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: Adobe InDesign
Status: Graphic Design
BeginnerCourse11 hours

Featured reviews

AA

5.0Reviewed 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.

AR

5.0Reviewed 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.

AS

4.0Reviewed Dec 3, 2021

Loved the course as an introduction for sure, but I thought the peer review was a little much - it's a lot to have to come back to over and over when hardly anyone has submitted their work.

LL

5.0Reviewed Apr 2, 2022

A​n informative course that gives you a better understanding on the elements needed when it comes to design. If you need to refresh your graphic design, you won't regret taking this course.

DY

5.0Reviewed Sep 21, 2020

This course was very interested and has thought me every thing I needed to know about the Principle of Graphic Designs ,It was a great pleasure. Thank you

LP

5.0Reviewed 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!

CZ

5.0Reviewed 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.

AJ

5.0Reviewed 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.

OS

5.0Reviewed Aug 21, 2020

Thank you for making such a good online course. Designing is my hobby, I didn't know what's behind the good, simple and eye-catchy designs, but I know some of the basic principles know. Thanks.

AM

5.0Reviewed 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.

GK

4.0Reviewed Oct 11, 2022

I​t's a good start to knowing what graphic design is all about, this course offers good understanding of basic level on graphic design.

AB

5.0Reviewed 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

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