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AfricanDesigns Academy

Learn Graphic Design. Build Your Creative Future.

Start learning graphic design theory for free. When you are ready for practical training, upgrade to Premium for video tutorials, practice files and hands-on projects in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

  • Free theory, always
  • Beginner to advanced
  • Certificate of completion
Free

Theory & knowledge

Every written lesson, explanation, design principle and knowledge check.

Premium

Practical training

Video tutorials, demonstrations, practice files, projects and instructor feedback.

Courses

Master the three core design tools

Each course takes you from first launch to professional, print-ready work.

All levels
Free theoryPremium practice

Professional Graphic Design with Adobe Photoshop

From your first document to print-ready commercial artwork

Learn Adobe Photoshop from scratch and grow into professional commercial design. You will start by understanding the workspace, resolution and colour modes, then master layers, selections, colour correction and retouching. Intermediate modules cover photo manipulation, typography and advanced non-destructive techniques. Advanced modules teach you to design adverts, posters and campaigns and to prepare files for print and screen. The course finishes with a four-piece portfolio project. All theory lessons are free. Premium adds video demonstrations, practice files and practical assignments.

10 modules26 lessons

Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced

All levels
Free theoryPremium practice

Professional Vector Graphic Design with Adobe Illustrator

Logos, illustration and print-ready brand design

Learn Adobe Illustrator from the ground up and build professional vector design skills. You will begin with vector basics, the workspace, artboards and colour modes, then master the selection, shape and Pen tools. Intermediate modules cover logo design, brand identity systems and advanced illustration techniques. Advanced modules teach commercial design for business cards, packaging and brochures, and professional production and print delivery. The course ends with a complete brand project. All theory lessons are free. Premium adds video demonstrations, practice files and practical assignments.

10 modules23 lessons

Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced

All levels
Free theoryPremium practice

Professional Publication and Layout Design with Adobe InDesign

Magazines, brochures, catalogues and print-ready documents

Learn Adobe InDesign from scratch and become confident at professional page layout. You will start with documents, pages, margins and guides, then master text, styles, images and links. Intermediate modules cover parent pages, grids, tables and advanced typography, and the design of magazines, brochures, catalogues, company profiles and reports. Advanced modules teach interactive documents, automation, preflight and professional print production. The course ends with a publication portfolio project. All theory lessons are free. Premium adds video demonstrations, practice files and practical assignments.

9 modules19 lessons

Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced

How it works

From first lesson to certificate

  1. Step 1

    Enrol for free

    Create your AfricanDesigns account and enrol in any course. No payment needed to start.

  2. Step 2

    Learn the theory

    Work through clear, structured lessons: concepts, terminology, examples, common mistakes and a short quiz.

  3. Step 3

    Go practical with Premium

    Upgrade when you are ready for video demonstrations, practice files, projects and feedback.

  4. Step 4

    Earn your certificate

    Complete a course and its assessments to receive a verifiable AfricanDesigns Academy certificate.

Why learn here

Built to be clear, practical and fair

  • Beginner-friendly: no prior software experience needed
  • Progress saved automatically, so you can pick up where you left off
  • Learn at your own pace on phone, tablet or desktop
  • Plain-language explanations of professional design practice
  • Quizzes with explanations so you know what you have understood
  • Taught by a working design marketplace built for African creatives
Free compared with Premium
What you getFreePremium
Written theory lessons
Knowledge quizzes & progress tracking
Certificate of completion
Video lessons & demonstrations
Downloadable practice files
Practical assignments & projects
Instructor feedback & live sessions*

*Where scheduled or available. A Premium plan never removes your free theory access.

Your first design lesson is free and waiting.

AfricanDesigns Academy is an independent training platform. Adobe, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are trademarks of Adobe Inc. and are used here only to describe the software taught. This Academy is not affiliated with, endorsed by or certified by Adobe. Certificates are certificates of completion issued by AfricanDesigns Academy.