EdX

Graphic Design Essentials (edX)

Offered by LCI Education,
Graphic Design Essentials (edX)

Acquire the essential skills to become a working Graphic Designer from the basics of color theory to presenting a project to a client. This online course from LaSalle College Vancouver will introduce you to the basics of design, graphic and visual communication, image making, typography and the overall creative process, starting from the client mandate to the final presentations.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Upon completion, you will be able to apply the rules of visual language and visual composition to create a meaningful visual design.
This short course is for anyone looking to build or switch towards a rewarding Graphic Design career.
LaSalle College's graduates have been recognized by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), a testament to the excellence we bring to the field of graphic arts.
This course is part of the Introduction to Graphic Design Professional Certificate.

What you'll learn

  • Apply the rules of visual language and visual composition to create a meaningful visual design.
  • Use visual language, understand composition, create presentations and communication plans, interpret and design a visual composition.
  • Analyze a client mandate and develop ideas

Syllabus

Module 1: Visual Design
Discover the world of graphic and visual design. Learn about the communication process to better understand how to communicate visually, and how to conceptualize ideas.

Module 2: Elements of Visual Communication
Become familiar with the main elements of visual communication. Explore the use of lines and shapes, as well as the basics of typography. Discover some of the factors that can impact image choice in a project.

Module 3: Colour
All about colour. Through an introduction to colour theory, gain a better understanding of both the roles and meanings of the various colours.

Module 4: The Origins of a Project
Discover the different tools used to get a project off the ground, such as a communication plan and project specifications. Learn how to analyze a mandate and better understand the client’s needs and their target audience.

Module 5: The Exploration Phase
Learn about researching visual references and creating a mood board. Begin the visual exploration of a project using exploratory sketches.

Module 6: Refining the Concept
Learn how to refine and improve the concept developed during the exploration phase. Become familiar with the notion of a plan and the rules governing its components.

Module 7: Creating a Mock-up
Learn about creating a mock-up and organizing the layout with its different components.

Module 8: Presenting your Work
Become familiar with the process of presenting a mock-up, which includes an adjustment phase following the presentation. Learn how to follow the natural evolution of the project and how to remain open to change.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Introducción al diseño de hardware con Verilog (edX) EdX
Galileo University,GalileoX

Introducción al diseño de hardware con Verilog (edX)

Aprende el lenguaje de descripción de hardware Verilog, utilizado en la industria en el diseño de hardware digital y microprocesadores a la medida. En la actualidad, el hardware de soporte en sistemas digitales se suele diseñar en un solo circuito integrado FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), en parte debido al abundante espacio físico que ocuparía una implementación con varios circuitos integrados dedicados para este fin.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair (Coursera)

Go beyond the limitations of mainstream courses and gain a broad overview of inclusive makeup and hair practices, regardless of your experience level. Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair offers highly detailed videos and in-depth practice guides to train you on applying makeup for all skin tones and ways to prepare wigs for a variety of different hair textures. Designed to propel forward your skills, training in applying makeup for all skin tones, and wig preparation for a variety of hair textures, you will learn techniques for applying natural makeup for both on stage and camera, and aging makeup.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting (Coursera) Coursera
The Museum of Modern Art

In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting (Coursera)

Want to know how some of the 20th century’s most celebrated artists made abstract paintings? This course offers an in-depth, hands-on look at the materials, techniques, and thinking of seven New York School artists, including Willem de Kooning, Yayoi Kusama, Agnes Martin, Barnett Newman, Jackson Pollock, Ad Reinhardt, and Mark Rothko. Through studio demonstrations and gallery walkthroughs, you’ll form a deeper understanding of what a studio practice means and how ideas develop from close looking, and you’ll gain a sensitivity to the physical qualities of paint.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Parametric Designs in Revit (edX) EdX
RUDN University,RUDNx

Parametric Designs in Revit (edX)

You will get a systematic view of the course, learn the basics of parametric designs as a new tool for learning and transforming the world of architecture, the key to the success of modern architecture, demanded by managers who change their companies for the better. Together with practitioners and experts, you will explore the possibilities of innovational designs in architecture. This course represents the study and practical use of topics that are the fundamental basis of architecture.

Sef Paced
Self-Paced
Virtual Building Design for Engineers Using Autodesk Revit (edX) EdX
University of Maryland, College Park,University System of Maryland - USM,USMx,UMD

Virtual Building Design for Engineers Using Autodesk Revit (edX)

This course is a beginners guide to Autodesk Revit software. Students will learn the fundamentals of Autodesk Revit’s functionality and how Design Professionals and Project Teams use Autodesk Revit-centric and BIM-centric workflows for design and construction optimization, coordination, visualization, and automation.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Basics of Mathematical Modeling of Systems (edX) EdX
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI,MEPhIx

Basics of Mathematical Modeling of Systems (edX)

Basics of scientific visualization in mathematical modeling of systems – the course teaches the basics of scientific visualization of data obtained as a result of mathematical modeling of various systems and processes using C#. The aim of the course is to familiarize the listeners with approaches in scientific visualization of the results obtained from mathematical modeling of various systems and processes using C# with concrete examples.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Design for Recycling of Electronics in a Circular Economy (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Design for Recycling of Electronics in a Circular Economy (edX)

Discover the latest developments in Design for Recycling (DfR) of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the application of recycled plastics into new products. Electronic products bring countless benefits to society, but their production and waste treatment also lead to numerous negative environmental and economic impacts. Since E-waste is the world’s fastest growing waste stream, governments are setting ambitious targets to help this industry transition towards a circular economy.

Nov 10th 2021
4 Weeks
Introduction to 3D Modeling (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Introduction to 3D Modeling (Coursera)

On this four-week practical course from the University of Michigan, you’ll not only learn how to use the Rhino software to create your 3D models, but you’ll also gain basic design skills to help bring your imagination to life. This course will guide you through 3D modeling within Rhino, so you’ll cover the fundamentals of the software as well as 3D modeling in general. You’ll first look at how to navigate the user interface and the different tools that you’ll be using to create models throughout this course. You’ll familiarize yourself with the 3D space and 3D objects before jumping straight in to create your own objects and building blocks.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Programming Mobile Applications for Android Handheld Systems: Part 2 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Maryland, College Park

Programming Mobile Applications for Android Handheld Systems: Part 2 (Coursera)

This course introduces you to the design and implementation of Android applications for mobile devices. You will build upon concepts from the prior course, including handling notifications, using multimedia and graphics and incorporating touch and gestures into your apps.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Seeing Through Photographs (Coursera) Coursera
The Museum of Modern Art

Seeing Through Photographs (Coursera)

Although taking, sharing, and viewing photographs has become second nature for many of us, our regular engagement with images does not necessarily make us visually literate. This course aims to address the gap between seeing and truly understanding photographs by introducing a diversity of ideas, approaches, and technologies that inform their making. In this course you will look closely at 100 photographs from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, going behind the scenes of the Museum and into artist studios through original films and audio interviews.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks