How to Learn Design Theory Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning design theory is no different. Design theory is all about the different elements of design and how these elements work together to influence the viewer. If you’ve always wanted to learn design theory, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. From free tutorials to live classes, each option is outlined here so you can decide how to learn in the best way. 

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.

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.

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.

Free Intro 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.

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

Students who want to learn design theory can choose between in-person, live online, and on-demand classes. While online courses have become increasingly popular in recent years, many people still feel that in-person instruction is the best option. In 2020, global management and consulting firm McKinsey & Company questioned more than 2,500 teachers in eight different countries about the effectiveness of remote versus in-person learning. Teachers gave remote learning an average score of five out of ten compared to in-person learning. However, each type of instruction has different advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which class to take depends on the unique circumstances of the individual student.

Proponents of in-person learning argue that it is the best way to learn new material because of its interactive and engaging format. Students in a live classroom setting can get immediate instructor feedback and interact and connect with fellow students. Further, they may have access to tools such as up-to-date software and computer labs, which are lacking in a home environment.

For students who want live instruction but cannot make it to in-person classes, live online classes can be a good alternative. These classes still provide live feedback and interaction, but students don’t have to commute. Students of live online classes can attend from a completely different city or country if they can log on at the scheduled time. In a live online class, students can ask questions just as they would in a live classroom, and some even prefer doing so from behind a screen rather than being in a room full of people.

A final way to learn design theory is with an on-demand class. On-demand classes lack the benefits of live instruction, and students must ensure that the curriculum is updated. However, the on-demand format does have some advantages. On-demand courses offer a high level of flexibility, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. These types of classes are also typically cheaper than live instruction.

Tips to Succeed when Learning Design Theory Online

Make Use of Opportunities to Interact with Others

Even though online students are not physically present in a classroom, it can be beneficial for them to interact with the instructor and fellow students. Many online classes allow and even encourage students to do so. Instructors and other students are valuable resources and can also provide good networking opportunities. Further, for those students who find the isolation of online classes difficult, this interaction can help them feel more engaged and connected.

Learn How to Stay Motivated

Students who learn online often need to make an effort to stay motivated and keep up with their work. Many online classes let students work at their own pace, and this flexibility is one of the benefits of online education. However, with so much flexibility, some people have trouble staying on track. Experts recommend that online students avoid this problem by scheduling regular study times and setting up a dedicated study area away from distractions.

Use Reliable Sources

Anybody can post a design theory article or video online, which means that an expert on the subject has posted not every design theory resource on the internet. Students who learn online need to ensure that their resources are credible and current. With a paid class, this can be easier to determine because instructors inform students of their expertise and credentials. For free resources, users might have to do a bit of research.

Things to Consider Before Learning Design Theory Online

Before signing up for a design theory class online, students should consider why they are taking the course, whether or not there are any prerequisites, and what the time commitment will be. This can help them select the right class and prepare for it.

Prerequisites

Some design classes might have prerequisites, so it can be a good idea to check on this before enrolling. The most common prerequisite for design theory is basic computer skills and access to a computer. However, some classes also require knowledge of specific design programs or applications.

Field of Interest

There are many different types of design, and to study design theory, students usually need to know what field of design they are interested in. For instance, do they want to work in graphic design or find web design more appealing? While design theory is part of all of these different specialties, design classes typically focus on one type of design. Students who aren’t sure what design they want to focus on can look at Noble Desktop’s Learning Resources page to get a better idea of the various design specializations.

Costs and Time Commitments

Online design theory classes have varying costs and time commitments. One of the most comprehensive types of classes is certificate programs, which can give students a good understanding of the fundamentals of their chosen design field. Certificate programs generally take longer to complete than other programs and can be more expensive. Workshops and bootcamps are typically less costly and quicker to complete. However, because they are shorter, they usually cover less subject matter.

Students also need to know that after completing a course in design theory, they may face additional costs in the form of paying for the various design tools they will need to create their designs. For instance, many designers use Adobe Creative Cloud, a popular tool with applications like Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro. A subscription to Adobe can start at about $20 per month, depending on the desired plan. Other design tools, such as programming languages like Python or Java, are free. In general, most design tools are cheaper than design classes.

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

If you decide to pursue your design theory education online, there are dozens of resources.

• Live online classes combine flexibility with the benefits of having a live instructor.
• On-demand classes are the most flexible option but require you to be self-motivated.
• Free online design theory classes are a good way to get an overview of the topic, but a paid class is usually the best option for in-depth knowledge.
• The choice of how to learn design theory online will depend on how much time you have to devote to your education, what you can afford to pay, and what you plan to do with your education.
• As an online student, you might need to make a special effort to stay motivated. You also might need to make more effort to interact with instructors and fellow students.
• If you take online classes, make sure that the information you are getting is reliable and current.
• Before enrolling in a design class, you will need to decide what type of design you want to study.