The Language of Design: Form and Meaning from Coursera

In this course, critique is defined as a detailed, objective analysis of a work of graphic design and its effectiveness. Critique is an integral part of the making process for designers: it’s not just how we determine if a work of design is or is not successful, it’s how we move our work forward. Critique is also where other voices and opinions can be brought into the design process.

This course will introduce a lexicon (or vocabulary) in order for you to demonstrate clearer and more considered ways of talking about graphic design in the context of critique. Through this lexicon and a provided Critique Framework, we will model and then practice objectively describing how well a work of design functions based on specific, clearly articulated criteria. By refining this skill, you will enhance your ability to communicate about design with peers, colleagues, and clients.

This course is essential to anyone looking to develop and refine a critical vocabulary around talking about art and design, such as:

- practicing graphic designers at all levels

- future and current students of art or design programs

- teachers teaching visual art, design, or related subjects

- any stakeholder in a design project that needs to communicate effectively with designers on their team.

This course is recommended to learners enrolled in either the Graphic Design Specialization or UI/UX Design Specialization on Coursera to further develop their skills in graphic design. You may take this course before, during, or after completing either Specialization.

Note this is not an art appreciation course for a general audience. While no prior experience is required to begin, the knowledge and skills taught in this course is useful only if you have some relationship to design in a professional context, i.e., practicing, studying, or teaching design, or working directly with designers.

No specific software or tools are required to complete this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Course Orientation and Overview

In this module we'll explain what this course is about and share guidelines surrounding our expectations for course communication and assignment submissions.

Week 1: Audience/Context/Culture

This module provides an introduction to the larger ideas and cultural discussions that graphic design work inhabits, and some terms and ideas used within graphic design. We won't be covering a comprehensive dictionary of graphic design terms, but rather introducing a functional language used in the discussion of graphic design in a critique context. We will also discuss and analyze specific works of design and how they relate to the larger cultural context in which design operates, and why this is important. We will also learn about critique culture, and the importance of analyzing work based on subjective criteria rather than personal taste or subjective opinions.

Week 2: Basics of Form

In this module we will introduce key concepts and terms used in the critique of visual form in design work. We will cover basic terms used in the discussion of visual contrast, composition, and hierarchy. We will also discuss how to establish a vocabulary for the evaluation of visual form, and use that vocabulary in conjunction with the designer’s intention and the function of the work to build a framework to structure critique.

Week 3: Meaning and Concept

In this module we will focus on ways to describe and evaluate meaning in works of visual design. Using connotation and denotation as a foundation, the lessons in this module explain a range of approaches for creating meaning, from visual metaphor to cliche and parody. By building cultural literacy and developing research skills, we will practice identifying themes in design work and interpreting design concepts.

Week 4: Synthesis: Critique and Effective Design

In this final module, you will synthesize all of the skills you have acquired in the previous modules into a structured critique of graphic design work. As you will see, this module is weighted much more heavily toward assessment and practice than previous modules. Assessing the success of a finished piece of design is difficult because there are so many variables to consider at the same time. You have learned the basic lexicon and syntax for talking about design. Now is the time to put all of these skills together to talk about a piece of design in a holistic and effective way.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops and strengthens a core vocabulary for visual critique

Explores concepts that are foundational to design practice

Emphasizes critical analysis skills that translate across many art and design disciplines

Reviews summary

Language of design course: form and meaning

learners say this course is largely positive and offers engaging assignments. It teaches graphic design vocabulary, design theory, and concepts. Through weekly homework assignments, readings, lectures, and quizzes, students in this course gain skills in critiquing design and expressing their ideas clearly. Students in the course also learn how to create meaningful connections between the design and the audience.

Course includes weekly assignments.

"The weekly quizzes are thought provoking and encourage your critical thinking skills, not just merely recalling information from memory."

"I was able to use the new vocab and skills I was learning in practise in the assignments."

"The assignments are very creative! The course function was strong / clear ;)"

Instruction is clear and easy to follow.

"Well presented and structured. The lectures were well put together and flowed well into each other."

"The videos, reading lexicon, and practice lessons were easy to follow and was clear, especially with the examples provided."

"This is the course I wish I had taken before I pursued a career in design!"

Teaches students to talk about forms, shapes, and designs.

"This course taught me how to talk about graphic design better."

"I learnt a lot about form in design and the terminology about visual hierarchy, shape and contrast etc. The course was very helpful."

"Excellent course, I learned a lot. Is really cool to learn in detail about a design concept, and how to interpret the meaning."

Provides a framework for learners to critique designs.

"This course helped me understand the complexity of design and how to give an objective feedback."

"The course gave me knowledge how to critique a graphic design or advertisement in an objective manner."

"An excellent course that describes about the importance of design critique and how it helps us as a designer to apply in our work."

Some learners may find the concepts difficult to understand.

"It is a good course to build your critiquing skills and be properly able to understand the intention behind certain design decisions, if a bit simplistic."

"For an entry level course that welcomes beginning designers and non-designers, I feel the examples shown and pieces for critique were difficult for even experienced designers."

"This was somewhat a difficult course, but it is also very fulfilling to finish this and glean much information that would enhance my design theory instead of relying on gut feelings."

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 The Language of Design: Form and Meaning with these activities:

Explore Online Design Resources

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Expand your design knowledge by exploring online resources and tutorials.

Browse courses on Inspiration

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Search for online tutorials and articles related to specific design topics.
Follow design blogs and social media accounts.
Attend virtual design meetups or workshops.

Read 'The Design of Everyday Things' by Don Norman

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Build a foundation for foundational principles of design and how it impacts the user experience.

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

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Identify examples of good and bad design in your daily life.

Analyze and Critique Design Examples

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Develop your critical thinking and analytical skills by examining and evaluating design work.

Browse courses on Critique

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Collect examples of design work from various sources.
Apply the principles and concepts learned in the course to analyze and critique the designs.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Critique and Discuss Design Work

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Enhance your communication and collaboration skills through peer feedback on design work.

Browse courses on Critique

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Form small groups of peers.
Present and discuss design work with each other.
Provide constructive feedback based on design principles and course concepts.
Reflect on the feedback received and make revisions.

Design a Poster or Brochure

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Apply your design skills in a practical setting by creating a visual communication piece.

Browse courses on Visual Design

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Brainstorm and sketch out your ideas.
Choose a design software and create your design.
Test and refine your design with feedback from peers or instructors.
Present your final design.

Design a Visual System for a Brand or Organization

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Apply your comprehensive design skills to create a cohesive visual identity.

Browse courses on Branding

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Research and develop a brand strategy.
Design a logo, color palette, and typography.
Apply the visual system to various marketing materials, such as a website, social media, and print materials.

Develop a Design Portfolio or Website

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Create a platform to professionally present your design work and skills.

Browse courses on Portfolio

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Gather your best design work.
Choose a platform or template for your portfolio.
Design and develop your portfolio, highlighting your skills and experience.
Share your portfolio with potential employers or clients.

Career center

Learners who complete The Language of Design: Form and Meaning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Designer

Web Designers create and maintain websites. They work with clients to develop the design and layout of websites, and they write code to implement the design. This course may be useful for Web Designers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Web Designers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with clients and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

UI/UX Designer

UI/UX Designers create the user interface and user experience for websites, apps, and other digital products. They work with designers and engineers to create products that are both functional and visually appealing. This course may be useful for UI/UX Designers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help UI/UX Designers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with clients and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI/UX Designer

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for applications such as brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. This course may be useful for Graphic Designers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Graphic Designers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with clients and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers design the user experience for websites, apps, and other digital products. They work with designers and engineers to create products that are both functional and visually appealing. This course may be useful for Interaction Designers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Interaction Designers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with clients and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Brand Manager

Brand Managers are responsible for developing and managing a company's brand identity. They work with marketing and advertising teams to create and implement marketing campaigns that build brand awareness and loyalty. This course may be useful for Brand Managers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Brand Managers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with designers and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brand Manager

Art Director

Art Directors oversee the visual style and presentation of a wide range of media, including print, digital, and social media. They work with designers, photographers, and other creatives to develop concepts and ensure that the final product meets the client's needs. This course may be useful for Art Directors as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Art Directors to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with clients and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with project teams to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course may be useful for Project Managers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Project Managers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with designers and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Product Designer

Product Designers design the look and feel of products, from concept to final production. They work with engineers and manufacturers to create products that are both functional and visually appealing. This course may be useful for Product Designers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Product Designers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with clients and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that promote a company's products or services. They work with marketing teams to develop and implement marketing strategies that reach target audiences. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Marketing Managers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with designers and other stakeholders.

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Creative Director

Creative Directors oversee the creative vision and execution of a wide range of projects, including advertising campaigns, website design, and product development. They work with designers, writers, and other creatives to develop and implement creative concepts that meet the client's needs. This course may be useful for Creative Directors as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Creative Directors to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with clients and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

User Experience Researcher

User Experience Researchers conduct research on user behavior and preferences. They work with designers and engineers to develop and test new design concepts. This course may be useful for User Experience Researchers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help User Experience Researchers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with designers and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher

Design Researcher

Design Researchers conduct research on design trends and user behavior. They work with designers to develop and test new design concepts. This course may be useful for Design Researchers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Design Researchers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with designers and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

Design Educator

Design Educators teach courses in design at colleges and universities. They work with students to develop their design skills and knowledge. This course may be useful for Design Educators as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Design Educators to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with students and other stakeholders.

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Design Consultant

Design Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses on how to improve their design processes and products. They work with clients to identify design problems and develop solutions that meet their needs. This course may be useful for Design Consultants as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Design Consultants to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with clients and other stakeholders.

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Writer

Writers create written content such as articles, blog posts, and stories. They work with editors to develop and refine their writing, and they may also work with designers to create visual content. This course may be useful for Writers as it provides a foundation in the language of design, form, and meaning. This course will help Writers to develop a critical vocabulary and framework for evaluating and discussing design work, which can be essential for communicating effectively with designers and other stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer