What is digital design?

Digital design is the process of creating content and graphics that end-users will view on a screen rather than on paper or another physical medium. As we move further into a digital world, chances are you read and view items on a phone, tablet, or computer screen far more often than you do on paper. When you use digital design, you're putting the rules and guidelines of design into digital formats. Digital design is a field that's growing rapidly.

Why is it important to learn digital design?

Digital design is different from traditional graphic design, so even if you have experience designing a logo or graphic for a printed page, you need different skills and knowledge tools. Digital design items aren't just meant to be read—they're meant for people to use. Digital media is often interactive, so you need to know how to create interactive graphics and website elements. If you work in design or want to work in design, it's important to be able to design for digital media. The fact that digital design is everywhere these days means that it's helpful have some familiarity with its concepts and terminology even if you're not designing digitally yourself.

What are some careers that use digital design?

You can find a host of careers in the digital design field, and they include web designers, digital graphic designers, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) specialists, and app designers. Digital design is crucial to many different sectors of the business world. You can find jobs as a digital designer working in a corporate environment, designing for a specific brand or project, or you can work for a company that specializes in digital design for various clients. You can also strike out on your own with your design business or consultancy.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn digital design?

Whether you're looking to learn digital design as a springboard to a new career or to advance yourself in your current workplace, you can benefit from learning online. Our courses rely on instruction from some of the best minds and talents in the business, so you'll learn more than just the basics. You'll be able to take what you've learned and apply it where you work now or on your search for a new job.

What are the benefits of taking an online Digital Design course?

Online Digital Design courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Digital Design skills. Choose from a wide range of Digital Design courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Digital Design courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Digital Design, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Digital Design Courses - Learn Digital Design Online

Explore the Digital Design Course Catalog

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Functional Program Design in Scala
Skills you'll gain: Scala Programming, Software Design, Software Design Patterns, Functional Design, Event-Driven Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Programming Principles, Performance Tuning, Data Structures, Algorithms
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Web Design for Everybody Capstone
Skills you'll gain: Wireframing, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Browser Compatibility, Web Design, Front-End Web Development, User Interface (UI), Verification And Validation, Web Development, Application Frameworks, Usability, Javascript
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Electrónica Digital Bit a Bit: Fundamentos, Verilog y FPGA
Skills you'll gain: Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Design, Computational Logic, Computer-Aided Design, Electronic Hardware, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Semiconductors, Technical Design, Electronic Components, Simulation and Simulation Software
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Science, Web Development, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Programming, Application Development, Scientific Visualization
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Maryland, College Park
Cryptography
Skills you'll gain: Cryptography, Encryption, Key Management, Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS), Cybersecurity, Network Security, Digital Communications, Authentications, Data Integrity, Algorithms
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
EIT Digital
Quantitative Formal Modeling and Worst-Case Performance Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Theoretical Computer Science, Mathematical Modeling, Systems Analysis, Performance Testing, Embedded Systems, Graph Theory, Algorithms
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
44 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Princeton University
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies
Skills you'll gain: Blockchain, Cryptography, Encryption, Payment Systems, FinTech, Key Management, Digital Assets, Network Protocols, Cybersecurity, Transaction Processing, Distributed Computing, Emerging Technologies, Scripting, Financial Regulation, Public Affairs, Market Dynamics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Stanford University
Game Theory II: Advanced Applications
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Bidding, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Behavioral Economics, Socioeconomics, Advanced Mathematics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
639 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Big Data Modeling and Management Systems
Skills you'll gain: Data Modeling, Data Infrastructure, Databases, Data Architecture, Big Data, Data Management, Database Management Systems, Real Time Data, NoSQL, Database Design, Data Processing, Data Storage, Relational Databases, Scalability, Virtual Environment
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
EIT Digital
Software Architecture for the Internet of Things
Skills you'll gain: Software Architecture, Functional Requirement, Requirements Analysis, Internet Of Things, Software Design Patterns, Android Development, Software Systems, Interoperability, Software Quality (SQA/SQC), Usability
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
250 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Digital Business Marketing with Easil
Skills you'll gain: Facebook, Marketing Design, Marketing Materials, Social Media Content, Social Media Marketing, Advertising, Social Media, Dashboard, User Accounts, Digital Marketing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Amsterdam
Qualitative Research Methods
Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Interviewing Skills, Social Sciences, Research, Research Methodologies, Data Collection, Investigation, Research Design, Report Writing, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months