Graphic Design Courses
Graphic design courses can be found in many places online. There is a wealth of information available to educate and train you in graphic design. The right program is out there for you, but you should explore all options and decide which direction you want to go.
College Online Courses
Many universities across the United States offer online graphic design courses so that you may work toward your Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. These courses can be costly (just as any college courses are). On the flip side, there may be student loans available to assist you in paying for the courses.
The college courses are a great route if you wish to learn, as well as earn a degree in the major. If you have your degree, you will surely be more marketable in the industry. Ashworth College, University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University and Herzing University Online, are just a few of the colleges that offer online classes in Graphic Design. You can work toward an Associate, Bachelors degree, or an online certificate is also available at certain colleges.
College degrees that you may pursue online by taking Graphic design courses are very “job friendly.” These programs are designed for people that are in the work force, but that would like to further their education in graphic design. The schedule is somewhat looser than what a regular on-site university would offer, and you may complete your courses according to your schedule, in many cases.
On-site Graphic Design Courses
Aside from online courses, many colleges offer degrees in graphic design. The benefit to learning through a classroom setting, opposed to online courses, is the ability to collaborate with other class members, and work together on projects. Online college degrees are a great decision for some, but a classroom learning environment is a more effective learning tool for other personalities. Often, regular college graphic design courses cost less than going through an online only university.
Graphic Design encompasses many different fields. Game design, Web development, illustration, computer and art design are just a few of the specific programs offered at schools all across the United States. It is recommended that you decide which field you plan to work in, and which interests you the most and go forward in that specific direction. There are also Graphic Design schools, that only offer graphic design courses, and do not offer other majors that are not associated with design. These colleges tend to be quite pricey, but the education you get during these graphic design courses may be worth the cost to you.
Tutorials and Online Courses
There are other companies that offer graphic design courses. Some of these are online based, such as Lynda.com. Lynda.com offers a subscription based training program on many software and computer programs. Lynda.com offers Adobe training among many other tutorials and courses. This is a great option for online learners and is very successful in teaching graphic design and other useful tools in the industry. Companies such as Lynda.com offer graphic design courses in many different computer software programs, and can give you the professional training that you will need to enter the Graphic Design industry as a Design Engineer.
Free Online Tutorials
In addition to paid subscriptions, and college courses, you may find free online tutorials and graphic design courses. There are many that are available for no charge on many different websites.
- Sessions.edu offers free tutorials on Adobe, Illustrator CS5 and a color correctional tutorial.
- Adobe.com offers free adobe course samples.
- About.com is a great resource to find endless tutorials, information and How-to’s in Graphic Design.
- Webdesignfromscratch.com is a great site that offers many tutorials including 3D effects and Logo design.
- Designertoday.com is a magazine that has numerous tutorials available, some for free and some with a paid subscription.