5 of the best short courses to expand your creative career in 2023 

Take your skills to the next level.

We humans love to learn new things. A desire for knowledge and improvement is in our DNA. And thanks to post-pandemic shifts in the workforce, rapid advancements in tech and the rising costs of university education the way we learn is changing fast.

Increasingly, skill-seekers are turning to online courses to equip themselves for the ever-changing labour market. According to Vantage Market Research, the global online education/eLearning market was valued at 198.2 billion USD in 2022 and is projected to reach 602.0 billion USD by 2030.

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With growth comes opportunity and as the online learning market expands, we’re increasingly spoilt for choice when it comes to courses. But how do you separate the beneficial from the simply well-marketed? Below, we’ve done the research to discover the best short courses to help upskill your creative career. 

For fashion lovers who want to learn from the best

Masterclass Marc Jacobs Teaches Fashion Design

This 18-lesson Masterclass can be completed in under five hours. Hosted by the iconic designer himself, the course gives students a peek at Marc Jacobs’ process for creating innovative, award-winning fashion.

In it, the 11-time CFDA Award Winner shares his construction techniques, how he creates unique shapes and silhouettes and helps students design their own ideas from the first sketch to the final piece. This course is hosted by Masterclass, which also offers courses with Diane von Furstenberg, Tan France, RuPaul and more.

Find out more here.

For writers who want to start or grow their freelance business

Use Your Words 

This five-part framework is designed to equip writers with both the mindset and practical tools they need to succeed in 2023 and beyond. It includes video tutorials, downloadable resources, worksheets and access to a global community of freelance writers who are also paving their own path. Use Your Words is self-paced and once you sign up, you’ll have access for life. 

Fun fact: This one was created by yours truly and is based on learnings from my 10+ year career spanning multiple countries, global brands and publications, and building a multi-six figure freelance writing business.

Find out more here.

For social media marketers who want to improve their strategy

HubSpot Academy

This eight-lesson goldmine was created by global digital marketing giant HubSpot to help social media marketers elevate their skills. The course, which includes 38 lessons and 29 quizzes and has a run time of just over five hours, covers everything social media marketers need to know to build a successful strategy.

As HubSpot puts it: “From creating engaging content to expanding your reach and measuring return on investment, you’ll learn how to harness the power of social and digital technologies to increase brand awareness, attract new customers and develop meaningful relationships”. The best part? At the time of writing, it’s totally free. You can register for this course and access the wider HubSpot Academy here.

Find out more here.

For graphic designers who want to master the basics

Graphic Design Basics by Canva

Canva has undeniably revolutionised the digital design industry, making aesthetic graphics accessible for all. Its Graphic Design Basics course is perfect for entry-level designers, or the graphic-design curious, who want to immerse themselves in the fundamentals of design.

Featuring 12 under-two-minute lessons with insights from four graphic design experts, the course covers everything from moodboard magic, alignment, font, colour wheel basics and more. Not to mention, this course is also totally free. And if the course’s more than 220,000 past students are anything to go by, it’s totally worth your time. 

Find out more here.

For retail staff who want to master the art of visual merchandising

Visual Merchandising by the National Retail Association (NRA)

This full or half-day workshop is designed to equip retail staff with the skills they need to prepare, produce and maintain merchandise displays that truly sell. As the NRA puts it: “Knowing how to maximise the visual appeal of your products according to your target market is invaluable. Do they prefer bright, well-light displays, or cozier-more intimate settings? Which products should appear at the front, and which at the back of the store?”.

From display elements to colour blocking and planning to ticketing, learn everything you need to know about the art of visual merchandising from this nationally-recognised body.

Find out more here.

For more on the importance of upskilling, head here.