We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Information Design

Scott Klemmer

4.5

Based on 573 ratings

, see reviews

Scott Klemmer

A blank canvas is full of possibility. If you have an idea for a user experience, how do you turn it into a beautiful and effective user interface? This covers covers principles of visual design so that you can effectively organize and present information with your interfaces. You'll learn concrete strategies to create user interfaces, including key lessons in typography, information architecture, layout, color, and more. You’ll learn particular issues that arise in new device contexts, such as mobile and responsive interfaces. You will learn how to apply these design principles in a modern context of increasingly diverse form factors - from tablets, to walls, to watches.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.

All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until March 12, 2027

Save 40% Off 3 Months

Access thousands of top-rated learning programs with a Coursera Plus monthly subscription and take 40% off 3 months for a limited time.

What's inside

Syllabus

Wireframes & Mock-ups

So you’re ready to lay out an interface. Don’t jump into code just yet. Rapid prototypes help you figure out the look and feel of an interface quickly, before you start implementation. In this week, I’ll introduce both principles and software tools for effective pixel prototyping. These rapid prototypes for communication within a design team and for getting buy-in from stakeholders. If you walk into any design studio, you’ll likely see these fast prototypes adorning the walls. Now you can add your own to the mix.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the principles of visual design which you can use to organize and present information in your interfaces

Provides concrete strategies to create user interfaces with key lessons in typography, information architecture, layout, color, and others

Examines issues that arise in new device contexts like mobile and responsive interfaces

Covers principles in typography, information architecture, layout, color, and others in relation to modern and increasingly diverse form factors of technology devices

Focuses on rapid prototyping, wireframes, and mock-ups to help you figure out the look and feel of an interface before you start implementation

Delves into flexible layout for responsive design given the diversity of computing devices that exist worldwide

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Core principles of information design

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in visual design principles relevant to user interfaces. Many found the coverage of typography, layout, and color particularly helpful. Students appreciated the introduction to wireframing and mockups as practical skills. While the core principles are well-received and considered a good starting point for beginners, some more experienced designers felt the course content could be too basic and might lack depth on advanced topics or modern tools. The sections on responsive design were generally seen as useful, though the newer topics like 'new devices' and 'big data' were less frequently mentioned or sometimes felt less integrated with the core design concepts.

Covers adapting interfaces for devices.

"The module on flexible layout and responsive design was highly relevant today."

"Learned valuable strategies for making interfaces adapt to different screen sizes."

"Understanding i18n and responsive principles was very helpful."

"Good overview of designing for a range of device form factors."

Ideal starting point for new designers.

"As someone new to design, this course was perfect to get me started."

"It breaks down complex ideas into digestible chunks, great for beginners."

"If you know nothing about UI design, start here."

"Found it very accessible even without prior design experience."

Hands-on practice with prototyping tools.

"Learning about wireframes and mockups and actually doing it was the most useful part."

"The focus on rapid prototyping using software tools was super practical."

"I can immediately apply the wireframing techniques I learned to my projects."

"Really appreciated the practical demo on pixel prototyping."

Excellent introduction to core visual design.

"This course laid a really strong foundation for understanding visual design principles for interfaces."

"The modules on typography, color, and layout were incredibly clear and easy to grasp."

"I learned the essential building blocks I needed to start thinking about information design effectively."

"Gave me a solid understanding of the basics, which is exactly what I was looking for."

Advanced topics feel separate.

"The 'New devices, big data' lecture felt a bit disconnected from the main design principles."

"While interesting, the section on designing smart things didn't seem fully integrated with the rest of the course."

"Wished the course tied the big data/new devices concepts more clearly back to fundamental information design."

"The final module felt a little tacked on compared to the strong foundation built earlier."

Too basic for those with prior knowledge.

"Most of the content was a review for me; it didn't go deep enough into advanced topics."

"Felt this course was geared strictly towards absolute beginners; wished for more complexity."

"Was hoping for more advanced strategies and modern design trends, but it stayed quite surface-level."

"If you have some design background, you might find this course covers familiar ground."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Information Design with these activities:

Review the course syllabus and materials

Show steps

Reviewing the course syllabus and materials will familiarize you with the course content and expectations, helping you better prepare for the course

Show steps

Read the course syllabus thoroughly
Review the course materials, including readings, videos, and assignments

Complete online quizzes and practice exercises on user interface design principles

Show steps

Complete online quizzes and practice exercises on user interface design principles

Browse courses on User Interface Design

Show steps

Find online quizzes and practice exercises on user interface design principles
Complete the quizzes and exercises

Review Don Norman's The Design of Everyday Things

Show steps

Reviewing this classic book in user experience design will provide foundational background and illustrate important concepts in the course

View Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book from start to finish, taking notes as you go
Summarize each chapter, focusing on the core concepts
Identify the examples and case studies that resonate with you the most and explain why

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Follow a tutorial on how to use a new user interface design software

Show steps

Following a tutorial will enhance your working knowledge and efficiency when using new software

Browse courses on User Interface Design

Show steps

Find a tutorial on how to use a new user interface design software
Follow the steps in the tutorial
Complete the tutorial and practice using the new software

Participate in a peer review session to critique user interface designs

Show steps

Participate in a peer review session to critique user interface designs, giving and receiving constructive feedback

Browse courses on User Interface Design

Show steps

Find a peer review session to participate in
Bring a user interface design to the session for critique
Give and receive constructive feedback on user interface designs

Create a portfolio website of your user interface designs

Show steps

Starting a portfolio will help you develop your user interface designs, practice your skills, and build a body of work to showcase your abilities

Browse courses on User Interface Design

Show steps

Create a list of potential user interface design projects
Choose a few projects to focus on that represent a range of skills and styles
Sketch out ideas and create wireframes for each project
Develop the user interface designs for each project
Create a website to showcase your user interface designs

Write a blog post or article about a new user interface design trend

Show steps

Writing about user interface design trends will require you to synthesize and communicate complex information, while also demonstrating your understanding

Browse courses on User Interface Design

Show steps

Research current user interface design trends
Choose a specific trend to focus on
Write a blog post or article that explains the trend and discusses its implications

Enter a user interface design competition

Show steps

Entering a user interface design competition will provide you with an opportunity to test your skills, receive feedback, and potentially win recognition for your work

Browse courses on User Interface Design

Show steps

Find a user interface design competition to enter
Develop a user interface design for the competition
Submit your user interface design to the competition

Career center

Learners who complete Information Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Information Architect

An Information Architect is someone who creates the structure and organization of websites and other digital products. They make sure that users can easily find the information they're looking for and have a positive experience using the product. Information Design can help you build a foundation in the principles of visual design, which are essential for creating effective user interfaces. This course will also teach you about information architecture, which is the art of organizing and presenting information in a clear and concise way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

User Experience Designer

A User Experience Designer (UX Designer) focuses on the user's experience when interacting with a product or service. They work to make sure that the product is easy to use, efficient, and enjoyable. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful UX Designer. This course will teach you about the principles of visual design, human-computer interaction, and user research. You will also learn how to use design tools to create prototypes and mockups.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Visual Designer

A Visual Designer creates the visual elements of a product or service, such as the layout, typography, and color scheme. They work to make sure that the product is visually appealing and consistent with the brand's identity. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Visual Designer. This course will teach you about the principles of visual design, color theory, and typography. You will also learn how to use design tools to create visual concepts and mockups.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Designer

Front-End Developer

A Front-End Developer is responsible for the design and implementation of the user interface of a website or application. They work to make sure that the interface is visually appealing, easy to use, and efficient. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Front-End Developer. This course will teach you about the principles of visual design, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You will also learn how to use design tools to create prototypes and mockups.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

Interaction Designer

An Interaction Designer creates the interactive elements of a product or service, such as the buttons, menus, and navigation. They work to make sure that the product is easy to use and enjoyable to interact with. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Interaction Designer. This course will teach you about the principles of visual design, human-computer interaction, and user research. You will also learn how to use design tools to create prototypes and mockups.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Product Designer

A Product Designer is responsible for the overall design of a product, from the user interface to the packaging. They work to make sure that the product meets the needs of the users and is successful in the marketplace. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Product Designer. This course will teach you about the principles of visual design, user research, and product development. You will also learn how to use design tools to create prototypes and mockups.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Graphic Designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts for a variety of media, including print, web, and social media. They work to make sure that the visual concepts are visually appealing and communicate the intended message. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Graphic Designer. This course will teach you about the principles of visual design, color theory, and typography. You will also learn how to use design tools to create visual concepts and mockups.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Web Designer

A Web Designer creates the design and layout of websites. They work to make sure that the website is visually appealing, easy to use, and efficient. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Web Designer. This course will teach you about the principles of visual design, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You will also learn how to use design tools to create prototypes and mockups.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

User Researcher

A User Researcher studies the behavior and needs of users in order to design products and services that meet their needs. They work to make sure that the products and services are easy to use and enjoyable to interact with. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful User Researcher. This course will teach you about the principles of user research, human-computer interaction, and data analysis. You will also learn how to conduct user research studies and analyze the results.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Researcher

Content Strategist

A Content Strategist develops and manages the content of a website or other digital product. They work to make sure that the content is clear, concise, and engaging. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Content Strategist. This course will teach you about the principles of information architecture, content writing, and search engine optimization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Strategist

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work to make sure that the campaigns are effective and reach the target audience. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Marketing Manager. This course will teach you about the principles of marketing, branding, and public relations. You will also learn how to use design tools to create marketing materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and managing a sales team. They work to make sure that the team meets its sales goals and provides excellent customer service. Information Design may be useful for developing the skills you need to be a successful Sales Manager. This course will teach you about the principles of sales, customer relationship management, and negotiation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work to make sure that the projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Project Manager. This course will teach you about the principles of project management, risk management, and stakeholder management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to help businesses make informed decisions. They work to make sure that the data is accurate, reliable, and useful. Information Design can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Data Analyst. This course will teach you about the principles of data analysis, data visualization, and statistical modeling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. They work to make sure that the business is operating efficiently and effectively. Information Design may be useful for developing the skills you need to be a successful Business Analyst. This course will teach you about the principles of business analysis, process mapping, and data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 37 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Information Design.

Beautiful Evidence

Save

This classic text provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of graphical information design, with a focus on the effective presentation of complex data.

Beautiful Evidence

Hardcover

Visual Thinking for Information Design

Save

Is particularly useful to read alongside the Information Design course. It provides background and prerequisite knowledge in information visualization, covering perception, design, and evaluation. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and by industry professionals.

Visual Thinking for Information Design

Kindle Edition