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This list is for anyone who wants to make things look good: beginners curious about design, marketers and small business owners making their own graphics, and people heading toward a design job. Our graphic design category lists 422 courses, and our Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Figma categories list further courses on each program. These ten are the ones we would pick for each tool and each need. They have over 321,000 student reviews between them and are rated 4.6 to 4.8. Seven were updated in 2025 or 2026; the logo course was last updated in September 2022, and we say so below.
Every rating, review count, length and last-update date on this page comes from our catalogue and is refreshed with it. The pros and cons are written by CourseDuck’s editors from the course syllabus and a sample of the written student reviews, and checked against both; no course pays to be on this list. Udemy prices move with its sales, so treat the price on each card as the current one, not a fixed one. Current Adobe apps need a subscription (the Graphic Design Masterclass also works with Affinity); Canva and Figma both have free plans.
How to pick
- You want the whole field in one course: Graphic Design Masterclass.
- You want the theory before any software: The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course.
- You need Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop CC: Essentials Training Course, or Ultimate Photoshop Training for more exercises.
- You draw logos, icons and illustrations: Adobe Illustrator CC: Essentials Training Course or Illustrator MasterClass, then Logo Design Mastery.
- You lay out brochures, magazines and PDFs: Adobe InDesign CC: Essentials Training Course.
- You want quick, good-looking social and business graphics: Canva Master Course.
- You design apps and websites: Figma UI UX Design Essentials.
Start here: design foundations
1. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design
Lindsay Marsh’s course is the most-reviewed course in our graphic design category: about 74,000 reviews at 4.6 and roughly 305,000 students. It teaches design theory first, typography, color, layout and grids, then gives Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign a project each, with logo and branding work in between, in about 32 hours over 239 lectures. The November 2025 update added lessons on Photoshop 2026, generative AI tools and Affinity. Working designers say it still filled gaps. Some older lessons show 2020-era Adobe screens, it is broad rather than deep, and you need your own Adobe or Affinity licence.
Pros
- Design theory (typography, color, grids) comes first, then each app gets a real project like a cookbook or a vector badge
- Still being updated: Photoshop 2026, generative AI and Affinity comparison lessons were added in late 2025
- Reviewers with design degrees and working designers say they still learned new tricks
- Downloadable guides on typography history, color theory, grids and font pairing
Cons
- One star reviewer says lessons show 2020 era Adobe and the interfaces have changed; some sections are labeled older
- Broad rather than deep; one reviewer wanted a single project to follow from start to finish
- Adobe or Affinity software is not included and must be bought separately
What students say
ROYAL GAMINGi did a diploma in multimedia 2024 and after i finished it i went back to do som other stuff, now im getting back to Graphic Designing and this is exactly the thing i needed. so easy to understand and so much information in one place, lv it.
Sanchali MestryThis course was an amazing learning experience for me. It helped me improve my understanding of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, design theory, and logo design. I learned a lot about design principles. I've gained a lot of knowledge. Highly recommended!
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
2. The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course
Lindsay Marsh and Jeremy Deighan’s course is theory without the software: color, typography, photography, layout, logos and branding, and the legal side of using fonts and images, in about 10 hours over 81 lectures, with following along in Photoshop or Canva optional. It has about 22,100 reviews at 4.6. Reviewers with no design background found it easy to follow. Nearly 4.5 hours of it covers design trends from 2020 to 2022, it was last updated in April 2023, and there is little guided practice.
Pros
- Instructor’s voice is engaging enough to hold easily distracted viewers
- Covers color, type, photography, layout, logos and font licensing in 81 lectures
- Reviewers with no design background say it is easy to follow
- Trend sections come with projects to follow along with
Cons
- Nearly half the runtime is 2020 to 2022 trends, and the last update was April 2023
- Little tool teaching or guided practice, so Adobe newcomers can get lost late on
- Instructor shows her choices more than her reasoning, which confuses some beginners
What students say
Ramon Perez RodriguezThe grade of professionalism, attention for details, and the experience that the instructors paid in this course is just incredible. It is 100% worth to take it when starting on Graphic Design or related fields
Paulina KordosSooo rich! ..of information ...Best course I have ever seen on Udemy if it is going about giving the knowledge in a visual way! Lectors are perfect without any breaks in voice etc.
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
Photoshop
3. Adobe Photoshop CC: Essentials Training Course
Daniel Walter Scott’s course is the most-reviewed Photoshop course in our catalogue: about 36,800 reviews at 4.8 and more than 150,000 students. It is a project-first walk through selections and masking, layer styles, retouching, blending modes and brushes, with 20 assignments and a short generative AI section, in about 11.6 hours over 92 lectures. It leans toward graphic design and social media work more than photography. It was updated in January 2025. Reviewers say the easy-to-hard order makes Photoshop less intimidating. The core videos date from 2018, with updates kept in separate sections.
Pros
- 20 assignments with downloadable exercise files, so there is portfolio work throughout rather than just tool tours
- Reviewers say Scott’s easy-to-hard structure makes Photoshop far less intimidating for first-timers
- Updated in January 2025 and includes a short Generative AI section
- Fewer than 1 percent of nearly 37,000 ratings are one or two stars
Cons
- Core videos date from 2018; one reviewer found the separate software updates confusing and wants them merged into the sections
- The final ‘What next’ section runs over three hours across six lectures, so core teaching is nearer 8.5 hours
- No quizzes, and retouching gets only 18 minutes; the syllabus leans toward graphic design over photo editing
What students say
Delilah PalmerDan Scott, is a fantastic instructor, he explains things so well and in detail. His courses also come with great course material. When I buy a course instructed by Dan, I know it's going to be good. SO glad I did this, Photoshop use to really intimidate me and now I'm equipped with the knowledge and inspired to use this great design tool. Thank you Scott and Udemy!
Gurpreet kaurGreat course overall! The practice exercises were excellent, and the step-by-step approach made learning Photoshop much less intimidating. Having already completed your Illustrator course, enrolling in this one was an easy decision. Your courses are detailed, beginner-friendly, and packed with practical tips. Thanks for another fantastic course. Looking forward to the next adventure in Adobe-land! :))
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
4. Ultimate Photoshop Training: From Beginner to Pro 2026 + AI
Cristian Barin’s course is the long, exercise-driven alternative: every tool gets a short lecture, an exercise and a cheat sheet, from zero to generative fill, neural filters, Camera Raw and Adobe Bridge, with more than 300 PSD files, in about 22.6 hours over 220 lectures. It was refreshed in April 2026 and has about 30,800 reviews at 4.6. Reviewers praise his pace and his answers to questions. A two-star review says he explains what to do more than why, and it covers breadth more than any one speciality.
Pros
- Every tool gets its own short lecture and exercise, with a cheat sheet to review afterward
- Updated April 2026, so generative fill, neural filters and cloud documents are covered
- Reviewers say the instructor gives active feedback, and the listing promises replies to most questions in under 12 hours
- Over 300 PSD files to practise on, and the content is mostly version independent
Cons
- A two-star review says he explains what to do more than why the tool works that way
- Breadth over depth: 22 sections touch most of Photoshop but none goes far into one specialty
- English only with captions, and at 22.6 hours it is a long commitment for a first course
What students say
Victoria xI really learnt a great deal from this course as it covered a myriad of subjects and gave clear examples of how methods are used. It would be great to learn in a little more detail why we use certain options when making effects ie) 50% gray scale rather than a normal layer or the difference between various layers but I appreciate that would make the course a lot longer and isn't essential for...
Daniel VialetOk, to be totally honest, I had to take this course twice. The first time I got lost. The second time, I was able to complete it. I think the course is good, but two things. First there are times that he talks to fast, click somewhere that I did not notice and I got lost. Other times the course covered things that I was just not interested in, such as web design. On the positive note, I like that...
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
Illustrator, logos and InDesign
5. Adobe Illustrator CC - Essentials Training Course
This Illustrator course is taught by Daniel Walter Scott, though the Udemy listing is under Video School: about 12 hours over 113 lectures with 35 assignments, so nearly every topic ends with something to draw, from logos and icons to patterns and 3D. It was refreshed in January 2025 and is rated 4.8 from about 33,100 reviews. Reviewers say his teaching removed their fear of the program. One student with a day job found the number of assignments heavy, and the AI section is two lectures and eight minutes.
Pros
- 35 assignments with exercise files, more than two per section on average, so practice is built in
- Reviewers call Dan funny and clear, and say his teaching removed their fear of the program
- Lectures run a few minutes each, which one busy student says makes it easy to fit in
- Refreshed January 2025; the syllabus covers 3D, patterns and a short AI intro
Cons
- The assignment count feels heavy to at least one student with a full-time job
- The AI section is two lectures and eight minutes, so barely an introduction
- A low-star review reports some videos not playing, and there are no quizzes to check understanding
What students say
EnesI had a basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, but this course has helped me significantly improve my skills. Thanks to Mr. Daniel's fluent and instructive teaching style, I'm learning new techniques in every lesson. I would like to thank my instructor and the team for helping me improve myself. :)))
Nudar Nawal HossainDan is amazing. Makes learning so fun, in the simplest and most straight forward way. I have always felt so intimidated seeing all the buttons in illustrator that i never dared to try it out. Thanks to Dan, I'm starting out my graphic designing journey, something i've always wanted to do. Much love and appreciation, xx.
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
6. Illustrator MasterClass
Martin Perhiniak, an Adobe Certified Instructor, teaches the most-reviewed Illustrator course in our catalogue: about 34,200 reviews at 4.6. It walks through the whole program, from document setup and the Pen tool through brushes, Image Trace, type and symbols to gradient meshes, perspective drawing and export, in about 13.9 hours over 123 lectures with nine quizzes. Reviewers call it clear, with no filler. The core lessons use an old version of Illustrator, with newer features in separate chapters, and it was last updated in February 2024.
Pros
- Clear, tightly edited lessons; reviewers say there is no rambling or filler
- Covers the full program: objects, Pen tool, brushes, Image Trace, type, symbols, meshes, export
- Nine chapter quizzes plus exercise files and study guides to practice with
- Long-time users say they still learn workflow tricks they had missed
Cons
- Core videos use an old Illustrator version; new features sit in separate 2019 to 2024 chapters
- Light on Pathfinder and Shape Builder, and the sample artwork is simple for a ‘MasterClass’
- One reviewer reports a Q&A question unanswered after a month
What students say
Pablo ZamoraAmazing course, Martin teaching methods are excellent, the explanations are very easy to understand and follow along, very organized topics and simplified to make learning pleasant. I can safely say Martin is one of the best Adobe design instructors out there - he's even certified by Adobe and one of the top 10 in the world!
Isabela KavsekIts very good explained, plus all the given exercises are useful to train all the techniques. For me personally i do not prefer to listen class on normal speed as its too slow for me, but for someone whos english is not so good its perfect. im listening this class on double speed. i already recommend this masterclass to others.
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
7. Logo Design Mastery In Adobe Illustrator
Lindsay Marsh takes two logos from brief to delivery files in Illustrator, a coffee brand and a golden ratio exercise, with short sections on logo theory, color psychology, mockups, export and finding clients, in about 5.8 hours over 45 lectures. It has about 5,700 reviews at 4.7. Reviewers call her clear and easy to follow. It was last updated in September 2022, one reviewer says the Illustrator steps no longer match, and several wanted more on developing ideas and questioning clients.
Pros
- Two start-to-finish logo projects show the process, not just isolated Illustrator tools
- Reviewers call the teaching clear and easy to follow, and one says it does not overwhelm
- Covers the business side too: client questions, mockups, export files and finding clients
- Downloadable extras include a client questionnaire, color psychology sheet and font pairing guide
Cons
- Last updated in 2022, and one reviewer says the Illustrator instructions no longer translate
- Several reviewers want more on the thinking behind ideas, not just the execution
- Some call it basic for a course titled mastery, and say similar material is free on YouTube
What students say
Raja YadavHi, Lindsey, I completed this course, most of the knowledge I already have, but I still got a few tricks, and the golden ratio in details that help me a lot in the upcoming days. This course is worth it.
Sarah MouginThis course was simply amazing! I could not thank more Lindsay for teaching these valuable skills. It up levelled my graphic design game big times!
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
8. Adobe InDesign CC - Essentials Training Course
This InDesign course is sold under Daniel Walter Scott’s name, but the refreshed lessons are mostly taught by Khara Plicanic. It is built on mock client briefs: a flyer, a tri-fold brochure, a fillable PDF form, a full magazine and social media templates, plus the production side such as preflight, packaging and bleeds, in about 11.9 hours over 99 lectures. It was updated in July 2026 and has about 19,600 reviews at 4.7. Reviewers call the explanations clear. One buyer who expected Dan was disappointed, and there are no quizzes.
Pros
- Most sections are a project from a mock client brief: flyer, tri-fold, fillable form, magazine, social templates
- Refreshed in July 2026, so the lessons are current rather than a 2017 recording left to age
- Reviewers say Khara’s step-by-step explanations are easy to follow, even for veteran users
- Covers the unglamorous production side: preflight, packaging, missing links and fonts, bleeds
Cons
- Sold under Dan Scott’s name but mostly taught by Khara Plicanic, which upset at least one buyer
- No quizzes or practice tests; the six assignments are the only checks on progress
- You need your own copy of Adobe InDesign CC; the course only shows how to download and set it up
What students say
Malaina HudsonSo far the class is very informative and I really appreciate that several ways to do the same thing get shown pretty often. The instructor does go very quickly, though, and I often have to pause the video and back it up to see all of the keystrokes and menu selections that are being made.
Tamara FigueiredoNice, easy to follow! Explaining some concepts for print newbies (slug!!) is super helpful! Update: Still easy to follow, even though I do repeat some clips as I am working with the instructor. Neat stuff. I would have NO idea about half of the features in InDesign if not for this course. 🙂
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
Canva and Figma
9. Canva Master Course 2026 | Design Smarter with Ronny & Diana
Ronny and Diana of Team RonDi, two Canva Verified Experts, teach the most-reviewed Canva course in our catalogue: about 16,500 reviews at 4.6. It runs from the basics through photo editing, brand identity, social media, video, presentations and websites to newer sections on Canva AI and Canva Code, in about 36.6 hours over 204 lectures with practice at the end of each chapter. It was updated in June 2026. Reviewers say it taught them to design as a brand, not just make single posts. Some found the demos too fast for true beginners.
Pros
- Bite-sized lessons and end-of-chapter practice that reviewers say make complex design tasks easy to follow
- Covers branding, social media, video, presentations and websites, so one course handles most business visuals
- Fresh sections on Canva AI, VEO3 and Canva Code, with the last update in June 2026
- Reviewers say it built real confidence and taught them to design as a brand, not just make single posts
Cons
- Pace can feel fast, and some reviewers say the demos are hard to follow for true beginners
- A few reviewers found the delivery boring even though the information was good
- Long at 36.6 hours, and the Canva Apps section alone runs 54 lectures
What students say
Diego GarciaI´ve learned a lot from this course. The teaching was fun, straightforward and simple to understand. I´m using it to improve the quality of my job and I´m very grateful to the teachers : )
Thulile GumedeThis course is giving me so much confidence on using Canva however, I feel sometimes Di is very quick with demonstrations. Overall, the course makes me excited about the skills I will be acquiring
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
10. Figma UI UX Design Essentials
Daniel Walter Scott’s Figma course is the most-reviewed Figma course in our catalogue: about 48,400 reviews at 4.7 and more than 211,000 students. It takes one project from brief and persona through wireframes, colors, type, components and an interactive prototype to developer handoff, with 19 homework assignments, in about 9.5 hours over 95 lectures. It was updated in May 2026. Reviewers credit the pace and the humour. It is essentials only, with short sections on components, variants and auto layout, and the UX theory is light.
Pros
- One project from brief and persona to clickable prototype and developer handoff
- 19 homework assignments that a reviewer says made the material stick
- Last updated May 2026, with a section on Figma Sites
- Experienced Figma users still report picking up shortcuts and tips they didn’t know
Cons
- Essentials only: components, variants and auto layout each get a short section
- The instructor sometimes works through Figma quirks live rather than editing them out
- No quizzes, and UX theory is light next to the Figma tooling
What students say
Eshiotse AhmedHonestly Dan, what you did was awesome, I enjoyed your teachings, although I ran into the same issues with the videos it all still turned out okay. You made it easy to follow, and what i liked the most was the way u showed us more than one way to do this, I believe in flexibility and versatility so it was good. Dope stuff, I loved the course.
Melanie B.Fantastic course. As an experienced Graphic Designer I finally wanted to add UX Design to my Portfolio and therefore learn Figma. Dan has a great way of explaining and the pace of the tutorials were perfect for me. I finished the course with a nice AND functional design. Really enjoyed it, learned a lot. Probably doing the advanced course as well. Can recommend!
Reviews from students, via this course's page on CourseDuck.
Where to go next
Every course above has a full page on CourseDuck with its syllabus, our take and more student reviews; the cards link to them. The rest sit in our graphic design, Photoshop, Illustrator and Figma categories, which rank every course we list by student reviews. Related guides: the best video editing courses if your designs need to move, the best game development courses if you want to put your art in a game, the best photography courses for your own images, and the best digital marketing courses to put them in front of people.
