As one of the fastest-growing fields on the market today, graphic design provides 14- to 18-year-olds with the opportunity to show off their tech and design skills in fast-paced and exciting careers.
Thankfully, high schools, colleges, universities, and private education firms provide graphic design courses for teens your child can use to become a skilled graphic designer.
Learning Graphic Design in School
These days, many high schools provide graphic design courses for students aged 14-18. Typically, these courses are part of a school’s art or technology offerings, usually as electives. Often, they replace basic typing or computing classes in many schools to provide real benefits for today’s modern tech-obsessed students. These (and other computer science) courses cover:
- Fundamentals of Design: Basics subjects like color theory, typography, and layout help a student get started in graphic design. All your teen’s work will originate from these core skills, so mastering them early ensures better learning results.
- Software Skills: Your teen will likely learn to use industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign in their courses. These programs utilize hands-on learning concepts and make it easier to produce attractive artwork.
- Project-Based Learning: Most courses use activities that mimic real-world graphic design projects, such as creating logos, posters, and digital illustrations. In this way, your teen can build an active and exciting portfolio of useful work to show off.
These classes provide a strong foundation in the technical and creative aspects of graphic design, preparing students for further education and careers in the field. For tech-oriented teens, graphic design lessons for teenagers an amazing way to prepare for an advanced design career.
Learning Graphic Design Outside of School
Students can try things like after-school programs held by their school or other institutions for additional learning opportunities beyond the classroom. These graphic design programs for teens often focus on specific skills or projects, providing more personalized attention and instruction. Your teen may prefer this option if they like staying busy during the school year and don’t play sports.
Otherwise, they can try summer graphic design bootcamps for high schoolers, such as those offered by NextGen Bootcamp. These courses let your teen dive deep into graphic design, often with a focus on portfolio development and professional skills. Older teens with a driver’s license (gulp) may enjoy these courses because they can attend them in person and leave the house.
Why Learn Graphic Design as a High School Student?
Graphic design classes for high schoolers offer several significant benefits for high school students. For example, your teen might learn new artistic skills to develop their abilities and learn how to communicate visually. Within these abilities, your teen will also learn technical skills (such as proficiency in design software), which they can use in many other jobs after graduating.
Even better, your courses can provide your teen with a background in graphic design that can enhance a student's portfolio and improve their chances of admission into competitive design programs. After graduating, they’ll also expand their job options, as graphic design skills are in demand in various industries, including advertising, publishing, and digital media.
Topics in Graphic Design Education
Graphic design education provides your teen with backing in several important concepts, including web design, UX and UI design, and even animation. Mastering early lessons (including the most basic design theories) and more complex ideas — like text and image layout — can help your teen transition more easily into a rewarding career in these fields.
Beginner-Level Concepts
Your teen starts by learning balance, contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity while working with graphic design tools, such as Adobe Photoshop, to ensure they understand this subject. As they move on to more complex ideas, they’ll study advanced design techniques like motion graphics and interactive design (perfect for web development courses in college).
As they advance, they might learn about developing visual identities for brands and understanding how these elements translate across media, as well as practice user experience (UX) design. An introduction to designing with the user in mind can improve the usability of a business’ products and services and help you transition to a fascinating career in many fields.
NextGen Bootcamp Programs
NextGen Bootcamp provides specialized graphic design bootcamps for high school students that prepare them for various graphic design careers. Set in New York City (with online courses available elsewhere), these programs can transition your teen from amateurism to a professional-level understanding of graphic design and related fields (like web design) before they start college.
Graphic Design Summer Program NYC
Graphic Design Summer Program NYC is located in New York City. This comprehensive course uses expert instructors who provide real-world projects between 10 and 4 that can help your teen master graphic design concepts. Note: it’s available online if you’re outside the Big Apple.
Digital Design Summer Certificate NYC
Digital Design Summer Certificate NYC gives your teen the skills needed for graphic design, UX/UI careers, and more. They’ll study Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as well as Figma in extensive courses with exciting portfolio-based activities they’ll love doing.
UX & UI Design Summer Program NYC
UX & UI Design Summer Program NYC teaches your child UX and UI design skills, focusing heavily on making user interfaces and products more efficient and appealing. It’s a huge and well-paying market, so it’s a great class if you think your child would thrive in this field.
AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
While there isn’t a specific AP exam for graphic design, the AP Studio Art: 2-D Design course is relevant, as are other courses suited more to coding, animation, and other related fields. It allows students to explore graphic design within the parameters of the AP portfolio requirements and can help your teen become a skilled designer. As a result, success in graphic design bootcamps for teenagers are very beneficial.
For example, many colleges accept AP Studio Art scores for credit, reducing your teen’s future course loads. These programs highlight students' graphic design commitment and skill levels to prospective schools, improving your child’s opportunities. Even better, building a strong portfolio through AP courses can also aid in securing internships and jobs in the graphic design field and help a teen become a more skilled and expert graphic designer before and after college.