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Course

Design Tools and Techniques

DSGN-40001

Design Tools and Techniques: A Hands-on Course
10 Weeks | No Prerequisite
Format: 
Asynchronous Online with Instructor Feedback and Guidance Throughout

Unlock the full potential of modern design with our course on Design Tools and Techniques, where you’ll gain comprehensive, hands-on experience with the essential software used by industry professionals today.

Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or learn new tools, this course covers a wide range of design platforms and techniques to equip you for real-world projects. From photo editing and vector graphics to UI/UX design and 3D modeling, you’ll learn about relevant and current design tools for digital media.

Course Details

In this project-based course, you’ll be introduced to industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma, Sketch, and more.

Learn the ins and outs of Adobe Photoshop for photo manipulation and compositing, create vector artwork and logos in Illustrator, and become familiar with digital layouts in InDesign. You’ll also delve into the fundamentals of UI design with Figma, where you’ll practice building interactive mockups and prototypes. By the end of the course, you’ll understand the diverse skill needed for a wide range of design applications, including web, print, and mobile media.

Beyond traditional design tools, this course introduces you to essential aspects of user experience (UX) design. You’ll gain valuable skills in user research, persona development, and wireframing, ensuring that your designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also user-friendly and functional. As part of the curriculum, you'll explore 3D design tools like Blender and SketchUp, adding depth to your creative toolkit. Additionally, you’ll learn about foundational web design skills, including HTML, CSS, and responsive design principles, that will allow you to create designs that adapt across various devices and platforms.

Curated Linkedin Learning modules keep this course current and relevant. Weekly exercises and applied projects will integrate the course tools and techniques, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world design challenges. Guided instructor feedback, ensures that you stay focused and on target.  

This course is intended to be both comprehensive and practical, preparing you for the dynamic demands of the design industry. Whether you’re interested in graphic design, or plan to pursue specialties like web design, UI/UX, or 3D modeling, this course will expand your knowledge and make you a more versatile, market-ready designer.

What You'll Learn

  • Gain proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite for graphic design, photo editing, and layout. 
  • Explore digital imaging, enhancement, and creative design principles using Adobe Photoshop.
  • Understand vector graphics and logo design skills with Adobe Illustrator.
  • Learn digital layout techniques using Adobe InDesign.
  • Apply UX design principles and the UX life cycle including user research, persona development, and wireframing.
  • Practice UI design principles and create interactive mockups with prototyping tools like Figma.
  • Get hands-on experience with HTML, CSS, and responsive frameworks.  
  • Learn about 3D design and video editing tools such as Blender, SketchUp, and Premier.
  • Complete project-based exercises that integrate multiple design tools and real-world application skills as you build toward your design portfolio.

Course Information

Online
3.00 units
$695.00
Notes: Quarters Offered: Winter, Summer
Equipment/Software: Adobe Creative Cloud for Students is required. A Linkedin Learning subscription is also required for this course. You may be able to use a free trial offer for a portion of the course. These costs are not included in your course price. Your instructor will provide information regarding other free/free trial software. 
Flexible Enrollment: This course is a requirement for the Digital Design and Creative Strategy Professional Certificate but is open to all students, even if you're not enrolled in the Certificate Program. 
Academic Calendar: The Academic Calendar shows the open enrollment dates and term start dates for each quarter. Courses do not necessarily start on the first day of the term. 

Course sessions

Closed