How to Learn Design Theory

Knowledge of design theory gives designers a greater understanding of how to use the various design elements in their work. Armed with this knowledge, they can more easily create designs that fulfill their intended purpose. The number of options for learning design theory might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more to choose from. There are also different formats, including in-person, live-online, and on-demand. Some of these options are free, while others are not. Ultimately, the educational path you choose will depend on your learning style, your budget, and your personal learning preferences. 

Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning design theory so you can decide how you’d like to get started.

What is Design Theory?

Design theory is a system that explains how a design works and why it works that way. Every choice that a designer makes has a specific effect on the audience. For instance, a design can communicate, direct, invite, entice, or excite the viewer. Design theory is a way to understand how and why this happens. It gives designers a deeper understanding of how various design choices work together to communicate a specific message. 

When studying design theory, users will learn about design's key elements, including alignment, repetition, contrast, hierarchy, and balance. These elements all have a specific effect on an audience and are an important part of communicating a message in any design. For instance, contrast emphasizes particular aspects of a design or evokes certain feelings in the viewer. Balance can create a feeling of tension or stability, both of which affect the viewer in different ways.

Designers who understand design theory can make better creative choices because they know how these choices will affect an audience. They combine a knowledge of design elements with the specific purpose a design intends to achieve. Thanks to understanding how design works, designers can create a finished product that looks the way they want it to and does what they intend.

Read more about what design theory is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Design Theory?

Design-related careers exist in different industries, and design theory is an essential foundation for many jobs. Designers work in fields like advertising, video editing, magazine publishing, and website creation. They create an array of different products, including advertisements, website graphics, and product packaging. Some designers work on digital designs, such as social media graphics, while others design for non-digital products, like books or business cards.

Almost every industry needs designers, so there will likely be a design job to match every interest. Web design is one popular field that involves creating and maintaining websites. Motion design is another popular design career. In this job, designers apply graphic design principles to filmmaking and video production. Augmented reality design is a newer design field. Designers who work in augmented reality enhance the real-world environment with virtual content, helping to improve the way people interact with the world.

In-Person Design Theory Training

In-person learning is a popular way to learn design theory for several reasons. One of the most significant advantages of an in-person classroom is that students can engage in live conversation with the instructor and other students. Many people find this the most effective way to learn a new subject. The traditional classroom setting also lacks many distractions that students might encounter at home and can make it easier to focus on the lesson. However, in-person classes are less flexible, offering instruction only at certain times and locations.

Students who prefer in-person training can take in-person design theory classes through Noble Desktop. The Classes Near Me tool is an easy way to find out what classes the school offers. Noble Desktop’s campus is conveniently located near many public transportation hubs in New York City. The school sees students from all over the city and nearby areas such as New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Live Online Design Theory Training

Live online design theory classes give students more flexibility than in a traditional classroom setting but still provide an interactive educational experience with a live instructor. Some students prefer online courses because they feel more comfortable asking questions behind screens. Live online classes also typically allow interaction with other students, further enhancing the learning experience. Students who choose live online courses can attend from anywhere in the world or from the comfort of their homes.

A disadvantage of live online instruction is that students must log on at a specific time to attend each session. Students may also find that a home environment has more distractions than a classroom setting. For this reason, teachers suggest that people who study from home set up a dedicated study area to reduce distractions.

Noble Desktop offers many live online design theory classes, all available to find using the Classes Near Me tool. Other schools also teach live online design classes, including Designlab and Creative Live.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Users serious about learning design theory may want to invest in a professional training class. However, there are many free online options for those who would like a free introduction to the topic before committing to a paid course. Noble Desktop provides free tutorials and seminars on its YouTube channel. These include a seminar on typography and Get Started in Design, a tutorial that gives viewers an overview of the many different types of digital design.

Other websites also offer free design theory classes. For example, Udemy has graphic design classes that cover design theory. Coursera also teaches several different design classes, including user interface design. Some providers offer introductory courses for free but require users to pay for their premium content.

Free design classes are a valuable resource, but students must ensure that any information they access online is reliable and current. Because the internet is so accessible, designers can benefit from a wealth of free information. However, the ease of putting information online also means that not all of it is credible. Before watching a tutorial or reading an article online, students should research the source of that information to make sure that it is trustworthy.

Read about more free design theory videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Design Theory Classes

Students unable or unwilling to attend live classes can sign up for on-demand design theory training instead. In the on-demand format, users go at their own pace. This option can be the best for parents or full-time employees who need to fit classes into a busy schedule. Not only do on-demand courses allow students to learn at their own pace, but these students don’t need to spend time commuting to a classroom or school. Another advantage of on-demand classes is that they are typically less expensive than live ones. 

On-demand classes can have drawbacks too. Some students struggle to maintain the motivation required in a self-paced, study-at-home course, while others feel like they don’t get the same level of engagement in an online class as they do in a traditional classroom setting. Overall, on-demand courses have become increasingly common, and students now have many options. Noble Desktop teaches many different on-demand design theory classes. Udemy also offers design theory classes in an on-demand online format.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different resources available to help beginners learn design theory, you might need clarification on which one is best for you. Everyone has different learning styles and preferences, so you will need to experiment with multiple tools to see which one feels right for you. One of the great things about directing your learning is that you pick which combination of tools you prefer; you don’t have to stick with what a teacher chooses.

It’s also essential to consider your current schedule before selecting a learning method. If you have a lot of responsibilities like a full-time job or family commitments, you may not be able to devote the necessary time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time every day. In this case, a self-paced class or video tutorials may be better since you can access them when your schedule allows. On the other hand, those with a more flexible schedule may prefer a structured course offered in-person or live online. 

Things to Consider When Learning Design Theory Online

Interacting with Other People

While students who study online are not physically present in a classroom, they still have opportunities to interact with the instructor and fellow students. Doing so can be beneficial because instructors and other students are often valuable resources. Interaction can also lead to networking opportunities. Further, for those students who find the isolation of online classes difficult, this communication can provide a better feeling of engagement and connection.

Staying Motivated

Students who learn online might also need to work harder to stay motivated and keep up with their work. Online classes often let students work at their own pace, and this flexibility is one of the things that many people like about online education. However, with so much flexibility, some people need help staying on track. Students can avoid this problem by scheduling regular study times.

Why Learn Design Theory?

By studying design theory, designers can learn to create better designs. This field of study gives students a deeper understanding of the different elements of an image and how these elements work together to influence the viewer. For instance, colors can be combined or contrasted in various ways to create certain feelings in the audience. With the knowledge of how color and all the other parts of design work, professional designers can make better creative decisions and produce designs that effectively communicate messages.

The principles of design theory can also help designers solve design problems. Every design project includes certain challenges or frustrations. Still, designers who understand why they are using various elements in their design are better equipped to solve any problems they encounter.

Designers who know design theory can talk about their designs confidently and knowledgeably because they understand how and why those designs work. This can be beneficial during a job interview because a designer can confidently explain a portfolio. It can also give designers an advantage when presenting designs to clients or employers. A strong understanding of design theory can also make designers more attractive to employers and clients because it allows them to present their work more effectively.

Read more about why you should learn design theory.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

Some people think that design is just about being creative or artistic, but designers need to learn many different skills and theories to create their own designs. Mastering these skills can take varying amounts of time, depending on the experience and persistence of the student. Some students might be able to learn design theory quickly, while for others, the process might take years. For all students, practice is an essential part of mastering design theory. Formal education is also necessary for most people.

Design theory has no formal prerequisites; however, some design classes may require students to have certain skills, such as knowledge of specific design programs or applications. Many design classes focus on a particular type of design, such as web or graphic design, so students will probably need to narrow their design interests to one of these fields to pick a class.

Just as the time required to master design theory varies widely, so does its cost. Many design classes include design theory instruction, so students wanting to pursue this field typically have some options. Certificate programs are one of the more comprehensive types of classes. They usually take longer to complete than other types of programs, but they give students a good understanding of the fundamentals. Certificate programs can cost up to $5,000; however, many schools offer payment plans.

Read about how difficult it is to learn design theory.

Learn Design Theory with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

No matter your schedule or learning style, you can find a design theory course at Noble Desktop. The school runs many different in-person classes at its Manhattan campus, as well as a variety of online courses. Whether online or in-person, all class groups are small and feature instructors who are experts in their fields. In addition, Noble offers a free retake option, where students can choose to retake a course once within a year. Students who opt for the free retake can gain additional design skills without paying for another class.

Design classes come in many different forms. Design bootcamps are one popular way to learn design theory and other design skills and can be a good way for students to master new skills quickly. Graphic Design Portfolio Bootcamp is just one of many different design bootcamps offered by Noble Desktop. In this class, students learn graphic design theory and techniques. For students interested in other types of design, Noble provides a long list of different bootcamps, including a Sketch Bootcamp and a UI Design Bootcamp.

A design certificate can be a good option for those who want more in-depth training. These courses generally run longer than bootcamps and provide a deeper level of design education. Digital Design Certificate is one of Noble’s many certificate classes in the design field. This course is intended to create well-rounded Digital Designers and includes vital design concepts and theory. Like many other bootcamps, it also provides job support.

Key Insights

There are numerous ways to learn design theory. Understanding the different options allows you to decide which is best for you.

• An education in design theory can help you gain employment in many different types of industries.
• Many people find in-person classes are the best way to learn a subject like design theory.
• Live online classes can be an effective alternative when in-person classes are impossible.
• On-demand classes have the most flexibility, but students can find them less engaging. 
• For all class formats, the cost and the time required to master the content vary by person.