Does taking graphic design classes in an artistic and glamourous hub sound tempting? Then finding a graphic design class in Los Angeles might be right up your alley. Students can discover the Southern California lifestyle at the city’s famous shopping spots, tourist destinations, and beaches.
You can take day trips hiking in the hills that surround the city, and check out the Hollywood sign. Los Angeles is home to many artists and tech-lovers, so students in this city will have an almost limitless amount of entertainment opportunities.
If you are interested in exploring the best graphic design classes Los Angeles has to offer, then read on. But first, let’s take a look at what a graphic designer does.
What Does a Graphic or Visual Designer Do?
It is a career that combines art with technology. If you look closely, you will start to realize that graphic design is all around you. It’s on the menu at your favorite restaurant, on the bus driving down your street, and on the websites you visit.
Graphic Designer Creations
Graphic designers use visuals to communicate an idea or emotion, or promote a product. Depending on which industry you’re interested in, you may create web designs, posters, billboards, bus wraps, book covers, logos, marketing materials, or packaging.
The Basics
The fundamentals of graphic design are lines, shapes, and colors. Graphic designers are experts in evoking an idea with visuals using color theory, HEX color codes, RGB color codes, fonts, typography, and layouts.
They also use illustrations, photography, and computer software to make their work stand out. Some common software used by designers includes Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Illustrator, Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, and InDesign.
The Best Los Angeles Graphic Design Classes
It’s up to you to decide if you want to attend an online community college, on-campus class, or another training course. Browse our list below to determine which graphic design classes in Los Angeles, California, are right for you.
The Los Angeles Film School
Where: Los Angeles, CA (Online)
Course: Graphic Design
Level: Bachelor’s degree
Time: 36 Months
Although this is a bachelor of science degree program, we included this course for those interested in taking a traditional educational route. Students will learn about the graphic design industry, digital image-making, digital color theory, creative writing, contemporary art, photography in design, and more.
New York Film Academy
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Course: 1-Year Graphic Design Program
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Time and Price: 1 Year, $36,636
In this yearlong course, students will learn branding, advertising, package design, 3D Art pre-press and print production, interactive design, type fundamentals, information graphics, and digital printmaking.
TypeEd
Where: Los Angeles, CA, or Online
Classes:
Type 1: The Basics: Characters and Words
Type 2: The Necessities: Sentences and Paragraphs
Type 3: The Details Pages and Typesetting
Level: Beginner-Advanced
These three TypeEd classes will teach students everything there is to know about typography. Be sure to look through TypeEd’s incredible range of workshops, bootcamps, and online classes. Students can choose courses on anything from whiskey labeling, typecasting, or typesetting to Adobe InDesign.
Certstaffix
Where: Los Angeles, CA, or Online
Courses:
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Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Time and Price: 3 Days, $1330
Certstaffix offers great individual and professional development classes. Graphic designers can pick up skills in InDesign or Photoshop and can attend class in person or online.
The New School – Open Campus
Where: Online
Classes: Graphic and Digital Design
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Price: $6,174 – $6,512
The New School offers online courses for students worldwide. In these programs, students will learn color theory, graphic design, and its history, as well as how to use software like Illustrator and Photoshop.
Glendale Community College
Where: Glendale, CA
Class: Graphic and Web Design
Level: Beginner
Time: Two years
Technically, this class is in Glendale, but it is so close to LA that it is worth mentioning. Glendale Community College offers excellent graphic design classes that are worth the short drive.
While attending one of the school’s two-year programs, students will learn about typography, digital illustration, visual design foundations, digital publication design, logo development, web graphics, and more.
General Assembly
Where: Los Angeles, CA, or Online
Courses & bootcamps:
Visual Design 101 | Los Angeles
Visual Design Bootcamp: Los Angeles
Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp | Los Angeles
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Time and Price: Varies, $250
In General Assembly’s courses and bootcamps, you will learn how to use Photoshop, InDesign, and Sketch, and will work on your composition, color theory, typography, and UX/UI design. These courses are great if you want to diversify your skill set all in one workshop.
Are Graphic Design Courses in Los Angeles Worth Your Time?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a graphic designer earns a median salary of $52,110 per year. While studying in LA, you can use the Southern Californian lifestyle as your inspiration while you improve your skills.
Consider whether you are interested in big-city life, being surrounded by film creatives, surfing on Malibu beach, and strolling down the Hollywood Walk of Fame after class.
We hope this article has helped you gain a better understanding of what it’s like to live and study in LA.
If you want to learn more about graphic design before signing up for a class, we have more articles for you to browse. Check out online graphic design degrees, how to become a graphic designer, or the difference between graphic design vs UX design.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
