sometimes the best way to learn something is by seeing it in action.
That’s why I’m a huge fan of YouTube tutorials.
They’re a fantastic way to pick up new skills and techniques especially in the world of design.
And the YouTube design scene is absolutely booming! There are channels for every level from absolute beginners to seasoned pros.
The Design Channels You Need to Subscribe To
So I thought I’d share some of my favorite YouTube channels that I think every designer should check out.
These channels offer a mix of tutorials inspiration and insights into the design world.
I’ve even broken them down by category to make it easier to find the perfect channel for you.
UX & UI Design
Let’s start with UX and UI design two areas that are constantly evolving.
Here are a few channels that will keep you up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques:
1. Mike Locke: This guy’s channel is a goldmine for UX designers. He dives deep into the nitty-gritty details of UX design but also covers broader topics like career advice and creative inspiration. If you’re looking for a channel that’s both practical and thought-provoking Mike is your man. He’s got tons of videos on things like user research information architecture and usability testing. And if you’re feeling stuck in a creative rut his videos on design thinking and problem-solving are sure to spark some new ideas.
2. Charli Marie: Charli’s channel is a great resource for both beginners and more experienced designers. She covers everything from basic design principles to advanced web development techniques. Her playlists are organized by topic so you can easily find the information you need. I’m a big fan of her videos on color theory typography and visual hierarchy. She also does a lot of tutorials on tools like Figma and Adobe XD. If you’re looking for a channel that’s comprehensive and easy to navigate Charli’s is a must-subscribe.
3. Flux: Ran Segall’s channel Flux is all about helping designers become successful creative professionals. He covers a wide range of topics from web design and brand strategy to specific design case studies. Ran’s videos are always packed with valuable insights and practical advice. One of the things I love about Flux is the focus on design thinking and the process of solving design problems. Ran also does a great job of breaking down complex design concepts into easy-to-understand terms.
4. Chunbuns: Christine Chun’s channel is a little bit different. It’s a mix of UX design tips fashion and beauty content. But even though it’s not strictly design focused her UX and career advice are excellent. I’ve found her videos on finding a UX design job building a strong portfolio and staying motivated to be incredibly helpful.
5. Maddy Beard: Maddy Beard’s channel focuses on UI/UX design in the wellness space but her content is relevant to anyone working in UX. She covers everything from user research and prototyping to design trends and the latest UX tools. Maddy’s videos are also very inspiring and she often shares her personal journey as a designer. I really appreciate her emphasis on mindfulness and how it relates to UX design.
6. Teela Cunningham: Teela’s channel is all about Adobe Illustrator Photoshop and hand lettering. She caters to all skill levels so whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro there’s something for you here. Teela’s tutorials are clear concise and easy to follow. She also offers tons of tips and tricks to help you improve your skills.
7. Rob Hope: Rob’s channel is a great resource for anyone interested in web design and landing page optimization. He offers a mix of tutorials design critiques and inspirational content. Rob’s videos are always informative and entertaining. I’m a big fan of his videos on UI design trends A/B testing and website accessibility.
8. Tyler Moore: If you’re a designer who wants to learn how to build and design websites without any coding experience Tyler’s channel is for you. He offers free video lessons that walk you through the entire process step by step. Tyler’s tutorials are incredibly comprehensive covering everything from choosing a domain name to setting up your hosting. He also has a fantastic video on how to create a WordPress site.
9. Alexa: Alexa created her channel to help people learn more about product design. She has tons of videos about the product design process user research and prototyping. Alexa also talks about what it’s like to work as a product designer in the tech industry.
10. Bring Your Own Laptop: Daniel Walter Scott’s channel is an Adobe Certified trainer who provides viewers with high-quality tutorials for software such as Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign Adobe XD and Adobe Illustrator. Daniel’s tutorials are very detailed and well-structured. He covers a wide range of topics from basic tools to advanced techniques.
Graphic Design & Branding
Let’s move on to graphic design and branding.
Here are a few channels that I think will be a great addition to your YouTube subscription list:
11. Shawn Berry: Shawn Berry’s channel is packed with graphic design techniques and theory. He designs real-world examples and walks you through the creative process step by step. His channel is a great source of inspiration and education.
12. Design Gal: Christine Maggi’s channel is focused on giving practical advice for your design career. She covers everything from finding a job to building a strong portfolio. She also provides tips on how to be successful in the design industry.
13. Zimri: Zimri’s channel features Adobe Illustrator tutorials graphic design inspiration and creative projects. He’s got a great selection of videos on how to create various text effects gradients and flat designs. If you’re looking for a channel that’s both fun and informative Zimri’s is a great choice.
14. Will Paterson: Will’s channel focuses on logo design and brand identity. He shares his personal experiences as a freelance graphic designer providing insight into the creative process and the business of design.
15. Gavin Hoey: Gavin’s channel is a great resource for learning photography and Photoshop skills. He offers tutorials on everything from basic editing techniques to advanced retouching skills.
16. Femke: Femke’s channel is all about UX design and user research. She provides practical advice on conducting user interviews creating user personas and designing user flows.
17. Catherine Kay: Catherine Kay’s channel is focused on illustration and design. She offers a mix of tutorials inspiration and behind-the-scenes insights into her creative process.
18. Local: Local’s channel offers tutorials on how to use their free local WordPress development app. They also have a lot of helpful videos on web development and design for beginners.
19. Satori Graphics: Satori Graphics’ YouTube channel is a great place to learn Adobe Illustrator. They have tutorials on everything from basic tools to advanced techniques. They also have a lot of helpful videos on graphic design theory and practice.
20. The Futur: The Futur is a platform dedicated to teaching creative professionals how to make a living doing what they love. Their YouTube channel covers a wide range of topics from business and marketing to design and creativity.
21. 99designs: 99designs is a platform that connects designers with clients. Their YouTube channel features a mix of tutorials inspiration and behind-the-scenes insights into the design industry.
22. Envato Tuts+: Envato Tuts+ is a platform that offers free video tutorials on a wide range of topics including design. Their YouTube channel covers everything from basic design principles to advanced techniques.
23. Creatnprocess: Creatnprocess is a great source for high-quality training on Adobe Illustrator Photoshop and After Effects. They cover a wide range of topics from basic tools to advanced techniques.
24. Vector Slate: Vector Slate’s channel is geared towards beginners. He covers a wide range of topics from basic graphic design concepts to advanced techniques.
25. Canva: Canva is a graphic design platform that makes it easy to create professional-looking designs. Their YouTube channel offers tutorials on how to use Canva to create a variety of designs from social media graphics to presentations.
26. KnowYourMac: KnowYourMac’s channel is a great resource for learning about Mac computers and web design. They cover a wide range of topics from basic software tutorials to advanced web development techniques.
27. Adobe: If you want to learn everything about Adobe’s creative suite their official YouTube channel is the place to go. They have tutorials on every Adobe product from Photoshop to Illustrator to After Effects.
28. PHLEARN: PHLEARN’s channel is dedicated to providing the best photography and Photoshop tutorials. They cover everything from basic editing techniques to advanced retouching skills.
29. PiXimperfect: PiXimperfect’s channel is all about Photoshop. They offer tutorials on everything from basic editing techniques to advanced retouching skills.
30. Swerve: Swerve’s channel is a great resource for learning the basics of Photoshop and Illustrator. They offer tutorials on a wide range of topics from basic tools to advanced techniques.
31. DesignCourse: DesignCourse’s channel is run by Gary an expert who creates videos about everything from graphic design to advanced front-end development. He has hundreds of videos specifically about social media design.
Beyond the 30: Keep Exploring!
This list is just a starting point.
There are tons of other great YouTube channels out there.
So keep exploring and find the ones that fit your learning style and interests.
The beauty of YouTube is that you can learn at your own pace on your own time and in a way that suits you best.
Happy learning and remember design is a journey.
So embrace the process and never stop learning and growing.