Back to Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview
University of Colorado Boulder

Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview

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.

Status: Graphic and Visual Design Software
Status: Adobe InDesign
BeginnerCourse11 hours

Featured reviews

LP

Reviewed Oct 18, 2020

It is really full of knowledge that they shared and lots of articles that contain relevant topics that help me to add my knowledge and wisdom about design. Thank you DOST! Thank you, Coursera!

AM

Reviewed Jul 13, 2020

This has been a wonderful opportunity and journey, one of learning how to tap into innate skills of creativity, inspiration and penmanship. Thank you.

AB

Reviewed Mar 16, 2020

It was an amazing course, because it help me to improve my design abilities and I can understand that to much is not the best every time

DA

Reviewed Dec 4, 2020

Thank you so much for this great opportunity and I am so happy that I was able to finish this course. Once again Thank you so much!

MA

Reviewed Jul 13, 2026

Great introduction to Design, it's simple, straightforward yet very valuable. I am excited to look into the rest of the courses, well done!

MP

Reviewed Oct 27, 2020

This course helped me understand more about design. It really helped me. I love the idea of peer evaluation in this course. You must enroll in this course if you want to start a new skill! :)

CZ

Reviewed May 20, 2020

This course is very good to understand basic principles of design. You will get basic skills to observe materials that come to your hands.

MA

Reviewed Jun 14, 2020

This course was great. I learned many things on how to properly use design principles to convey meaning and have things looking good. Thank you very much to the instructor and the team.

AJ

Reviewed Jul 16, 2020

This course was amazing.It helps me a lot.I have learnd about Design Principle and How to play with your Creativeness.Thanks Instrutor & team.Have a wonderful journey.

AA

Reviewed 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.

GN

Reviewed Sep 29, 2020

I like how the course is smooth sailing and the length of the videos are concise but comprehensive! I have learned so much about this course.

AR

Reviewed 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.

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