Visual Communication: Principles and Practice for Digital Design, May 2026
"How you communicate visually is just as important as what you say."
Design thinking is the secret to making your voice stand out in a noisy digital world. Most people have the software, but they lack the strategy to make an impact. Our course is designed to bridge that gap. Led by researcher and designer Saumyaa Naidu, this cohort-based program moves you from design theory to digital execution.
About the instructor
Based in Bangalore, Saumyaa Naidu is a researcher in digital cultures and digital rights. She holds a BA in Communication Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (2010) and an MA in Social Design from Ambedkar University (2017), in New Delhi.
She has worked with the Centre for Internet and Society as a Policy Officer from May 2016 to January 2020, and as Senior Designer from January 2021 to November 2022.
About the course
Our course, Visual Communication: Principles and Practice for Digital Design, offers a deep dive into the fundamental theories and practical applications of effective design. This program bridges the gap between traditional design principles and modern digital execution, focusing on how to design for specific contexts and audiences.
Throughout the eight sessions, you will move from understanding the design process to mastering complex layouts and data visualizations.
Details
- Course Begins: 13th June 2026
- Format: 8 virtual sessions of 1 hour and 30 minutes each.
- Schedule: Saturdays, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.
- Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
- Communication Platforms: Google Classroom for assignments & Telegram for coordination and questions.
- Primary Design Tool: Affinity.
Course Outline
| Session | Topic & Objectives |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Fundamentals of Communication Design: Messaging, media, audience, and visual storytelling. |
| Week 2 | Elements & Principles of Design: Composition, Gestalt’s Principles, and introductory semiotics. |
| Week 3 | Colour Theory: Colour wheels, harmonies, interaction and psychological perception of colour. |
| Week 4 | Typography: Anatomy, kerning, glyph repertoire, font pairings, and typographic composition for digital impact. |
| Week 5 | Publication Design: Layout, grid systems and page composition for print and digital media. |
| Week 6 | Information Design: Infographics, iconography, and data visualisations. |
| Week 7 | Designing for Digital Media: File formats, color types, accessibility, and ethics. |
| Week 8 | Final Presentation: Presentation of the final infographic and group feedback. |
Course Outcome
- Conceptualize Immersive Narratives: Transition from simply presenting information to building compelling visual stories
- Adopt a Structured Design Process: Implement the "Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver" workflow to ensure every creative decision is rooted in strategy.
- Apply Visual Psychology: Learn to use Gestalt’s Principles and Semiotic Thinking to guide audience perception and create compositions that demand attention.
- Translate Complex Data: Convert raw, diverse datasets into intuitive and accessible infographics.
- Execute Technical Standards: Understand the nuances of CMYK/RGB, file formats, and responsive design for digital age.
- Strategic Conceptualization: Ability to chart out the intersection of message, media, and audience to build cohesive communication strategies.
- Implement Ethical Communication: Apply the principles of accessibility, usability, and ethics to ensure your designs are inclusive and responsible.
- Develop Collaborative Soft Skills: Participate in group critiques and interactive showcase sessions, developing the soft skills necessary to provide and implement professional design feedback.
- Earn Certification: Receive an official Certificate of Completion recognizing your skills in Visual Communication.
Prerequisites
- Tools: You will need to install and sign up for Affinity during the course.
- Software Knowledge: A working knowledge of graphic design software (like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva) is recommended to get the most out of the technical sessions.
- Stationery: For the first two weeks, please have basic supplies ready (A4 sheets, pencils, scissors, and 2-3 old magazines for collage activities).
Join the First CohortRegistration Fee: INR 400
Availability: Seats are strictly limited to ensure a high-quality, personal experience for every student. |