Intro to Design Curriculum

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Curriculum

Intro to Design

Learn design fundamentals: color, typography, layout, and visual communication.

Duration: 12 Weeks

Level: Beginner

Study Time: 2 hours/week + labs

School: Hexadigitall Academy

Welcome to Intro to Design! 🎓

This curriculum is designed to take you from core understanding to confident delivery through weekly applied practice, measurable outcomes, and portfolio evidence.

Each week builds progressively with practical tasks, implementation checkpoints, and reflection points so you can convert knowledge into repeatable professional performance.

Your success is our priority. Stay consistent with weekly execution, document your work, and use feedback loops to continuously improve your delivery quality.

Essential Resources

Design system templates, component libraries, and accessibility audit checklists
Figma starter kits with typography scales, color systems, and responsive breakpoints
Usability testing scripts and design critique frameworks

Learning Roadmap

Early Weeks: Design fundamentals, visual hierarchy, and component basics
Middle Weeks: Design systems, accessibility standards, and interaction patterns
Late Weeks: Portfolio building, stakeholder communication, and design leadership
Layout, Spacing, and Composition
Using Grids and Visual Rhythm
Working with Images, Icons, and Shapes
Design Tool Workflow and File Organization
Designing for Screens versus Print
Brand Basics: Consistency and Style
Feedback, Critique, and Iteration
Building a Small Design System Starter
Capstone: Poster, Social Graphic, or Landing Visual

Detailed Weekly Curriculum

Each week includes outcomes and practical lab work aligned to the curriculum structure.

Week 1

Design Principles: Contrast, Alignment, and Hierarchy

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Identify the principles of Design Principles: Contrast, Alignment, and Hierarchy and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Explain Design Principles: Contrast, Alignment, and Hierarchy in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Apply trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Design Principles: Contrast, Alignment, and Hierarchy, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Document a portfolio-ready design system case study for Design Principles: Contrast, Alignment, and Hierarchy with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 2

Color Theory and Mood in Visual Design

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Identify the principles of Color Theory and Mood in Visual Design and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Explain Color Theory and Mood in Visual Design in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Apply trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Color Theory and Mood in Visual Design, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Document a portfolio-ready design system case study for Color Theory and Mood in Visual Design with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 3

Typography Basics and Type Pairing

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Identify the principles of Typography Basics and Type Pairing and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Explain Typography Basics and Type Pairing in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Apply trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Typography Basics and Type Pairing, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Document a portfolio-ready design system case study for Typography Basics and Type Pairing with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 4

Layout, Spacing, and Composition

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Identify the principles of Layout, Spacing, and Composition and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Explain Layout, Spacing, and Composition in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Apply trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Layout, Spacing, and Composition, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Document a portfolio-ready design system case study for Layout, Spacing, and Composition with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 5

Using Grids and Visual Rhythm

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Apply the principles of Using Grids and Visual Rhythm and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Analyze Using Grids and Visual Rhythm in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Evaluate trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Using Grids and Visual Rhythm, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Document a portfolio-ready design system case study for Using Grids and Visual Rhythm with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 6

Working with Images, Icons, and Shapes

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Apply the principles of Working with Images, Icons, and Shapes and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Analyze Working with Images, Icons, and Shapes in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Evaluate trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Working with Images, Icons, and Shapes, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Document a portfolio-ready design system case study for Working with Images, Icons, and Shapes with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 7

Design Tool Workflow and File Organization

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Apply the principles of Design Tool Workflow and File Organization and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Analyze Design Tool Workflow and File Organization in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Evaluate trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Design Tool Workflow and File Organization, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Document a portfolio-ready design system case study for Design Tool Workflow and File Organization with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 8

Designing for Screens versus Print

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Apply the principles of Designing for Screens versus Print and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Analyze Designing for Screens versus Print in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Evaluate trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Designing for Screens versus Print, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Document a portfolio-ready design system case study for Designing for Screens versus Print with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 9

Brand Basics: Consistency and Style

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Analyze the principles of Brand Basics: Consistency and Style and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Evaluate Brand Basics: Consistency and Style in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Create trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Brand Basics: Consistency and Style, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Defend a portfolio-ready design system case study for Brand Basics: Consistency and Style with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 10

Feedback, Critique, and Iteration

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Analyze the principles of Feedback, Critique, and Iteration and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Evaluate Feedback, Critique, and Iteration in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Create trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Feedback, Critique, and Iteration, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Defend a portfolio-ready design system case study for Feedback, Critique, and Iteration with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 11

Building a Small Design System Starter

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Analyze the principles of Building a Small Design System Starter and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Evaluate Building a Small Design System Starter in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Create trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Building a Small Design System Starter, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Defend a portfolio-ready design system case study for Building a Small Design System Starter with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Week 12

Capstone: Poster, Social Graphic, or Landing Visual

2 hours/week + labs

Learning Outcomes

Analyze the principles of Capstone: Poster, Social Graphic, or Landing Visual and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
Evaluate Capstone: Poster, Social Graphic, or Landing Visual in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
Create trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Capstone: Poster, Social Graphic, or Landing Visual, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
Defend a portfolio-ready design system case study for Capstone: Poster, Social Graphic, or Landing Visual with measurable success criteria and next actions.
Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Capstone Projects

Project 1: Visual Fundamentals Portfolio Piece

Create a polished design piece that demonstrates hierarchy, spacing, typography, and color control in one coherent composition.

Concept exploration and selection board
Final visual artifact and export set
Design rationale summary

Project 2: Brand-Consistent Asset Series

Build a small branded asset series using shared style rules, reusable components, and structured file organization.

Mini style guide and component kit
Multi-format asset set
Iteration and critique log

Project 3: Capstone: Communication Design Showcase

Deliver a final design showcase featuring one primary capstone output with supporting variations, process evidence, and portfolio-ready storytelling.

Complete capstone design package
Process documentation and refinements
Presentation-ready case summary