What topics are typically covered in design courses?

Design courses cover a variety of topics essential for developing skills in various design disciplines. These include the basics of design principles, color theory, and typography . Learners will explore topics such as graphic design , user experience (UX) design , and digital media . Advanced courses might cover areas like interaction design , design thinking , and advanced digital tools. Practical exercises and projects help learners apply these concepts to real-world design scenarios, enhancing their ability to create visually appealing and functional designs.

How can I choose the right design course for my career goals?

Choosing the right design course depends on your current skill level and career aspirations. Beginners should look for courses that cover the basics of design principles, color theory, and introductory graphic design techniques. Those with some experience might benefit from intermediate courses focusing on UX design , digital media , and advanced design software. Advanced learners or professionals seeking specialized knowledge might consider courses on interaction design , design thinking , or preparing for roles in design leadership and strategy. Reviewing course content, instructor expertise, and learner feedback can help ensure the course aligns with your goals.

What career opportunities can I pursue with a certificate in design?

A certificate in design can open up various career opportunities in graphic design, UX/UI design, and digital media. Common roles include graphic designer , UX/UI designer , web designer , and visual designer . These positions involve creating visual content, designing user interfaces, developing digital media assets, and improving user experiences. With the increasing demand for skilled designers in various industries, earning a certificate in design can significantly enhance your career prospects and opportunities for advancement in fields such as technology, marketing, advertising, and media production.

Top Design Courses - Learn Design Online

Explore the Design Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Logo Design, Visual Design, Design, Digital Design, Creative Design, Branding, Photography, Style Guides, Art History, Photo Editing, Color Theory, Adobe InDesign, Storytelling, Design Strategies, Aesthetics, Writing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Google
Google UX Design
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, User Research, Wireframing, Responsive Web Design, Usability Testing, Storyboarding, User Experience Design, Information Architecture, Design Research, Figma (Design Software), Sprint Retrospectives, Mockups, Cross Platform Development, Prototyping, User Experience, Usability, Persona (User Experience), Design Thinking, Interviewing Skills, Applicant Tracking Systems
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
93K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Adobe
Design Fundamentals with AI
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Creative Design, Digital Design, Color Theory, Visual Design, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Data Ethics, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Design Software, AI Personalization, Content Creation, Creativity, Generative AI Agents
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
937 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, User Experience Design, Sprint Retrospectives, Cross Platform Development, Usability, User Centered Design, Human Centered Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Design Thinking, Wireframing, Prototyping, Sprint Planning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
74K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Adobe
Adobe Graphic Designer
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Digital Design, Generative AI, Visual Design, Graphic Design, File Management, Presentations, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Design Software, Communication, Image Analysis, Version Control, Prompt Engineering, Project Documentation, Logo Design, Project Management, Artificial Intelligence, Branding, Storytelling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Fundamentals of Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Visual Design, Creative Design, Design, Logo Design, Digital Design, Photo Editing, Color Theory, Design Strategies, Writing, Creativity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

Status: Preview
The University of Sydney
Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Product Design, Innovation, Service Design, User Experience Design, Design, Ideation, Prototyping, Creativity, Usability Testing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Adobe
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Color Theory, Typography, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Adobe Creative Cloud, Design, Digital Design, Design Elements And Principles, Logo Design, Generative AI, Creativity
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
90 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
UI / UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Wireframing, Mockups, Information Architecture, Responsive Web Design, User Experience Design, Adobe XD, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience, Graphic and Visual Design, Usability, Web Design, User Centered Design, Prototyping, UI Components, HTML and CSS, Design Research, Interaction Design, Design Elements And Principles, Design Strategies, User Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Microsoft
Microsoft UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Information Architecture, User Research, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, Prototyping, User Experience, Usability Testing, Storyboarding, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Wireframing, Persona (User Experience), Interaction Design, Design Research, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Human Centered Design, Figma (Design Software), Usability, User Centered Design, Design, Artificial Intelligence
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
467 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
California Institute of the Arts
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning
Skills you'll gain: Design Reviews, Graphic Design, Visual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Design, Aesthetics, Typography, Storytelling
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
894 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Design Thinking for Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Innovation, Ideation, Storytelling, Creative Problem-Solving, Market Opportunities, Human Centered Design, New Product Development, Data Visualization, User Experience Design, Strategic Thinking
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
9.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months