creative writing courses nyc

The Writers Studio

The Original School of Creative Writing and Thinking, est. 1987

Students of all levels welcome

Our original method sets us apart.

Our students have won Pushcarts, a Pulitzer, Emmys, admission to top MFA programs, and too many book and magazine publications to list. Become one of our students!

The Writers Studio was founded by Philip Schultz, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, in 1987

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For over three decades The Writers Studio has been helping students become stronger, more resourceful writers — with more craft at their disposal, more knowledge of what makes a piece of creative writing satisfying to a reader, and more access to the full range of their emotions and imagination.

We have developed our own teaching method, which gives students the opportunity to “try on” many different narrative approaches. In the process of studying and trying out the techniques found in a wide array of published work, students end up discovering their own material and voice. They also find a supportive community of like-minded classmates. The school is flexible enough to meet the needs of students at all levels of experience and commitment. Students can take a single six-or eight-week workshop, or proceed through a series of increasingly challenging classes.

Learn more about us

“The most personal of the programs…”

– The New York Times

News and updates.

The Writers Studio Celebrates Pushcart 2024 [Watch the Video]

The Isabelle Deconinck Scholarship Results Are In

Andrea Marcusa’s “U.S. Threat Forecast” to Appear in Best Microfiction 2024

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The NYU Creative Writing Program

is among the most distinguished programs in the country and is a leading national center for the study of writing and literature.

Graduate Program

The graduate Creative Writing Program at NYU consists of a community of writers working together in a setting that is both challenging and supportive.

Low Residency MFA Workshop in Paris

The low-residency MFA Writers Workshop offers students the opportunity to develop their craft in one of the world's most inspiring literary capitals.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program offers workshops, readings, internships, writing prizes, and events designed to cultivate and inspire.

Spring 2022 Reading Series

The lively public Reading Series hosts a wide array of writers, translators, and editors, and connects our program to the local community.

Creative Writing Program

Low-residency mfa writers workshop in paris, undergraduate, washington square review, literary journal, a sample residency calendar, write in paris, scholarships and grant opportunities, program of study, dates and deadlines, creative writing, recent highlights from the mfa community.

• Alum Bruna Dantas Lobato   won the 2023 National Book Award in translation

• Faculty member Sharon Olds received the Joan Margarit International Poetry Prize from King Felipe VI in July 2023

• Alumni  Tess Gunty  and  John Keene   each won a 2022 National Book Award in fiction and poetry , respectively

• Books by faculty members  Sharon  Olds  and  Meghan O'Rourke;  and alums  Tess Gunty, John Keene ,  and  Jenny Xie  were named finalists for the 2022 National Book Awards; books by alum  Rio Cortez and faculty member Leigh Newman were also longlisted

• Alum  Ada Limón   has been named the nation's 24th Poet Laureate  by the Library of Congress

• Alum  Amanda Larson 's debut poetry collection  GUT  was selected by Mark Bibbins as the winner of the Poetry Society of America Norma Farber Book Award

• Alum  Sasha Burshteyn  was named a 2022 winner of the 92Y Discovery Prize. Alums Jenna Lanzaro and JinJin Xu were also named semi-finalists for the prize.

• Alum Clare Sestanovich was selected as a  2022 5 under 35 Honoree  by the National Book Foundation

• Alum  Maaza Mengiste  was awarded a  2022 Guggenheim Fellowship

• Visiting graduate faculty member  Brandon Taylor 's collection  Filthy Animals  was named a 2021/22  finalist for The Story Prize  and was shortlisted for the  2022 Dylan Thomas Prize

• Alum  Raven Leilani  won the 2021 Clark Fiction Prize, Dylan Thomas prize, the 2020 Kirkus Prize for Fiction and the Center for Fiction 2020 First Novel Prize for her debut novel  Luster,  and was named a finalist for the 2021 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, the Gotham Book Prize, the 2021 PEN/Hemmingway Award for Debut Novel, the 2021 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award

• Alum Desiree C. Bailey 's debut poetry collection  What Noise Against the Cane  was longlisted for the 2022 Dylan Thomas Prize and was also named a finalist for the 2021 National Book Award in Poetry and the 2022 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and was published as the winner of the 2020 Yale Series of Younger Poets

• Senior faculty member  Sharon Olds  was named the 2022 recipient of the Poetry Society of America's Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry

You can read more MFA Community news here and find a list of forthcoming and recently published books by alumni here .   NYU CWP alumni include  Aria Aber, Amir Ahmadi Arian, Julie Buntin, Nick Flynn, Nell Freudenberger, Aracelis Girmay, Isabella Hammad, Ishion Hutchinson, Mitchell S. Jackson, Tyehimba Jess, John Keene, Raven Leilani, Robin Coste Lewis, Ada Limón, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Maaza Mengiste, John Murillo, Gregory Pardlo, Morgan Parker, Nicole Sealey, Solmaz Sharif, Peng Shepherd, Ocean Vuong, Jenny Xie,  and  Javier Zamora. 

Announcements

Ocean Vuong joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Mary Gabriel, Author of “Ninth Street Women”, Receives the NYU/Axinn Foundation Prize

Claudia Rankine joins the NYU Creative Writing Program Faculty

Classic podcasts from the lillian vernon reading series.

Anne Carson

Zadie Smith and Jeffrey Eugenides

Terrance Hayes

Where to find us.

Faculty Spotlight

Darin Strauss is the author of several acclaimed novels, including the most recent The Queen of Tuesday: A Lucille Ball Story.

Katie Kitamura’s most recent novel Intimacies was longlisted for the National Book Award and named a Best Book of 2021 by numerous publications.

Claudia Rankine is a recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Fellowship, and the author of six collections including Citizen and Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.

Jeffrey Eugenides is the author of acclaimed novels The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex, and The Marriage Plot. His latest collection is Fresh Complaint. 

Sharon Olds is a previous director of the Creative Writing Program. Her 2012 collection Stags Leap was awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize and a Pulitzer.

Foer was listed in Rolling Stone's "People of the Year," Esquire's "Best and Brightest," and The New Yorker's "20 Under 40" list.

Terrance Hayes’s most recent publications include American Sonnets for My Past And Future Assassin and To Float In The Space Between.

Hari Kunzru is the author of six novels, including the most recent Red Pill, and White Tears, a finalist for the PEN Jean Stein Award.

Ocean Vuong is the author of the bestselling novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and the poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds.

Learn to Write from the World’s Best Storytellers

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• The Art of Storytelling

What our students are saying

“ One of the top three creative writing classes I have ever taken—and the other two were full semesters’ worth. I’d definitely take any creative writing class or workshop by Jay. His class could easily turn into a TED Talk. He’s a great teacher because his delivery is flawless. He engages the entire class and remembers everyone’s name… devil is in the details. Rob Luciano

“ This class was a revelation. Jay led us through the intricacies and nuances of good storytelling and gave us concrete, actionable ways to work on our own writing. A well-structured curriculum and excellent leadership. Eric Pan

“ Jay was extremely well-versed and presented the class in a fun way. He definitely met my expectations about what I wanted to get out of the course, which was how to write a good story and find a way to engage readers. Jay was very encouraging and understanding of the goals of everyone involved and made it an inclusive atmosphere. Matthew Marin

“ Jay was very personable, curious, and engaged with all the members. He asked great questions, was funny and inspiring at the same time. I highly recommend the class. Patricia Hunter

“ Great use of visuals, audio, and questions to help folks learn about what makes a good story. Engaging with folks in the crowd to help make the lessons more tangible. He has a done a great job distilling what makes good storytelling. Hiren Patel

“ This class was very well-prepared, the presentation delivered with humor and insight. I enjoyed thinking about story (across genres) in a new way, and walked away with several revelations which apply to my writing life, as well as to life in general. Loved the conversational style. I highly recommend Jay's workshop! Jeanine Nicole

“ This workshop was absolutely fantastic. Jay was extremely knowledgable of the components of good storytelling, and along with great media usage he helped connect his students to what truly pulls a reader into a story. Highly recommended! Daniel Ali

“ Jay's class is the perfect place to workshop an essay, short story, screenplay, or anything in between. You can't leave this class without learning at least one new thing about writing, regardless of your writing background or how long you've been pushing the pen. Jay pulls in lessons from movies, novels, and poems. I came out of Jay's class with a creative energy that is rare in my day-to-day. I highly recommend Jay's class for aspiring storytellers of all types! Erica Swallow

Learn How To:

• Find your voice.
• Tell the stories of your life.
• Make your characters relatable.
• Express yourself authentically.
• Get inspired and get started writing.

“A revelation.”

Are you ready to meet your audience, we’ll teach you:.

• how to tap into your truth, find your voice, and tell your story
• the importance of giving your characters desire —even if the character is you and you’re just writing your bio or giving a presentation
• how to create drama, tension, and conflict
• how to build a plot using the principles of story structure
• how to use suspense, surprise, and humor  to hook your readers or audience
• how to express yourself and your personality in an honest, authentic way that will connect with your audience

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Creative Writing Program

The New School invites you to join a community of diverse writers, become part of New York City’s publishing world, and build a network of support on campus and beyond. Our prestigious MFA Creative Writing program is designed to help you develop your writing in supportive workshops and literature seminars led by an internationally recognized faculty and renowned authors.

books published annually by alumni and faculty

annual writing events, including the National Book Awards Finalist Reading

of admitted MFA students awarded merit-based university scholarships (2020–2021)

MFA in Creative Writing

As an MFA student at The New School, you can choose your concentration—in Arts Writing, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Writing for Children and Young Adults—and receive personalized faculty mentorship and faculty and peer critiques. Innovative courses in publishing and multimedia storytelling engage you in the development of literature. Popular graduate minors include Impact Entrepreneurship and Transmedia and Digital Storytelling . Or you can apply to WriteOn NYC! , a New School–funded fellowship program providing MFA students with high-quality teaching experience in area middle schools and high schools. All students benefit from evening classes and events, which enable them to work or attend responsibilities during the day while enrolled in a  full-time program.

Related Programs

In addition to the renowned MFA in Creative Writing, The New School offers other programs and opportunities for writing students. These include noncredit courses and summer intensives, as well as an undergraduate major in the Bachelor’s Program for Adults and Transfer Students, the Writing and Democracy Honors Program, and undergraduate minors in related fields. Summer Writing Intensive Continuing Education Courses Writing & Democracy Honors Program BA in Creative Writing Undergraduate Creative Writing Courses

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The Writer’s Life in NYC

Creative Writing students come to The New School from across the United States and around the world to live the writer's life in New York City. Evenings with agents and editors, offered exclusively for MFA students, provide informal opportunities to meet publishing professionals.

The New School Bookshelf

We are proud to feature books recently published by The New School's Creative Writing community.

Sigrid Nunez, Faculty

Hurricane Child

Kacen callender, mfa '14.

The Impeachers

Brenda wineapple, faculty.

The January Children

Safia elhillo, mfa '15.

Mira Jacob, Faculty and MFA '01

Events & news.

Secrets of Shaping a Series: Jan Carr and Phoebe Yeh

Reading and Conversation: Simone Gorrindo

HYBRID | The 2024 Publishing Triangle Awards

• Adrian Madlener, History of Design and Curatorial Studies ’18, Explores Design Through Writing and Research
• The Vera List Center for Art and Politics Hosts Reading Room Featuring Faculty Books
• Richard Barone, School of Jazz and Contemporary Music Faculty Member, Debuts New Book about Music Scene in 1960’s Greenwich Village
• New Faculty Achievements from Across The New School Include Fellowships, Grants, and More
• Alexandra Kleeman, SPE Assistant Professor of Writing, Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction
• Isaac Butler, School of Drama Faculty Member, Publishes New Book Exploring Method Acting

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To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

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23 Best Creative Writing Classes in New York

Showing 23 courses that match your search.

Tucson Workshop (Mahaffey) - Spring 2024

The Writers Studio

The Writers Studio Tucson Workshop is open to both beginning and experienced writers eager to learn the elements of craft, including first- and third-person narrators, tone and mood. An important goal of the workshop is to help writers understand that a narrative voice is born out of conscious creation.

Website: https://courses.writerstudio.com/courses/tucson-workshop-...

Categories: Fiction and Poetry

Start date:

April, 2024

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Playwriting Workshop Class

The Acting Studio

This class is an exploration of playwriting and its basic fundamentals. Our work is read aloud as a group, followed by discussion, and inspiring new writing of each other. The core focus of the class is on developing your voice as a writer.

Website: https://www.actingstudio.com/acting-classes/playwrights/b...

Categories: Playwriting

Open all year round

Explode, Careen, Compress: Approaching the Poetic Line

Brooklyn Poets

For five weeks, we'll discuss the ways in which poets use the line to different effect. We'll read (and write) poems that deal in compression, poems that suspend time and air, poems that seem to careen off the page, and poems that defy all the poetic "rules" of the line.

Website: https://brooklynpoets.org/workshops/all/writing-desire/

Categories: Poetry

Prerequisites: A writing sample of 5 pages of poems is required.

How to Write a Novel

Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more →

Advanced Business Writing

Career Centers

This course teaches how to craft complex business documents, focusing on outlining, formatting, and using informative and persuasive techniques. It covers everything from determining the document's purpose and audience to planning and execution. Prior business writing proficiency is required, and the course is beneficial for those looking to enhance their professional writing skills​​​​​​.

Website: https://training-nyc.com/courses/advanced-business-writin...

Categories: Business

March, 2024

Prerequisites: Business writing proficiency equivalent to our Effective Business Writing course is required.

Sports Storytelling

The School of The New York Times

This course delves into journalistic techniques to tell compelling sports stories. It includes writing exercises, class discussions, guest speakers, site visits, and attending sporting events. Students learn basic reporting and storytelling skills, focusing on news judgment, researching, and writing articles. The course also features visits to iconic sports locations in New York and lectures from renowned sports journalists​​​​​​.

Website: https://nytedu.com/courses/pre-college/sports-storytelling/

Categories: Sports

Prerequisites: Open to rising 10-12 students.

15-Week Screenwriting Workshop

New York Film Academy

NYFA’s Screenwriting School provides a range of programs for aspiring screenwriters, including degree programs (AFA, BFA, MFA) and workshops. Courses cover various media, like TV, web series, films, comic books, and playwriting. Students gain practical skills and develop a portfolio, with options for both in-person and online learning. Short-term workshops focus on specific skills like comedy writing, TV writing, and feature screenwriting​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://www.nyfa.edu/screenwriting-school/

Categories: Screenplay

Technical Writing Course

Learning Tree International

This course is tailored for individuals seeking to improve their technical writing skills, particularly in technical communication. It covers techniques for planning, writing, and editing technical documents, focusing on audience assessment, document format selection, and effective use of visuals and graphics. The course aims to equip participants with the ability to convey complex subject matter clearly and create informative content for their readers.

Website: https://www.learningtree.com/courses/technical-writing-co...

Categories: Technical

Upright Citizens Brigade

UCB's Improv 101 course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of improv and comedy. It's ideal for those seeking to enhance their performance skills, public speaking, or just have fun. The course includes eight 3-hour sessions, a class show, and free access to UCB shows​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://ucbcomedy.com/courses/?eventtemplate=42-improv-10...

Categories: Comedy

Travel Writing

Gotham Writers

Ideal for beginners, this 10-week workshop delves into travel writing. Participants will engage in lectures, exercises, and student project critiques, gaining a solid foundation in the essential skills and techniques for effective travel writing.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/courses/travel-writing/

Categories: Travel

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing I

Tailored for aspiring writers of science fiction and fantasy, this 10-week workshop covers the basics of the genre. It includes lectures, exercises, and critiques, making it a great starting point for beginners or a refresher for those already familiar with the basics.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/courses/science-fiction-fan...

Categories: Science Fiction and Fantasy

Playwriting I

A 10-week introductory course in playwriting, suitable for beginners. The workshop includes a series of lectures, practical writing exercises, and critiques of student projects, focusing on the fundamental techniques of playwriting.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/courses/playwriting-i/

Memoir Writing I

This 10-week workshop is designed for beginners or those seeking to revisit the basics of memoir writing. It offers a blend of lectures, exercises, and student project critiques, providing a comprehensive introduction to memoir writing.

Website: https://wp.writingclasses.com/courses/memoir-writing-i/

Categories: Memoir and Nonfiction

So you’re looking for creative writing classes in New York

New York is a literary town. From the lauded Nobel Prize winners to the titanic authors that have emerged from New York City, there’s no denying its storied (pun intended) literary history, or the towering role that this city that never sleeps has played in shaping the landscape of our imagination. So there may be no better way to learn the craft of writing than by taking a creative writing class in New York.

This directory of the best writing courses in New York is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

• Who is the instructor?
• What is the price of the writing course?
• How far away is the writing course in New York? Is there a remote alternative?
• How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class in New York for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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Sackett Street Writers

8,000+ creative writers since 2002 in NYC & ONLINE

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Writopia Lab is a national community of teen and young writers and thinkers.

Why We Do This

Because we love authentic writing, thoughtful conversations, stunning prose, and silly madness.

Our Mission

In addition to running workshops at our labs, we work with community-based organizations, the NY Public Library, Homes for the Homeless, and public and private schools across the country.

Testimonials

"Writopia was Abey's first inclusion experience. He was embraced by the community and encouraged to submit his writing for publications and awards. Abey was very happy at Writopia and it gave us the confidence to transition from a private special education school to a NYC public high school. His highest compliment is 'This is just like Writopia.'" Michelle Noris

"Writopia online has been a miracle during the pandemic. The workshops have always been the bright spot in Hugh's week and even more so during this past year. Thank you for continuing to provide a top notch creative outlet!" Jessica Manser

Thursday is Willem’s favorite day of the week! He and several others from their D & D game just chatted with each other on roll20 the other day— love the way this group has bonded. I’m amazed and grateful to know that making friends virtually during a pandemic is totally a thing. Jennifer Robinson

"My daughter loves her class. This is huge - for years, I've been digging for her passion, her fire, and I think we just rubbed two sticks together and got some." A Proud Dad

"I just glanced at Shaylem's essay and was really happy with what you all have helped facilitate for him. I really appreciate the feedback, all of your hard work, and the organization as a whole." Liz Lawler

"Thank you all. One thing I have learned from Covid is what people and activities are really the most meaningful for my child and Writopia is top of the list. Thank you all for creating such an amazing supportive community!!!" L.P.

"I never thought I would say this, but i am soooooo happy that your classes are on Zoom so Robbie can continue to take your classes when we move!!! Thank you so much...I cannot express enough how wonderful Writopia has been for my son..." Shari

"...thanks so much for granting Amira with her first sleepaway camp experience last summer at WriCampia. Amira had an amazing time and wants to attend again this summer... She still talks about her experience at WriCampia to date and keeps in touch with the friends she met. I myself really enjoyed viewing all of the photos, her short story video and fun memories captured! Thanks so much again!" Tanisha, Writopia Parent (Winter 2019)

I absolutely recommend this class. Discussions and readings changed my thinking about how to teach writing... The classes were fun especially the writing games and exercises. I felt like a kid again. NYC DOE educator's evaluation of Writopia Lab's Training Institute

Writopia was really beneficial for students who already see themselves as writers, as it gives them the creative outlet. But it is also great for reluctant writers; they flourish in this type of environment. Teacher, PS 276 in New York City

Intro to College Essay

Sports Writing

New Summer Program: Sports Writing! Explore every form of sports writing from reviews, to features, to op-eds and personal essays.

Teen Open Mics in NYC

Teen writers are welcome to share their poetry, songs, or short prose on stage within a supportive environment of Writopia educators and peers.

Saturday, March 30th, 2024

Writopia Debate Teams

Debaters work with a set team and explore a variety of topics and stances through the use of sparring and gameplay. Novice and Experienced workshops available. Plus, our new "Rhetoric Rookie" workshops are open to 7-9 year olds!

Enrollment for Spring and Summer is Open!

Register now for a trimester-long, weekly workshop this Spring, or a week-long, half-day workshop or full-day camp this Summer!

Middle School Advanced Writing Exploration (AWE)

This application-only program invites 7th and 8th-grade writers to be part of a community of dedicated, focused writers looking to explore, expand, and deepen their literary passions. 

The best graphic design classes and certificates NYC

Graphic design your thing? This is how to put your passion into overdrive

Visual communication is one of the most important aspects of everything from public service to advertising to web development. All of these projects require skilled graphic designers who understand how to create text, images and graphics that communicate and persuade. In these certificates, you can blend your creativity with a touch of technical knowledge as you learn how to use applications like Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign to create stunning and evocative works of art.

Recommended: Best graphic design classes near you Recommended: Best coding bootcamps in NYC

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Top design certificate programs in NYC

Graphic Design Certificate

This Graphic Design certificate program offers immersive training in all three major Adobe graphic design applications: Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. You’ll have the chance to participate in hands-on design exercises and build projects that you can add to your professional portfolio as you learn the advanced skills that graphic designers need. Blend your creative drive with a lot of technical expertise as you edit and manipulate photos in Photoshop, design vector graphics assets in Illustrator, and create striking page layouts using InDesign. In addition to technical skills, you’ll study the fundamentals of design, with lessons covering typography, color theory, and composition, as you build your portfolio with projects like photographs for social media, vector graphic logos, and magazine cover art.

Digital Design Certificate

In addition to working on traditional print media projects, graphic designers are also often tasked with creating assets and layouts for webpages using tools like Figma. In this digital design program, you’ll learn about essential design processes, workflows, and modern aesthetics styles as you craft a portfolio of projects that showcases your artistic voice and skills. You’ll work with industry-standard Adobe design applications (like Illustrator and Photoshop) to create web assets, and you’ll learn  UI design, where you’ll have the chance to create functional and visually stunning web pages.

Motion Graphics Certificate

Dive into dynamic visuals and creative storytelling with this certificate in motion graphics. You’ll learn the ropes of Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite as you explore the art of animation, video editing, and special effects. Craft a captivating motion graphics demo reel highlighting your newfound skills, and you’ll be ready to impress potential clients or employers. From concept to fully animated graphics, you’ll develop a workflow for turning your creative ideas into stunning visuals. Unleash your creativity on projects that will not only teach you the software but also the secrets of crafting eye-catching motion graphics and great-looking special effects.

User Experience Design Immersive

Look to General Assembly for an immersive user experience course will help you gain the skills to tackle intricate user problems and future-proof your career in digital experience design. The growing field of UX design is essential to businesses for driving revenue and product success. This expanded curriculum covers UI design, Agile methodologies, and collaboration with product teams, aligning with today's top hiring priorities. Plus, you'll craft a professional-grade portfolio showcasing your solo, group, and client projects and receive personalized job support to help you ace design interviews and build your brand. This program offers flexible, part-time scheduling so you can train on your own time—nights and weekends included – and be ready to launch your lucrative tech career.

Graphic Design at Pratt

Learn to communicate your message with typography, layout, color, and image. In this course at Pratt, you’ll engage in small, interactive classes with real-time instruction as you master essential skills and Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Use your new skills to create brand design and corporate identity and explore AI and CAD. You’ll learn design for products, exhibitions, fashion, web, UI/UX, photography, and video production. Prepare to launch your new career in graphic design with a certificate from Pratt and a professional design portfolio.

Certificate in Graphic Design at Hunter College

When you complete a graphic design certificate at Hunter College, you’ll have the beginnings of a stunning professional portfolio and be prepared for a career in Graphic Design. This comprehensive certificate consists of 12 courses that provide the theory and hands-on skills you need to succeed as a Graphic Designer. Beginning with the basics of visual communication and design, the course covers essential tools like Adobe Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver, basic coding with HTML, the history and use of typography, and video production using Adobe Premiere and After Effects. You’ll learn to organize and complete a portfolio representing your personality and design capabilities, and you’ll be ready to pursue your dream job in Graphic Design.

Graphic Design Program at Shillington

This immersive design program offers a positive and inspiring learning environment where you’ll prepare for creative success and career growth. In as little as three months, you can be ready to work in the exciting field of graphic design and start earning. Classes mimic a studio environment, where you’ll work with briefs, deadlines, and feedback from peers. You’ll leave with an incredible industry-ready graphic design portfolio and be prepared with technical skills and design thinking. Plus, you’ll join the Shillumni community with access to a global network of industry connections.

Graphic design courses for beginners

Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp

Unlock the magic of Photoshop and transform your images into masterpieces with a focused bootcamp. You’ll delve into the basics and beyond as you learn color correction, photo retouching, and the art of layering. Discover the secrets of removing unwanted elements, making precise selections, and saving your creations for web, video, or print. This course is your passport to Photoshop mastery, from adjusting color and contrast to seamlessly combining images. Along the way, you’ll tackle diverse projects, mastering essential tools like layers, masks, filters, and type.

Adobe InDesign Bootcamp

Dive into the world of design with this bootcamp and unlock the secrets to creating professional page layouts that captivate. This comprehensive class is your gateway to styling text, importing graphics, and utilizing essential techniques like styles and parent pages. InDesign is the ideal tool for crafting visually stunning books, magazines, and ads, and you'll master the art of page layout from start to finish. Make your pages sing with features like paragraph and character styles, parent pages, baseline grid, hyphenation, and tables. Then learn to package files for printing and generate PDFs like a pro. 

Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp

Adobe Illustrator is the industry workhorse for illustrations and vector graphics, but tapping into its impressive capabilities may seem daunting. This bootcamp breaks it down into bite-sized chunks so you’ll quickly master the essential features. You’ll master both basic and advanced features, like the Pen tool, effects, layers, and masks. Illustrator is ideal for crafting eye-catching logos, icons, and packaging, this course is your ticket to mastering Illustrator's vast potential. From logos to patterns and packaging to type, unleash the vast capabilities that await you. You'll explore Illustrator’s diverse capabilities and create numerous graphics throughout the course. Plus, you’ll get a handle on making the most of the Pen tool and learn ways to create complex shapes more easily. You’ll be able to put these techniques to work for any kind of graphic, whether for web, video, or print.

Figma Bootcamp

Figma is one of the most popular collaborative user interface design applications on the market. Learning how to use this browser-based tool can be an effective way to jumpstart a user interface or user experience design career because Figma is often utilized for a wide range of digital design projects. This course will help students learn the essentials of the Figma interface, building reusable components and styles, then using Figma’s prototyping features so you can test and iterate on a working version of you design. You’ll get hands-on experience working with Figma to build real-world, practical designs and prototypes that you can add to your design portfolio.

Figma Masterclass

Figma makes pro-level graphics fast and easy. In this course, you’ll cover all the content of the Figma Bootcamp plus get extra lessons covering Figma's advanced features. Master the versatile features of Figma, such as designing in light-mode and dark-mode, and explore advanced prototyping features. For example, you’ll learn to mock up a working shopping cart that calculates totals and keeps track of which items are in the cart. This class provides the hands-on experience and training you need to start using Figma in your professional design work.

Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp

Build a career in the dynamic world of graphic design with this career-focused bootcamp. You’ll gain hands-on experience, broaden your design knowledge, and build a killer portfolio. This course focuses on design concepts and assumes you have prior familiarity with Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Throughout the bootcamp, you'll complete multiple portfolio projects like logos, social media graphics, stationery, book/eBook covers, album covers, event posters, and email announcements. Expect interactive critiques and instructor feedback to elevate your work. When you take this Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp along with Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, you’ll earn a New York State-licensed Certificate in Graphic Design.

Beginner AutoCAD

Tackle the ins and outs of AutoCAD with a beginner-friendly AutoCAD course at NYIM. You’ll unlock the secrets of AutoCAD's fundamental commands and tools with live, in-class instructors guiding you every step of the way. Dive into the world of drawing creation using various shapes and techniques. This course is perfect for beginners or those with limited AutoCAD experience. You'll master essential commands and unleash your drawing abilities.

AutoCAD Bootcamp

An intermediate AutoCAD course is a great option if you’re an experienced user and you just need a little more AutoCAD training. However, if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll want a program that begins with the basics of this complex program. NYIM’s AutoCAD Bootcamp provides both, combining all of the lessons in the beginner and intermediate AutoCAD classes. You’ll learn key skills like drawing shapes and figures with the pen tool and working with advanced object types. Plus, you’ll master advanced interface techniques and learn how to create data tables for your designs. This course is perfect for anyone looking to become familiar with the professional uses of AutoCAD.

AutoCAD Masterclass

If you want to learn more than just the basics of AutoCAD, you can enroll in the immersive AutoCAD Bootcamp at NYIM. This course provides students with a complete AutoCAD education. It includes enrollment in the beginner, intermediate, and advanced AutoCAD courses, meaning that even if you have no experience with AutoCAD, you can enroll in this course and be an expert in only a few weeks of training. The course covers everything from basic drawing to the kinds of advanced 3D model work that AutoCAD professionals utilize. Once you complete this masterclass, you’ll be ready to tackle your AutoCAD certification exam.

Photoshop in a Day

Launch your journey into Photoshop with this quick class covering all the basics to get you started. This course is perfect for beginners craving quick wins to start editing photos and creating designs in Photoshop. You'll start practicing the art of retouching so you can banish unwanted elements. Learn to make selections to change the parts of an image you want to. Plus learn about the best file formats to save files for print or web. In class you’ll be enhancing photos and crafting dazzling graphics. This six-hour sprint is tailored for those using Photoshop casually, offering a swift start for busy schedules—just one day (or two nights) unlocks a world of creative possibilities.

Illustrator in a Day

Learn to craft vector graphics that you can scale for every use in this express Illustrator class. In this class, you’ll dive into creating sleek vector graphics. Learn about the mighty Pen tool, conjure lines and curves, paint with colors, and navigate the art of layering. In a swift six-hour burst, you'll start using the Pen tool to sketch straight lines and curves, creating shapes with Illustrator’s vector tools, using colors, layers, image tracing, and beyond. This course is ideal for Illustrator enthusiasts on a tight schedule—just one day (or two nights) unlocks a world of graphic design possibilities.

InDesign in a Day

Unleash your inner designer at warp speed with this intensive one-day course. You’ll delve into the essentials of page layout, typography, and image. Whether you're a beginner or seeking to refresh your skills, this class lays a rock-solid foundation in InDesign. Dive into the art of crafting visually stunning pages with text and graphics, and learn to command typography, seamlessly add photos, and conjure vibrant colors. This six-hour design workshop is tailored for InDesign enthusiasts with tight schedules—just one day (or two nights) separates you from design prowess.

Adobe Photoshop Level I

Level up your image manipulation skills with this introductory course at Manhattan Edit Workshop. Whether you're a producer, editor, assistant editor, or motion graphic artist, this two-day class will equip you with essential Photoshop skills. Learn about the Photoshop workspace, tools, project planning, workflow, basic photo correction, retouching, and restoration, and master the art of layers, masking techniques, and channels. This skill-boosting experience will have you unleashing your creativity with confidence in no time.

Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

Learn the essential skills to edit, create, and manipulate images in Adobe Photoshop at the New York School of the Arts. You’ll crank up your creative potential as you learn to manipulate images using this industry-standard software. Whether you're an artist, designer, or photographer, Adobe Photoshop is your go-to tool for graphics and image editing. Throughout this course, you'll cover the basics and delve into advanced features, ensuring you're equipped to handle the most essential tasks and extract maximum value from the program. 

Adobe Lightroom for Beginners

This bootcamp is designed to get beginning photographers and artists up and running quickly.  You’ll learn to work with the digital workflow in Lightroom and quickly edit photos for whatever use you need them for, whether that’s applications, grants, exhibitions, websites, or social media. You’ll master importing/exporting images, organizing and sizing files, and using editing tools to bring your visuals to life. Elevate your photography game and make your creativity shine with the Lightroom skills you learn in this class.

Adobe Photoshop Level II

Learn the advanced capabilities of Adobe Photoshop in this course at Manhattan Edit Workshop. You’ll discover the full design potential of Photoshop using typography, vector drawing, advanced layers, and the art of compositing. You’ll build on the fundamentals of Photoshop Level 1 and take your Photoshop skills to the next level. This class is tailored for producers, editors, and motion graphic artists who want to make the most of Photoshop.

High school graphic design classes in NYC

Graphic Design Summer Program NYC

Spend your summer becoming a master of graphic design tools and theory at NextGen BootCamp. In this course designed especially for high school students, you’ll master essential Adobe applications including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, and you’ll learn the theories behind graphic design. This course offers you the chance to work on exciting, real-world design projects that bring theory to life. In the Photoshop segment, you’ll learn about retouching photos, merging images, and crafting graphics for the web. The InDesign section covers everything from creating page layouts with text and graphics to threading text frames and defining colors. Finally, master Illustrator and craft pro-level graphics using the Pen tool, Effects, and Layers. You’ll finish the course with a portfolio for college applications or a job search.

UX & UI Design Summer Program NYC

Learn the secrets of crafting user-friendly apps and websites. This summer program is your gateway to mastering both UI (user interface) and UX (user experience) design. It focuses on using Figma, a powerful prototyping app. You’ll begin by exploring UI design fundamentals and how to use shared visual language and standard patterns. Then, you’ll learn about UX design concepts and how to create user personas, scenarios, and journey maps. Figma’s clickable prototypes bring your ideas instantly to life. By the end of the course, you’ll showcase your UX & UI design skills in a glowing portfolio.

Graphic Design Summer Program Live Online

This design program delivers real-time guidance and interactive learning, all online. You’ll master essential skills in Adobe Photoshop, like photo retouching, image blending, and web graphics. Delve into the power of Adobe InDesign and learn to craft page layouts with text, images, and multi-page documents. You’ll sharpen your ability in Adobe Illustrator and explore a range of graphic creation techniques, from drawing tools to typography and color palettes. By the end of the program, you’ll emerge with a solid foundation in graphic design fundamentals, a polished portfolio, and skills ready for the real world.

Graphic design corporate training for groups

Group design 2.

Get training in core design principles for your team. These interactive sessions are specifically designed for teams looking to enhance their design skills in Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop or Adobe InDesign. Schedule a workshop that enhances your team’s skills and fosters a collaborative and creative team spirit.

Graphic Design Certifications in NYC

Adobe Illustrator Certification Program

Master basic to advanced Illustrator skills and earn certification as an Adobe Illustrator Professional in this comprehensive program at Noble Desktop. You’ll learn to confidently craft stunning vector graphics, logos, and illustrations under the guidance of expert instructors who are available to answer questions and provide constructive feedback. An integral part of the program is an additional six hours of private tutoring, where you’ll be able to work through advanced topics in detail and overcome any challenges you might be facing. When you’ve completed the program, you can take the Adobe Illustrator Certification exam. Certification in Illustrator will enhance your career prospects and validate your software expertise.

Adobe InDesign Certification Program

Unlock new career opportunities as a certified Adobe InDesign Professional with this comprehensive certification program. Throughout the course, you'll master the art of creating great-looking layouts for projects like magazines, brochures, and books. Expert instructors lead your interactive classes, where you'll receive immediate feedback and collaborate with peers to enhance your skills. You'll have six hours of personalized tutoring sessions to address any challenges and reinforce your understanding of InDesign concepts. When you complete the course, showcase your expertise by taking the Adobe InDesign Certification exam.

Adobe Photoshop Certification Program

If you’re ready to elevate your Photoshop expertise and become a certified Adobe Photoshop professional, this program will help you prepare for your exam and your exciting new career. In a few short weeks, you can excel in digital imaging and graphic design. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, expert instructors will guide you through essential Photoshop techniques and advanced design principles in engaging live lessons. This course features two intensive Photoshop classes, six hours of personalized private tutoring sessions, and exam preparation resources. When you complete the program and pass the Adobe Photoshop Certification exam, you'll stand out in the competitive fields of graphic design and photography.

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