Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers

Offered By: University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera

Course Description

Overview

In this hands-on specialization, you will explore basic graphic design elements, color theory, images, publication design and techniques for creating effective layouts. You will also learn about typography, the creative process, the importance of brainstorming, and how to discuss and critique design in a professional setting. Page layout software and online sites will be used to incorporate and manipulate text, color, photographs and images. If you are curious about the design process, work on a team with designers and need to speak some of their language, or want to empower the creatives on your team to be even better, this specialization is made for you.

Syllabus

Course 1: Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview
- Offered by University of Colorado Boulder. Designing for an organization, while requiring technical skill, is not just about knowing how to ... Enroll for free.

Course 2: Graphic Elements of Design: Color Theory and Image Formats
- Offered by University of Colorado Boulder. Examining and exploring the various types of images and graphic elements will be the focus of ... Enroll for free.

Course 3: Textual Elements of Design: Fonts, Typography, and Spacing
- Offered by University of Colorado Boulder. Graphic design is telling a story by using both images and text. With that definition in mind, ... Enroll for free.

Course 4: Print and Digital Elements of Design: Branding and User Experience
- Offered by University of Colorado Boulder. Graphic design projects can be delivered in either a printed format or a digital format, or both. ... Enroll for free.

Courses

1 review
9 hours 35 minutes
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Graphic design projects can be delivered in either a printed format or a digital format, or both. This course will look at how to work with creative professionals to get the ideal usage out of a design to use in print medium such as logos, brochures and larger printed projects that will also carry over as seamlessly as possible into the digital realm of websites and social media. We will also cover the user experience and how to keep the end result in mind when working on creative endeavors.
1 review
12 hours 6 minutes
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Examining and exploring the various types of images and graphic elements will be the focus of this course. We will start with color theory to distinguish between CMYK, Pantone and RGB color options and their usages. Then we will review the various types of images used in both print and digital design projects. Finally we will look at logo designs to determine what makes for the best images and graphic elements for corporate branding and imaging.
1 review
12 hours 38 minutes
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Graphic design is telling a story by using both images and text. With that definition in mind, this course will focus on the textual elements of graphic design. From the history of typography, the difference between type, fonts and text as well as exposure to typography spacing, students will learn the value of selecting the best kind of type and combinations of fonts to get their message across in a visually pleasing manner.
1 review
10 hours 45 minutes
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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.

Taught by

Lori Poole