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
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
21 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
California Institute of the Arts
Introduction to Game Design
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Conceptual Design, Ideation, User Story, Storyboarding, Content Creation, Design, Experience Design, Creativity, Interaction Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
The Museum of Modern Art
Fashion as Design
Skills you'll gain: Cultural Diversity, Aesthetics, Design, Environmental Issue, Anthropology, Storytelling, Creative Design, Research, Non-Verbal Communication, Social Sciences
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google
Google UX Design (PT)
Skills you'll gain: Adobe XD, User Experience Design, Usability Testing, Figma (Design Software), Responsive Web Design, Wireframing, Information Architecture, User Experience, Prototyping, UI/UX Research, Presentations, Design Reviews, User Story, Storyboarding, Mockups, Ideation, Software Documentation, User Research, Design Research, User Centered Design
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
California Institute of the Arts
Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture
Skills you'll gain: User Research, UI/UX Strategy, Information Architecture, User Experience, Web Design, Wireframing, User Centered Design, Design Strategies, Usability Testing, Mockups, Software Development Methodologies, Agile Methodology, Persona Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Scrimba
UI Design for Web Developers
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, User Interface (UI) Design, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), HTML and CSS, Web Design, Figma (Design Software), Front-End Web Development, Web Design and Development, UI Components, Design Elements And Principles, Mockups, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Typography, Usability, Prototyping, User Experience Design, Javascript, Web Applications, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Color Theory
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview
Skills you'll gain: Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design Software, Design, Storytelling, Typography, Adobe Creative Cloud, Content Creation, Design Research, Information Architecture, Color Theory
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
978 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Scrimba
Learn UI Design
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, User Interface (UI) Design, Web Design, UI Components, Design Elements And Principles, Typography, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Usability, User Experience Design, Web Applications, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Color Theory, Creativity
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
User Interface Design: Principles, Prototyping, Practices
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, User Interface (UI) Design, Usability, User Research, Interactive Design, Design, User Experience, UI Components, User Centered Design, Mockups, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design Elements And Principles
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society
Skills you'll gain: Peer Review, Engineering Design Process, Prototyping, Conceptual Design, Design, Product Design, Aesthetics, Technical Drawing, Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Needs Assessment, Ideation, Problem Solving
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
341 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Alberta
Design Patterns
Skills you'll gain: Model View Controller, Software Design Patterns, Software Design, Unified Modeling Language, Object Oriented Design, Code Review, Software Architecture, Programming Principles, Maintainability, Java, Android Development, Software Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Eindhoven University of Technology
Co-design for All: doing co-design in practice
Skills you'll gain: Human Centered Design, Design Thinking, Prioritization, Decision Making, Communication Strategies, Stakeholder Engagement, Research, Proposal Development, Collaboration, Goal Setting, Research Methodologies, Communication, Disabilities
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months