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Megan Young

Designers of all types; web, print and UX struggle with layout and composition at some point. Learn to create consistency and solid visual interest across varying mediums.

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Designers of all types; web, print and UX struggle with layout and composition at some point. Learn to create consistency and solid visual interest across varying mediums.

Designers of all types; web, print and ux struggle with layout and composition at some point. By gaining a greater understanding of underlying principles of layout and composition, designers can create consistency, organization and visual interest across many different formats.

For decades, classically trained designers have put to use sets of guidelines to bring consistency and visual interest to their work. It helps take some of the uncertainty out of a new project or can help maintain a complete design system for larger, ongoing projects with many moving parts. In this course, I’ll go over helpful design concepts to improve visual consistency and vernacular when it comes to composition and layout.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Understanding Design Layout Elements
Creating Visual Interest through Contrast, Balance, and Scale in Design
Between the Lines - the Importance of Proportion in Design
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Creating Visual Cadence and Consistency with Grids

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches designers how to create pleasing visual layouts for applications across various platforms
Provides a solid foundation in the principles of layout and composition
Helps designers develop visual consistency and vernacular in their work
Based on classically trained design principles, which are standard in the industry
Specifically covers layout and composition, two core skills for designers

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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 Visual Composition and Layouts with these activities:
Refresh your understanding of basic design principles
Reviewing basic design principles will help refresh your memory and prepare you for the more advanced concepts covered in this course.
Browse courses on Design Principles
Show steps
  • Read a book or article about design principles.
  • Complete an online tutorial on design principles.
Watch video tutorials on layout and composition
Video tutorials can provide helpful insights into the principles of layout and composition and can help you to learn from experienced designers.
Show steps
  • Search for video tutorials on layout and composition.
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes.
Create a mood board or style tile for a design project
Creating a mood board or style tile will help you to develop a visual representation of your design ideas and to communicate them to others.
Show steps
  • Gather images, colors, and textures that inspire you.
  • Organize your inspiration into a mood board or style tile.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Practice creating layouts for different types of design projects
Regular layout practice will help you to improve your skills and develop a strong understanding of the principles of layout and composition.
Show steps
  • Choose a design project and create a layout for it.
  • Get feedback on your layout from a design professional or peer.
Attend a workshop on layout and composition
Workshops provide opportunities to learn from experienced designers and to get hands-on practice with layout and composition.
Show steps
  • Research workshops on layout and composition.
  • Attend a workshop.
Create a portfolio of your design work
Creating a portfolio will help you to organize your design work and to showcase your skills to potential clients or employers.
Show steps
  • Collect your best design work.
  • Create a website or portfolio book to showcase your work.
Mentor a junior designer
Mentoring a junior designer can help you to solidify your own understanding of layout and composition and to develop your leadership skills.
Show steps
  • Find a junior designer who is interested in your guidance.
  • Provide regular feedback and support to the junior designer.
Contribute to an open-source design project
Contributing to an open-source design project can help you to learn from other designers and to improve your skills.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source design project that interests you.
  • Contribute to the project by creating designs or providing feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Visual Composition and Layouts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Visual Designer
This course, Visual Composition and Layouts, is a beneficial resource for those seeking a career as a Visual Designer. The principles of composition and layout explored in the course, such as understanding design layout elements, creating visual interest through contrast, balance, and scale, are critical for success in visual design.
Graphic designer
Individuals interested in becoming Graphic Designers will find Visual Composition and Layouts to be highly applicable. Throughout the course, students will learn about concepts such as creating visual cadence and consistency with grids, which are essential skills for Graphic Designers.
UX Designer
Professionals aiming to advance their careers as UX Designers will value this course. The course's discussion of creating visual interest through contrast, balance, and scale is directly applicable to UX design, and the emphasis on creating consistency and organization is crucial for designing effective user experiences.
Art Director
Art Directors responsible for layout and composition will benefit from the lessons taught in this course. The concepts explored, such as creating visual interest through contrast, balance, and scale, are central to the success of an Art Director's work.
Web Designer
Visual Composition and Layouts is highly relevant to Web Designers, as it comprehensively covers the principles of layout and composition that are fundamental to web design. The course's focus on creating consistency across varying mediums is particularly valuable in the context of web design.
Product Designer
This course is highly relevant to Product Designers, as it provides a comprehensive foundation in visual composition and layout. The principles taught in the course, such as creating visual cadence and consistency with grids, are essential for designing visually appealing and user-friendly products.
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers can gain valuable insights from this course to strengthen their visual communication skills. The course's emphasis on layout, composition, and creating visual interest can help Interaction Designers create more engaging and intuitive user interfaces.
UI Designer
Individuals pursuing a career as UI Designers will find the concepts explored in this course to be relevant and beneficial. The course's emphasis on visual interest, balance, and scale is fundamental to UI design, and the principles taught can help UI Designers create more appealing and user-friendly interfaces.
Creative Director
Visual Composition and Layouts may be an asset to Creative Directors seeking to enhance their understanding of visual appeal and organization. The course provides a deep dive into design elements and principles that are relevant to creative direction, and can help Creative Directors refine their vision and decision-making.
Design Engineer
Design Engineers can benefit from this course to develop a deeper understanding of visual aesthetics and design principles. By learning about layout, composition, and visual interest, Design Engineers can make more informed decisions about the visual aspects of their engineering designs, leading to more user-centric and appealing products.
Information Architect
Information Architects can benefit from the foundational knowledge provided by this course. Visual Composition and Layouts provides a strong foundation in design layout elements, visual interest, and balance, which are all key considerations for organizing and structuring information effectively.
Front-End Developer
Visual Composition and Layouts can be beneficial to Front-End Developers seeking to enhance their visual design skills. By learning about design layout elements, creating visual interest, and using grids, Front-End Developers can create more visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces.
Marketing Manager
This course may be of interest to Marketing Managers seeking to strengthen their visual communication skills. Visual Composition and Layouts provides a comprehensive exploration of layout and composition, principles that can be applied to marketing materials to create a stronger visual impact and increase engagement.
Product Manager
Product Managers can benefit from this course to enhance their understanding of visual principles in product design. By gaining a deeper understanding of layout and composition, Product Managers can make more informed decisions about the visual aspects of their products, leading to a better user experience.
Project Manager
Project Managers may find value in this course to strengthen their ability to communicate visual concepts and work with designers. Understanding the principles of layout and composition can enhance their communication with design teams, leading to more effective collaboration and successful project outcomes.

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 Visual Composition and Layouts.
Covers the fundamental principles of design, which are essential for any designer who wants to create visually appealing and effective designs.
Covers the principles of user experience design, which are essential for any designer who wants to create websites and other digital products that are both visually appealing and easy to use.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the elements of design, including line, shape, form, texture, and pattern.
Covers the basics of human-computer interaction, which is essential for any designer who wants to create websites and other digital products that are both visually appealing and easy to use.
Covers the basics of information architecture, which is essential for any designer who wants to create websites and other digital products that are both visually appealing and easy to use.
Covers the basics of web design, including how to create a website that is both visually appealing and easy to use.
Covers the anatomy of typography, including the different parts of a letterform and how they affect readability and legibility.
Great introduction to the basics of user interface design, and it is perfect for beginners who want to learn more about how to create websites and other digital products that are both visually appealing and easy to use.

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