• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Software Design

    Software Design Courses Online

    Learn software design for developing robust applications. Understand design patterns, object-oriented principles, and user-centered design.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Software Design Course Catalog

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Data Analysis and Visualization Foundations

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Big Data, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Dashboard, IBM Cognos Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Data Mining, Apache Hadoop, Tree Maps, Excel Formulas, Apache Hive, Microsoft Excel, Data Warehousing, Data Quality, Data Cleansing, Scatter Plots, Apache Spark, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Import/Export

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      28K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Coursera Project Network

      Create and Design Digital Products using Canva

      Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Design, Digital Design, Design Elements And Principles, Product Design, Color Theory, Intellectual Property, Product Promotion, E-Commerce, Digital Assets, Marketing Materials

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.2K reviews

      Advanced · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    • M

      MathWorks

      Systems Engineering

      Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, Systems Architecture, Systems Design, Functional Design, Requirements Analysis, System Requirements, Requirements Elicitation, Functional Requirement, Verification And Validation

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      233 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google

      Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Customer experience strategy (CX), Performance Measurement, Data-Driven Decision-Making, E-Commerce, Marketing Strategies, Digital Marketing, Branding, Marketing Channel, Marketing Analytics, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Target Audience

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      28K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Macquarie University

      Online Learning Design for Educators

      Skills you'll gain: Video Production, Infographics, Course Development, Multimedia, Discussion Facilitation, Content Creation, Constructive Feedback, Instructional Design, Education Software and Technology, Design Thinking, Learning Management Systems, Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Storytelling, Community Development, Emerging Technologies, Virtual Environment, Collaboration, System Configuration, Safety and Security

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      385 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google

      Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions

      Skills you'll gain: Spreadsheet Software, Stakeholder Communications, Dashboard, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Analytical Skills, Data Presentation, Business Analysis, Expectation Management, Quantitative Research, Communication

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      34K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Meta

      Meta Front-End Developer

      Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Version Control, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Responsive Web Design, Data Structures, Unix Commands, HTML and CSS, Git (Version Control System), Persona (User Experience), GitHub, Interaction Design, User Experience Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), React.js, Mobile Development, Front-End Web Development, Algorithms, Javascript

      Build toward a degree

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      22K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Meta

      Meta Full-Stack Developer

      Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Django (Web Framework), Version Control, Restful API, Responsive Web Design, Unix Commands, HTML and CSS, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Relational Databases, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Database Management Systems, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), React.js, Mobile Development, SQL, Database Design, Unit Testing, Javascript, Web Development

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      23K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Y

      Yale University

      Roman Architecture

      Skills you'll gain: Ancient History, Art History, Architectural Design, Architecture and Construction, Construction, Civil Engineering, European History, Culture, World History, Cultural Diversity, Research and Design, Design Elements And Principles

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      687 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      A

      Arizona State University

      Design of Experiments

      Skills you'll gain: Experimentation, Sample Size Determination, Research Design, Regression Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Modeling, Design Strategies, Probability & Statistics, Data Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Data Transformation, Descriptive Statistics, Probability Distribution, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Variance Analysis, Quality Control

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      360 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      E

      Epic Games

      Introduction to Game Design

      Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Video Game Development, Software Design Documents, Ideation, Software Documentation, Interactive Design, Conceptual Design, User Experience Design, Prototyping, Creativity

      4.2
      Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
      ·
      302 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of London

      Brand Management: Aligning Business, Brand and Behaviour

      Skills you'll gain: Brand Management, Branding, Brand Strategy, Brand Awareness, Employee Engagement, Marketing Management, Global Marketing, Internal Communications, Customer experience strategy (CX), Human Resources, Organizational Change, Consumer Behaviour, Cross-Functional Collaboration

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7.6K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Software Design learners also search

    Software
    Software Development
    Software Engineering
    C
    Software Project Management
    Software Engineering Projects
    Development
    C Programming
    1…101112…734

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular software design courses

    • Data Analysis and Visualization Foundations: IBM
    • Create and Design Digital Products using Canva: Coursera Project Network
    • Systems Engineering: MathWorks
    • Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce: Google
    • Online Learning Design for Educators: Macquarie University
    • Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions: Google
    • Meta Front-End Developer: Meta
    • Meta Full-Stack Developer: Meta
    • Roman Architecture: Yale University
    • Design of Experiments: Arizona State University

    Skills you can learn in Software Development

    Programming Language (34)
    Google (25)
    Computer Program (21)
    Software Testing (21)
    Web (19)
    Google Cloud Platform (18)
    Application Programming Interfaces (17)
    Data Structure (16)
    Problem Solving (14)
    Object-oriented Programming (13)
    Kubernetes (10)
    List & Label (10)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Software Design

    Software design is the process of creating a plan to guide the development of a software solution based on an assessment of user requirements determined through research and testing. It is a very important phase of the software development lifecycle, as software design provides the foundation for subsequent coding and implementation by programmers and software engineers.

    The software design process may encompass many aspects including planning for software architecture, design of user interfaces and other visual elements, and the selection of software design patterns and other components. Application security is another critical consideration for software design, and implementing secure practices as early as possible in the software development lifecycle can help ensure that the final product provides adequate protections for business and customer data.‎

    An understanding of software design principles can be a terrific asset for a career in software development, as it provides an overarching view of the entire software development lifecycle. In some ways, you can think of the software designer as the architect whose vision directs the work of a team of engineers and construction workers. According to Glassdoor, software designers in the U.S. earn an average annual salary of $92,046 - significantly more than software programmers, whose average salary according to Glassdoor is $76,526.‎

    Certainly. Taking online courses on Coursera has become an incredibly popular way for students from around the world to learn about a wide range of computer science topics, including software design. Top-ranked schools like the University of Alberta, the University of Colorado, and the University of Minnesota offer individual courses as well as Specializations spanning multiple courses covering software design and related topics such as application security and software design patterns. And, since you can view lessons and complete coursework on a flexible schedule, you can build these valuable, job-ready skills regardless of whether you’re a student or a mid-career professional looking to upgrade your skill set.‎

    The skills and experience you might want to acquire before starting to learn software design would include practical knowledge and work experience in all kinds of software development work, from websites to apps to network maintenance and more. You may already have skills or experience in designing, developing, and installing software for enterprise information systems via an internship or job role.‎

    Some of the common career paths for someone in software design might include starting out in junior roles in web design and development, and possibly moving into creative director roles for gaming systems (if on the creative side), or software analysis manager, if more geared to the operational side of the business. Software design workers could also possibly branch off into deeply analytical roles like computer science engineer, or information research scientist, depending on the company and industry.‎

    The kind of people best suited for roles in software design are computer science enthusiasts, who love programming and are excited about creating new software possibilities. These people are often creative, focused, and cerebral individuals who know programming languages such as Java, SQL, and Python. These languages are important to know as a software designer’s work may include developing software projects and programs for external clients or internal company usage. They might also write code, create charts and diagrams to represent the software, and may even supervise a team of programmers.‎

    Learning software design may be right for you if you love design challenges, love working with new software tools, and are interested in building a lucrative career in software design. You may be able to earn a good income in software design, as jobs for software developers are expected to rise by over 20% in the next decade, according to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you find passion in work that involves designing computer systems, projecting network capabilities, and determining performance interfaces, then learning software design may be a good step in the right direction.‎

    Online Software Design courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Software Design skills. Choose from a wide range of Software Design courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Software Design, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Do Not Sell/Share
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok