Online Course Graphic Design
The state-approved graphic design online training courses for anyone who is looking for professional further education in graphics. Our courses of study are the ideal choice for practical and creative design, learning relevant skills and obtaining constructive feedback from design professionals.
Study graphic design - a dream job!
Has it always been your dream to be creative? Would you like to work as a graphic designer, design creative concepts, implement ideas and design yourself?
More and more companies see that paying attention to design is an important means of maintaining a competitive edge. Graphic designers play a key role in this area. The task of a graphic designer and the aim of this course is to communicate visual language clearly and intelligibly.
The OfG online course in graphic design is a state approved, extended vocational training distance learning course in graphics. Our courses open up the spectrum of knowledge covering all relevant design and graphic design topics to participants in a comprehensive and understandable manner.
The OfG offers a state approved training course of study in graphic design and communication design. The graphic design online training courses are tailored to current professional requirements and oriented towards practical applications. Basic skills and design-related applications are explained clearly and with an emphasis on practical graphics work.
All course work is carefully tailored to the specific area of knowledge currently under investigation. To this end, we draw on the resources of a large pool of professional graphic designers, media designers and design agencies. This means that OfG students receive top quality practical material and valuable information at first hand from experienced specialists who are permanently in touch with the topic area concerned.
After successful completion, you will have everything in hand to work successfully as a graphic designer.
Turn your vocation into your profession.
Study graphic design and kickstart your creative career!
Flexible
You can complete the 12 modules of the distance learning program flexibly at your own pace. So you can complete the course for Graphic Design alongside your job or studies as an online continuing education. This is what we specialize in.
Practical
At OfG you will implement practical projects under realistic conditions. Our assignments are specifically geared to the respective areas of communication design. You benefit from the know-how of our experienced specialists.
First class
Since 2010, we have been developing and updating our courses in close cooperation with renowned graphic designers, media designers, design and advertising agencies and international companies.
Your graphic design coaches for this course
Marie Steiert
Lecturer
Sina Cristiano
Lecturer
Petra Eberbach
Lecturer
Frauke Swienty
Lecturer
Gundula Schmidt-Moskob
Lecturer
Karin Meyer-Haussner
Lecturer
Inga Reineck
Lecturer
Svenja Lyon
Lecturer
Curriculum of our Graphic Design online training course
Formats, grids, design grids, multi-column grids, module grids, which grid for which design?, paper, type area, type area constructions, page elements, page margins, inside pages, image design, layout design, raw layout, final layout, prototypes, page plan, text/image ratio, layout styles, dynamics and contrast, layout tips, magazine design, magazine layout, title logo, claims, newspaper design, specialist journals, customer magazines, editing, pilot issue, magazine analysis, magazine cover, editorial, headlines, leads, redesign, designing advertising (cover pages), book design, book covers, poster design, brochures, flyers, printing, DTP, offset printing, digital printing, pre-press stage, proof, PDF export, practical exercises, monthly assignment.
Logos and brands, historical overview and context, basic forms, what is a logo?, tasks of a logo, wordmarks, image signs, trade marks, letter signs, number signs, brand protection, international signs (IR trade marks), analysis of logos, basic logo structure, logo forms, logo formats and positions, logos and colours, designing logos, tools, conciseness, reduction, surrounding layout, aids, assessing logos, criteria, format, eye-catchers, recognizability, originality, legibility, form quality, signets, logotypes, redesigns, figures and motives, key visuals, claims, effects, analyses, redesigns, development, practical exercises, monthly assignment.
Image, credibility, corporate design, tasks of corporate design, purpose of corporate design, the first impression, basic elements, the three aims of corporate design, base elements, corporate logo, corporate typography, corporate picture, corporate colour, corporate pictograms, corporate architecture, corporate fashion, corporate publishing, basic rules, design concept, analysis and elaboration of corporate designs, business 'equipment' (letterheads, visiting cards etc.), legal regulations, corporate identity (CI), CI process, CI aims, CI management, CI instruments, corporate communication (CC), corporate behaviour (CB), corporate language (CL), corporate design manual, corporate sounds, audio branding, design guidelines, best practice: Lufthansa, name generation, branding, brand development, brand protection, redesigns, practical exercises, monthly assignment.
How does advertising work? Marketing and graphic design, graphic design as an economic factor, marketing tools (KISS, AIDA), marketing terms, marketing basics, customer relationship management, marketing mix, marketing areas, direct marketing, service marketing, gender marketing, city marketing, guerilla marketing, marketing tricks, marketing mechanisms, marketing principles, marketing knowledge, stimulus categories, target-group oriented design, using Google Ads, advertisements and posters, advertising campaigns, advertising analysis, advertisement design, advertisement structure, advertisement formats, advertising business, adbusting, product placement, flyer design, banner design, newsletters, authenticity, claims/slogans, practical exercises, monthly assignment.
Screen design, intuition, clarity, conventions, credibility, graphic design and web design, design and coding, drafting and designing websites, guidelines, structure, layout, basic elements, navigation, menu, home page, media elements, details, dos and don'ts, guidelines (user experience guidelines, progressive disclosure, consistency, clear path to completion, good memory, minimal input, immediate feedback, form follows function, speaking the user´s language), choice of format, overview, technology, HTML basics, CSS basics, home page, sub-pages, search engine optimization, content, usability, digital advertising, banner design, social media channels, newsletter design, interface design, mobile end devices, microsites, practical exercises, monthly assignment.
Graphic design and management, marketing yourself, being noticed, generating jobs, customer acquisition, negotiating fees, the competition, competitions, project planning, briefing, re-briefing, de-briefing, research and draft, presentation of the creative content, the art of self-presentation, the secret of the folder, contents, interview, time management, priorities, workplace, multitasking, file management, copyright, usage rights, your own design studio, concentrating creativity, practical exercises, monthly assignment.
History of design: Arts and Crafts, Jugendstil (Art Nouveau), Vienna Secession, De Stijl, Suprematism, Constructivism, Bauhaus, New Typography
Final project: Execution of an independent graphic design project from A-Z. Conception, research, management, supervision, implementation.
In each course module, you will submit a practical assignment and receive professional feedback on each.
All the work you create within an OfG course can be used for your own portfolio.
Suitable for
- Beginners and advanced learners in graphic design who like to join an online training study, to extend their skills and knowledge
- People who are already employed and who want to learn more
- People who are already employed and who want to reorientate themselves
- People with product responsibility in industry, service provision and trade
- People entering the employment market who are looking for creative openings in graphics
- People who are interested in graphic design for personal reasons
- New and established media designers
- Arts and design students who would like to improve their skills
- Interns and trainees in advertising and design agencies
Educational objectives
- Competence in the field of graphic design and visual communication
- Successful start in or continuation of professional work
- Capacity to implement ideas visually and creatively
- Innovative graphics skills, ability to face competition
Requirements
- Computer with internet access
- Creative enthusiasm, mental agility, passion for creating things
- Basic knowledge in graphics programs (image editing, layout, illustration)
Please note
Our graphic design online training courses are designed to be independent of specific software, and you can complete them using practically any graphics software. It is not a software tutorial.
To successfully complete the online distance learning course, we require a basic knowledge of software such as Adobe CC.
With your OfG certificate of attendance, you can purchase Adobe CC at discounted education prices.
You can also use any other alternative graphics software for this continuing education.
Study graphic design and kickstart your creative career!
Career options
Graphic designer, graphic artist, media designer, communication designer, information designer, web designer, screen designer, interface designer, UX/UI designer, art director, creative director, marketing director ...
Time required
You complete the 12 modules of the online distance learning course with approx. 8 - 10 hours per week (can be flexibly scheduled as required).
The time required for 12 months is approximately 10 hours per week. This corresponds to a workload of approximately 15 ECTS.
You can also complete your OfG course ahead of the planned schedule. To do this, you can have the individual course modules enabled separately, so you can proceed at your own pace.
Your guarantee
Graduation
Certified Graphic Designer
State approved
Our online courses are approved by the German national agency for distance learning (Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht, ZFU).
This certifies that course content is complete, correct and appropriately presented to ensure that you can achieve your educational goal (Approval number: 7243512).
Course fee
149 EUR per module
In case of one-time payment of the whole course fees (12 modules / total: 1,788 EUR).
Course price in case of monthly payment: 159 Euro
Course start
Attention: Limited number of participants
Study graphic design and kickstart your creative career!
Flexible
100% online, no attendance requirements, no on-campus examinations. No fixed learning times. You decide when you want to learn.
Focused
The course of study is tailored to current professional requirements and oriented towards practical applications.
Feedback
We review and analyze every task submitted and will provide you with comprehensive written feedback and constructive suggestions for improvement.
Your Pace
You can also complete your OfG course faster than normal. To do this, you can have the individual course modules enabled separately, so you can proceed at your own pace.
Fast Development
Specific assignment design, practical knowledge, current know-how and support from seasoned professionals – those are the ingredients that add up to genuinely useful training courses.
Lifelong Access
Lifelong access to learning content after completion. The OfG learning content is updated regularly.
Testimonials
Study graphic design and kickstart your creative career!
✓ 100% online
✓ No attendance requirements
✓ No on-campus examinations
✓ No fixed learning times
✓ ISO-9001 certified
✓ State approved
✓ Free breaks at any time
✓ Longlife access & updates
✓ Made in Germany