VOOZH about

URL: https://www.coursera.org/learn/graphic-design-theory---hierarchy

⇱ Graphic Design Theory - Hierarchy | Coursera


Graphic Design Theory - Hierarchy

Ends soon! Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.

Graphic Design Theory - Hierarchy

This course is part of multiple programs.

Included with

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
No prior experience required
5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
No prior experience required
5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Your instructor Martin Perhiniak states: Control how your viewers experience your designs!

How can you ensure that people will read the title of an article first, then the pull-quote with some juicy fragment of the story, and only then move on to the body copy? As a graphic designer, you cannot give your viewers instructions on how to use your work, right? So there has to be another way to make people know what to do and where to find the information they are looking for. The magical solution is visual hierarchy. What we will cover in the course * Focal Point, * Entry Point * Dominance * Emphasis * Scale * Position * Proportion * Exaggeration * Propositional Density * and everything else that can help you to make your designs structured and easy to use. We will also analyze hundreds of amazing designs from all areas of graphic design to help you easily visualize and understand all the terms and rules that are covered in the course. Going through these examples - both good and bad - you will start to see these principles in effect, and develop a sense for the right visual hierarchy that will serve you greatly throughout your creative career. Who is this course for? * Anyone planning to get into the creative industry * Creative professionals aiming to improve their compositions * Marketing managers working with agencies & printing services * Practical advice with invaluable industry insight. This is not an abstract, in-theory course at all, but a very practical one. As a professional freelance designer myself, I will give you all my 20+ years of experience in managing 100s of high-paying projects from simple to complex, from small shops to global brands like Disney and Lego. In fact, I was working in a special consultant role for Adobe for more than a year, teaching design workflow and process practices to their most esteemed clients. And I can promise you with confidence, this part of the Graphic Design Theory Series, will literally elevate you to the next level as a designer, giving you a huge advantage whether you're just starting out, or already working as a designer for years. Come, join me, Martin Perhiniak, on this exciting journey, let’s explore the amazing world of Graphic Design together! Instructor bio: Martin Perhiniak is a Certified Adobe Design Master and instructor with extensive experience working for top companies including Disney, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures, Mattel, and DC Comics. Based in London, he teaches design and provides live online training and consultancy services to students and professionals worldwide. Martin’s teaching emphasizes hands-on learning and personal growth, guided by his motto: “Do not compare yourself to your role models. Work hard and wait for the moment when others will compare themselves to you.”

Start here to build your foundation in hierarchy. In this module, you’ll learn how to create structure in your designs by focusing on visual importance, prominent elements, and the order in which information is presented.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 17 minutes
  • Introduction1 minute
  • Hierarchy basics5 minutes
  • Prominent details5 minutes
  • Prioritizing information5 minutes
1 readingTotal 10 minutes
  • Project Instructions10 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes
  • Module 1 Quiz30 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • New Discussion Prompt10 minutes

This module focuses on layout strategies to bring order and rhythm to your work. Learn how to guide viewers using alignment, structured flow, and clear visual anchors like focal and entry points.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 24 minutes
  • Alignment and Grouping6 minutes
  • Structure and Order7 minutes
  • Focal point7 minutes
  • Entry point4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes
  • Module 2 Quiz30 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • New Discussion Prompt10 minutes

Explore how spatial relationships and sizing contribute to effective hierarchy. This module teaches you how to use dominance, scale, and position to elevate specific content and improve viewer engagement.

What's included

3 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt

3 videosTotal 17 minutes
  • Dominance5 minutes
  • Position7 minutes
  • Alignment5 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes
  • Module 3 Quiz30 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • New Discussion Prompt10 minutes

In the final module, you’ll explore more advanced techniques including exaggeration and layered meaning. You’ll also wrap up by reviewing what you’ve learned and considering how to apply these tools to future design work.

What's included

3 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

3 videosTotal 16 minutes
  • Proportion & exaggeration7 minutes
  • Propositional density7 minutes
  • Conclusion1 minute
1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes
  • Module 4 Quiz30 minutes
1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes
  • Course Project60 minutes
1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes
  • New Discussion Prompt10 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Skillshare
210 Courses122,305 learners

Why people choose Coursera for their career

👁 Image

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
👁 Image

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
👁 Image

Larry W.

Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
👁 Image

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.