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
Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview
This course is part of Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization
Instructor: Lori Poole
56,802 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7
(977 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
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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
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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
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.7 (317 ratings)Offered by
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Learner reviews
4.7
977 reviews
- 5 stars
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17.36%
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3.37%
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1.22%
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Showing 3 of 977
EM
5
Reviewed on Oct 26, 2020
The course gives you a more stable foundation about Elements of Design. I am self-taught in terms of arts, but I still find this course valuable to take. Thank you!
AB
5
Reviewed on 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
AS
4
Reviewed on 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.
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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:
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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.
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