Key information

  • Delivery

    Online, Self-study

  • Estimated study time

    60 hours

  • Length of access

    12 months

Learn industry language

This course has been created for students interested in studying Graphic Design, Interior Design or Fashion Design in an English-speaking country and for those who want to work in those fields. They will not only improve their general English language skills, but also learn the terminology used in those design areas.

What you'll learn

Have you ever been confused by the meaning of a design term? Do you feel you need a better understanding of the “lingo” of design? The English for Design short course looks at design specific terms and how they are used. With engaging videos, interactive tasks and a comprehensive glossary, it is the best course to improve your design language skills.

  • Introduction to Design

  • Introduction to Colour and Colour Theory

  • Elements and Principles of Design Graphic Design

  • Form, Shape, and Space in Graphic Design

  • Interior Design

  • Materials and Structures

  • Fashion Design

How you'll learn

This course is fully online and self-paced, allowing you to study when it’s convenient for you. We expect this course to take a minimum of 60 hours to complete. Learning content includes comprehensive explanations, vocabulary and grammar activities (and keys) audio and video lessons from experts in the field. There are no formal assignments required for this course, however all participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    English for Design

    • Introduction Video

    • Welcome
  • 2

    Module 1 - Introduction to Design

    • Warmer: Designers

    • Vocabulary: What do Designers do?

    • Reading: Visual Culture

    • Grammar: Gerunds as Subjects

    • Podcast: Opinions on Design

    • Module 1 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 1
  • 3

    Module 2 - Introduction to Colour and Colour Theory

    • Warmer: Colours

    • Reading: Colour Theory

    • Vocabulary: Colour Adjectives

    • Grammar: Adjectives and Nouns

    • Module 2 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 2
  • 4

    Module 3 - Elements and Principles of Design

    • Warmer: Patterns

    • Reading: The Key Elements of Design

    • Grammar: Adjective Order and Placement

    • Vocabulary: The Principles of Design

    • Module 3 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 3
  • 5

    Module 4 - Graphic Design

    • Introduction: Graphic Design

    • Warmer: Design is All Around Us

    • Reading: Areas of Graphic Design

    • Grammar: Relative Clauses

    • Podcast: Effective Advertising

    • Vocabulary: Processes

    • Module 4 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 4
  • 6

    Module 5 - Form, Shape and Space in Graphic Design

    • Warmer: Form and Shape

    • Reading: Shape in Design

    • Vocabulary: What do Shapes Represent?

    • Grammar: Word Families and Space

    • Module 5 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 5
  • 7

    Module 6 - Interior Design

    • Introduction: Interior Design

    • Warmer: Buildings, Furnishings, Styles

    • Reading: Interior Design Hacks for Productivity

    • Vocabulary: Style Through the Ages

    • Grammar: Conditionals 1

    • Video: Interior Design Specialist

    • Module 6 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 6
  • 8

    Module 7 - Materials and Structures

    • Warmer: Materials

    • Reading: Sustainable Materials

    • Vocabulary: Structures and Site Analysis

    • Grammar: Gerunds and Infinitives

    • Module 7 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 7
  • 9

    Module 8 - Fashion Design

    • Introduction: Fashion Design

    • Warmer: Clothing and Accessories

    • Reading: The Fashion Industry

    • Video: Hear from a Fashion Expert

    • Grammar: Passive Voice and Past Participles

    • Vocabulary: Garment Detailing

    • Module 8 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 8
  • 10

    Module 9 - Fabrics, Fabric Processing, and Pattern Making

    • Warmer: Fabrics

    • Reading: Fabric Processing

    • Grammar: Tense Variations in Passive Voice

    • Vocabulary: Pattern Making

    • Module 9 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 9
  • 11

    Module 10 - Merchandising in Fashion

    • Warmer: Jobs in Fashion

    • Vocabulary: Fashion Design Processes

    • Reading: Fashion Marketing and Merchandising

    • Grammar: Questions Forms and Business Plans

    • Module 10 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 10
  • 12

    Module 11 - Brand Design, Development and Promotion

    • Introduction: Branding and Work Environment

    • Warmer: Identifying Brands

    • Reading: Branding and Development

    • Vocabulary: Corporate Identity

    • Grammar: Linking Devices and Persuasive Techniques

    • Module 11 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 11
  • 13

    Module 12 - Work Environment

    • Warmer: Design Industries

    • Reading: Why it's a Good Idea to Pursue Design

    • Video: Employment Opportunities in Graphic Design

    • Vocabulary: Employment

    • Grammar: Adverbials

    • Module 12 Answer Key

    • QUIZ: Module 12
  • 14

    Glossaries

    • Graphic Design and General Design

    • Typography and Software Terms

    • Interior Design

    • Fashion Design
  • 15

    Survey

    • Survey: Please Complete