5 free basic online courses for Graphic Designers

The demand for online freelance graphic designers was high long before the dawn of the Internet. Its popularity has increased as more and more businesses turn to online outsourcing to meet internal demands.

In the UK, for example, the Migration Advisory Committee recommended in 2019 that graphic design be added to its Shortage Occupation list. That same year, FreelanceUk also wrote that graphic design was the six-most-googled job worldwide. ​

And before we move on that list, we’d like to recommend building a portfolio if you have not created one already. A few websites offer free essential portfolio hosting that you can use to showcase your work when marketing yourself across social media channels.

On AnyTask, graphic designers are also one of the most sought after freelancers, so with that in mind, we’ve put a list of ten free online courses ranging from beginners to the more advanced.

But before we go onto the list, it is essential to point out that you can find many free courses from top universities like Yale and Standford on Coursera. When you get a chance, visit their website to see more courses to acquire new skills or improve the ones you have already.

1. Calarts: Graphic Design Specialization Course

This course will help you gain the fundamental skills you need to be a graphic designer. You’ll learn everything you need to know to work in interface, design, motion graphics, and editorial design during the six-month course.

The course is 100% online, so you can start instantly and learn at your own pace. You require no prior knowledge or experience in graphic design to take the course. Calarts claims that 61% of people that took the course started a new career after completion.

2. Canva Design School: Graphic Design Basics

This course provides you with the fundamentals of graphic design. The course includes 12 quick and easy-to-follow lessons, each of which covers a foundational element of graphic design. It also includes activities that put into practice your learnings.

By taking the course, you’ll acquire the essentials that will allow you to define your intended message. And it is perfect if you have little time to invest in learning a new skill. However, it will provide you with an understanding of how to think like a graphic designer.

3. Udemy: Logo design fundamentals course

Firstly, let’s talk a bit about the requirements for you to take this free online 55-minute course. You’ll need to have:

• Adobe Illustrator and Reader
• A basic understanding of a logo design process
• Thirst for knowledge and the right attitude

The course teacher, Lauren, walks students through the steps he takes to come up and create a logo design. Lauren has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and an Associates degree in Graphic Design.

This course is designed for those who have little or no background with Adobe products websites and those seasoned vets looking to pick up some fun tips and tricks from another peer professional logo designer.

4. Design Tuts+: Adobe Illustrator for beginners

This course is for those new to Adobe Illustrator. Start by mastering the Illustrator basics, and then learn to create effects, patterns, and more.

This free Adobe Illustrator tutorial aims to help beginners learn how to use this graphic design software easily and quickly.

For this course, previous knowledge of the software is not necessary. ​ Daniel Walter Scott, the teacher, says you don’t need design or illustration skills to take the course. ​

“We’ll start right at the beginning and work our way through each topic step by step,” he explained. “If you’ve never opened Illustrator before-or maybe you’ve opened it and struggled-this course is for you! By the end, you’ll know how to draw in Adobe Illustrator, and how to make a pattern in Illustrator, and so much more.”

5. Alison: Design — Applying Design Principles

This free course will provide you with the essential principles required in design processes. By taking the course, you’ll discover how you can apply these principles to your work.

The course will teach you about the practical applications of design principles. Modern graphic design is much more than the creation of logos. ​
Today, the graphic design industry encompasses different disciplines across both print and digital platforms. In this course, you will learn core graphic design principles and concepts that will sharpen your graphic design skills and improve your work quality.

There are many more free online courses that you can easily on the Internet. They provide the basics you need to start earning on AnyTask. They also offer more advanced courses to ensure you get repeat buyers and therefore kick off a long-term relationship with them.

Keep an eye on our Tips for Sellers in our AnyTask newsroom for more information that you may find helpful to get started as a freelancer or to increase your skills.

Graphic Design basics in less than 10 minutes

Three-hour YouTube course with over 1.6 million views

Originally published at https://news.anytask.com on December 16, 2020.