01. Hobbycraft Plus Seminar – TikTok for Small Businesses
Take the dread out of mastering a new social media platform with a live (+ Q&A) or on-demand seminar as part of the Hobbycraft series aimed at supporting small crafty and creative businesses. Learn how to go viral on TikTok, how to sell through a TikTok shop, the best time to post, and how best to make it work for your creative business.
Cost: £30 (or free if you are a Hobbycraft Plus member with a seminar voucher)
02. Open Learn – A Freelance Career in the Creative Arts
What’s better than valuable insight? Insight that is free. Highly respected learning platform Open Learn, part of the Open University, wants to take some of the scary out of taking the leap into a freelance career in the arts, and this looks like a great, and risk-free way to do it.
Cost: Free
03. Skillshare – Logo Design for Beginners
If you need something bespoke for your brand or want to brush up on existing design knowledge, why not start with a logo design class on SkillShare? We love Skillshare because it gives you a try before you buy trial, and then options for individual or team memberships. During your membership, you have unlimited access to courses, so it’s easy to follow a set learning path, or create your own to further upskill.
Cost: Free trial available, then from $32 a month
04. Jet Black Squares – Smartphone Photography
We were excited to come across Jet Black Squares and its sheer range of options when it comes to smartphone photography workshops, masterclasses, and on-location adventurous safaris. Join a course leader on location, take an editing masterclass over Zoom, or learn how to take the best smartphone photos for your small business.
Cost: Varies depending on the course
05. Canva Design School – Branding Your Business
Have you visited Canva’s Design School yet? Along with courses on graphic design, and typography, this one on branding caught our eye. This is a free bitesize video course, with talking points rather than assessments and exercises, but we love these short, sharp reminders of branding essentials, what you need to achieve, and how Canva can help.
Cost: Free
06. Small Business Charter – Help to Grow Management Course
This one is for all the UK business owners out there, if you’re looking for a course to help you banish the overwhelm and take steps to grow your business, then this 12-week ‘help to grow’ course could be one to consider. This course is 90% funded by the U.K. government so, while the £750 cost is still an investment, it is heavily subsidised.
Cost: £750
07. Skillshare – Drawing Seamless Patterns in Procreate + Professional Surface Design Tips
We had to make a second visit to Skillshare for an illustration course as the site offers many ways to learn a new skill, expand your knowledge, or learn how to use software in a professional context. If you’ve already dabbled in digital art techniques and experimented with brushes, lettering, and individual items, then maybe pattern design is the next logical step in your artist journey.
Cost: Free trial, then from $32 a month
08. Open University Short Courses – Digital Photography, Creating and Sharing Better Images
Running twice yearly in 2025 and 2026, this distance learning course is supported by the Royal Photographic Society. A ten-week course costing £225, it’s a stepping stone if you are just starting in photography or want to take it further career-wise.
Cost: £225
Conclusions:
These courses are designed to help creatives upskill, boost their knowledge, and take their business to the next level. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve existing skills, there’s something for everyone in this range of courses.
FAQs:
Q: What is the best course for me?
A: It depends on your goals and interests. Read the descriptions carefully and choose the one that best aligns with your needs.
Q: Do I need to have prior experience in the subject?
A: Some courses may require prior experience, but many are designed for beginners or those new to the field.
Q: Can I earn a certification or degree?
A: Some courses offer certifications or degrees, but not all. Check the course details for more information.
Q: How do I access the courses?
A: Courses are accessed online, and some may require payment or registration. Check the course details for more information.
