What are the best graphic design courses on Coursera?

Coursera offers a wide range of graphic design courses, from beginner introductions to advanced design tools and principles . Some of the most popular options include the Graphic Design Specialization from CalArts and Adobe Graphic Designer Professional Certificate .

Can I learn graphic design for free on Coursera?

Yes, many graphic design courses can be audited for free. This gives you access to most of the learning materials, including videos and readings. If you want to earn a certificate or complete graded assignments, you’ll need to pay or apply for financial aid.

What tools or skills will I learn in a graphic design course?

You can learn design basics like color, typography , layout, and composition, as well as how to use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator , and Canva . Some courses also cover portfolio design, branding , and working with real-world client briefs.

Do I need design experience to start learning graphic design?

No experience is needed to get started. Many Coursera courses are made for beginners and walk you through the core principles and tools at your own pace.

Is learning graphic design on Coursera helpful for getting a job?

Yes. Graphic design is a skill used in many creative and marketing roles. Taking a course on Coursera can help you learn how to design professional visuals, build a portfolio, and show employers that you’ve developed real, practical skills.

Top Graphic Design Courses - Learn Graphic Design Online

Find the Best Graphic Design Course for Your Goals

Status: New
Coursera
Prototype to Success: Figma Prototyping Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Figma (Design Software), Prototyping, Mockups, Interaction Design, User Interface (UI), Design Reviews, Wireframing, Collaborative Software, UI Components, User Experience Design, Usability Testing, Peer Review, Animations
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Validate & Elevate: Usability Testing in Sketch
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, Software Design Documents, User Experience Design, User Centered Design, UI/UX Research, Prototyping, Test Planning, Design Software
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Experience Essentials: Unlocking the UX Process with Miro
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Centered Design, Prototyping, Wireframing, User Research, Design Thinking, Collaborative Software
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Relational Database Design and Advanced Querying
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Course
Status: New
Coursera
User DNA: Crafting Personas & Journey Maps in Miro
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, Persona (User Experience), User Experience, Design Research, User Research, User Centered Design, Usability, User Flows, Persona Development, Research, Qualitative Research, Design Software, Graphical Tools, Prioritization
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Blueprint the Experience: User Flows in Miro
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Flows, Wireframing, User Centered Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Mockups, Usability, Prototyping, Design Software
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Web Development Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), HTML and CSS, Web Applications, Event-Driven Programming, Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Responsive Web Design, Javascript, Data Storage, Data Management, UI Components
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Power Electronics Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Power Electronics, Debugging, Tensorflow, Computer Vision, Display Devices, Control Systems, Computer Displays, Image Analysis, Electronic Systems, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Artificial Neural Networks, Systems Design, Applied Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, USB, Semiconductors, Technical Design, Electrical Systems, Computer Programming Tools, Deep Learning
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
West Virginia University
Master of Science in Software Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Unified Modeling Language, Verification And Validation, Threat Modeling, Enterprise Architecture, Security Management, Secure Coding, Scope Management, Application Security, Financial Statements, Proposal Development, Cash Flows, Object Oriented Design, Requirements Analysis, Software Design, Security Requirements Analysis, Database Design, Software Visualization, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Business Process Management, Mobile Security
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft SQL Server
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 1 - 3 Months
HEC Paris
Leading Innovation With Creativity University Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Active Listening, Innovation, Creativity, Organizational Structure, Business Modeling, Intellectual Property, Talent Management, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Creative Thinking, Self-Awareness, Initiative and Leadership, Consumer Behaviour, Creative Problem-Solving, User Research, Organizational Effectiveness, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Ideation
University Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Real-Time Operating Systems, User Research, User Experience Design, User Experience, Power Electronics, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Verification And Validation, Embedded Software, UI/UX Research, Machine Learning Algorithms, Human Computer Interaction, Persona (User Experience), Failure Analysis, Engineering Documentation, Control Systems, Internet Of Things, User Interface (UI), Embedded Systems, Machine Controls
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months