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Embrace your creativity by learning how to design new products, systems, and experiences. Develop your skills with online design courses delivered through edX.
What is design?
Design can broadly encompass the conceptualization, planning, and creation of an object, service, process, or system. Common design tasks include ideation, research, and testing, which are often iterative as the designer seeks to improve on or develop their project. Aesthetics, functionality, and user experience are all taken into account when developing a design. And, the importance of design stretches far beyond the bounds of the art and fashion industries.
If you want to learn how to better understand users' needs and how to develop creative solutions to problems that users don't always know that they have, consider whether an online design class is right for you. From developing optimal information architecture when creating a new website to building out an entire world in virtual reality, there are an endless number of use cases for design.
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Related topics
Information TechnologyUser Experience (UX)EngineeringComputer ScienceCodingDesign ThinkingAgile Software DevelopmentAgileData AnalysisData Science
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Design course curriculum
Learn about the various design professions and spark your critical and creative design thinking abilities with online design courses from various universities and institutions around the world. Explore individual courses, boot camps on specialized topics like UX design, and advanced programs that can help improve your design skills in disciplines such as web page design, visual design, online graphic design, and more.
Self-paced courses can introduce you to the concept of design thinking that will challenge you to tackle problems in new ways and enable you to design new and novel technical solutions. Learners can also explore different design approaches, like human-centered design, which can be applied to develop effective new products. Other courses may focus on user experience design, product design, and the strategic application of design practice in the development of new business.
Explore design careers
Design is a broad field that can lead to careers in many different industries. Potential careers in design include:
Graphic designer
UX or UI designer
Interior designer
Product designer
Multimedia artist and animator
Web designer
Advertising manager
Art director
Design jobs require creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities, as well as soft skills such as communication and the ability to take feedback.
However, you do not need to work specifically in a design job in order for you to benefit from understanding the principles of design. A design class can teach you how to approach the challenges that you experience in any profession from a different perspective. Design courses can also teach you how to be a more effective communicator and a better collaborator. They can help you optimize the systems and processes that you use to execute on tasks and enable your workplace to function more efficiently. So whether you consider yourself a talented artist or not, there is plenty to learn in a design course that can be practically applied to different settings.
How to begin careers in design online
Are you interested in pursuing careers in design? Because the field of design can take you into many different professional directions, there is no specific set of requirements for how to become a designer. The educational credentials and skills you will need will be dependent on the role and the employer. Some roles may require a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree. Others may only require a portfolio of projects that you have worked on. Before deciding on an educational pathway, it is important that you research potential positions that you hope to pursue and align your coursework with your professional aspirations. When you are ready to begin your studies, explore the range of opportunities offered through edX.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you be a designer without a degree?
There are many different careers that can fall under the umbrella of design and, consequently there are many different requirements for those careers. While some design jobs may require a formal education, you may be able to pursue other jobs with practical knowledge and experience. For example, a freelance illustrator does not need a full degree to perform their work duties.
What can you do with a design degree?
Careers in design are diverse. A design graduate can pursue positions in industries such as marketing, advertising, film, television, and web development. They may focus on art or fashion, or apply their design abilities to more technical roles in architecture and engineering. They may also work in new product development, creating a company’s next innovative offering to meet the needs of customers.
Does design need math?
Many design careers require some knowledge of mathematics, but the level of proficiency in specific subjects will depend on your area of interest in design. Some design careers are quite math dependent. If you want to design spacecraft engines or database architectures, you will need strong mathematical skills. However, designing marketing materials, for example, may require less advanced math.
How do you learn design skills?
You can learn design skills in many ways. Taking classes will help you gain experience and build a portfolio. Design is also a field in which practice is important, so it can be helpful to find opportunities to gain experience as you are learning. You can also develop your skills by finding mentors or other designers and allowing them to critique your work.
Can you teach yourself design?
Yes, you can learn to design on your own, but it can be a slower process. One of the benefits of taking classes with a group is that you can learn from other designers and receive feedback on your own work.
