10 Free Graphic Design Courses for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in graphic design, consider taking a free online course to build your skills. For high schoolers who want to pursue careers in visual arts, graphic design courses are a great way to learn about color theory, typography, digital illustration, and much more. Early knowledge of the basics will equip you with tools that can help you express your ideas visually.
Online graphic design courses can also strengthen your college applications by helping you create a professional portfolio that sets you apart from other applicants. Additionally, your participation in a course outside the school curriculum shows admissions officers your interest in visual arts and willingness to stretch your abilities.
This article will highlight 10 free online graphic design courses that are available to high school students.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Beginners
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: 10 lectures (34 minutes)
This course offers a practical, hands-on introduction to free tools and resources for creating quality designs without expensive software. You will explore a range of apps, online editors, and websites that you can use to design logos, flyers, and advertisements with ease. Through concise tutorial modules, you will discover versatile platforms for photo editing, video animation, and graphic design that suit all levels. The course also includes a bonus module that guides you on how to monetize your designs.
Cost: Free to audit
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: 4 weeks
This online course provides a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of design, visual communication, image creation, and typography. From interpreting client mandates to delivering polished final presentations, you will gain practical skills in the creative process of graphic design. The course includes 8 structured modules covering essential topics such as visual design, elements of visual communication, introduction to color theory, project initiation, and visual exploration and refinement. In the final module, you will work on analyzing a client mandate, developing unique design ideas accordingly, and presenting your completed work. This course is recognized by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD).
Cost: Free with Coursera plus subscription ($49, financial aid is available up to 90%)
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: Self-paced
This graphic design course is a part of the larger Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization offered by the University of Colorado Boulder through Coursera. When you enroll in this graphic design course, you will also be enrolled in the specialization. We chose this course as it offers a broader skill set of effective communication that is valuable for professionals looking to enhance their communication abilities. Opting for this course equips you with a robust skill set that combines the power of design with effective writing and presentation, making you a well-rounded communicator with the tools to excel in professional scenarios.
Cost: Free with Skillshare subscription of $32/month
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: 20 hours (self-paced)
This is an extensive and evolving course designed to help you reach the forefront of graphic design, with frequent updates that bring in fresh lessons, projects, and resources. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of design fundamentals and advanced techniques, starting with an in-depth exploration of Design Theory. The course includes Logo Creation and Branding Package Development, where you will learn to craft compelling brand identities from scratch, ensuring each design element aligns with a brand’s message and values.
The course provides experience with industry-leading software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign through real-world projects that teach you how to use each tool effectively. In addition, you will become well-versed in design concepts such as Typography, Color Theory, Layout and Composition, and Photo Manipulation and Editing techniques.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: Self-paced
The Graphic Design Essentials course by Canva Design School covers the basics of design principles and is a comprehensive beginner's introduction to the elements of design. You will learn essential concepts like color, typography, balance, and contrast. Using Canva's resources, you will build practical skills in an easy-to-use format that will help you create cohesive, professional-looking graphics for any purpose.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: No deadline
Dates/Duration: Self-paced
This is a free online course by Envato Tuts+ and is also available on YouTube. The course consists of 15 lessons in graphic design, ranging from basics to brand design and application of artificial intelligence. The course includes a module on design tools, software, and assets that boost the process of designing in an organized and efficient manner. The course also looks at different design disciplines with examples of various design choices.
Cost: Free with a $13/month Creative Live subscription
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: Self-paced
This course trains you in using Adobe InDesign via 83 tailor-made videos, which are taught by certified Adobe instructors and experienced media designers. The course is designed to combine design theories with practical skills while training you to use all the features of the software. By the end of this course, you will be proficient in creating a diverse range of real-world projects, including brochures, flyers, professional reports, newsletters, and business cards. Each task comes with exercise files to track your progress.
Cost: Free with Skillshare subscription of $32/month
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: 20 hours (self-paced)
This course is taught in collaboration with the Maryland Institute College of Art and is taught by the directors of the graphic design MFA program at the college. Throughout the module, you will learn a range of graphic design fundamentals, including illustration, design, and photography, through demonstrations and projects. By the end of the course, you will be able to design your own icons, magazines, websites, and wedding scrapbooks.
The course also gives you the opportunity to explore advanced design techniques, such as exploring layers, applying transparency, and incorporating concepts of time and motion in design. Additionally, you will be introduced to Gestalt psychology to understand design through visual perception.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: Self-paced
In the Logo Design Fundamentals course, you will gain a deep understanding of every step involved in crafting a powerful and professional logo. From learning the core principles of logo design to mastering the entire logo layout, you will hone your design skills to develop a brand identity. The course trains you in developing a logo from concept to completion, including essential details like preparing your finished product for clients and ensuring it’s print-ready for professional presentation. This is a vital course if you are aiming to build a career in design or enhance your skills in branding.
Cost: $49 for each of the 4 courses (financial aid is available up to 90%)
Eligibility: Beginner
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates/Duration: 1 month
This course is offered by the University of Colorado Boulder through Coursera’s plus subscription. In this 4 course series, you will learn skills such as print design, textual elements, and manipulation and color theory. You will explore fundamental design concepts, including typography, image selection, and layout best practices, and also learn to apply them in a professional setting. The course helps you build skills through hands-on projects such as creating business cards, brochures, ads, websites, and manuals. Additionally, the course also introduces you to effective techniques for collaborating with graphic designers and other creative professionals.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.