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]

Explore the Design Course Catalog

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
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
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
52 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Xbox
Xbox Graphic Designer
Skills you'll gain: Color Theory, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Logo Design, Typography, Interaction Design, Figma (Design Software), Adobe Illustrator, Design Reviews, Wireframing, Usability, Graphic and Visual Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, User Centered Design, Photo Editing, Game Design, Generative AI, Style Guides, Adobe Creative Cloud
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Adobe
Generative AI Content Creation
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Data Ethics, Adobe Creative Cloud, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Content Creation, Graphic and Visual Design, Prompt Engineering, Image Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, Data Integrity, Verification And Validation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
175 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Adobe
Document Design
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Acrobat, Document Management, Workflow Management, Collaborative Software, Design Reviews, Process Design, File Management, Presentations, Client Services, Graphic Design, Marketing Design, Version Control, Branding, Constructive Feedback
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
37 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Adobe
Design Fundamentals with AI
Skills you'll gain: Color Theory, Typography, Graphic and Visual Design, Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Innovation, Creativity, Adobe Creative Cloud, Logo Design, Style Guides, User Experience Design, Content Creation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
640 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: New AI skills
Adobe
Adobe Graphic Designer
Skills you'll gain: Photo Editing, Adobe Illustrator, Color Theory, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Typography, Document Management, Generative AI, Graphic and Visual Design, Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Innovation, Photography, Data Ethics, Workflow Management, Adobe Creative Cloud, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Collaborative Software
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
821 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
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, User Experience Design, Creativity, Product Development, Design, User Feedback
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google
Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, User Research, User Experience Design, User Centered Design, Usability, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Cross Platform Development, Prototyping, Wireframing, Sprint Planning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
73K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: AI skills
Microsoft
Microsoft UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, User Research, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, Prototyping, Usability Testing, User Experience, Persona (User Experience), Wireframing, Design Research, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Interaction Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Human Centered Design, Figma (Design Software), Usability, User Interface (UI) Design, User Centered Design, Design
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
398 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
California Institute of the Arts
UI / UX Design
Skills you'll gain: Information Architecture, Wireframing, Persona (User Experience), Mockups, User Experience Design, Responsive Web Design, Web Design, UI/UX Strategy, User Interface (UI) Design, User Centered Design, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Graphic and Visual Design, User Research, Web Language, HTML and CSS, User Flows, Design Elements And Principles, Human Computer Interaction, Typography
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months