ID113
Effective Visual Design
Faculty
Maya Tansey
UX/UI and Visual Designer
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
This course provides the necessary knowledge and skills to create effective and visually appealing designs. You will learn principles of visual design and how to apply them through lectures, in-class exercises, and a final project. You will also engage in discussions and critiques to exercise critical thinking and articulation skills. By the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in visual design and a strong addition to your portfolio.
Learning highlights
- Understand the fundamental principles of visual design and how to apply them
- Learn how to establish a visual design system for consistency and efficiency
- Learn how to assess visual designs and provide constructive feedback
- Learn how to give an engaging and cohesive presentation on your design solution
- Enhance your portfolio by creating a visual design system for a digital product or service
- Connect directly with industry leaders through guest lectures
Course outline
15 classes
Session 1
- Overview of the course and final project brief
- Lecture on visual design and its importance
- Divide into groups and getting started
Session 2
- Share final project choices
- Lecture on visual identity and branding
- Work session: develop overall visual brand
Session 3
- Lecture on information hierarchy
- In-class exercise
- Work session: research and content
Session 4
- Lecture on sketching and wireframing
- Workshop: wireframing your product
- Homework: test your wireframes
Session 5
- Lecture on grid systems
- In-class exercise
- Work session: create a grid system
Session 6
- Lecture on typography part I
- In-class exercise
- Homework: select typography
Session 7
- Lecture on typography part II
- Work session: type scale and application
- Homework: getting started with UI
- Guest speaker: TBD
Session 8
- Lecture on the use of color in design
- Work session: color palette and usage
- Homework: incorporate color in your UI
- Guest speaker: TBD
Session 9
- Lecture on storytelling with imagery
- Work session: incorporate imagery in your UI
- Guest speaker: TBD
Session 10
- Lecture on UI animations
- Workshop: animation in Figma
- Homework: add animation to your UI
Session 11
- WIP presentation of UI and critique
- Lecture on accessibility and dark patterns
- Homework: accessibility audit
Session 12
- Lecture on design systems
- Work session: build your design system
- Guest speaker: TBD
Session 13
- Lecture on how to present design
- Work session: putting it all together
Session 14
- Final crunch: work session
- Last chance for feedback
Session 15
- Final presentations and feedback
- Self and peer assessment
Prerequisites
This course is open to anyone interested in visual design. There are no required skills; however, basic knowledge of design tools (e.g. Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite) and presentation tools (Keynote or Google Slides) would be helpful for assignments and the final project.
Methodology
Short lectures
Exercises / workshops
Homework
Discussions and critiques
Final project and presentation
Self and peer assessments
Grading
Awards
- Gold winner 2025 in Education for Social Change
Indigo Design Award
Maya Tansey is a UX/UI and Visual Designer based in Barcelona. Having lived in both China and the U.S., she brings a global perspective to digital experiences that inform, connect, and drive action. From branding to web design, her work helps international clients across sectors communicate with clarity and impact. Outside of her design practice, Maya also teaches visual design to help emerging designers build strong, thoughtful foundations.
See full profileApply for this course
Effective Visual Design
by Maya Tansey
Total hours
45 Hours
Dates
Jul 10 - Jul 28, 2023
Fee for single course
€1500
Fee for degree students
€750
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.