Next year I want to put a lot of my efforts into Graphic Design and maybe switch into that field or something like it.

Any suggestions on how to get started learning graphic design and art basics?

Adobe illustrator

any suggestions on a course?

what are you into? product design? ui/ux? media?

product and web design.
but interested in also making marketing designs for companies

Find any basic intro course on fundamentals of design.
Do as many lil many projects that cover those concepts.

Then watch or learn from the futur on youtube on more surface level design knowledge creeping into the marketing aspect.

This can be done in like a month if you push it.

Product design is a different beast.

Web design can be done with simply learning a lil about web builders where you can build the front end.

Which is different from web building with hard code.

For product and web design, and general marketing, probably learn Figma. Maybe Illustrator and InDesign if you're doing print or want to make your own graphics from scratch.

Obviously the basics like typography and fundamentals of design beforehand.

As an ex-graphic designer, I would heavily persuade you NOT to change fields though - keep it a hobby and do it on the side once you get enough experience.

Graphic, product and Web Design are three completely different careers. A good Graphic Designer will have a longer career while the Product Designer will make more money early on.

If you’re good or interested in illustration and typography I would say try creating a poster every single day. Also get into photography and video.

Any specific courses you recommend for learning the fundamentals of design?

Do you think Product Design won't last for awhile?

Appreciate the advice. Why do you suggest not getting into web or graphic design?

I'm currently miserable at my current job and don't enjoy the work in my field. I enjoy designing and making art

Design Systems and AI are already taking jobs from Product Designers. There’s a lot more flexibility in Graphic Design, you just have to be willing to learn different skills. Visual, 3D, and UI design (great example is EV dashboards) are things you can put your finger and name on.

My advice to you is focusing on working extremely hard but being involved in projects that will give you recognition and make yourself a living; like saying you helped redesign a big logo, or creating interfaces for Tesla, or even your favorite artist album cover. There’s a wide range of possibilities with Graphic Design, including being involved with Product & Web Design as Graphic Designer.

Godspeed.

Another big tip, especially as a self-learner, is to find things and then "copy" them. Mainly because you'll find yourself reverse-engineering and working backwards using tools or techniques you might have not normally used.

Design is cool, it's easy to romanticize, but real world design can be brutal and you have to REALLY love it to push through the grind. People don't value design and with AI continuing to gain steam, even less than ever. Like graphic designers use to just be that but now the role is so general and a bunch of roles rolled up into one without the pay reflecting it.

Not saying it's all doom and gloom, and there aren't good design jobs, but realistically and statistically speaking it's tough. That's why I advocate to keep it as a hobby and grow at your own pace that way you have something to fall back on or keep you steady throughout your design journey.

Not really since I took college classes on that. Plus I had some design help learning how to draw as my hobby.

Any course on udemy or online class can work fine. It's all the same principles with the rules. The style and different approach comes with the software or designers you enjoy.

Research about Paul Rand if you want a classic style of American graphic design inspiration.

@op

This. My role now is basically creative director in a small company since I have branding knowledge, social media content creation, some small marketing, and web design knowledge. Unless you really grind out your technical skills to beat 99% of designers then you have to learn these additional topics

Envato Tuts on YouTube has a pretty good series on learning Adobe products, with files you can downlod to follow along with

essential book but there are probably courses about it if you prefer videos

create something you enjoy.

for example i learned how to video edit because i loved the weeknd’s music, i would create small visuals & that helped me learn the programs & get comfortable with everything.

also youtube tutorials also help a ton !!!

What do you do now ?

Watch a lot of videos, read a lot of books and put time into building your portfolio.

Look at the jobs you want, read the description and work on creating the kind of work they're looking for.

Learn the history, different styles, pioneers in design. Don't just stop there, look for inspo in other places such as museums, movies, etc. Learn to refine your taste.

I'm self taught so I learned everything by video and trial & error. Do challenges that force you to create every day. Watch a lot of videos to understand the craft. Graphic design is basically problem solving.

Just copy everything Braulio Amado does

hit the gym and drink more water

have you tried youtube?

Go live in the mountains and wrestle a bear

man

this gives me ptsd flashbacks of when I was a “designer” at my last job but really I did a little of everything - even IT

one of worst parts was my coworkers not on my team would ALWAYS ask “so… what do you do all day?” like I just sat for an hour or two to make pretty pictures and then called it a day