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

University of Colorado Boulder
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Visual Design, Creative Design, Typography, Design Reviews, Adobe Photoshop, Design Elements And Principles, Peer Review, Color Theory, Editing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
The University of Sydney
Design-Led Strategy: Design thinking for business strategy and entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Innovation, New Product Development, Business Modeling, Product Design, Service Design, Product Development, Business Strategy, Business Strategies, Market Research, Corporate Strategy, User Research, User Feedback, Persona Development, Product Testing, Customer Insights
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
California Institute of the Arts
Introduction to Typography
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Adobe InDesign, Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design Elements And Principles, Peer Review
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google
Create High-Fidelity Designs and Prototypes in Figma
Skills you'll gain: Figma (Design Software), Usability Testing, Design Reviews, Mockups, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, User Experience Design, Prototyping, User Centered Design, User Interface (UI) Design, Design Elements And Principles, Typography, Color Theory
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Georgia Institute of Technology
Machine Design Part I
Skills you'll gain: Failure Analysis, Mechanical Design, Equipment Design, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Analysis, Engineering Analysis, Engineering Design Process, Manufacturing Processes, Engineering Calculations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Maryland, College Park
Product Ideation, Design, and Management
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Product Management, Product Development, New Product Development, Wireframing, Financial Statements, Product Design, Team Leadership, Prototyping, Competitive Analysis, Commercialization, Product Lifecycle Management, Financial Modeling, Value Propositions, Proposal Writing, Innovation, Corporate Finance, Target Market, Market Opportunities, Product Improvement
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
676 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
California Institute of the Arts
Ideas from the History of Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Graphic and Visual Design, Design, Design Strategies, Visual Design, Typography, Branding, Advertising, Creativity
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IBM
Designing User Interfaces and Experiences (UI/UX)
Skills you'll gain: User Centered Design, Responsive Web Design, Web Design and Development, Prototyping, Front-End Web Development, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Figma (Design Software), Design Elements And Principles, Wireframing, Typography, UI Components, Web Applications, Mobile Development
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
252 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google
Build Dynamic User Interfaces (UI) for Websites
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Web Design, Design Reviews, Usability Testing, Wireframing, UI/UX Strategy, User Research, Persona (User Experience), User Interface (UI) Design, Prototyping, Figma (Design Software)
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Alberta
Object-Oriented Design
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, Unified Modeling Language, Software Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Maintainability, Software Architecture, Programming Principles, Android Development, Technical Design, Conceptual Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
UX Design: Research, Prototyping, Accessible Interactions
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, User Interface (UI) Design, Design Research, Prototyping, Usability, Figma (Design Software), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, User Experience Design, Interactive Design, User Centered Design, Mockups, Usability Testing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
22 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Create a Product Design Brainstorming with Miro
Skills you'll gain: Timelines, Brainstorming, Ideation, Product Design, User Experience Design, Persona Development, Workflow Management, Creativity
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
73 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours