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: 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, Mobile Development, User Story, Cross Platform Development, Data Ethics, Usability, Interviewing Skills, Applicant Tracking Systems
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
92K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
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: Free Trial
Adobe
Design Fundamentals with AI
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Logo Design, Digital Design, Creative Design, Visual Design, Branding, Graphic Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Color Theory, Content Creation, Creativity, Generative AI Agents
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
865 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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), Usability Testing, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Wireframing, Prototyping, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Planning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
74K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM UI/UX Designer
Skills you'll gain: User Story, Information Architecture, UI/UX Research, User Research, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, User Experience, Agile Software Development, Scrum (Software Development), Usability Testing, User Centered Design, Agile Methodology, Usability, Design Research, Responsive Web Design, Kanban Principles, User Interface (UI), Figma (Design Software), Wireframing, Design Thinking, Prototyping
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Adobe
Adobe Graphic Designer
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Logo Design, Digital Design, Generative AI, Graphic Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Visual Design, Packaging and Labeling, File Management, Process Design, Design Reviews, Project Design, Prompt Engineering, Image Analysis, Presentations, Client Services, Content Creation, Branding, Storytelling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

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, 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
Status: Preview
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
892 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, Adobe XD, User Interface (UI) Design, User Centered Design, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Graphic and Visual Design, Web Language, HTML and CSS, User Flows, Web Design, 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
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: 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, Design, Adobe Creative Cloud, Design Elements And Principles, Logo Design, Digital Design, Generative AI, Creativity
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
77 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
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 Centered Design, Design, Artificial Intelligence
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
449 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months