Best Beginner Graphic Design Course to Learn Theory Fast
If you’ve ever looked at a logo, website, or poster and thought, “I wish I could create something like that,” you’re in the right place. Whether you’re starting a freelance design career, leveling up a side hustle, or simply exploring a creative passion, learning design theory is the first essential step — and we’re here to reveal a course that makes it easy, fast, and fun.
In this post, we’ll dive into why The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course on Udemy is gaining traction with aspiring designers — and whether it’s worth your time (and a few bucks). We’ll cover what’s inside, who should take it, and why it just might be the best beginner graphic design course out there today.
What You’ll Learn in the Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course
At a high level, this course is designed for absolute beginners — no experience required — and delivers a solid foundation in design theory across various disciplines. It’s hosted on Udemy and led by two seasoned instructors, Lindsay Marsh and Jeremy Deighan, who specialize in making design theory accessible.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll cover:
- Intro to graphic design principles
- Color theory and emotional impact
- Typography essentials
- Layout and composition techniques
- Branding and logo building
- User experience concepts
- Modern design trends
- How photography ties into design
- Legal considerations in design work
The course packs all that into roughly 5 hours of video lessons, with downloadable resources and hands-on projects to reinforce each lesson. The goal? Transform you from someone with zero design knowledge to a confident beginner ready to build projects that wow.
Why This Course Stands Out for Design Beginners
There are dozens, maybe hundreds of online courses in graphic design. So what makes this one special?
- Beginner-first structure. You won’t dive into complex Adobe software tutorials or confusing jargon. Everything is explained clearly with real-world examples designed to build fundamental knowledge first.
- Affordable entry point. This course often goes on sale for as little as $10–$15 on Udemy, making it a low-risk investment with high return. Especially when compared to expensive bootcamps or college units.
- Flexibility. Learn at your own pace, revisit lessons anytime, and engage with an active support community. There’s even a private Facebook group where you can get feedback from peers and instructors.
- 30-Day Refund Guarantee. Not sure if it’s for you? Udemy’s refund policy means you can explore the content risk-free.
Let’s not forget — real reviews matter. With over 19,000 verified user ratings averaging around 4.5/5 stars, the feedback speaks for itself. Many users praise its practical approach, user-friendly videos, and focus on fundamental theory instead of just flashy tools.
Who Should Take This Course?
The course is ideal if:
- You’re a complete beginner with no prior design experience.
- You want to understand the “why” behind beautiful, purposeful design.
- You’re exploring design as a hobby, side hustle, or potential career.
- You’re planning to freelance or work in web, branding, or social media.
On the flip side, if you’re looking to master software tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, this course won’t cover those deeply. But if you’re just starting out, we actually recommend learning the theory first. Tools change. But design principles don’t.
“I took this course during my job search after being laid off. Helped me understand design basics and now I feel more confident when creating visuals for my own brand. Worth every penny.”
How It Compares to Other Design Courses
Let’s take a quick look at how The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners stacks up against similar entry-level courses:
- Graphic Design Masterclass (also on Udemy) includes tool training (Photoshop, Illustrator) alongside theory but can feel overwhelming due to its sheer volume (29+ hours).
- CalArts’ Fundamentals of Graphic Design via Coursera focuses heavily on academic theory — great if you want a stronger intellectual foundation, but less hands-on.
- LinkedIn Learning’s Become a Graphic Designer track is modular and spans more advanced topics, but requires a monthly subscription and offers less of a beginner-friendly learning curve.
So if you want straight-to-the-point learning without drowning in software tutorials, Udemy’s beginner theory course wins.
A Peek at the Learning Experience
Here’s a look at the kind of visuals you’ll start understanding after completing the course:
(Source: Unsplash)
Real-World Benefits After Taking the Course
Here’s what you can expect after finishing the course:
- ✅ Ability to design your own brand assets (think logos, business cards, color palettes).
- ✅ Confidence to move forward with more advanced design tool courses (like Adobe CC).
- ✅ A stronger understanding of visual communication — great for social media creators, virtual assistants, or marketers.
- ✅ A competitive edge in freelance marketplaces or job applications that require a basic understanding of graphic design principles.
And remember this: design theory is the backbone of every stunning graphic you see online or in print. Even professional designers circle back to basics now and then. Starting here gives you a rock-solid base for everything that follows.
The Bottom Line: Should You Take the Course?
If you’re looking for the best beginner graphic design course to learn theory without burnout or overwhelm, The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners is a smart choice.
It won’t teach you advanced photo editing or speed you through logo creation in Adobe Illustrator. But it will give you the core design principles behind every compelling graphic — and that’s invaluable. Especially for creative entrepreneurs, small business owners, content creators, or anyone with a visual idea to share.
With an extremely low price point (thanks to Udemy’s frequent promos), real-world projects, and thousands of positive reviews, this course is a no-brainer starting point for design beginners.
Want to build your design skills from scratch and finally bring your ideas to life?
Don’t wait — enroll now and take your creativity to the next level.
References:
- Course Page on Udemy
- User discussions on Reddit about best courses for learning design fundamentals
Note: Pricing and reviews are subject to change; always check the latest details before enrolling.