Discover the Best Online Web Design Courses of 2021
If you want to become a web designer, an online course could be a great choice. These are full-blown web design classes with extensive resources that will help you learn faster and more effectively. More often than not, you don’t need to break the bank to complete these courses or sit for a certification exam.
With one of the best online web design courses, you can get the education you need to start working in the field. You can earn certificates for your resume and learn more about the world of design. Read below to learn more about the top 15 web design courses that you can take online in 2021.
What Is Web Design?
Web design is the art of producing and maintaining a website. This process involves designing, creating, and implementing graphic elements. You will also have to consider the target audience and customer base of the website. Web design incorporates graphic design, UX/UI design, and coding.
Breakdown: The Top 15 Online Web Design Courses
Provider and Course | Certificate | Length | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Coursera Graphic Design Specialization |
Yes | Self-paced | Free |
LinkedIn Learning Illustrator 2021 |
No | 17 hours, 48 minutes | $29 per month |
LinkedIn Learning Introduction to InDesign |
No | 1 hour, 23 minutes | $29 per month |
LinkedIn Learning Introduction to XD |
No | 1 hour, 29 minutes | $29 per month |
Treehouse Python Development Techdegree |
Yes | 2-5 months (5 projects) | $199 per month |
Treehouse Certificate in JavaScript Full Stack Development |
Yes | 3-9 months (10 projects) | $199 per month |
Treehouse Front End Web Development Techdegree |
Yes | 3-9 Months (9 projects) | $199 per month |
Treehouse Certificate in User Experience Design |
Yes | 3-8 months (10 projects) | $199 per month |
MDN Web Docs Introduction to HTML |
No | Self-paced | Free |
The Odin Project Foundations of Web Development |
No | About 1,000 hours | Free |
Udemy Landing Page Design |
Yes | 9.5 hours | $96 |
Udemy Complete Guide to CSS |
Yes | 22.5 hours | $96 |
Udemy Photoshop and Web Design |
Yes | 24 hours | $103 |
Udemy Web Design for Beginners |
Yes | 11 hours | $96 |
Udemy WordPress Theme Development |
Yes | 12 hours | $96 |
What Can I Learn in a Web Design Course?
In an online web design course, you can learn important design and development skills. The primary objective is to develop your skills and techniques to set you apart from your competitors.
You can become more competent in marketing design, user experience, page layouts, typography, motion graphics, and more. In some web design classes, you will also learn how to code in CSS and HTML.
The Best Web Design Courses of 2021
The courses listed below are affordable or free and can be completed at your own pace. These web design classes can save you time and money. You can get more meaningful practical experience than with some more elaborate programs.
Read below to learn more about the top 15 online web design courses of 2021.
Graphic Design Specialization | Coursera
Subjects Covered: Graphic design, typography, image making, history of graphic design
This course is a great choice if you want to specialize in the artistic aspects of web design. You can complete this class at your own pace with access to all the tools you need. These include video instruction, relevant literature, practice quizzes, and graded quizzes and assignments.
The Graphic Design Specialization is a comprehensive package that will give you the help and feedback you need to succeed. The best part is that it is free of charge.
Key Takeaway: When you have completed this graphic design program, you will produce compelling work that will wow your customers and clients.
Illustrator | LinkedIn Learning
Subjects Covered: Adobe Illustrator
If you want to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator, this course can help you get there. This 18-hour course is suitable for beginners or people with minimal web design experience. Software like Illustrator can make your web design process easier.
LinkedIn Learning’s simple structure can help you learn quickly and efficiently. You’ll learn how to use pen tools, swatches, strokes, and more.
Key Takeaway: When you are done with this course, you should have a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator.
Introduction to InDesign | LinkedIn Learning
Subjects Covered: Adobe InDesign, graphic design workflow
This is another course for Adobe beginners. You will learn how to use InDesign for graphic and web design. This course can help you create posters, flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, presentations, books, and e books.
This Introduction to InDesign class is short and sweet at less than two hours long. Once you learn the basics, you will be able to create almost anything using this design tool. Your web design skills will soar above the rest.
Key Takeaway: This course from LinkedIn Learning can teach you everything you need to know about how to use InDesign.
Introduction to XD | LinkedIn Learning
Subjects Covered: Adobe XD
This course is a great choice if you have no experience with Adobe XD. This is another design platform that can help you create modern, individualized designs and illustrations for websites. It will equip you to handle a significant range of industry-related tasks.
An Introduction to XD, you will learn how to create a project and design a great user interface. The course will take you to step by step through your own project. You will get meaningful practical experience under your belt if you take this course.
Key Takeaway: You will learn how to create great UX and UI designs with Adobe XD in this introductory course.
Python Development Tech degree | Treehouse
Subjects Covered: Python, SQLAlchemy
Python is a beginner-friendly, open-source programming language that can be downloaded for free. The most compelling feature of Python is that it is easier to read, faster to write, and less intimidating than other programming languages. This programming language is suitable for web development, writing system scripts, and processing big data.
In this course, you will learn how to use Python for web design. It can help you create interactive design features. You will work on real-world projects, and by the end of the course, you will be a Python expert. You will also receive a certificate at the end.
Key Takeaway: This course can teach you the basics of Python for web design and web development use cases.
Certificate in JavaScript Full Stack Development | Treehouse
Subjects Covered: JavaScript
Full-stack development is the foundation you need to build dynamic and interactive user interfaces. JavaScript is a popular programming language that can help you work on both the front end and backend of a website. This course offers a good base for you to work from as you develop your career.
Besides learning JavaScript, you will learn about random quote generation, data pagination and filtering, interactive forms, APIs, Node.js, SQL, and more. This course will take you three to nine months to complete, but you will finish with a certificate for your resume.
Key Takeaway: Once you have completed the Certificate in JavaScript Full Stack Development, you should be able to create great websites with JavaScript.
Front End Web Development Tech degree | Treehouse
Subjects Covered: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, APIs
Front-end web development is also known as client-side development. You will learn how to keep your client happy and satisfied with your end product. You will also learn how to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create web pages.
This course will take you through personal projects step by step. This includes personal profile customization, mobile-first responsive layout, online registration forms, web style guides, interactive photo galleries, and more. You will learn everything you need to know about creating and designing a website.
Key Takeaway: This course can help you master the skills and techniques you need to work on the front end of websites.
Certificate in User Experience Design | Treehouse
Subjects Covered: UX Design, task flows
User experience design, also known as UX design, is one of the most important things to learn as a web designer. It encompasses all aspects of a user’s digital interaction with a company, its services, and its products. You will learn how to understand the behavioral patterns of an app or website’s users.
This course will take you through UX design with examples and hands-on projects. You will work on a grocery app, a t-shirt store, and your own task flow. This can help you learn about website redesign, wireframing, prototyping, flow testing, and more.
Key Takeaway: This certificate course can help you design user-friendly web pages and apps.
Introduction to HTML | MDN Web Docs
Subjects Covered: HTML basics
HyperText Markup Language, known as HTML, has been with the web community since as early as 1990. HTML is at the heart of web design and development. This course provides you with the foundation you need to understand the concepts, syntax, elements, and attributes of HTML.
Once you learn the basic concepts of HTML in this course, you will complete hands-on activities like marking up a letter and structuring the content of a web page. This can help you better understand HTML and its common uses.
Key Takeaway: Once you have completed this Introduction to HTML course, you will have learned and mastered the art of text formatting.
Foundations | The Odin Project
Subjects Covered: Git, JavaScript
This web development foundation course can teach you everything you need to know about creating a website. Learning the basics of development can help you better plan out and implement your designs. In this course from the Odin Project, you will learn how to use Git and full-stack development tools.
This course takes around 1,000 hours to complete, and you can finish the modules on your own time. It is a great choice if you want to learn the foundation of web development without committing to an in-person class. The best part is that it is completely free.
Key Takeaway: This course can give you a firm grasp of all the fundamentals of live and functional websites.
Landing Page Design | Udemy
Subjects Covered: Landing page design, usability tests, the Fogg Behavior Model
The landing page of any website or app is the user’s first impression. If you want to become a successful web designer, you will need to know how to create a great landing page. This course covers design elements as well as user psychology.
This Landing Page Design course from Udemy will teach you how to optimize your landing pages to get your desired result. You will be competent and comfortable building a landing page without using any code. This is a good choice if you already know web design basics and want to learn more about this specific topic.
Key Takeaway: This course can teach you everything there is to know about designing a great landing page.
The Complete Guide to CSS | Udemy
Subjects Covered: CSS, CSS Grid Layout, CSS variables
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a programming language just like JavaScript and HTML. Its defining feature, which makes it relevant to web design, is that it focuses on layout, colors, and fonts. While this is a technical course, it will help you work on your website’s presentation.
This course is designed for complete beginners in CSS. You will learn about this language from the ground up. Keep in mind that you should know the basics of HTML before you start this class.
Key Takeaway: This complete CSS handbook is the best way to learn CSS for web design and development.
Photoshop and Web Design | Udemy
Subjects Covered: Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editor, which makes the completion of this course particularly relevant to web design. Photoshop has been a staple of web design since as far back as 1988. When it comes to digital art, this is one of the most important skills to have.
By the end of this course from Udemy, you will be able to use everything Photoshop has to offer. You will be able to create and design a website from the very beginning using nothing but Photoshop, which is a rare skill to have.
Key Takeaway: This Photoshop and Web Design course can teach you how to use your Photoshop skills to your advantage.
Web Design For Beginners | Udemy
Subjects Covered: HTML, CSS, web design basics
If you know nothing about web design, this course is a great place to start. It only takes 11 hours to complete and costs less than $100. You will learn about web page layout, animation, and custom design for specific devices.
A critical feature of this course is that it equips you with the tools you will need to take full control of the web design process. You will move past standard website builders and create your own original designs.
Key Takeaway: Once you complete this program, you will be ready to design your own websites for professional or personal use.
WordPress Theme Development | Udemy
Subjects Covered: HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, WordPress
WordPress is a content management system with a vast range of themes and templates, which you would ordinarily use to build your website. However, this course can teach you how to create your own themes on the WordPress platform. This is useful because many companies use WordPress but want a more personalized design.
In this course, you will learn how to use HTML and CSS in the context of WordPress. You will be able to turn a static website into something beautiful, responsive, and dynamic.
Key Takeaway: This WordPress certificate is one of the most useful ones to have in the web design world.
Professional Web Design Certifications
Although web design certificates are useful, professional certifications can also be helpful. These certifications usually involve an exam that tests you on your knowledge of a certain subject. The web design certifications listed below can be completed online for affordable fees.
Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ)
This certification qualifies you to work with Google Analytics, which is important for most websites. Before you sit for the exam, you should complete the Google Analytics Course for Beginners and Advanced Google Analytics. The exam itself takes one hour to write, while the two courses usually just require one hour each to complete.
Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)
If you prefer working with Adobe programs, this is a good certification to have. It involves multiple exams that each cost $180. You can complete them over time as each subject becomes relevant to you. You can become certified in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, and more.
Google Mobile Web Specialist
This certification can help you design mobile websites. It costs only $99 to complete, which includes the study guide and three exam attempts. The certification will boost your development capacity and increase your mobile skills. These are the fundamentals you need to help set you apart from your competitors in web design.
HubSpot Certifications
HubSpot Academy offers many certifications that can help you as a web designer. They are all short and free. The topics include digital marketing and advertising, content marketing, and inbound marketing. These can all help you create business-minded websites for your clients.
How Much Can I Earn as a Web Designer?
The average salary for a web designer is about $51,300, according to PayScale. However, this can range from $36,000 per year to $75,000 per year, depending on the company that you work for and the scale of the projects that you are working on. Either way, this is a decent salary.
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Should You Learn Web Design in 2021?
Yes, you should learn web design in 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web designer and web developer job opportunities will grow by eight percent by 2029, which is faster than average. Online courses are some of the best ways to get the web design training you need. If you want to learn web design, try one of the courses on this list.