What are the best graphic design courses on Coursera?

Coursera offers a wide range of graphic design courses, from beginner introductions to advanced design tools and principles . Some of the most popular options include the Graphic Design Specialization from CalArts and Adobe Graphic Designer Professional Certificate .

Can I learn graphic design for free on Coursera?

Yes, many graphic design courses can be audited for free. This gives you access to most of the learning materials, including videos and readings. If you want to earn a certificate or complete graded assignments, you’ll need to pay or apply for financial aid.

What tools or skills will I learn in a graphic design course?

You can learn design basics like color, typography , layout, and composition, as well as how to use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator , and Canva . Some courses also cover portfolio design, branding , and working with real-world client briefs.

Do I need design experience to start learning graphic design?

No experience is needed to get started. Many Coursera courses are made for beginners and walk you through the core principles and tools at your own pace.

Is learning graphic design on Coursera helpful for getting a job?

Yes. Graphic design is a skill used in many creative and marketing roles. Taking a course on Coursera can help you learn how to design professional visuals, build a portfolio, and show employers that you’ve developed real, practical skills.

Best Graphic Design Courses & Certificates Online [2025]

Find the Best Graphic Design Course for Your Goals

Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Visual Design, Logo Design, Design Software, Digital Design, Creative Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Color Theory, Adobe InDesign, Photo Editing, Photography, Style Guides, Branding, Peer Review, Art History, Design, Design Strategies, Design Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
21K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Status: New AI skills
Adobe
Adobe Graphic Designer
Skills you'll gain: Photo Editing, Color Theory, Adobe Illustrator, Typography, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Document Management, Generative AI, Graphic and Visual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Photography, Data Ethics, Workflow Management, Adobe Creative Cloud, Collaborative Software
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
847 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Adobe
Document Design
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Acrobat, Document Management, Workflow Management, Collaborative Software, Process Design, Design Reviews, File Management, Presentations, Client Services, Graphic Design, Marketing Design, Version Control, Branding, Constructive Feedback
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
38 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Adobe
Image Editing
Skills you'll gain: Photo Editing, Adobe Photoshop, Photography, Generative AI, File Management, Graphic and Visual Design, Creative Design, Editing, Creativity
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
59 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Adobe
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Color Theory, Typography, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Adobe Creative Cloud, Design Elements And Principles, Creative Design, Generative AI Agents
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
53 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Xbox
Xbox Graphic Designer
Skills you'll gain: Color Theory, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Logo Design, Typography, User Interface (UI), Interaction Design, Figma (Design Software), Adobe Illustrator, Design Reviews, Wireframing, Usability, Graphic and Visual Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, Photo Editing, Game Design, Generative AI, Style Guides, Adobe Creative Cloud
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
37 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
California Institute of the Arts
The Language of Design: Form and Meaning
Skills you'll gain: Design Reviews, Design, Graphic Design, Design Elements And Principles, Visual Design, Peer Review, Typography, Creative Design
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
887 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Fundamentals of Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Visual Design, Design Software, Logo Design, Digital Design, Color Theory, Photo Editing, Adobe Creative Cloud, Creativity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, Wireframing, Responsive Web Design, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, User Research, UI/UX Research, Information Architecture, Figma (Design Software), Usability Testing, Professional Networking, User Story, Web Design, Design Reviews, Usability, Presentations, User Experience, Design Research, Ideation, Interviewing Skills
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
90K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Visual Design, Typography, Adobe InDesign, Design Reviews, Adobe Photoshop, Design Elements And Principles, Peer Review, Color Theory, Editing, Creativity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Graphic design: pop your Linkedin with 3D effect using Canva
Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), LinkedIn, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Computer Graphic Techniques, Social Media Content, Professional Networking, Design Elements And Principles
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
64 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Adobe
Design Fundamentals with AI
Skills you'll gain: Color Theory, Typography, Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Graphic and Visual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Logo Design, Content Creation, Adobe Creative Cloud, Innovation, User Experience Design, Creativity
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
661 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks