What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?

Communicate design principles and strategies clearly, and start doing your own designs!

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. 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. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization

Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization

Instructor: Lori Poole

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(1,098 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(1,098 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Appreciate the study of design layout and conceptual elements concerning design projects.
Analyze basic design concepts to apply in the professional setting, including typography, color theory, image selection, and layout best practices.
Design foundational creative projects, including business card, brochures, ads, websites and manuals.
Discover techniques for working and communicating with graphic designers and other creative professionals.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

8 practice exercises

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Colorado Boulder

Specialization - 4 course series

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.

Applied Learning Project

You will design a business card or one-sided flyer, an advertisement, a brochure and an outline for a website. In addition, this course will include optional discussions with fellow students and a peer review process for each assignment. We encourage you to take advantage of all of these opportunities, and immerse yourself in the design process!

Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview

Course 110 hours

What you'll learn

Evaluate theories of visual communication that 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.
Discover the design process and how it can be used effectively to research and discover creative solutions to communication problems.
Develop an understanding of the language and careers in visual communication.

Skills you'll gain

Graphic Design, Design Elements And Principles, Color Theory, Content Creation, Design Research, Design, Information Architecture, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and Typography

Graphic Elements of Design: Color Theory and Image Formats

Course 212 hours

What you'll learn

Discriminate between CMYK, Pantone and RGB color options.
Categorize the various kind of image files and understand their usages.
Recognize the ideal (and less than ideal) combination of graphics and text in logo design.

Skills you'll gain

Logo Design, Color Theory, Design, Image Quality, Graphic Design, Digital Design, Creative Design, File Management, Design Elements And Principles, and Graphic and Visual Design

Textual Elements of Design: Fonts, Typography, and Spacing

Course 312 hours

What you'll learn

Appreciate the history and future of typography as an artform.
Compare and contrast the similarities and nuances between the concepts of typography, fonts and text.
Work with the various aspects of spacing type, includingleading, kerning and tracking.

Skills you'll gain

Typography, Design Software, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Design Elements And Principles, Color Theory, Graphic and Visual Design, and Graphic Design

Print and Digital Elements of Design: Branding and User Experience

Course 49 hours

What you'll learn

Relate how to best work with graphic designers, printers and web designers.
Explore the printing elements of graphic design.
Examine the online elements of graphic design.

Skills you'll gain

Color Theory, Design Elements And Principles, Typography, Adobe Photoshop, Digital Design, Design Research, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Web Design and Development, Image Quality, Graphic Design, Adobe InDesign, Design, Graphic and Visual Design, User Experience Design, and Design Software