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.

Best Design Courses & Certificates [2025]

Find the best 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, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Visual Design, Photography, Logo Design, Design Software, Digital Design, Creative Design, Color Theory, Photo Editing, Adobe InDesign, Graphic and Visual Design, Image Quality, Style Guides, Branding, Art History, Design Research
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: Responsive Web Design, Storyboarding, Wireframing, User Experience Design, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Information Architecture, Presentations, User Research, Figma (Design Software), Design Reviews, Persona (User Experience), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, User Story, Data Ethics, Usability, User Centered Design, Mockups, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
95K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
Skills you'll gain: User Research, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, User Centered Design, Usability, Persona (User Experience), User Interface (UI), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Wireframing, Prototyping, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Planning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
75K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Adobe
Design Fundamentals with AI
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Logo Design, Responsible AI, Digital Design, Creative Design, Visual Design, Graphic Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Color Theory, Content Creation, Generative AI Agents
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Adobe
Adobe Graphic Designer: Design that Demands Attention
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Responsible AI, Logo Design, Digital Design, Generative AI, Graphic Design, Graphics Software, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Visual Design, Packaging and Labeling, File Management, Design Reviews, Project Design, Prompt Engineering, Image Analysis, Presentations, Client Services, Branding, Storytelling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Adobe
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Color Theory, Typography, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Graphics Software, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Adobe Creative Cloud, Design Elements And Principles, Creative Design, Digital Design, Generative AI
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
138 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Fundamentals of Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Visual Design, Photography, Design Software, Digital Design, Creative Design, Color Theory, Image Quality, Photo Editing, Creativity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
UI / UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Information Architecture, Wireframing, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Persona (User Experience), Mockups, User Experience Design, Responsive Web Design, UI/UX Strategy, Web Design, Adobe XD, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience, User Centered Design, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Graphic and Visual Design, Web Language, HTML and CSS, Design Elements And Principles, User Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
An Introduction to Learning Experience Design (LXD)
Skills you'll gain: Course Development, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Educational Materials, Multimedia, Instructional Design, Learning Theory, User Experience Design, Learning Management Systems, Design Thinking, Education Software and Technology, Professional Development, Brainstorming, Needs Assessment, Content Creation, Motivational Skills, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, User Centered Design, Prototyping, Design Strategies, Student-Centred Learning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
99 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
The University of Sydney
Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Innovation, Service Design, Prototyping, Ideation, Product Development, Design, Case Studies, User Feedback
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
The Museum of Modern Art
Fashion as Design
Skills you'll gain: Cultural Diversity, Aesthetics, Design, Art History, Sustainable Development, Sustainability Standards, Research, Non-Verbal Communication, Sociology, Design Thinking, Creativity, World History
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Design Thinking for Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Creative Problem-Solving, Ideation, Innovation, Creativity, Strategic Thinking, Case Studies, Market Opportunities, Human Centered Design, Curiosity, Storytelling, Growth Mindedness, Business Modeling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
9.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months