There are days when design feels electric—ideas clicking into place, tools doing what they’re supposed to. And then there are days when the color wheel spins like a roulette, the layout collapses, and every typeface looks… wrong. In moments like that, a good inspo—the right kind—can make all the difference.
That’s where YouTube steps in—equal parts classroom, therapy, and creative nudge. In this article, we pulled together 13 of the most useful, inspiring, and oddly comforting YouTube channels for designers in 2026. Whether you’re deep into UI/UX, obsessed with kerning, or still figuring out what “leading” means (we’ve all been there), these creators have your back.
Bookmark it. Binge it. Steal like a designer.
1. Flux Academy—Ran Segall
Subscribers: ~1M
Focus: Web design, UI/UX, Figma, Webflow, creative freelancing
Ran Segall built a channel that feels like a design studio with its door slightly open. You don’t just get tutorials—you get frameworks, habits, and conversations that help you understand what design work actually looks like day to day. His videos often start with a real problem and build their way out—tools in hand, constraints acknowledged.
3 reasons to follow:
- He breaks down UI/UX into parts that make sense—not abstract theory, but visual logic.
- Ran shares both wins and roadblocks from his own projects, from client work to building a design business.
- It’s one of the rare channels that balances creative depth with practical process.
Popular videos:
- Learn Web Design For Beginners – Full Course
- Learn Webflow in 16 Minutes (Crash Course)
- TOP 5 WEBSITES EVERY WEB DESIGNER SHOULD VISIT: Mind-blowing web design
Bonus: Occasional deep dives into studio systems, pricing, and building your own creative rhythm.
2. Design Champs
Subscribers: ~440K
Focus: UI/UX design, product thinking, front-end workflows
There’s something grounding about the way Design Champs approaches design. The videos are steady, focused, and surprisingly easy to follow—even when the topic is layered. You won’t find clickbait thumbnails or over-edited intros. Instead, you’ll see real workflows and thoughtful structure. Like watching a teammate explain their process while screen-sharing.
3 reasons to follow:
- It’s refreshingly calm—like sitting in on a team critique, not a pitch deck.
- Videos highlight real product thinking, not just visuals.
- Topics go beyond tools into the habits and decisions behind good design.
Popular videos:
- 60-30-10 Color Rule
- Adobe XD Basics
- Replit Connectors
Expect: Quiet depth, practical demos, and a focus on design that works in the real world.
3. Yes I’m a Designer—Martin Perhiniak
Subscribers: ~680K
Focus: Adobe tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), visual theory, composition
Martin Perhiniak brings a deep, structured approach to design education—not because it sounds good on paper, but because that’s how great design gets made. His lessons feel like a reminder that tools are only half the story. The rest is understanding rhythm, space, and the way the eye moves across a page.
3 reasons to follow:
- He teaches visual thinking—not just where to click, but what to notice.
- Martin’s experience spans real industry work, not just content creation.
- His videos hold up over time—the design fundamentals don’t expire.
Popular videos:
- From Sketch to AI Art: My Workflow With Adobe Firefly
- Learn to Draw Anything with Adobe Illustrator CC
- 5 Creative Layout Techniques with InDesign and Photoshop
Fun fact: Martin worked on Cars, Toy Story, Dr. Who. Yes. That Dr. Who.
4. The Futur—Chris Do
Subscribers: ~2.7M
Focus: Branding, business of design, pricing, creative leadership
Chris Do made it okay to say “design” and “money” in the same sentence. The channel talks about the parts of design most of us aren’t taught: pricing your work, presenting ideas, handling clients, building confidence. Chris and his team will teach you to speak about your work with clarity, value, and intent.
3 reasons to follow:
- Honest talk about money, without the usual discomfort.
- Deep dives into brand strategy and creative leadership.
- Real conversations—not advice from the sidelines, but from inside the industry.
Popular videos:
- Pricing Design Work & Creativity (The Guide)
- What Is Branding? 4 Minute Crash Course
- When Client Says “Your Price Is Too High” – How To Respond
Best for: Designers growing into strategists. Or creatives who want to stop second-guessing their rates.
5. Satori Graphics
Subscribers: ~1.5M
Focus: Typography, layout, visual communication
Satori’s videos are structured and deliberate, with a sharp focus on the bones of design—the logic behind why a layout works, or how white space carries weight. You’ll leave every video with a new lens on type, layout, or why your last portfolio piece doesn’t quite work.
3 reasons to follow:
- Teaches what makes design clear, not just beautiful.
- Ideal for strengthening your typographic instincts.
- Great if you feel your designs are “close,” but not quite there.
Popular videos:
- PRO Vs AMATEUR Design Portfolios (With Examples)
- 6 Golden Rules Of Layout Design You MUST OBEY
- 3 Illustrator Clipping Mask Uses You NEED TO KNOW
Expect: Quiet authority, solid theory, and a well-edited pace that respects your time.
6. Caler Edwards
Subscribers: ~225K
Focus: UI/UX, Webflow, visual storytelling
Caler’s channel feels like late-night brainstorming session with a friend who actually finishes his projects. Whether he’s building a landing page in Webflow or exploring layout trends, it’s all done with a practical focus and a tone that says: this is how we actually do it. Not for the portfolio. For the project.
3 reasons to follow:
- He shows full workflows, from scratch—not just the polished end result.
- The builds feel real. Like client work, not concept art.
- His walkthroughs help connect design thinking with actual outcomes.
Popular videos:
- Using 7 AI Tools to Design a Website…
- Create a Social Media App (Design & Prototype)
- 5 Inspirational Website Designs
Watch when: You’re stuck in concept mode and need to see how someone else breaks the wall.
7. DesignCourse
Subscribers: ~1.1M
Focus: UI design, front-end basics, implementation
Gary Simon’s been doing this forever, and it shows. If you’ve ever gotten halfway through a beautiful design and thought: “How do I actually build this?”, he has probably answered that question. DesignCourse lives in the overlap between design and code, without making either feel like a compromise. The content doesn’t pander, but it’s not overwhelming either. It’s confident and practical.
3 reasons to follow:
- It bridges the gap between visual design and front-end logic.
- Covers everything from icon design to full-page builds.
- You’ll come away with both concepts and keyboard muscle memory.
Popular videos:
- How to Design a Logo – Full Identity Design Course
- Learn Angular 5 in less than 60 Minutes
- Figma Tutorial – A Free UI Design/Prototyping Tool
Best for: Designers who like knowing how their work actually behave in a browser.
8. Bring Your Own Laptop—Daniel Walter Scott
Subscribers: ~770K
Focus: UI/UX, Adobe Suite, beginner-friendly learning
There’s something reassuring about Daniel Walter Scott’s teaching style. It’s structured without being stiff, friendly without losing focus. His channel is designed to walk you through the tools—not just what they do, but how to actually use them to build something that works.
3 reasons to follow:
- One of the most approachable ways to learn Adobe tools, step by step.
- Perfect for early-career designers or anyone switching disciplines.
- His courses don’t assume prior knowledge—but they don’t talk down either.
Popular videos:
- Adobe Premiere Pro Tutorial: A Crash Course For Beginners
- Canva Tutorial For Beginners: A Free 2 Hour Masterclass
- How to Vectorize an Image in Illustrator
Extra: A great starting point if you’re trying to get more fluent across multiple tools—without piecing it together from random videos.
9. Will Paterson
Subscribers: ~980K
Focus: Logo design, typography, hand lettering, freelancing
Will’s channel is rooted in craft. Not hypothetical grids or fictional logos, but real client work and hands-on process. If you’re interested in visual identity—how letters, shapes, and meaning come together—this one’s essential. And it’s not just design theory. It’s also how to handle feedback, pricing, and personal growth as a creative.
3 reasons to follow:
- Strong balance between aesthetics and structure in logo design.
- Clear, thoughtful commentary on design choices.
- Insight into what it’s like to work with real clients, not just your own briefs.
Popular videos:
- 5 MIND BLOWING Logo Design Tips
- Hand Lettering Tutorial, How To Use A Brush Pen
- How To Design A Logo Using The Grid Method
Extra credit: Check his book “Learn in 15 Minutes: Calligraphy: 15 exercises, 15 letterforms, 15 variations” if you want to geek out even more.
10. Dansky
Subscribers: ~980K
Focus: UI/UX, Adobe tools, motion graphics
Dansky’s strength is precision. Not flashy effects or dramatic edits—just clear, well-paced tutorials with a focus on building technical skill. Whether you’re brushing up on Illustrator or dabbling in After Effects for the first time, his videos guide you through the essential stuff you’ll actually use.
3 reasons to follow:
- Solid, tool-based tutorials without the filler.
- A calm, methodical tone that makes even complex processes feel manageable.
- Great range—from logos to motion graphics to interface design.
Popular videos:
- 10 MUST-KNOW Tools for LOGO DESIGN in Illustrator
- 30 Illustrator Secrets Graphic Designers MUST KNOW!
- Beginner’s Guide to Masking In Adobe After Effects
Best for: Self-taught designers filling in gaps, one tool at a time.
11. The Art of Aaron Blaise
Subscribers: ~1.3M
Focus: Animation, character design, composition
Aaron Blaise doesn’t teach software, he teaches storytelling. A former Disney animator with credits on The Lion King, Aladdin, and Brother Bear, his videos feel like sitting next to someone who’s been drawing longer than you’ve been alive—and is still curious about how it all works.
3 reasons to follow:
- Rare access to animation and drawing principles from a world-class career.
- Clear, visual explanations of movement, weight, and gesture.
- An understanding of emotional storytelling that applies beyond animation.
Popular videos:
- Disney Artist Teaches Animation – How to Flip Paper
- Disney Animator REACTS to AI Animation
- Art Lessons – Methods for Finding Pleasing Compositions
Worth noting: Even if you don’t draw, there’s value here—especially if you care about pacing, narrative, or visual rhythm.
12. Enrico Tartarotti
Subscribers: ~210K
Focus: UX psychology, product thinking, tech culture
Enrico’s channel doesn’t teach you where to place buttons. It teaches you how people feel about them. His background in product management shows through every script—there’s structure behind the storytelling. You’ll come for the breakdown of Notion’s UI, but you’ll stay for the clarity he brings to everyday design choices.
3 reasons to follow:
- Great at explaining subtle UX decisions and how they shape user behavior.
- A fresh perspective that’s both technical and deeply human.
- Makes product design feel like a social science—in the best way.
Popular videos:
- Behind The Scenes Of Notion’s INSANE Design (w. Notion Team)
- The Sneaky Psychology Of Loading Screens
- The Weird Death Of User Interfaces
For when: You’re wondering why some interfaces feel right—and others don’t.
13. elliotisacoolguy—Elliot Ulm
Subscribers: ~335K
Focus: Graphic design + comedy
Elliot Ulm is what happens when a design student grows up, gets good, and keeps the sarcasm. His channel looks chaotic—loud colors, fast edits—but under the chaos is someone who genuinely understands visual language. It’s not a parody of design. It’s a running commentary from someone who’s very much inside it.
3 reasons to follow:
- Hilarious, yes—but full of real design insights if you’re paying attention.
- Captures the weird, frustrating, wonderful parts of the creative process.
- Reminds you not to take yourself too seriously—even when the deadline is tomorrow.
Popular videos:
- I suck at logo design… so I made 1000 in a day
- i made the same design in every program ever
- i designed 100 posters to make 1 big poster
Watch when: You need a break—but still want to feel like you’re learning something.
In Closing
There’s no shortage of design content online, that’s for sure. But these 13 YouTube channels go deeper than trends or quick hype. They offer something steadier—experience, structure, and a sense of craft that holds up whether you’re on your first freelance job or your fiftieth pitch deck.
Design is an ongoing conversation. These channels are part of it. Save them. Watch them. Share them with the designer on your team who’s been quietly battling button spacing all week.
And if you want more sharp insights and no-fluff inspiration, check the rest of our blog. We keep the good stuff there:
11 Fancy and Practical UX Design Projects for Web and Mobile
Many Faces of Graphic Design: What Do Graphic Designers Do?
UI/UX Design: 10 Elegant and Handy User Interface Design Projects
