We’re so excited to bring you this new concept in design training aimed at researchers, to help you make better infographics, visual abstracts and posters (not to mention figures, logos, presentations, social media, reports, policy cards…… )
The programme lasts for 6 months (the start date is up to you), and you can join online workshops, complete assignments and challenges, and get professional support and feedback on your work.
The programme costs £150 per student for a 6 month programme (start any time). This includes access to:
+ individual licence for Affinity Designer (for you to keep after the programme has ended)
Good technical grounding in the principles of colour, images, type and composition
Software skills in Affinity Designer
Confidence in presenting your work and collaborating with others
A broader overview of visual communication
Using design thinking to solve problems
Design principles for visual communication
90-minute webinar
This workshop introduces key design principles: colour, images, type and composition and explores their use in digital and print formats.
We also begin to think about tools and approaches to visual communication and how these will be explored through the programme.
Affinity Designer software training
3-hour workshop
A walkthrough of Affinity Designer, our key software for the online programme.
Applied workshops
3-hour workshops
Prerequisite: Affinity Designer software training
Develop your design thinking and software skills with three applied workshops, each exploring an aspect of visual communication through design for a specific medium. These 3-hour workshops all involve plenty of practical activity for participants:
Focus on….. webinar
60-minute session looking at a particular subject or skill in detail, eg. logo design, creating an animated gif.
Open session
You can ‘drop in’ via Zoom at anytime during this 3-hour session to ask advice, gain feedback or help with a particular challenge.
Challenge session
During this 3-hour session you work in small teams to address a design challenge. A great opportunity to practice design skills and collaborative working.
We always welcome suggestions for new programme content.
Cycle repeated every 4 weeks. Please note this is given as a guide and actual dates will vary.
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 |
| Design principles | Visual abstracts | Design principles (repeat) | Posters |
| Software training | Challenge session | Software training (repeat) | Open session |
| Infographics | Webinar |
You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you wish (note that some sessions have maximum attendance). You may find it useful to repeat a session at a later stage to refresh their skills.