modeling, UI Components, Semantic Web, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development
Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Visualization, Data Ethics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Sampling (Statistics), Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Feature Engineering, Regression Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Advanced Analytics, Data Analysis, Tableau Software, Data Science, Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Interviewing Skills, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Data Modeling, Stakeholder Engagement, Database Design, Dashboard, Business Intelligence, Extract, Transform, Load, Tableau Software, Databases, Data Warehousing, Database Systems, Data Pipelines, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Visualization, Interviewing Skills, Business Process, Business Analysis, Professional Development, Google Gemini, Data Analysis, SQL
Build toward a degree
Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Coursera
Skills you'll gain: WordPress, Content Management Systems, Web Content, Web Design and Development, Web Design, Web Development, Blogs, Social Media, Content Management, Marketing, Design, Computer Science
Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Imperial College London
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Creative Thinking, Creativity, Brainstorming, Cognitive flexibility, Ideation, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Critical Thinking, Sustainable Design, Prototyping
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Illinois Tech
Skills you'll gain: Pay Per Click Advertising, Digital Marketing, Web Analytics, Email Marketing, Paid media, Digital Advertising, Google Ads, Social Media Campaigns, Marketing Strategies, Online Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Google Analytics, Web Analytics and SEO, Web Design and Development, Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Campaign Management, Search Engine Marketing
Build toward a degree
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Coursera
Skills you'll gain: WordPress, Search Engine Optimization, Blogs, Web Analytics, Web Content, Keyword Research, Information Architecture, Content Management, Marketing, Analytics, Web Design, Web Development
Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Marketing Collateral, Marketing Materials, Canva (Software), Promotional Materials, Business Marketing, Marketing Design, Marketing, Creative Design, Business, Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Design Elements And Principles
Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

AI CERTs
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Natural Language Processing, Internet Of Things, Telecommunications, Anomaly Detection, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence, Responsible AI, Emerging Technologies, Wireless Networks, Generative AI, Network Performance Management, Digital Communications, Generative AI Agents, Network Architecture, Network Protocols, Computer Networking, System Design and Implementation, Communication
Advanced · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

AI CERTs
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Experience, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Design Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, UI/UX Research, Experience Design, Persona (User Experience), User Interface (UI), User Centered Design, Responsible AI, Design Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Design Reviews, Prompt Patterns, User Story, Storyboarding, Professional Development, Presentations
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Browse the graphic design courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.
If you're new to graphic design, these beginner-friendly options offer foundational skills and hands-on experience:
The Graphic Design Specialization from California Institute of the Arts takes 2 months, focusing on:
It uses tools like Adobe InDesign and photo editing software.
Conversely, the Adobe Graphic Designer Professional Certificate lasts 4 months and emphasizes:
It uses tools like Adobe Photoshop.
Both courses are beginner-friendly and target essentials of graphic design but differ in duration and specific areas of focus. Choose based on whether you prefer:
Consider whether you're starting from scratch, building a portfolio, or learning tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma.
Take a quick quiz to discover which graphic design course best aligns with your interests—whether you’re learning the basics, building a portfolio, or diving into tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Take the quiz to find your ideal starting point.
Want to compare top options first? Use ChatGPT to explore and compare courses before you dive in.‎
Yes. You can start learning graphic design on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in graphic design, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎
You can learn design basics like color, typography, layout, and composition, as well as how to use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva. Some courses also cover portfolio design, branding, and working with real-world client briefs.‎
No experience is needed to get started. Many Coursera courses are made for beginners and walk you through the core principles and tools at your own pace.‎
Yes. Graphic design is a skill used in many creative and marketing roles. Taking a course on Coursera can help you learn how to design professional visuals, build a portfolio, and show employers that you’ve developed real, practical skills.‎
Color theory is the study of how colors interact and the visual effects they create when combined. It includes principles like the color wheel, complementary colors, and color harmony, and is essential in art, design, and branding. Courses like Fundamentals of Graphic Design from CalArts on Coursera cover color theory as part of visual communication skills.‎