How to boost your graphic design career with a short course
- Written byLoana Rondot
- Published date 20 November 2024
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Thinking about building your graphic design skills for work? Our short courses are designed to equip you with all the practical tools you need—whether you're diving deeper into the field, looking for a refresher, or planning a complete career change. We explore the profiles of three students that chose UAL Short Courses as a booster for their graphic design career.
Why choose a graphic design short course
Strengthening Skills and Reconnecting with Creativity
User Experience Designer Tina Li chose the Graphic Design for Beginners Online Short Course to strengthen her existing knowledge and experience the benefits of education a few years after graduating. “I was yearning to be back in a creative community,” she indicates. “Taking the course definitely got my creative juices flowing again.”
Building on Everyday Skills
Similarly, Hollie Turner, who manages communications for a small charity, joined the course to strengthen skills she uses daily—from creating social media infographics to drafting newsletters. “It seemed like the perfect fit because it offered an in-depth introduction to key graphic design principles,” she explains.
Launching a Career in Graphic Design
While Tina and Hollie aimed to build on their professional skills, Emma Hill saw the course as a first step in her new career. Originally from a language and literature background, Emma discovered a passion for design through an art competition.
“That was the turning point for me, and my interest was sparked,” she recalls. “I fell in love with the process and the accomplishment of finishing a piece. I thought to myself: ‘why can't I incorporate my passion for art with language?’”
She explains choosing the course for its balance of practical and theorical teachings, which would help the change to be as smooth as possible. “I didn’t feel like the course was going to throw all kinds of information at me and make everything complicated,” she adds.
What you will gain
Global Perspectives in Graphic Design
Despite their different intentions for undergoing the course, the three students all share positive experiences. One of Tina’s highlights includes seeing how her classmates’ diverse cultural backgrounds influenced their perceptions of graphic design, with students joining from all over the world. She recalls feeling inspired by the varied interpretations reflected in their work.
Supportive Learning Environment
Emma credits tutor Ruth Sykes for creating a comfortable learning environment where she could stretch herself creatively without fear of being told she was wrong. “Ruth was extremely helpful,” she explains. “Feedback came in a way that didn't make you feel embarrassed but encouraged and happy to try again. Ruth was also always open for questions, so I never felt self-conscious about asking,” she adds.
Remote Learning Possibilities
Hollie shares that the course opened her eyes to the boundless potential of studying remotely. She highlights the possibility of being able to study from anywhere in the world as well as the advantage of taking a class which doesn’t disrupt her daily life and schedule.
Turning your new skills into career wins
Making a Career Shift
Since completing the course, Emma’s plan to change careers got off to a strong start. “A few months after the course, I go to design my first trademarked logo for a company,” she shares. “I also had the opportunity to design pictures for a presentation around A.I.,” Emma adds. She thanks her tutor and the short course in helping her get confident for the projects. “The course helped me get a good jump into the industry, and I'm looking forward to continue using those skills within painting and graphic design,” she concludes.
Applying New Skills
Tina applied the skills she learned through the course at work. “Learning about font treatment, leading, kerning, and the four basic principles of graphic design has helped improve my design decisions as a UX Designer,” she indicates. “I plan on learning motion design, and having foundations in graphic design from this course will help guide me through that journey.”
Pursuing Further Education in Design
Hollie, who initially attended the course to better the skills she used at work, shares that she was inspired to take her journey with graphic design even further. “I decided to take my education to the next level, with the objective to begin a career directly in the design industry,” she shares. “I am currently studying online towards an MA in Graphic Design, alongside my role at the charity.”
Studying at UAL
With each of them now using their new-found graphic design skills and confidence to progress at work, change careers or even consider heading back into education, Emma, Tina and Hollie all agree that doing a short course at UAL is something they’d recommend to others.
“You’re challenged to think outside the box, and every week tutors provide fun projects for students to do in their own time,” Tina says. “I woke up at 2 in the morning every weekend to attend the class, because I was in a different time zone. But I looked forward to it and it was the highlight of my weekend. It was a very enriching and positive experience.”
Both Emma and Hollie think everyone should take a short course, just for the experience of learning a new skill. “A short course will help you with your confidence,” Emma says. “It will give you the knowledge and skills you need to be able to pursue a career in graphic design, like I have.”
Hollie adds, “The knowledge, experience and skills that you will gain will be invaluable to you and your future goals. I am so pleased that I decided to undertake this short course because it transformed my career prospects and made a huge difference to my personal development.”
Your graphic design journey doesn’t have to start and finish with our Graphic Design for Beginners Online Short Course. We offer various short courses to focus on all facets of design, including our Graphic Design Principles Online Short Course and Digital Graphic Design Online Short Course.
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