If you have ever created a design on your computer or laptop meant to be viewed on a screen, this is a type of digital design. You can also create digital designs in a professional setting, such as if you’re part of a digital marketing team or are studying to become a UX designer or learning graphic design.
Digital design has become an increasingly significant part of many creative design professions. To succeed in this field, you will need to learn the specific skills used in different digital design platforms and industries. Learning these skills will boost your resume and help take your career to the next level.
What Is Digital Design?
The difference between digital design and graphic design, or print design, is the result. A digital designer may create an item that is similar to that of a print designer, but the format will be very different. For instance, a digital designer creates infographics, banner ads, UX wireframes, graphics for reports or websites in formats like .gif, .jpg, and, .jpeg.
A print designer creates media such as brochures, book covers, business cards, magazine layouts, and print advertisements. If you are interested in becoming a professional digital designer, it is important to familiarize yourself with the different types of projects you might be working on.
One of the best ways of doing this is while studying is to look out for any internships being offered by tech companies. This is an excellent way to get real-world training.
What Is Digital Design Used For?
Digital design is used to create appealing designs, layout, and art for use online. If you learn a design software program such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, you will gain a clearer understanding of how the elements of a design project come together.
- Web design and development. Web design is a common service offered by a digital design agency. It involves designing all parts of a website from the layout to the appearance, logos, and wireframes, to improve user experience.
As a web designer, you would be working with other specialists such as front-end web developers, which is also a highly-sought-after skill to learn.
- App design and development. Mobile application design is a growing trend. It is separate from web design because the platforms and hardware used are different, as is the final product.
Usually, app designers work with both user interface and user experiences designers, which differ in a number of ways.
- Landing page design. Every website has a landing page. It is important because it must let potential customers know what your business or organization is all about. In other words, it’s the doorway to your business or service.
A digital designer is responsible for creating this page and making sure it is effective. The designer must make sure the page meets all of a client’s needs using the appropriate buttons, links, and images to convey a message.
Types of Digital Designers
Digital designers can be divided into categories. Let’s look at a few of them below.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer will usually work with static images to create digital illustrations, logos, and page designs. Their goal is to make sure the result is readable, aesthetically pleasing, and matches the brand of the person or company that has commissioned the design.
Graphic designers are also known as communication designers because their designs need to communicate with the audience. Learning graphic design will open up career possibilities.
To become a graphic designer, you will need to learn software such as Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Photoshop.
Web Designer
If you’re interested in the bigger picture, such as the layout and functioning of a website, then this is the job for you.
An experienced web designer will have technical and creative skills. They will know how to make a website appealing to a broad audience. They are different from web developers, who are more similar to software developers and work with coding on the back-end of the site.
To get a job as a web designer you don’t necessarily need formal qualifications. However, you do need to have exceptional skills in a variety of design programs. Taking a web design course will be beneficial if you’re looking to get into this field.
Along with the software mentioned above, you would also need to learn programming languages such as JavaScript, .NET, PHP, CSS, and XHTML.
UX Designer
If you are interested in users’ needs, becoming a UX designer might be right for you. These interaction designers use a mix of psychology and design skills.
As a UX designer, you will be responsible for designing the overall look and feel of websites and applications using wireframes, which are an outline of a web page. You will work with researchers and other developers as you design.
Learning Digital Design
As you can see, there are many paths you can take if you want to become a digital designer. Even if you are already working in a design profession, you may want to work on a new skill by taking a digital design course or training.
You can choose whether to take a free or paid online course, or in-person training. You may also want to get a certification to prove your knowledge and boost your resume.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Digital Design?
If you want to become a digital designer, there are a few steps you will need to take to make it happen.
How long it takes will entirely depend on the path you choose. For instance, if you take an online course or module that has a strict start and end date, then it will take you as long as stated. However, if you prefer learning at your own pace, a free online course or video tutorial is also a good option.
How to Learn Digital Design: Step-by-Step
As mentioned above, there are a few crucial steps to starting your career in digital design. Although it will differ depending on what type of designer you want to become, below is a basic guideline that will help you get going.
- Start early. You should get started now if you think you may want a career in digital design. Join a course, or ask an art teacher if they know any designers or can recommend a class at your local college. Do some research into the specialization that appeals to you.
- Get a degree. If you are serious about building a career as a digital designer, you should consider getting a degree. A bachelor’s degree or certification will show employers that you have the necessary knowledge in specific design programs. In the US, there are over 300 institutions offering accredited programs by bodies such as the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. You can also take online courses and watch tutorials to improve.
- Practice and build a portfolio. Testing out the techniques you are studying is an invaluable part of the learning experience. Digital design is a very hands-on profession, so practicing how to use design programs and software will be important to your success.
You should also start building your portfolio to show potential employers your skills and increase your chances of getting hired.
- Keep up with the times. Digital design is an ever-changing industry. There are always new trends and programs you’ll have to pick up. To stay current, you should learn how to use new software as soon as it is released.
The Best Digital Design Courses and Training
Now that you understand what a digital designer does, you can start learning. There are several routes you can choose from as you practice the design software and techniques used in the career that has piqued your interest.
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Best In-Person Digital Design Classes
In-person classes are usually taught in a physical classroom setting, but many are currently being offered via a live-streamed online classroom due to COVID-19.
Introduction to Adobe InDesign
- Provider: Reed
- Length: 1 day
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $215
A tutor is available to students at all times in this London-based Adobe InDesign course. InDesign is used by digital designers to create brochures, posters, magazines, e-books, and apps. In this introductory course, you will receive expert InDesign training in how to create documents and prepare them for print.
It includes tips on professional color management, typography, and advanced graphics and effects. A certificate is available upon completion.
Adobe XD Kickstarter
- Provider: Reed
- Length: 1 day
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $478.80
For those who want to learn about app design, this Adobe XD course is highly engaging. The industry-standard course will teach you how to turn concepts into designs that you can test, evaluate, and share with stakeholders.
In the class, the lecturer will teach you how to design a series of mobile app screens. You will leave the course knowing how to build a successful user experience across multiple devices.
Introduction to Adobe Dreamweaver
- Provider: Reed
- Length: 1 day
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $215
One of the many skills digital design agencies look for is coding. Adobe Dreamweaver is a good platform to study if you plan to use the programming languages HTML and CSS in your career.
This is an industry-leading web design and HTML editing software. There are many options, panels, and menus across the Dreamweaver interface, but in this course, you will quickly learn to use them all. The class will also teach you about advanced controls for CSS elements, and how to check the design of a webpage on multiple devices.
By the end of this one-day course, you will be able to build and manage professional, standards-compliant websites using Dreamweaver.
Free and Paid Online Digital Design Courses
If you don’t enjoy attending in-person training courses, you may want to try an online digital design course. These can be either free or paid, and allow you to learn at your own pace.
Design – Applying Design Principles
- Provider: Alison
- Length: 3 modules/1.5 to 3 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free
This introductory course will teach you how to apply design principles to various platforms and projects. These basic design elements include lines, shapes, textures, and forms, as well as broader principles like composition, balance, hierarchy, and contrast.
Introduction to Design Thinking and People-Centered Design – Revised
- Provider: Alison
- Length: 3 modules/1.5 to 3 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free
This is a unique course that covers a bit of theory about the ideas behind design work. In these modules, you will be introduced to people-centered design. You will learn about the seven mindsets of designers and will gain an understanding of perceived value.
This is a popular course for those who want to learn UI and UX design.
Design & Illustration Courses
- Provider: envatotuts+
- Length: Varies
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free, subscription available
This is a helpful class if you want to learn about Adobe After Effects and Adobe InDesign. Some of the courses are offered for free, but others come with a fee.
The courses include a mix of how-to tutorials, ebooks, guides, and lectures at a variety of lengths. Taking these courses will elevate your resume to the likes of professionals at Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. You will be able to learn everything you need to know in one place, to become an exceptional digital designer.
Best Digital Design Books
If it’s literature you love, below are a few books that make a perfect accompaniment to any of the above courses.
Logo Modernism (English, French and German Edition) (Multilingual, French and German Edition), Jens Müller
This Taschen publication brings together approximately 6,000 trademarks circa 1940–1980 to examine how attitudes of the time gave birth to corporate identity.
Examples analyzed include airlines, art galleries, media outfits, and retail giants. The book is organized into three design-orientated chapters: Geometric, Effect, and Typographic. Each chapter is then separated into categories to look deeper at the form and style of each company’s design.
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, Auston Kleon
This is one is for the creative types. This quick read is an inspiring guide to creativity in the digital age. It presents 10 transformative principles that will help readers discover their artistic side and lead a more creative life.
Grid systems in graphic design, Josef Müller-Brockmann
Any graphic or digital designer knows that grid systems are fundamental to success. This book will teach you to master this skill.
Digital Design Certifications
You can find some excellent digital design certifications online, ranging from beginner to advanced qualifications.
Adobe Certifications
What better way to get certified than from the creators of some of the world’s most popular design software? This is one of the best avenues to becoming a graphic designer, web developer, or a UI/UX designer.
Adobe’s website offers tutorials and on-demand resources, and the majority of these courses come with a certificate.
Keystone Academic Courses Certificates
The keystone certificate programs provide students with education and training in a particular area. There are many programs available, including undergraduate, graduate, and advanced certificates.
At Keystone, students can get a certificate in the fundamentals of digital design, graphics, 3D modeling, web design, or digital video. Other courses offer hands-on experience in video and motion design, visual thinking, graphic design, and 3D trends.
Earning one of these certificates will help you advance your career and enhance your creative skill set.
Should You Study Digital Design?
If you want to join a creative, digital sector, then you should consider getting a background in digital design. These skills will come in handy whether you want to enter marketing, or even the manufacturing and production industry.
Even if you are just trying to improve your marketing skills, learning how to create appealing designs can help you become the best in your field. Design skills are relevant in many aspects of business, so there is never any harm in learning how to use a software program or two.
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