Free course · Design & Creative
Graphic Design Starter
A free introduction to how designers think: layout principles, colour and type, brand identity, and preparing files for print and screen.
Free · self-study · no certificate
About 5 hours
2 modules · 5 lessons
What you will be able to do
- Explain the core layout principles of balance, contrast, alignment and hierarchy
- Choose a readable type pairing and a small colour palette for a purpose
- Prepare a design with the right size, resolution and colour mode for print or screen
Who it's for
- Complete beginners curious about design
- Small-business owners who make their own posters and social posts
Before you start
Basic computer or smartphone use. Canva (free tier) or any design app is enough to practise.
Module 1 · about 120 minutes
Seeing Like a Designer
Principles, colour and type: the decisions behind every good layout.
- Name and spot the main layout principles in real posters
- Build a simple palette and type pairing
Module 2 · about 80 minutes
Designing for Real Use
Brand basics, print versus digital formats and a first look at interface design.
- Describe what a basic brand identity contains
- Set up files correctly for print and for screens
Further learning
- WCAG overview (W3C Web Accessibility Initiative) — The accessibility guidelines behind the contrast and readability rules in this program.
- Google Fonts Knowledge — Free lessons on typography and using type well, alongside license-safe fonts.
- GIMP — A free, open-source image editor for practising photo editing.
- Figma Resource Library — Articles and guides on interface design and prototyping in Figma.
Continue with a full program
- Graphic Design — Create professional posters, flyers, and digital assets for NGOs, businesses, and campaigns.
- Video Editing — Edit documentaries, social media content, and awareness videos for local and international audiences.
- Digital Marketing & Social Media Management — Plan, create, run and measure digital marketing — social media content, short video, SEO, paid ads, WhatsApp and email — for real local businesses and organisations.
Want the full Graphic Design program?
This free course is an introduction. The full program is taught live by an instructor, with practical assignments, assessments, projects and a certificate.
See the Graphic Design program