Designing for an organization, while requiring technical skill, is not just about knowing how to use a pagination program such as InDesign or manipulate photos using Photoshop. A designer is a visual storyteller, a person who pairs words with images and typography to best convey information to an audience. Good design evokes emotion and presents the news of the day with clarity and the proper tone. A business card, brochure, or website that has good design provides content that is more inviting, more easily comprehensible and is faster to process. Design isn’t about “making it look pretty,” it’s also about content, layout and audience analysis.



Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview
This course is part of Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization

Instructor: Lori Poole
Access provided by American University of Technology
58,660 already enrolled
(986 reviews)
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What you'll learn
Evaluate theories of visual communication that that can be used to explain how visuals communicate to convey messages.
Define and use design elements and design principles and understand their significance in designing effective communication strategies.
Discover the design process and how it can be used effectively to research and discover creative solutions to communication problems.
Develop an understanding of the language and careers in visual communication.
Skills you'll gain
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There are 3 modules in this course
This module will cover the history of graphic design, uncover what graphic designers do and review the design process.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin
This module will introduce the design principles of balance, alignment, proximity, space, repetition and contrast.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin
This module will go over the expectations of projects in this specialization, how to apply the design principles to the projects, and software needed to product course projects.
What's included
2 videos2 readings1 peer review
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Reviewed on Jul 10, 2020
I had a very good time learning and practicing the design principles through the assignments and peer group assessment. Over all it was a great time of learning. Thank you so much.
Reviewed on Nov 27, 2020
This course is great for beginners regarding design principles but if you're looking for more applications on design, you may need to check tutorials or other references.
Reviewed on Jun 19, 2021
Really enjoyed it! it was just the basics yet felt so good and knowledgeable. Can't wait to move forward in the specialization.
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