AIGA Design Foundations

Successful organizations know the value of design. Because thoughtful design is a driver of organizational success, designers are often required to wear many hats—innovator, leader, and problem-solver, just to name a few. This course provides design professionals with an overview of key design principles and practices, providing a shared language for describing the creative and complex role that designers play within their organizations. The course also explores methods for fostering innovation, solving complex problems with design, and communicating the value of design with data. Through interactive games and exercises, learners will engage with key concepts and apply their learning to real-world scenarios and case studies. The course is designed for early-career and seasoned professionals alike, offering engaging instructional content for designers at all levels who want to sharpen their understanding of design principles, tools, and best practices. Learning Outcomes Define key concepts relevant to effective design practices Name areas of specialization and potential career paths for designers Describe the application of design in different contexts Describe basic UX principles and how to apply them Define prototyping and recognize prototyping strategies Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research methods Explain the role of data in design and define key terms related to data analytics Examine methods for promoting creativity and innovation in teams and organizations List and describe the stages of design thinking Recognize key project management principles and how to apply them to design projects