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  • Graphic Design

Graphic Design Courses

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.


Popular Graphic Design Courses and Certifications


  • C

    Coursera

    Create and Design Digital Products using Canva

    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

    4.4
    Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.3K reviews

    Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

  • C

    Coursera

    Use Canva to Design Digital Course Collateral

    Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Color Theory, Developing Training Materials, Digital Design, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Creative Design, Marketing, Social Media

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.6K reviews

    Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    I

    IBM

    IBM RAG and Agentic AI

    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

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    532 reviews

    Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    G

    Google

    Google Advanced Data Analytics

    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

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    10K reviews

    Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    G

    Google

    Google Business Intelligence

    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

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    6.2K reviews

    Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • C

    Coursera

    Build a Full Website using WordPress

    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

    4.4
    Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
    ·
    4.3K reviews

    Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    I

    Imperial College London

    Advanced Creative Thinking and AI: Tools for Success

    Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Creative Thinking, Creativity, Brainstorming, Cognitive flexibility, Ideation, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Critical Thinking, Sustainable Design, Prototyping

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    107 reviews

    Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    I

    Illinois Tech

    Digital Marketing

    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

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    56 reviews

    Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • C

    Coursera

    Increase SEO Traffic with WordPress

    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

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    794 reviews

    Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

  • C

    Coursera

    Design Online Course Printables using Canva

    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

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    232 reviews

    Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    A

    AI CERTs

    AI for Telecommunications

    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

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    A

    AI CERTs

    AI Powered UI/UX Design

    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

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

  • Create and Design Digital Products using Canva: Coursera
  • Use Canva to Design Digital Course Collateral: Coursera
  • IBM RAG and Agentic AI: IBM
  • Google Advanced Data Analytics: Google
  • Google Business Intelligence: Google
  • Build a Full Website using WordPress: Coursera
  • Advanced Creative Thinking and AI: Tools for Success: Imperial College London
  • Digital Marketing: Illinois Tech
  • Increase SEO Traffic with WordPress: Coursera
  • Design Online Course Printables using Canva: Coursera

Skills you can learn in Business Essentials

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Presentation (33)
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Decision-making (16)
Leadership (15)

Frequently Asked Questions about Graphic Design

Browse the graphic design courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.

  • Graphic Design: Adobe
  • Fundamentals of Graphic Design: California Institute of the Arts
  • Graphic Design: University of Colorado Boulder
  • Graphic Design Theory - Web & Digital Design: Skillshare‎

If you're new to graphic design, these beginner-friendly options offer foundational skills and hands-on experience:

  • Fundamentals of Graphic Design by CalArts – A strong entry point that introduces core design principles and visual literacy.
  • Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers by the University of Colorado – Great for learning layout, color, and typography basics.
  • Create a Business Marketing Brand Kit Using Canva – A quick Guided Project to build a design portfolio piece with beginner-friendly tools.‎

The Graphic Design Specialization from California Institute of the Arts takes 2 months, focusing on:

  • Color theory
  • Design research
  • Creative design

It uses tools like Adobe InDesign and photo editing software.

Conversely, the Adobe Graphic Designer Professional Certificate lasts 4 months and emphasizes:

  • Image analysis
  • UI/UX design
  • Content creation

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:

  • A shorter course with a strong emphasis on foundational design principles
  • A longer program with a focus on practical design applications and marketing.‎

Consider whether you're starting from scratch, building a portfolio, or learning tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma.

  • For a comprehensive design foundation, explore the Graphic Design Specialization by CalArts—it covers design principles, typography, and branding.
  • If you're focused on tools and technical skills, try Adobe Illustrator for Beginners or Getting Started with Figma.
  • For branding and real-world application, consider Brand New Brand from CalArts. ‎
  • A course focuses on a single skill such as Fundamentals of Graphic Design.
  • A Specialization builds creative and technical depth across multiple areas—like the Graphic Design Specialization from CalArts.
  • A Professional Certificate prepares you for creative roles through hands-on work and career-focused content—such as Adobe Graphic Designer Certificate or the Xbox Graphic Designer Certificate, which includes UI and visual design skills relevant to graphic designers.‎

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:

  • Preview the first module of many graphic design courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
  • 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 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.‎

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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