University of Colorado Boulder

Intermediate Visual Communication Skills for Non-Designers Specialization

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University of Colorado Boulder

Intermediate Visual Communication Skills for Non-Designers Specialization

Develop Your Design & Visual Communication Skills.

Master the use of color and learn to use typography in design pieces.

Lori Poole

Instructor: Lori Poole

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Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete
at 6 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete
at 6 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • You will understand and apply theories of visual communication, psychology of color, and typography and typographic principles.

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Taught in English
Recently updated!

June 2026

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Specialization - 3 course series

Elements and Principles of Visual Communication

Elements and Principles of Visual Communication

Course 1, 10 hours

What you'll learn

  • Evaluate theories of visual communication 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.

  • Develop an understanding of the language and careers in visual communication.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Design Elements And Principles
Category: Design Thinking
Category: Visual Storytelling
Category: Media and Communications
Category: Creativity
Category: Psychology
Category: Graphic and Visual Design
Category: Visual Design
Category: Creative Thinking
Category: Design
Category: Art History
Color and Visual Associations

Color and Visual Associations

Course 2, 10 hours

What you'll learn

  • Investigate color associations and the psychology of color usages as they pertain to specific situations, cultures and brands.

  • Appreciate, categorize and isolate color as it applies to fields of design and related areas such as image creation and manipulation. 

  • Comprehend and research branding and practice techniques for developing visual perception and associations in strategic campaign planning.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cultural Diversity
Category: Computer Displays
Category: Color Theory
Category: Visual Design
Category: Graphic and Visual Design
Category: Branding
Category: Design Elements And Principles
Category: Graphic Design
Category: Photo Editing
Category: Media and Communications
Category: Color Matching
Category: Design
Category: Creative Design
Category: Sensory Systems Analysis
Category: Adobe Creative Cloud
Category: Digital Design
Type and Visual Organization

Type and Visual Organization

Course 3, 9 hours

What you'll learn

  • Exercise the ability to recognize and use typography and typographic principles.

  • Recognize quality visual composition and organize visual information through effective layout design.

  • Identify and analyze problems, research and gather information, and brainstorm solutions to solve visual communication challenges.

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Instructor

Lori Poole
University of Colorado Boulder
7 Courses88,776 learners

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