Create visual communication

Visual Communications Design Guide

This visual communications design guide contains two sections. The first section, Visual Design Tools and Resources, provides a directory of

resources and tutorials you may use to create various visual communications. The second section, Design Elements and Principles, contains a list of

the elements and principles of design that you may consider applying to your visuals.

I. Visual Design Tools and Resources

Media Type Visual Type Tools & Tutorials

Print Brochures Microsoft Word Create brochures using Microsoft Word. To access templates, open a new Word document and use the search tool to find a brochure template.

 Video Tutorial: How to Create a Brochure Using Word Templates

 Video Tutorial: How to Make a Tri-Fold Brochure in Microsoft Word Canva Create brochures using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners

Media Type Visual Type Tools & Tutorials

Business Cards Microsoft Word Create business cards using Microsoft Word. To access templates, open a new Word document and use the search tool to find a business card template.

 Video Tutorial: Microsoft Word Business Card Template Canva Create personalized business cards using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners

Flyers Microsoft Word Create flyers using Microsoft Word. To access templates, open a new Word document and use the search tool to find a flyer template.

 Video Tutorial: Microsoft Word - Create Flyers Canva Create flyers using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners Piktochart Create flyers using Piktochart.com. You will need to create an account on Piktochart.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: A Simple Guide to Piktochart for Beginners

 Guide: How To Design An Event Flyer in 5 Minutes Or Less

Media Type Visual Type Tools & Tutorials

Cards Microsoft Word Create cards, postcards, or invitations using Microsoft Word. To access templates, open a new Word document and use the search tool to find a card, postcard, or invitation template.

 Video Tutorial: How to Print Postcards

 Video Tutorial: Creating Invitations Using Clipart in Microsoft Word Canva Create cards, postcards, and invitations using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners

Covers Canva Create book or magazine covers using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners

Web Website WIX.com Create a personal or professional website on WIX. You will need to create an account to use this program. You can access their portfolio of templates when you create a new website.

 Video Tutorial: How to Make a Stunning Website on Wix.com

Banner Canva Create a banner for a website using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners

Media Type Visual Type Tools & Tutorials

Video Tools

 Refer to the Guide: Creating Videos Consider sharing your video on social media, YouTube, or a website, or using it as a commercial or something else.

Presentation Slide Presentation Microsoft PowerPoint Use Microsoft PowerPoint to create a slide presentation. To access templates, use the search tool to find a template.

 Video Tutorial: Beginner's Guide to PowerPoint Canva Create a presentation using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners Piktochart Create a presentation using Piktochart.com. You will need to create an account on Piktochart.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: A Simple Guide to Piktochart for Beginners

Media Type Visual Type Tools & Tutorials

Poster Piktochart Create a poster using Piktochart.com. You will need to create an account on Piktochart.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: A Simple Guide to Piktochart for Beginners Microsoft PowerPoint Create a poster using Microsoft PowerPoint. To access templates, use the search tool to find a poster template.

 Video Tutorial: How to Create a Poster in PowerPoint

 Templates: SNHU Poster Templates Canva Create a poster using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners

Charts Microsoft Excel Use Microsoft Excel to plot data in a graph, chart, or diagram.

 Video Tutorial: Excel Charts & Graphs Draw.io Use Draw.io to design graphs, charts, and diagrams. You will need to create an account to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: Quick Introduction to Draw.io

Media Type Visual Type Tools & Tutorials

Infographic Canva Create infographics using Canva. You will need to create an account to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners Piktochart Create an infographic using Piktochart.com. You will need to create an account on Piktochart.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: A Simple Guide to Piktochart for Beginners Consider whether you will present your infographic on a website, a printed poster, or another medium.

Other Illustrations Google Drawings Use Google Drawings to create illustrations, logos, or other original visuals. You will need to create a Google account and access your Google Drive to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Design a Logo in Google Drawings Microsoft Paint Use Microsoft Paint to create illustrations, logos, or other original visuals. Microsoft PowerPoint Use Microsoft PowerPoint to create an illustration. To access templates, use the search tool to find a graphic template. Create animated graphics using the transitions and animations tabs.

 Video Tutorial: Beginner's Guide to PowerPoint

 Video Tutorial: Animated PowerPoint Slide Design Tutorial

Media Type Visual Type Tools & Tutorials

Photograph Devices Use a digital camera, cell phone, or other device to take photographs to create a visual.

Advertisement Canva Create ads using Canva. You will need to create an account on Canva.com to use this program.

 Video Tutorial: How to Use Canva Tutorial for Beginners Consider whether you will host your advertisement on social media, a personal website, in a magazine, on a scrolling television ad, or elsewhere.

II. Design Elements and Principles

Basic Elements and Principles of Visual Design

Contrast Hierarchy

Line Framing

Color Grid

Scale Randomness

Space Direction

Repetition Rules

Basic Elements and Principles of Visual Design

Symmetry Movement

Transparency Depth

Texture Typography

Balance Composition