Online graphic design courses to beef up CV

Does anyone have experience with online graphic design courses?

I am a freelance graphic designer but have been applying for tonnes of jobs, the problem is the education section on my CV is lacking any form of graphic design qualifications. I have studied Art in the past but nearly all the job ads I apply for mention having a degree or equivalent.

I want to maybe take an online course to help with this.

I have found a few different courses, for example:
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/city-lit-pro-adobe-illustrator-intensive/vk445-2021

What are your thoughts on courses like that. Does anyone recommend any specific courses (maximum budget in the £400-500 range) that could help?

My one worry with the above course is the skill level, I am not a beginner and would be concerned that it would be a little too novice for the level I'm at.

Has anybody else been in the same boat?

Any advice would be awesome.

Thanks,

Lee

Replies4

  • It’s been a couple of decades since I graduated and last year I started sharing industry experience through mentoring.

    Before getting started I thought it might be helpful to check out some course curriculums and see if there are any education gaps I could fill.

    An ad on social media read:

    4 Weeks
    Online Course
    GRAPHIC DESIGN
    £49.99 [crossed out]
    NOW FREE

    It offered to expand skills on image editing and custom layout, earning you an internationally recognised graphic design certificate.

    I was curious and with nothing to lose I registered.

    All set to go and then they asked for my payment details.

    So I cancelled and looked the ‘academy’ up on Trustpilot.

    The reviews weren’t too impressive.

    An employer asking for a degree is probably looking for something beyond software skills.

    I’d approach agencies directly with an ideas driven portfolio that showcases process, personality and potential.
  • Hi Lee,

    I would say do not worry about at all that you hold just an art degree it's absolutely fine for a design job. If the company doesn't think that than they have very little clue about the industry...
  • I really enjoy adding skills from LinkedIn Learning. You could try that. It adds skills straight to your LinkedIn profile and gives you certificates.
  • “Equivalent” means – or at least should mean, the design industry is a clusterfuck right now – experience. It’s the caveat that opens roles up to those who haven’t been through design employment. Don’t be afraid to highlight that in your applications.

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