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.

Adobe
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Color Theory, Typography, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Design, Adobe Creative Cloud, Design Elements And Principles, Digital Design, Generative AI, Creativity
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Storyboarding, Wireframing, User Experience Design, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Information Architecture, Presentations, User Research, Design Thinking, Figma (Design Software), Design Reviews, Persona (User Experience), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, User Story, Data Ethics, User Centered Design, Usability, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Adobe
Skills you'll gain: Photo Editing, Adobe Photoshop, Photography, Generative AI, File Management, Graphic and Visual Design, Creative Design, Graphic Design, Editing, Creativity
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), LinkedIn, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Computer Graphic Techniques, Social Media Content, Professional Networking, Design Elements And Principles
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Skills you'll gain: Figma (Design Software), User Experience Design, Mockups, Usability Testing, User Interface (UI) Design, Design Elements And Principles, Design Reviews, Prototyping, Technical Communication, Typography, Design Research, Animations, Color Theory
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skillshare
Skills you'll gain: User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Digital Design, Web Design, User Experience, Motion Graphics, Adobe XD, Animations, Prototyping, Graphic Design, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Style Guides
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Logo Design, Adobe Illustrator, Presentations, Typography, Graphic Design, Animations, Adobe After Effects, Motion Graphics, Adobe Creative Cloud, Design, Branding, Brand Strategy, Marketing Design, System Configuration, Brainstorming, Intellectual Property, Graphic and Visual Design, Strategic Thinking, Legal Risk, Adobe Photoshop
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Information Architecture, UI/UX Research, User Research, Agile Software Development, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Design Thinking, User Experience, User Centered Design, Usability, Usability Testing, Responsive Web Design, Agile Methodology, Kanban Principles, User Flows, User Interface (UI), Figma (Design Software), Wireframing, Design Research, Prototyping, Persona (User Experience)
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Epic Games
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, Animation and Game Design, Ideation, 3D Modeling, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Software Documentation, Software Design Documents, 3D Assets, User Experience Design, Computer Graphics, Usability, User Interface (UI), User Experience, User Interface (UI) Design, Interactive Design, Virtual Environment, Version Control, Prototyping
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, User Research, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, Prototyping, Usability Testing, User Experience, Persona (User Experience), Wireframing, 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, Design, Artificial Intelligence
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

The University of Tokyo
Skills you'll gain: Visualization (Computer Graphics), Interactive Design, Computer Graphics, Computer Graphic Techniques, Human Computer Interaction, Animations, User Interface (UI), Design, 3D Assets, Technical Design, Algorithms, Simulations
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Adobe
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Acrobat, Document Management, Workflow Management, Productivity Software, Collaborative Software, Process Design, Design Reviews, File Management, Presentations, Client Services, Graphic Design, Marketing Design, Digital Design, Version Control, Creative Design, Branding, Constructive Feedback
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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.