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: Free Trial
University of Michigan
User Experience Research and Design
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, Surveys, Qualitative Research, Usability Testing, User Experience Design, User Experience, User Research, User Story, Prototyping, Wireframing, User Centered Design, Survey Creation, Sampling (Statistics), Design Research, Interaction Design, Ideation, A/B Testing, Conceptual Design, User Interface (UI), Test Case
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Engineering
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Data Warehousing, SQL, Apache Hadoop, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Web Scraping, Linux Commands, Database Design, IBM Cognos Analytics, MySQL, Apache Spark, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Data Store, Jupyter, Generative AI, Professional Networking
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
58K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Processing, Relational Databases, JSON, Database Design, SQL, Network Protocols, Web Services, Restful API, Data Modeling, Programming Principles, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Structures, Data Collection, Data Visualization Software, Data Manipulation, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Scripting Languages, Data Import/Export
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
277K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Engineering Foundations
Skills you'll gain: SQL, Web Scraping, Database Design, MySQL, Data Transformation, Data Store, Extract, Transform, Load, IBM DB2, Relational Databases, Data Architecture, Jupyter, Data Pipelines, Big Data, Data Warehousing, Data Governance, Databases, Stored Procedure, Data Manipulation, Automation, Python Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
56K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
IE Business School
Making Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Architectural Design, Storytelling, Creativity, Design Thinking, Design Elements And Principles, Photography, Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Story, Ideation, Usability, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, User Research, Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Competitive Analysis, User Flows, Persona Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
16K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Relational Database Administrator
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, SQL, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Web Scraping, Linux Commands, Database Design, Database Administration, MySQL, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Transformation, Data Store, IBM DB2, Jupyter, Generative AI
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
58K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Science Fundamentals with Python and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, SQL, Descriptive Statistics, Jupyter, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Probability Distribution, Pandas (Python Package), Data Visualization Software, Statistics, Data Visualization, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Databases, Stored Procedure, Web Scraping, Relational Databases, Automation, Data Science, GitHub, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
71K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Yale University
Roman Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Ancient History, Art History, Architectural Design, Architecture and Construction, Construction, Civil Engineering, European History, Culture, World History, Cultural Diversity, Research and Design, Design Elements And Principles
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
687 reviews
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, User Experience Design, Usability, Presentations, User Research, User Experience, Design Research, Research Design, User Centered Design, Research Methodologies, Prototyping, Interviewing Skills, Information Privacy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Stanford University
Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Strategic Decision-Making, Mathematical Modeling, Graph Theory, Bayesian Statistics, Behavioral Economics, Probability, Economics, Markov Model, Algorithms
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Product Ideation, Design, and Management
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Product Management, Product Development, New Product Development, Wireframing, Financial Statements, Product Design, User Experience Design, Team Leadership, Prototyping, Competitive Analysis, Financial Modeling, Value Propositions, Proposal Writing, Innovation, Corporate Finance, Target Market, Market Opportunities, Ideation, Product Improvement
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
683 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months