Do you want to know how to learn graphic design? If so, then you’re in the right place!
This article will show you how you can start in this exciting career by providing information on what graphic designers do, what skills are necessary to become one and where to go to start learning them.
We'll also discuss how to connect with experienced graphic designers to find a mentor so you can get feedback on your work and potentially even find employment opportunities.
Key Takeaways
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Find a Good Graphic Design Online Course
Your first step on this journey is to find a good online graphic design course.
There are different classes available for different levels of experience, from beginner to advanced, so it's important to find one that suits your needs.
Once you've found a course you’re interested in, read the reviews from attendees before signing up.
This will help you get an idea of how past students rated the instructor to learn if they delivered what was promised in the course description.
Most reputable online course sites offer generous money-back guarantees that remove your financial risk.
To get you started, check out the three popular platforms below:
Udemy
Udemy is one of the largest online learning marketplaces in the world with a mission to empower lifelong learners with unlimited access to instruction.
Udemy counts in its ranks with over 50,000 expert instructors teaching over 40 million students at their own pace in 60 different languages from the comfort of their own homes.
Masterclass
Masterclass offers high-quality classes from the world’s greatest teachers.
It focuses on celebrity-level experts who spent decades honing their skills and distilling the knowledge they gained into a curriculum where people can learn at their own pace.
Coursera
Coursera is an online learning platform that partners with over 200 leading universities and companies, including Duke, Yale, Stanford, Google and IBM, to offer affordable online learning to individuals and organizations from around the world.
Learn About Typography and Fonts
When it comes to skilling up as a graphic designer, you need to become deeply familiar with the world of typography and how to choose different fonts based on the project's requirements.
This includes learning how size, color, style, spacing, kerning, alignment and weight influence how a font is read on the screen or in print.
There are literally tens of thousands of professional fonts available, so in order to know which one to use for your project you'll need to consider the mood of the design, the target audience and the message you're trying to communicate.
Some common fonts include Arial, Georgia, Times New Roman, Verdana plus countless variations of the above.
But don't be afraid to do a lot of experimentation in this area — just make sure your fonts are suitable for the brand you're working with and the media format you're using.
Explore Color Theory
Once you've familiarized yourself with fonts, you need to develop a deep understanding of how different colors work together.
Color theory for graphic design is a science that integrates not only how colors contrast with one another but also how they can influence the human psyche.
For example, you need to develop an understanding of how different colors affect people’s moods, what's the difference between warm and cool colors and how you can customize color schemes to fit the needs of your audience.
Once you have a basic understanding of color theory, start experimenting with different color combinations.
There's no exact right or wrong answer — just find combinations that work well together based on the general rules of color science and make sure they harmonize with your project's theme.
Use Free Resources Online to Sharpen Your Design Skills
We are lucky to live in the age of the internet. Access to knowledge that in the past used to cost a small fortune has now become free for everyone to acquire.
Today, many graphic design experts run YouTube channels and blogs jam-packed with amazing tutorials that reveal all the pro tricks, tips and the best industry practices with no upfront cost.
These resources cover the entire gamut of skills required to develop your graphic design craft, from beginner to advanced.
So, now that you've got some idea about the skills you need to develop, it's time to get into the nitty-gritty details.
Let's put rubber to the road and start experimenting with graphic design software to familiarize yourself with the tools of the trade.
Download Free Software to Become Familiar with Graphic Design Tools
While professional graphic design software can be quite expensive for beginners, there are a number of free open-source tools out there that are fantastic training grounds to cut your design teeth with.
One great example is GIMP, a free tool along the lines of Photoshop, that allows you to load an image and changes it using a number of filters, effects, color layers and other transformations, without any upfront cost.
In addition to the basic tool, there’s an abundance of free plugins that add functionality to GIMP’s basic features, which you can upload as you take your training to higher levels.
There are also free illustration tools, along the lines of Adobe Illustrator, that can help you develop your skills with typography and vector graphics. Two programs you might want to consider are Inkscape and Vectr.
Join Online Communities to Connect with Graphic Designers
Finally, there are many groups and forums that are dedicated to helping graphic designers learn new techniques, seek feedback and get inspired.
You’ll find some of these on popular social media platforms, like LinkedIn and Facebook, but you can also find them out in the open.
These communities bring together novices with experienced graphic designers so you can learn the ropes, get advice, learn about the latest industry developments, submit work to get feedback and even discover job opportunities.
Below are some of the most popular groups and forums frequented by graphic designers from around the world:
LinkedIn Groups
- 1) Graphic Design Pros – Designers Forum
- 2) Freelance Graphic and Web Designers
- 3) Graphic & Iconography Design
Facebook Groups
- 1) Graphic Design
- 2) Graphic Designer Tips Lounge
- 3) The Designers League
Online Forums
Ready to test the waters? Try Adobe Illustrator, our Editor's Choice, for a 7-days free trial with the special link below:
Wrapping Things Up
Graphic design is a rewarding career, since you not only get paid for your work, but the internet turns your designs into a free public billboard that you can then use to attract new clients.
All you have to do is to get started by learning the basics of typography, color theory and layout and then practice, practice, practice until you develop your graphic design muscle.
The internet is an endless source of information and inspiration, so spend some time browsing through graphic design blogs, how-to YouTube videos, taking online classes and trying out free programs like GIMP, Inkscape and Vectr to sharpen your skills.
Finally, become part of the graphic design community at large. Over time you’ll not only learn valuable insights but also develop lasting relationships that’ll be of great benefit to your developing career.
