Are you dreaming of becoming a graphic designer but don’t know where to start? Maybe you’ve opened Photoshop once and felt overwhelmed, or tried designing a flyer that didn’t quite hit the mark. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and the solution might be simpler than you think.
For beginners looking to quickly gain confidence and real-world design skills, the Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign may be the ideal starting point for your creative journey.
In this review, I’ll break down what makes this course a strong contender for the best beginner-friendly design class online, especially if Adobe Creative Cloud is your tool of choice.
Why Start with a Graphic Design Bootcamp?
Getting started in graphic design can be intimidating. With so many design tools, tutorials, and resources out there, it’s easy to feel stuck before you even begin.
That’s where structured online learning shines.
The Graphic Design Bootcamp by Derrick Mitchell on Udemy takes a clear, step-by-step approach to build your skills in the three core Adobe tools:
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- InDesign
By the time you finish, you won’t just know how to move vectors or retouch images—you’ll be ready to design real projects like business cards, book layouts, logos, social graphics, and more.
And the best part? You’ll walk away with a professional portfolio to show future clients or employers.
Who’s This Course For?
This course is laser-focused on beginners. If you’ve never opened Adobe Illustrator or don’t know the difference between CMYK and RGB, you’re in the right place.
Here’s who will benefit most:
- Aspiring graphic designers starting from scratch
- Hobbyists who love creativity and visuals
- Social media managers wanting to improve visual content
- Business owners designing their own branding and marketing
Even if you have some experience, the course has proven valuable to seasoned users. One reviewer said: “Even after 10 years of working with Photoshop, I learned new tricks here.” – Aryne N. Cabatan (via Udemy)
What You’ll Learn: A Breakdown of the Curriculum
The Graphic Design Bootcamp packs in over 16 hours of hands-on training. You’ll follow along with real projects as you explore:
✅ Adobe Photoshop Skills:
- Image composition
- Selection tools and masking
- Retouching and layout
✅ Adobe Illustrator Basics:
- Logo design
- Typography and advanced text tools
- Working with vector shapes
✅ Adobe InDesign Projects:
- Magazine and brochure layouts
- eBook publishing tips
- Grids, guides, and master pages
✅ Portfolio Building:
- Create real-world designs to showcase
- Export and organize your work for clients, Behance, or freelancing profiles
Many learners say the practical, project-based method helped more than reading manuals or watching generic YouTube tutorials. It’s very “do this, then test it,” which builds confidence fast.
Pros and Cons (Keepin’ It Real)
Like every course, this one comes with strengths and a few limitations.
Pros:
- Easy to follow for absolute beginners
- Real design projects, not just theory
- Affordable pricing (~$15–$30 during Udemy promos)
- Clear teaching from an experienced instructor
- Bonus Facebook group with over 19,000 members for peer support
Cons:
- Geared toward fundamentals—more advanced creatives may want depth elsewhere
- Requires Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (extra cost)
- No official certificate or university credit—but that matters less in the real world of design
How It Stacks Up Against Competitors
There are many beginner design bootcamps out there, but this course has carved out a niche because of its narrow, effective focus on Adobe apps and building a practical portfolio.
Compared to the Complete Graphics Design Bootcamp by Marcus Menti, Mitchell’s bootcamp is simpler and better suited to true beginners. Menti’s course adds Lightroom and gets more advanced, ideal if you want to go further later.
Baseline HQ’s bootcamp is free but lacks Adobe-specific training and doesn’t cover InDesign, the industry standard for editorial design.
If your goal is to get up and running with the most commonly used industry software and create a finished portfolio, Mitchell’s course wins.
Real Students Are Loving It
Feedback on Udemy shows learners praising the clarity, pace, and confidence boost the course delivers.
One review stood out to me because it perfectly summarizes what these types of courses should do:
“I started this course with little experience and thankfully I have learnt a lot throughout this course. I can’t wait to learn more about this industry.” – Charles Vaughn
It’s not just about learning tools—it’s about launching a new creative path.
Is It Worth the Price?
That’s an easy yes—especially when it’s on sale.
At just $15–$30 during standard Udemy promotions, it’s cheaper than a textbook and far less than a full degree or bootcamp. Plus, you get lifetime access, so you can refer back to the lessons whenever you want.
Keep in mind, you will need a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud to follow along. If you’re serious about design, that’s an essential investment anyway.
Final Verdict: Should You Enroll?
If you’re a beginner wanting a clear, step-by-step guide to mastering Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, the Graphic Design Bootcamp checks every box.
It’s structured, accessible, and hands-on. And it’s taught by a pro who knows beginners can easily get stuck without real-world projects.
Whether you want to freelance, level-up your brand visuals, or explore a new career path in design, this course is an excellent creative launchpad.
Don’t overthink it—just get started. The first step is to open Photoshop, and this course will walk you through the rest.
Want to learn more before diving in? You can preview the course here: Udemy: Graphic Design Bootcamp
Important Note: This article includes insights based on course source material and verified reviews from Udemy. Always review course updates or platform terms before enrolling.