
Interested in creating visual communication projects? Then you need to invest in a graphic design course. And in today’s article, we will help you choose the best one of all according to your goal.
After all, graphic design is an always in vogue market and, therefore, the demand for professionals never decreases. But to enroll in a course of excellence, and acquire the necessary knowledge, it is worth considering some criteria and we will show you what they are.
Contents
- 1 Summary
- 2 The Best Graphic Design Course: Our Picks
- 3 Acquisition guide: all you need to know about the graphic design course
- 3.1 What is the difference between graphic design and web design?
- 3.2 Why should you take a graphic design course?
- 3.3 What is the profile of the professional graduating in graphic design?
- 3.4 What will you study in the graphic design course?
- 3.5 What is the job market like for those who do graphic design?
- 4 Acquisition criteria: How to analyse a graphic design course
- 5 Conclusion
Summary
- The professional of graphic design area creates projects, designs logos, formats visual material such as pamphlets, billboards, among many others.
- There is a difference between graphic design and web design, but today it is already possible to study to learn and work in both professions.
- To enrol in a graphic design course, you should consider the level of learning, the subjects that will be taught, as well as the type of course and the duration.
The Best Graphic Design Course: Our Picks
Because it takes time and a lot of research, choosing a good course is not always quick and easy. To make it worth your time and money, we’ve gone ahead and selected some of the best graphic design courses available in the online universe. Take a look:
Acquisition guide: all you need to know about the graphic design course
What is the difference between graphic design and web design?
Thus, there are basically two types of design professionals: the one that focuses its work on offline media, such as magazines and newspapers, for example; and the one dedicated to online media, such as websites and social networks.
Thus, the graphic designer is the professional who works with the creation of visual design for printed materials, including: folder, flyers, brochure, catalogue, packaging, banner, ads, vignettes for TV, books and magazines, business card and letterhead, logo and branding.
Already the web designer is the professional who works in the creation of specific designs for digital platforms, such as banner for website or blog, posts to social networks, videos for Youtube, e-book layout and so on.
Another difference is that the web designer always applies concepts of usability, SEO techniques and a little programming in their work.
Both, however, need to have basic knowledge of design and that involve the study of colours, formats, sizes and fonts.
Why should you take a graphic design course?
During the classes, you will specialise in working with shapes and colours, which are essential items of a good design.
In addition, you will learn about the functional characteristics, structure and aesthetics of the most varied types of products that you will need to create.
What is the profile of the professional graduating in graphic design?
Moreover, have curiosity about new technologies also adds to the work of graphic designer, since it is possible that this professional use various computer graphics tools in their projects.
A good graphic designer will also need to exercise their creativity and always be seeking to innovate in their projects. For this, it is essential that you always keep up to date with the trends in the sector.
What will you study in the graphic design course?
But if the idea is to graduate in a more complete course, you will certainly learn the following subjects, among others:
- Creation and Innovation in Design;
- Drawing applied to graphic design;
- Observation drawing
- Geometric design;
- Design thinking;
- Ergonomics;
- Art history fundamentals
- Illustration;
- Computer graphics;
- Neurosciences, behavior and consumption;
- Shape, colour and surface;
- Packaging graphic design;
- Graphic design of visual identity;
- Editorial graphic project;
What is the job market like for those who do graphic design?
A graphic designer can work, for example, in advertising agencies, publishers, communications companies, design studios, TV stations, printing companies, producers and so on.
Moreover, who makes a graphic design course can also practice the profession as self-employed or teacher of technical courses, free and undergraduate.
Acquisition criteria: How to analyse a graphic design course
As we have seen, the graphic design course can have the most varied subjects taught in its schedule. But this will vary according to the type of course and its duration. Hence the importance of checking other requirements that distinguish themselves among the best courses in the area. Check out the main ones:
Type
You can choose between three levels of graphic design course that are also differentiated by the type of class: Free, technical and undergraduate.
The degree in graphic design can also be divided between the Bachelor’s level and the Technological level. The bachelor’s degree is the most complete and theoretical course of all, but it also offers a more in-depth training. The technological graphic deisgn course focuses on practical subjects.
The free courses, on the other hand, are usually specific, teaching, in general, a theme or two as, for example, the logo creation course or the golden ratio course.
Virtual or face-to-face
Another requirement you need to consider before enrolling in graphic design course is the format of the classes. In this case, you will find two alternatives: online and face-to-face classes.
The course in the EAD format, allows you to study with mobile phone or tablet, which makes the schedules very flexible and benefits those who have a busy schedule. In addition, this type of course is often cheaper.
In the online graphic design course, you’ll also find a good variety of themes and levels, ranging from basic to advanced. In the face-to-face classes, the student has the immediate support of the teacher and help in correcting practical exercises.
See below a summary of the pros and cons of each type of course:
Virtual | Presential | |
---|---|---|
Advantages | Felixibility of days and times, cheaper and more options of courses | Presential support from the teacher |
Disadvantages | Not all have good reputations | They are more expensive |
Conclusion period
Evaluate well your goal when taking a graphic design course to, then, decide on the best workload that the classes should have. After all, as we have seen, there are free courses, technical university courses.
And, you should know that undergraduate courses last on average four years. Technical ones usually take between two and three years to complete. While online graphic design courses can have course load ranging from 30 hours to 200 hours.
Study material
Last but not least, consider what study material will be offered by the graphic design course. The best courses provide both theoretical and practical resources so you can delve into learning outside of class time.
Other courses, however, are entirely taught through PDF workbooks. Here the choice should take into account the way you learn. In other words, see how you learn best and enrol based on that.
Conclusion
To work with the creation of visual pieces, especially those in print media, you should invest in a graphic design course. Today, the offers are very varied. You can enroll in a face-to-face or online course, at basic, intermediate or advanced level.
And there are also courses with specific themes, which focus on improving and updating the knowledge of professionals in the area. To make sure you are choosing the best, be sure to check the subjects that will be taught and the workload of the course.
(Source of the highlighted image: lukasbieri / Pixabay)