Do you want to learn graphic design from scratch? Then you’ve come to the right place. Here you’ll find an actionable step-by-step guide, complete with helpful resources to get you started.
Graphic design is a broad and varied field. This makes it incredibly exciting—but also pretty daunting if you’re a newcomer.
What should you learn first? How do you make sure you’re covering everything? What industry resources can you trust?
So many questions! But don’t worry. To help you in your quest to learn graphic design, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide. For each step, we’ve outlined clear learning objectives and linked them to helpful resources.
Contents:
- 1) Why learn graphic design?
- 2) How to learn graphic design
- Learn the history and fundamental theory of graphic design
- Dive deeper into the key graphic design elements and principles
- Learn the most important graphic design tools
- Take free graphic design courses
- Formalise your learning with a graphic design qualification
- Apply your budding skills to practical projects
- Network and join graphic design communities
- 3) Next steps: Forging a career in graphic design
Are you ready to learn graphic design? Let’s begin.
1. Why learn graphic design?
There are many reasons why you might choose to learn graphic design. Perhaps you want to expand your creative skill set and become more versatile in your current career. If you’re working in a field like marketing, for example, being able to create your own graphics could come in handy.
The most popular reason for learning graphic design, though, is to become a graphic designer. Graphic designers (and graphic design-adjacent roles) enjoy high demand, good earning potential, and heaps of variety and creativity. That’s a pretty solid recipe for a rewarding career!
Here’s what you can expect from a career in graphic design:
A competitive salary. In India, graphic designers earn between ₹3,90,000 (talent.com) and ₹6,50,000 (AmbitionBox) on average. In the United States, the average graphic designer’s salary ranges from around $55,490 per year to around $75,000 per year. Check our full graphic designer salary guide for more salary data.
High job demand. Graphic design is everywhere, and talented graphic designers are needed across a wide range of industries and sectors. According to freelancing platform Upwork, graphic design is the most in-demand creative skill for 2023. And, with the design industry in India growing at a rate of about 25% each year, demand for graphic designers will only increase.
Variety and versatility. Once you’ve learned the fundamentals of graphic design, you’ll have a wealth of opportunities to explore. Graphic designer is just one possible job title in the field. Professionals with graphic design skills can go on to work as packaging designers, book designers, animation artists, social media designers, and more. Learn all about the most exciting graphic design jobs (and their salaries) in this guide.
Now you’re thinking “Sign me up!” So, without further ado, let’s show you how to learn graphic design and get started in the field.
2. How to learn graphic design in 7 steps
We’ve written this guide for beginners who want to learn graphic design from scratch, and made it as actionable as possible with clear learning objectives and helpful resources. Follow it step-by-step and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a job-ready graphic designer.
I. Learn the history and fundamental theory of graphic design
If you’re brand new to graphic design, your first step is to learn the basics. At this stage, your goal is to learn about graphic design rather than actually learning how to do it—that will come later!
Learning objectives:
- To understand, and be able to clearly explain, what graphic design is and what graphic designers do;
- To learn about the different types of graphic design;
- To understand the basic history of graphic design and how the discipline has evolved over time;
- To familiarise yourself with the most important graphic design skills.
Learning resources:
- What is Graphic Design? Everything You Need to Know by AND Academy
- Your Ultimate Guide to the History of Graphic Design by Amanda Walgrove
- What Hard and Soft Skills Do Graphic Designers Need? by AND Academy
- Design Matters podcast hosted by Debbie Millman
- Graphic Design for Everyone: Understand the Building Blocks so You can Do It Yourself, book by Cath Caldwell
Overall, you want to build a solid theoretical understanding of the field and what it entails. Focus on free resources such as blogs and podcasts, as well as graphic design books.
II. Dive deeper into the key graphic design elements and principles
You’re now well-versed in what graphic design is, where it comes from, and what it’s all about in theory. Now it’s time to delve deeper into the elements and principles that graphic designers use in their work.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the 7 basic elements of graphic design: shapes, lines, colour, texture, type, space, and images;
- Understand the fundamental principles of graphic design and how graphic designers use them to create aesthetically pleasing and communicative designs;
- To explore these elements and principles in action with real-world examples.
Learning resources:
- Refer back to this introductory guide to graphic design—section four provides an overview of the 7 basic elements of graphic design
- 12 Fundamental Graphic Design Principles and How to Apply Them by AND Academy
- 9 Graphic Design Examples and What We Can Learn From Them by AND Academy
- How to Use Colour Theory in Graphic Design by Zeka Design
- A Beginner’s Guide to Typography by Zeka Design
III. Learn the most important graphic design tools
The next step in your journey from graphic design novice to hands-on professional: learning the essential graphic design tools.
Graphic designers use different tools depending on their exact role and industry. A book designer will use different tools than, say, an animation artist. That said, there are some fundamental tools that all graphic designers are familiar with—and these are the tools you’ll want to focus on first:
Adobe Illustrator: a vector-based illustration software used to create different graphic design assets from scratch.
Adobe Photoshop: used for creating and editing images and photos. You may want to start with Photoshop Elements, a simpler, more beginner-friendly version.
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Canva: a free, beginner-friendly drag-and-drop graphic design tool.
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Adobe Express: a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
See AlsoThe 8 types of graphic design
The best way to build proficiency in graphic design tools is to jump right in. Download and/or sign up for different tools and follow free tutorials—the internet is bursting with them! Check out the resources we’ve linked to in the “Learning resources” section to get started.
Learning objectives:
- Learn about the most popular graphic design tools and what they’re used for;
- Download and/or sign up for industry-standard tools;
- Get familiar with each tool’s interface and functionality;
- Follow free tutorials to perform basic tasks in each tool.
Learning resources:
- A Round-Up of the Best Graphic Design Software and Tools by AND Academy
- Adobe Illustrator for Beginners—a free YouTube tutorial by PR Learning Lab
- A selection of free Photoshop Basics tutorials
- Getting started with Canva by Canva Design School
- Getting started with Adobe Express—a free video tutorial by Adobe
Once you’ve got the lay of the land in your chosen tools, search the web for more specific tutorials; for example, “How to create a logo in Adobe Illustrator”.
IV. Take free graphic design courses
So far, you’ve been following your own curriculum, exploring different resources, and taking a rather organic approach.
That’s perfect for learning the basics—but, if you’re serious about mastering graphic design, it’s time to bring some structure to your learning. Before you take the plunge with a full graphic design qualification (which we’ll get to in step five), we recommend dipping your toe in with some free courses.
Note that, while there are some excellent free courses out there, it’s important to go in with realistic expectations. A free course won’t be enough to prepare you for a job in the field. Rather, it’s a great stepping stone along the way, helping you gain a deeper understanding of the topics you’ve explored so far. Free courses will also help you decide if you want to invest in a full-time course.
Learning objectives:
- Explore fundamental graphic design tools and topics further with free graphic design courses;
- Bring some structure and depth to your learning;
- Lay the foundations for a full graphic design course/qualification.
Learning resources:
- Graphic Design Basics, a free course by Canva Design School
- Graphic Design Basics: Core Principles for Visual Design by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips via Skillshare
- A Round-Up of the 7 Best Free Graphic Design Courses by AND Academy
V. Formalise your learning with a graphic design qualification
If you’re learning graphic design just for fun or to pick up some basic skills, you probably won’t want to invest in a full graphic design course.
But if you’re learning graphic design in order to qualify as a graphic designer and start a career in the field, a formal qualification is the fastest, most thorough, and most effective way in.
This is where you cross over from “aspiring graphic designer dabbling in the basics” to “fully qualified graphic designer ready to work in the field.”
Here’s what a reputable graphic design course will give you that you can’t get from self-study:
- A structured curriculum based on current industry requirements
- Regular, interactive instruction from experts in the field
- The opportunity to apply your skills to practical projects
- One-to-one mentorship and feedback on your work
- A community of fellow learners
Of course, not all graphic design courses offer the same quality and value. It’s important to do your research before signing up—check the “Learning resources” section for a comparison of the best graphic design courses.
Learning objectives:
- Take your learning up a notch with a formal graphic design course;
- Follow a structured, expert curriculum;
- Make the transition from curious graphic design newbie to job-ready graphic designer;
- Obtain a professional graphic design certificate/qualification.
Learning resources:
- AND Academy’s Graphic Design Diploma with a job guarantee
- 8 Graphic Design Bootcamps to Advance Your Career by Indeed
- The 9 Best Graphic Design Courses and Certifications by AND Academy
VI. Apply your budding skills to practical projects
Graphic design is a highly practical field, and you’ll learn the most when you actually apply your burgeoning skills to graphic design projects.
If you follow our advice in step five, you’ll choose a graphic design course that includes project work in the curriculum. This will give you instant access to graphic design projects—and an invaluable opportunity to get feedback.
Beyond your chosen graphic design course, accelerate your learning curve by gaining as much practical experience as possible. This might be through volunteer gigs, passion projects, or even a graphic design internship. Gain valuable insights into portfolio building with these impressive student projects crafted by AND learners.
- Print and Publication Design Project by Roohani Goyal
- Brand Identity Design Project by Sai Prasad Chandran
Learning objectives:
- Apply your new and budding skills to real projects;
- Gain practical experience in different types of graphic design projects;
- Learn from feedback;
- Build out your graphic design portfolio.
Learning resources:
- 8 Graphic Design Project Types Every Beginner Should Know About by Logo Poppin
- 7 Graphic Design Practice Project Ideas by Format
- The Graphic Design Idea Book: Inspiration from 50 Masters—book by Steven Heller
- Vollie—a platform for graphic design volunteering opportunities
- RemoteHub—graphic design volunteer jobs
- How to Create Your First Graphic Design Portfolio (With Examples) by AND Academy
VII. Network and join graphic design communities
Learning graphic design isn’t just about mastering the technical skills and tools. You can learn so much about the field—and how to navigate it successfully—from fellow graphic designers.
This is a lifelong learning tip: start building your graphic design network, be active in graphic design communities, and learn as much as you can from those around you.
Network with new and aspiring graphic designers just like you, as well as with seniors who’ve been in the field for a while. Every new connection can teach you something (and learn something from you in return, no doubt).
If you’re new to networking in the graphic design field (or to networking in general), you’ll find some useful pointers in the “Learning resources” section.
Learning objectives:
- Join graphic design communities;
- Attend graphic design meetups (virtual or in person);
- Learn from senior graphic designers;
- Participate in knowledge exchanges and peer-to-peer learning with fellow aspiring designers.
Learning resources:
- 5 Smart Networking Strategies for Career Changers by Lily Zhang writing for The Muse
- The Importance of Networking for Creatives by Brandi Sea Heft-Kniffin
- The Best Graphic Design Networking Groups and Platforms by Countingup
- Design Communities: The Industry’s Best-Kept Secret by Nicolas Candelaria
3. Next steps: Forging a career in graphic design
That concludes our step-by-step guide on how to learn graphic design. Now you may be wondering: What happens once I qualify as a graphic designer? How do I forge a career in the field?
As soon as you’ve gained some hands-on experience (either through an internship, volunteering opportunities, or via your graphic design course) and built a strong portfolio, you can think about applying for your first graphic design role.
But, if you’re switching from an unrelated career path, it’s important to start marketing yourself as a graphic designer before you send out any applications. This includes updating your LinkedIn profile and resumé to reflect your new skills. It should be clear to recruiters and hiring managers that you’re ready to work as a graphic designer, so tailor your online presence and application materials accordingly.
Then, when the time comes, you can prepare for the graphic design hiring process. We run through the most common graphic design interview questions in this guide.
But one thing at a time! Focus first and foremost on learning the essential graphic design skills and tools, networking with fellow designers, and gaining real-world experience with a variety of practical projects. Good luck!
Here are some additional resources and recommendations that will surely be useful in learning more about graphic design - the industry, career prospects, and much more:
- Watch this session by design veteran and AND’s Academic Head, Prachi Mittal, and our Course Lead, Soumya Tiwari.
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Pursue our Graphic Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts, and some even offer a Job Guarantee.
- Take advantage of the scholarship and funding options that come with our courses to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
