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Online Course Graphic Design

This state-approved online course is ideal for continuing your professional education in graphic and communication design. You will receive practical know-how and feedback from design professionals.

Learn Graphic Design online with OfG – practical and flexible
  • State-approved
  • 100% online – no presence on site
  • Course language: English or German
  • 12 modules that you can complete flexibly
  • 189 Euro per modul
  • Utilization of the German Bildungsgutschein
  • Certified Qualification: Certified Graphic Designer (OfG)
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Study Graphic Design – become a graphic designer!

Has it always been your dream to be creative? Would you like to work as a graphic designer, develop creative concepts, implement ideas and design them yourself?

Studying graphic design means making your own creativity visible and communicating clearly and visually.

More and more companies and service providers are focusing on convincing visual communication and positioning themselves on the market with an unmistakable corporate identity (CI) - and graphic designers play a key role in this.

Graphic designers translate specific orders into concise and easy-to-understand designs. They plan, draft and conceptualize design solutions and accompany the entire process through to the market-ready product.

In this state-approved online course, you will learn to apply basic design principles, create graphic forms, make confident color decisions and use typography skillfully. You will develop logos, brands and image campaigns, screen designs and magazine titles and implement them precisely and professionally.

After successfully completing the course, you will have everything you need to work successfully as a graphic designer.

Turn your vocation into your profession.

Note: If you do not yet have any experience with graphics software, we recommend our online training course Adobe Graphics Software. (course language: German).

Boost your career with the OfG!

Flexible

You can go through the 12 modules of our online learning program flexibly at your own pace. This allows you to complete the course for alongside your job or studies as online further education. This is what we specialize in.

Practical

At the OfG, you will implement practical projects under realistic conditions. Our tasks are specially tailored to the respective areas of communication design. You benefit from the know-how of our experienced specialists.

Updates

The course is continuously updated with current topics.

First class

We have been developing and updating our courses in close cooperation with renowned graphic designers, media designers, marketing experts, design and advertising agencies and international companies since 2010.

100 % online

Lernplattform an der OfG; Grafikdesign

Further your education - when and where you want.

  • The teaching material is available to you completely online. It consists of texts in combination with graphics, examples, exercises, animations and videos that you can call up.
  • There are no live webinars and therefore no set times when you have to be online.
  • You go through the course at your own time and at your own pace, so you have full flexibility in terms of time and location.
  • Our platform can be used via any modern browser on a PC or Mac.

Your guarantee

  • No hidden costs
  • Unconditional price guarantee
  • 14 days money-back guarantee
  • Monthly cancelable
  • Up to 100% eligible for funding
  • Unrestricted access to your learning content
Absolventen Erfolgsquote an der OfG!

Price guarantee: The course fees will not be increased during the contract period of your course. You receive a price guarantee for the entire duration of the course.

14-day right of withdrawal: After your registration, you can test the course for 2 weeks. During this period, you have the option to cancel the booking and receive your money back.

Our monthly cancellation right gives our graduates the flexibility to cancel the course if required, resulting in a 98% completion success rate. This ensures that only highly motivated graduates successfully complete the final project. However, should any difficulties arise, early notification will be given.

Your graphic design coaches for this course:

OfG Dozent Dozentin Marie Steiert, Grafikdesign

Marie Steiert

Lecturer

OfG Dozent Dozentin Svenja Lyon, Grafikdesign

Svenja Lyon

Lecturer

OfG Dozent Dozentin Petra Eberbach, Grafikdesign

Petra Eberbach

Lecturer

OfG Dozent Dozentin Karin Meyer-Haussner, Grafikdesign

Karin Meyer-Haussner

Lecturer

OfG Dozent Dozentin Gundula Schmidt-Moskob, Grafikdesign

Gundula Schmidt-Moskob

Lecturer

OfG Dozent Dozentin Inga Reineck, Grafikdesign

Inga Reineck

Lecturer

OfG Dozentin Jutta Krüger, Grafikdesign

Jutta Krüger

Lecturer

OfG Dozent Dozentin Frauke Swienty, Grafikdesign

Frauke Swienty

Lecturer

OfG Dozentin Christine Kern, Grafikdesign

Christine Kern

Lecturer

OfG Dozentin Monika Meisel, Grafikdesign

Monika Meisel

Lecturer

OfG Dozent Daniel Meier, Grafikdesign

Daniel Meier

Lecturer

OfG Dozentin Katrin Jäger, Grafikdesign

Katrin Jaeger

Lecturer

Modules of the online course Graphic Design

01. Design basics
Graphics and design, What is graphic design, Design disciplines, Communication design, Signs and language, Sign systems, Visual communication, Semiotics, Visual language, Representation and dissemination media, Signs and codes, Image or text, Perspectives, Media design, Visual perception, Constancy phenomena, Principles of perception, Gestalt laws, Visual illusions, forms and elements, form and design, basic visual forms, basic visual elements, proportions, golden ratio, visual weighting, symmetry-asymmetry, optical center, professional practice in graphic design, design processes, visualizing ideas, design phases, working materials, optimizing the workplace, practical exercises, monthly task.
02. Color and color systems
Color and perception, color names, color constancy, black and white color, color and effect, color and culture, color theory, color circles, psychological color effects, complementary colors, hue-saturation-brightness, color contrasts, color harmonies, color in graphic design, color use, color and legibility, color and advertising, Color in visual communication, color management, color conventions, color design strategies, color systems and color spaces (RGB, CMYK, CIE-Lab), color systems, color and device profiles, color profiles, special colors (Pantone, HKS, RAL), colors on the Internet, colors in print, color palettes, practical exercises, monthly task.
03. Image, image processing and photography
Images and perception, images and effect, images and reality, images and power, images and advertising, images in graphic design, image composition, image selection, image sizes, cropping and cropping, image styles, image manipulation, photomontage, advertising and reality, telling stories with images, images and metaphors, authenticity, artificial intelligence (AI) and images, AI image generators, recognizing AI-generated images, image management, image search, image databases, backups, photography in graphic design, photo design, Photography and media, color photography, black and white photography, perspectives in photography, taking photos yourself, image composition, rule of thirds, photo shoot, creative photography, photo pool, photo management, image editing, editing steps, working with layers, cropping, cropping, working with filters, effects and stylistic devices, image resolutions, color depth, vectors (PDF, EPS, SVG) and pixel graphics (TIFF, JPG, PNG, RAW), scanning for screen and print, resolutions, file formats, practical exercises, monthly task.
04. Typography and typeface
Development of type, type and effect, lead typesetting/digital typesetting, legibility criteria, legible design, reading styles, rules of thumb, font classifications (DIN standard), foreign fonts, computer fonts, font anatomy, font families, font styles/fonts, typefaces, font sizes, mixing fonts, the most important fonts for the graphic designer, Helvetica film documentation, typography in design, typography and graphic design, typography and color, typography and advertising, typography and calligraphy, typography and rules, typography as a visual lecture, detailed typography, macro typography, typography and logos, creative typography, font licenses and font management, typographic tips, practical exercises, monthly task.
05. Signs, pictograms and icons

Signs and development, signs and culture, signs and power, signs and semiotics, sign systems, sign classifications, symbol signs, signal signs, information signs, trademarks, pictorial signs, pictograms, pictograms and graphic design, pictograms and effect, international pictograms, creating pictograms, Display areas and types, Conception of pictograms, Orientation systems/signage, ADV, Lufthansa, Deutsche Bahn, Information signs, Traffic signs, Warning and prohibition signs, Icons, Icons and screen design, Icons and uniqueness, Creating icons, Icons and websites, Licenses and administration, Practical exercises, Monthly task.

06. Layout and editorial design

Format, DIN standard formats, grids, design grids, multi-column grids, modular grids, which grid for which design, paper, type area, type area constructions, page elements, margins, inside pages, image design, designing layouts, raw layout, final layout, prototypes, page plan, text and image ratio, layout styles, dynamics and contrast, layout tips, magazine design, Magazine layout, title logo, claims, newspaper design, trade magazines, customer magazines, editing, pilot issue, magazine analysis, magazine cover, editorial, headlines, leads, redesign, ad design (U1-U4), book design, book cover, poster design, brochures, flyers, print production, DTP, offset printing, digital printing, prepress, proof, PDF export, practical exercises, monthly task.

07. Logo design

Logos and trademarks, Historical overview and context, Basic forms, What is a logo? Tasks of the logo, word marks, figurative marks, trademark drawing, figurative marks, word marks, letter marks, numerical marks, trademark protection, international trademarks (IR trademark), analyses of logos, basic structure of the logo, shapes of the logo, formats and positions of the logo, logos and colors, designing logos, tools, Conciseness, reduction, environmental layout, aids, evaluating logos, criteria, format, eye-catcher, recognizability, originality, legibility, form quality, signets, logotypes, redesigns, figures and motifs, key visuals, claims, effects, analyses, redesigns, development, practical exercises, monthly task.

08. Corporate Design

Image, credibility, corporate design, tasks of corporate design, goals of corporate design, the first impression, basic elements, the three goals of corporate design, basic elements, corporate logo, corporate typography, corporate picture, corporate color, corporate pictograms, corporate architecture, corporate fashion, corporate publishing, basic rules, design concept, analysis and development of a corporate design, business stationery (letterhead, business cards, etc.), legal regulations, corporate identity (CI), CI process, CI goals, CI control, CI_instruments, corporate communication (CC), corporate behavior (CB), corporate identity (CI), corporate language (CI), CI_instruments, corporate design (CI). ), legal regulations, corporate identity (CI), CI process, CI objectives, CI management, CI instruments, corporate communication (CC), corporate behavior (CB), corporate language (CL), corporate design manual, corporate sounds, audio branding, design guidelines, best practice: Lufthansa, naming, branding, brand development, brand protection, redesigns, practical exercises, monthly task.

09. Marketing and advertising

How does advertising work? Marketing and graphic design, graphic design as an economic factor, marketing tools (KISS, AIDA, GIULIA), marketing terms, marketing basics, customer relationship management, marketing mix, marketing areas, direct marketing, service marketing, gender marketing, city marketing, guerrilla marketing, marketing tricks, marketing mechanisms, marketing principles, marketing knowledge, appeal categories, Target group-oriented design, social media channels, creating designs for social media posts and stories, design for newsletters, designing ads, ads and posters, ad campaigns, ad analyses, ad design, ad structure, ad formats, ad business, adbusting, product placement, flyer design, banner design, newsletters, authenticity, claims/slogans, practical exercises, monthly task.

10. Screen und Interfacedesign

Screen design, intuition, clarity, conventions, credibility, graphic design and web design, design and coding, conceptualizing and designing websites, guidelines, structure, layout, basic elements, navigation, menu, start page, media elements, details, do's and don'ts, guidelines (User Experience Guidelines, Progressive Disclosure, Consistence, Clear Path to Completion, Good Memory, Minimal Input, Immediate Feedback, Form follows Function, Speaking the User's Language), format selection, overview, technology, HTML basics, CSS basics, home page, subpages, search engine optimization, content, usability, digital advertising, banner design, interface design, mobile devices, microsites, practical exercises, monthly task.

11. Design management

Graphic design and management, self-marketing, attracting attention, generating jobs, winning clients, fee negotiations, competition, competitions, project planning, briefing, re-briefing, de-briefing, research and conception, presentation of creative services, the art of self-presentation, the secret of the portfolio, components, job interviews, time management, priorities, workplace, multitasking, file management, copyright, rights of use, your own design studio, bundling creativity, practical exercises, monthly task.

12. Design history and final project

Design history: Arts and Crafts, Jugendstil (Art Nouveau), Vienna Secession, De Stijl, Suprematism, Constructivism, Bauhaus, New Typography

Final project: Realization of an independent graphic design project from A-Z. Conception, research, management, support, realization.


Graduate gallery of the online course Graphic Design

In each course module, you submit a practical assignment and receive professional feedback.
You can use all the work that you produce within an OfG course for your own portfolio.

That's why the OfG is the right choice for you:

01 / Practical

You will not receive ivory tower knowledge, but up-to-date know-how - from practice, for practice.

02 / Since 2010

We have been passionately developing our online training courses since 2010.

03 / Specialized

We are highly specialized in the field of design and are not a "knowledge supermarket".

04 / State of the Art

The online learning concept enables you to take part in modern, part-time further training.

05 / Flexible

Being independent of location means that the OfG degree program is ideally suited to your life situation.

06 / Your speed

There are no fixed attendance times - you decide when and at what pace you learn.

07 / Professional feedback

We analyze each submitted task and provide you with written feedback.

08 / Individual coaching

Experienced designers are on hand as coaches to help and advise you with all your projects.

09 / Service ❤

You will always receive an individual, personal and prompt answer to all your questions.

10 / Focus

Our training courses are tailored to current professional requirements.

11 / State-approved

All courses are state-approved and therefore guarantee certified quality - Made in Germany.

12 / Multiple award-winning

OfG has been a regular test winner on independent rating portals for many years.

13 / Fair guaranteed

14-day right of withdrawal and monthly termination possible. There are no hidden costs.

14 / Limited course sizes

To ensure personal success, only a limited number of participants will be admitted.

15 / Lifetime access

Permanent access to the current learning content after successful completion of a course.

16 / Certified degree

The OfG certification represents recognized quality and is proof of your skills and knowledge.

Suitable for

  • Career starters who want to work in the creative industry
  • Professionals who want to deepen their knowledge
  • Professionals who want to reorient themselves professionally
  • Marketing managers from industry, services and trade
  • Private individuals who are interested in graphic design
  • Prospective and trained media designers
  • Art and design students who want to gain further qualifications
  • Interns and trainees in advertising and design agencies

Educational goals

  • Professional skills in the field of graphic design
  • Ability to implement your ideas visually and creatively
  • Successful boost or further training in your professional life
  • Create and optimize your digital portfolio
  • Assess external design services confidently and competently
  • Personal development
  • Professional change

Requirements

    • Computer with internet access
    • Passion for creativity and enjoyment of design
    • Basic knowledge of Adobe CC or comparable software

 

  • Note: Drawing skills are not necessary.

Notice

In order to successfully complete the online distance learning course, we require basic knowledge of software such as Adobe CC.

With the OfG confirmation of participation, you can purchase Adobe CC at a reduced education price.

For participants who have little or no experience with Adobe software, we recommend our pre-course Fundamentals of Graphics Software.

You can also use any other alternative graphics software for this course.

 

 

Boost your career with the OfG!

Job profiles

Graphic artist, graphic designer, communication designer, information designer, digital brand designer, content designer, social media content creator, UI/UX designer, screen designer, interface designer, media designer, art director, creative director ...

Time scope

You complete the 12 modules of the online distance learning course flexibly and at your own pace.

The time required for 12 months is around 10 hours per week.

Note: The time requirements must be adhered to within the framework of a grant.

Graduation

Certified Graphic Designer (OfG)

State-
approved

Dieser Online-Fernlehrgang ist von der ZFU staatlich geprüft und zugelassen. (Zulassungsnummer: 7243512)

ZFUStempel2022Grafikdesign_0b7517a7-97de-42d7-b057-f8dff0b3b785

Supported by the German Federal Employment Agency

This distance learning course is certified according to AZAV and is 100% eligible for funding through the education voucher from the Federal Employment Agency.

Our course net ID is: 13995531 (to be provided to the employment agency).

Course fee

189 Euro per module
Fees for the entire distance learning program (12 modules): 2.268 Euro

Guaranteed: No hidden costs, examination fees or anything else. Free breaks if required. 14-day money-back guarantee.


This online course is exempt from VAT due to its state approval by the ZFU.

Course start

1. Juli 2026 

Attention: Limited number of participants

Note: A flexible course start is possible on request.

Boost your career with the OfG!

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