Foundations in Design
A practical five-week introduction to design for beginners, students, graduates and career switchers. Learn how designers think, communicate ideas visually, use modern design tools, and build your first portfolio pieces.
Week 1
Thinking Like a Designer
- ✓ What design really is
- ✓ Design vs decoration
- ✓ Understanding the design process
- ✓ Visual communication
- ✓ Design principles
- ✓ Balance, contrast, alignment & hierarchy
- ✓ Introduction to creative problem-solving
Week 2
Visual Design Fundamentals
- ✓ Colour theory
- ✓ Typography
- ✓ Composition & layout
- ✓ Spacing & grids
- ✓ Visual hierarchy
- ✓ Choosing fonts and colours
- ✓ Analysing good and bad designs
Week 3
Graphic Design & Canva
- ✓ Canva fundamentals
- ✓ Creating social media graphics
- ✓ Flyer design
- ✓ Working with images
- ✓ Typography in practice
- ✓ Layout and composition in real projects
- ✓ Design for different platforms
Week 4
Introduction to UI/UX
- ✓ What UI/UX design means
- ✓ User-centred design
- ✓ Understanding users and problems
- ✓ User flows
- ✓ Wireframes
- ✓ Introduction to Figma
- ✓ Designing a simple interface
Week 5
Design Challenge & Showcase
- ✓ Design brief interpretation
- ✓ Creative direction
- ✓ Applying design principles
- ✓ Introduction to AI-assisted design workflows
- ✓ Portfolio presentation
- ✓ Peer/instructor feedback
- ✓ Choosing your Advanced specialization
Throughout Foundations
Professional Design Habits
- ✓ Receiving and applying feedback
- ✓ Explaining design decisions
- ✓ Working from a brief
- ✓ File organisation
- ✓ Naming and exporting assets
- ✓ Building a simple portfolio
- ✓ Responsible use of AI tools
Solve a Real Design Problem
Learners receive a simple design brief and develop a visual solution from idea to presentation. The project allows learners to demonstrate both creative thinking and practical design skills.
By the End of Foundations
Foundation Certificate
Learners who successfully complete the Foundations requirements receive the Sodbridge Academy Design Foundations Certificate.
Become an Industry-Ready Designer
After completing Foundations, choose a specialization and develop professional-level design skills through structured practice, real briefs, design critique, iteration and portfolio projects.
Brand & Visual Design
Graphic & Brand Specialization
Develop the ability to create visual identities, campaigns and professional brand systems that communicate clearly and consistently.
Core Skills
Portfolio Projects
- ✓ Brand identity system
- ✓ Marketing campaign
- ✓ Social media campaign
- ✓ Packaging or promotional design
- ✓ Brand presentation
Career Outcomes
Graphic Designer • Brand Designer • Visual Designer • Marketing Designer • Creative Designer
UI/UX & Product Design
Digital Product Specialization
Design intuitive digital products by understanding users, defining problems, creating interfaces, testing ideas and building scalable design systems.
Core Skills
Portfolio Projects
- ✓ Mobile application concept
- ✓ Web product redesign
- ✓ Complete UX case study
- ✓ Interactive prototype
- ✓ Design system
Career Outcomes
UI Designer • UX Designer • Product Designer • Interaction Designer
Less Watching. More Designing.
Every week combines instruction, practical work, critique and iteration. The goal is not simply to complete tutorials but to develop professional design judgement.
Learn
Understand the concept and tools.
Create
Apply the concept to a real design brief.
Critique
Receive feedback and explain your decisions.
Iterate
Improve the work and document the process.
Advanced Programme
Duration
8 - 10 Weeks
Sessions
3 / Week
Investment
₦100,000
Sodbridge Academy Professional Design Certificate
Every Advanced learner graduates with a professional portfolio, documented case studies or design projects, and experience responding to real-world briefs and feedback.
What You Get
Our programs are designed to help you become job-ready by combining technical training, real-world projects, mentorship, and continuous portfolio development.
Professional Portfolio
Graduate with real branding, marketing, and product design projects.
Mentorship & Feedback
Receive design reviews, coaching, and personalized guidance throughout your learning journey.
Career Preparation
Learn how to present your work, prepare your portfolio, and position yourself for freelance and full-time opportunities.
Certificates
Earn Sodbridge Academy certificates after successfully completing each level.
SIEP Opportunity
Outstanding graduates may be invited to contribute to real projects through the Sodbridge Industrial Experience Program.
100+
Design projects created by students
2
Career specialization pathways
Who This Is For
Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your creative skills, this program is designed to help you become an industry-ready designer.
Aspiring Graphic Designers
Learn to create professional brand identities, marketing materials, social media designs, and print assets.
Future UI/UX Designers
Build user-centered digital experiences for websites, mobile apps, and software products.
Students & Graduates
Gain practical design skills that strengthen your portfolio and improve employability.
Career Switchers
Transition into design with structured training and real-world projects.
Content Creators & Marketers
Design engaging social media graphics, advertisements, presentations, and marketing assets.
Creative Enthusiasts
Anyone passionate about creativity who wants to build professional design skills from the ground up.