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Design & Creative

Graphic Design Foundations

Learn visual communication from the ground up: design as communication not decoration, the core principles (hierarchy, contrast, alignment, space), color and typography basics, accessible tools and responsible AI use, and composing a complete piece. Beginner-friendly, ending with a design capstone.

BEGINNER · en · ~240 min

Instructor: Self-paced · Reviewed by: Iroko Skills Academy team · Published by: Iroko Skills Academy team

Learning objectives

  • Treat design as communication serving a message and audience
  • Apply hierarchy, contrast, alignment, and white space
  • Use color and typography with restraint and readability
  • Compose a complete design and self-check it with the squint test

Before you start

Prerequisites: None

Device/connectivity: Smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop capable of creating and uploading files, Internet access for lessons, tools, and assignment submission

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What you'll cover

  1. Design as Communication

    • Design is communication, not decoration
    • The core principles: hierarchy, contrast, alignment, space

  2. Color, Type, and Tools

    • Color and typography basics
    • Tools and working with (or without) AI

  3. Composition and Capstone

    • Putting it together: composing a complete design
    • Capstone: design a complete piece

Assessment and completion criteria

Complete every published lesson to earn a completion badge. A self-paced certificate also requires passing every server-graded quiz. Practical assignments provide project feedback and may support a separate verified-proficiency record, but they do not delay the standard course certificate.

  • Optional reviewed project: Design a complete piece · rubric v1 · pass ≥ 70%