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
Give your career the gift of Coursera Plus with $160 off, billed annually. Save today.
Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview
This course is part of Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization
Instructor: Lori Poole
56,466 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7
(973 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
Flexible schedule
Approx. 10 hours
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course
What you'll learn
Recognize ways to work with graphic designers and other creative professionals.
Understand the history and design process of the graphic design profession.
Compare the concepts of balance, proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast and space.
Discover the use of white space to develop shape, form, and structure in graphic projects.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
2 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
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
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.7 (317 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in History
Starweaver
Coursera Instructor Network
Universidad de Palermo
Coursera Project Network
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
Showing 3 of 973
4.7
973 reviews
- 5 stars
76.92%
- 4 stars
17.33%
- 3 stars
3.28%
- 2 stars
1.23%
- 1 star
1.23%
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.