With 2021 just getting underway, it’s the perfect time to explore the best graphic design courses for 2021, put your New Year’s resolutions into action, and keep learning everything you need to stay committed to your personal growth projects.
In this article, I’ve rounded up the top 20 graphic design courses to help you unlock your creative potential. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, you’ll find courses covering essential concepts, advanced techniques, and professional practices.
You’ll discover training for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Sketching, and more—plus courses on design theory, creative processes, and real-world project workflows.
Don’t miss our curated selection of courses for creatives of every kind.
Our first recommendation is this introductory course on Adobe Illustrator.
Illustrator is one of the most widely used tools among professional graphic designers worldwide, and it’s ideal for unleashing your creativity.
This Domestika Basics course will teach you how to use Illustrator from scratch—no prior experience required.
It’s definitely one of the top 20 graphic design courses for 2021.
What can you do with Adobe Illustrator?
Adobe Illustrator is perfect for:
Course content:
Course 1 – Getting Started
Course 2 – Transforming Geometry
Course 3 – Vectorizing
Course 4 – Adding Color
Course 5 – Working with Text
Course 6 – Optimizing and Exporting
Duration:
9h 56min
Rating:
99% ✅
Another of the top 20 graphic design courses for 2021, Sketchbook Pro by Autodesk is designed for anyone interested in illustration, graphic design, and drawing.
This course will show you how to use this essential app for sketching and creating digital illustrations on iOS or Android.
As a Domestika Basics course, no previous experience is needed—making it easy to follow along.
What can you do with SketchBook Pro?
Sketchbook Pro is ideal for:
Course content:
Course 1 – Getting Started with Sketchbook Pro
Course 2 – Drawing with Sketchbook Pro
Course 3 – Toolbars
Course 4 – Applying Color
Course 5 – Exporting Files
Duration:
2h 32min
Rating:
99% ✅
Adobe InDesign is the go-to software for professional document layout and interactive files.
This Domestika Basics course requires no prior knowledge, and you can learn at your own pace.
What can you do with Adobe InDesign?
Adobe InDesign is designed for:
Course content:
Course 1 – Overview and First Steps
Course 2 – Layout and Typography
Course 3 – Objects, Links, and Styles
Course 4 – Large Document Layout
Course 5 – Productivity and Automation
Course 6 – Interactive Documents
Duration:
9h 16min
Rating:
100% ✅
An essential for any graphic designer’s toolkit, this Introduction to Adobe Photoshop course covers image editing, retouching, and more.
This Domestika Basics course is split into five modules, teaching you everything you need to master Photoshop and boost your skills.
A must-have among the top 20 graphic design courses of 2021.
What can you do with Adobe Photoshop?
Adobe Photoshop is perfect for:
Course content:
Course 1 – First Steps
Course 2 – Transformations
Course 3 – Mastering Brushes
Course 4 – The Magic of Retouching
Course 5 – Light, Shadow, and Color
Course duration:
6h 54min
Rating:
100% ✅
This course will help you master one of the essential tools for creating 2D and 3D audiovisual content from scratch, just like a pro.
You’ll gain the agility and versatility needed to produce high-quality visual content. The Blender course is designed to help you master this creative staple.
It’s a Domestika Basics course, divided into seven modules.
What can you do with Blender?
Blender is ideal for:
Course content:
Course 1 – Introduction and Interface
Course 2 – Creating and Editing Objects
Course 3 – Sculpting and Painting
Course 4 – Animation Fundamentals
Course 5 – Particles, Physics, and Hair
Course 6 – Cycles and Eevee Previews
Course 7 – Compositor and Video Sequence Editor
Duration:
7h 36min
Rating:
90% ✅
Learn how to create, vectorize, and refine your own lettering from scratch and become a digital lettering artist.
Another must-have for anyone starting out in graphic design and one of the top 20 graphic design courses of 2021.
This Domestika Basics course is split into five independent modules, teaching you to use the software from scratch for a specific purpose.
What can you do with Illustrator for Typography, Lettering, and Calligraphy?
This course is ideal for:
Course content:
Course 1 – Illustrator Basics
Course 2 – Essential Tools and Actions
Course 3 – Working with Type
Course 4 – Create Your Own Lettering
Course 5 – Ornaments and Tips
Duration:
3h 39min
Rating:
98% ✅
This course is tailored to teach you the process and techniques for any branding iconography project.
You’ll learn the methodology for creating a cohesive icon family and how to apply them in branding.
What can you do with Introduction to Icon Design?
This course is ideal for:
Course content:
Unit 1 – Course Introduction
Unit 2 – The World of Icons
Unit 3 – Conceptual Process
Unit 4 – Design Process: Production
Unit 5 – Final Tips and Advice
Unit 6 – Final Project
Duration:
3h 2m
Rating:
100% ✅
Take your skills to the next level with essential techniques for professional workflows and creative projects.
This course is designed for those who already have a basic understanding of Photoshop and want to enhance their portfolio.
What can you do with Advanced Adobe Photoshop?
This course is ideal for:
Course content:
Course 1 – Advanced and Vector Selections
Course 2 – Blending Techniques
Course 3 – Stylish Text Effects
Course 4 – Smart Workflows
Course 5 – Essential Filters
Duration:
4h 52min
Rating:
99% ✅
The Creative Sketching course will teach you how to bring your illustrations to life, adding detail and depth while maintaining balance and harmony.
This course is designed for those with basic sketching skills.
What can you do with Creative Sketching?
This course is ideal for:
Course content:
Unit 1 – Introduction
Unit 2 – Getting Ready
Unit 3 – Planning, Sketching, and Inking
Unit 4 – Finishing Touches
Unit 5 – Final Project
Duration:
3h 54min
Rating:
100% ✅
Learn how to build and add value to a brand through solid conceptualization and unforgettable visual identity.
This course is ideal for creatives looking to master the art of memorable branding.
What can you do with Branding and Conceptualization Principles?
This course is ideal for:
Unit 1 – Introduction
Unit 2 – Branding and Conceptualization
Unit 3 – Observation
Unit 4 – Conceptual Identity
Unit 5 – From Concept to Design
Unit 6 – Project Wrap-up
Unit 7 – Final Project
Duration:
1h 39min
Rating:
100% ✅
Discover the communicative power of color and how to apply it to your graphic design projects.
This course takes an analytical and practical approach to understanding how color works in visual environments, helping you master the language of color for design.
What can you do with Color Theory for Graphic Design?
This course is ideal for:
We assess your current situation and outline the next steps.
Contact nowWe will review your current digital situation. We will get in touch to understand your context and jointly assess which areas to analyze, after which we will prepare an audit including key findings and recommendations.